Medinah Temple, Chicago

Originally constructed as a Shriner's Temple, the Medinah is an exquisite exemplar of Moorish Revival architecture with intricate textured brickwork arranged in a distinctive Flemish bond pattern. Amidst its other distinctive features are the pointed, bulbous domes and graceful horseshoe arches, echoing the Islamic design influence prevalent in many Shriner's Temples. Many of the key elements, including the intricate geometric motifs around the windows and doorways, evoke images of mosques and palaces typically found in Spain.

Having once resonated with the melodies of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, with some of their most iconic recordings emanating from within its walls during the late 1960s through the 1980s, this Windy City landmark has been repurposed to house Bloomingdale's home store, which occupied this space for nearly two decades before its relocation in 2020. While the interior underwent significant changes to accommodate retail displays, the dome was painstakingly restored, preserving the building's original character, while stained glass windows and the exterior were repaired.

On May 5, 2022, news broke that the Medinah Temple would serve as a temporary casino, a key component of the approved Bally's Chicago casino bid endorsed by the Chicago Mayor and City Council. The temporary casino officially welcomed patrons on September 9, 2023, and it's anticipated to remain at the Medinah Temple until the permanent casino location in the River West neighborhood is completed, a project slated for fulfillment by 2026.

Tip:
The second-floor women's restroom may pique your interest, as it boasts the title of Chicago's most beautiful bathroom.