The Cliff Dwellers Club has served Chicago as a gathering place for those both involved and interested in the arts for more than 100 years. Once located above the Orchestra Hall in quarters designed by Howard Van Doren Shaw, the organization has often counted architects among its members, including employees of SOM.
To make way for construction of the Symphony Center in 1996, The Cliff Dwellers moved to the penthouse of the next building to the north. Following a brush with another possible relocation, SOM helped the Club celebrate a new 15-year lease on its current space with a pro bono renovation.
Completed in 2013, the project is up for a Civic ArtWorks Best of Downtown Award. Support the Club and SOM by casting a vote for entry “F” under Best Renovation on the Civic ArtWorks website.