Historic Chandeliers Grace Fitness Space
The 1910s-era chandeliers over the interim fitness space are a true Chicago historical treasure.
Our Construction and Development Director rescued them from the basement of New Metal Crafts warehouse. Initially, all that was visible in the basement were the fixtures themselves. There were no crystals in sight.
She thought she would add some patina to the fixtures and hang them above the fitness space, but a little digging in the area surrounding the fixtures unveiled dust-covered boxes full of the original hand-cut chandelier crystals.
The chandelier fixtures were cleaned and rewired, while the crystals were shined to a brilliant sheen.
And here is where the story becomes even more incredible.
Conversations and research with employees at New Metal Crafts led to the discovery that the chandeliers were original to the historic Blackstone Hotel on Michigan Avenue, and that the original cost of each was $80,000.
For a small fraction of that price, a piece of Chicago history now hangs above the fitness space in the club.
We hope you enjoy your workouts under them as much as we do.