TAO Chicago Renderings Reveal a Sneak Peek at Upcoming River North Hot Spot

As September inches closer, the owners of TAO are cranking up the hype machine for the opening of their Chicago restaurant and nightclub. They’ve released more renderings showcasing how design teams are transforming the 126-year-old building that housed the original Chicago Historical Society and several nightclubs including Limelight and Castle.

The 34,000-square-foot space has been split in levels at 632 N. Dearborn Street. Designers told Forbes that they hoped to make the Asian-inspired decor look like it had been left inside for centuries. The club’s entrance resembles a Japanese temple gates with lanterns illuminating the path. They’ve retained the Rockwell Group, the same New York firm that designed the first TAO in 2000.

TAO has a reputation in LA, Las Vegas, and New York as a space where fans hope to catch glimpses of their favorite celebrities. Chicago may not be a as much of a celebrity magnet as those other cities, but TAO founder Rich Wolf said he feels the city will welcome his restaurant’s Pan Asian cuisine. It’s also a very lucrative business, as the Vegas locations is the most profitable independent restaurant in America.

Take a glimpse at the renderings below and keep it here for updates.

TAO/Rockwell Group [Official Rendering]