BACKGROUND

The Union League Club of Chicago is a venerable institution known for fine artwork, impeccable service, cultural offerings and – importantly – congeniality supported by a wide offering of dining and socialization venues. Chambers has been honored to update many of them and most recently, the Rendezvous (bar, lounge and grille) and the Wigwam (upscale dining and wine bar). Our goal was to listen to the needs of the club and its members, establish both current and perceived future member desires, and create “timeless and classic” interiors with a bit of an “edge.”

OUR APPROACH

In the Rendezvous, we developed a serpentine bar experience promoting cross-talk and member socialization, as well as a new, comfortable soft seating area to provide a space for members to escape the buzz of the main area (complete with new limestone surround fireplace). We also developed dining settings to support the new, adjacent hearth oven and customized serving line in the “Carvery” capable of offering the famous ULCC “half hour lunch.”

The Wigwam, by contrast, was designed to celebrate the more relaxed scenario with a custom, glass-enclosed wine cellar display and moveable bar for dining enjoyment. Multiple banquettes and leather dining chairs provide a low key background for the exquisite food presentation by Chef Garbin. Targeted lighting, fine art, and background music, as well as linens, crystal, china and silver all were programmed to heighten the member experience of the Wigwam.

RESULTS

The immediate success of the spaces has underscored the ongoing need to respond to the membership’s desires – right down to the smallest (and often extremely important) details, all while respecting the heritage of the club.

CLICK HERE to see our latest design work at ULCC, creating a coffee shop/work lounge on the Club’s first floor.