In 1993,
Jim Vitale opened the Cliffbreakers Restaurant in Rockford, Illinois. Four years later, he opened the adjacent
hotel. One of the distinguishing
features of the establishment was Vitale’s extensive collection of antiques and
architectural fragments from around the world, including several from Chicago. Although Vitale sold the business in 2006,
and some of the pieces have been sold off, many remain, making it worth a visit
for those interested in seeing pieces of Chicago’s history. Below is a summary of the pieces with a Chicago
connection. The descriptions are taken
directly from a brochure acquired at the hotel in 2009 (no longer available).
Crane Company Building
836 S. Michigan Avenue
Holabird & Roche, architects
1913
“These
massive 10-foot bronze doors weight 750 pounds each and were the original entry
doors to the famous Crane building in Chicago.”
Corn
Exchange Bank Building (demolished)
122-136
S. LaSalle Street
Shepley,
Rutan & Coolidge, architects
1908
“This magnificent window was discovered above a
plaster ceiling during the demolition of the Chicago Corn Exchange at LaSalle
and Adams Streets. It contains over
7,000 pieces of leaded glass. An amazing
stroke of luck for Cliffbreakers!”
Germania
Club
108
W. Germania Place (at Clark St.)
Addison
& Fiedler, architects
1888-1889
“These massive oak beams on the ceiling of the lobby,
the hanging bronze light fixtures, along with the balcony railing and
registration desk came from the old Germania Club in Chicago. This was a private men’s club until its
closing in the late 50s. The 50-foot
carved oak grand wall with leaded windows was the original entry to the Club.”
Continental
Bank (demolished)
208
S. LaSalle Street
Burnham
& Root, architects
1885
“These two canvasses flanking either side of the lobby
are 8 feet high and 27 feet long. They
were painted by American artist George Marshall for the famous Continental Bank
of Chicago, at the turn of the century.
One features pilgrims landing at Plymouth Rock; the second, a hillside
view of Florence in the springtime.”
Standard
Club
320
S. Plymouth Court
Albert
Kahn, architect
1926
“These magnificent bronze chandeliers once hung in the
Standard Club in Chicago.”
Edith
Rockefeller McCormick Mansion (demolished)
1000
N. Lake Shore Drive
Solon
S. Beman, architect
1888
Note: The house was built for Nathaniel S. Jones
and purchased by John D. Rockefeller in 1895 and presented to his daughter as a
gift
“A pair of glazed terra cotta lions in superior
condition. From the original McCormick
Mansion torn down in 1953.” (The lions
have recently been painted white, the earlier photo dates from 2009).
sad these pieces aren't more appreciated,it was a grand thought,but,there were too many holes in the idea
ReplyDeleteRockford is and always has been divided into East and West and it was already struggling in 1993,the business want enough to pull in the clientele it needed for success
This was a grand thought but too many holes in the idea
ReplyDeleteRockford has and always will be East and West
The area was already struggling in 1993 and the business was not enough to pull in the needed clientele for a successful venture