World's largest magic venue coming to Chicago's Magnificent Mile

The vibe: The venue, which last housed Lawry's Restaurant, was designed by Chicago native David Rockwell and will serve as a "home away from home" for magicians around the world. It also promises to be immersive, with guests being part of the shows.

By the numbers: The $50 million venue will be 35,000 square feet and feature a whopping 37 rooms of magic performances.

• It is slated to debut in spring 2026.

What they're saying: "This is not something you go to see. It's an experience you have and are a part of," Chicago investor Glenn Tullman said in a press release.

• "And once you have the experience, you want to share it with others because it's impossible to describe, like a picture that doesn't capture something you saw. You must be there to feel it."

Zoom in: Chicago has a long history of magic, specifically "close-up magic." Several smaller theaters have popped up recently, including The Magic Parlour in the downtown theater district.

Flashback: When the building opened in 1889, people reportedly gawked at the opulent mansion, which was owned by the nephew of business leader Cyrus McCormick.

• Later, the building housed a casino, as well as Kungsholm's Restaurant and Puppet Theater. It was the home of Lawry's The Prime Rib for over 40 years before it closed in 2020.