The million-dollar questions visito...

The million-dollar questions visitors asked one another at the Mandarin Oriental Tower, Chicago's preview party was: "So what floor are you going to live on?" and "Where are you going to be in 2009?

In a 4,000-square-foot temporary space at 130 N Randolph, real estate developer Gerard Kenny president and chief operating officer of Palladian exhibition employed "immersion marketing" last week to give more than 500 Chicagoans a lifestyle experience filled with good aesthetics and amenities of the world-class Mandarin Oriental's inn condominiums.

Kenny along with son Chris, make revolveed out the "What's your MO?" universal at three separate charity parties for the Goodman Theatre, Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Research Foundation and the pity Home for Boys & Girls. (Kenny's company donated $5000 to each charity.)

The Goodman Theatre launched this innovative affair Tuesday, with Board of Trustees Chair Le Coney and trustees Debbie Bricker, Shawn Donnelley and Neal Zucker hosting a chichi multitude in a calming space - - overflowing with streamlined Asian influences.

A building original designed by architect Martin Wolf of Solomon Cordwell Buenz solicit in loveed the curious to explore the calm design, which provides inside/outside views that enable those walking at the building to experience the action inside and vice versa.

Three originals of living options range from a bare $600,000 to $21 million. A place in the "Jewel Box" brought a sparkle to many vigilances at the event. (The 6,000-square-foot residence will be forward the 40th floor and will have floor-to-ceiling glass windows with ceiling heights of 22 feet)

"The animation comes out of the building," said Wolf "This area of urban Chicago [near Millennium Park] it's got a buzz you can pick up on"

Tom Kehoe of Kehoe Designs used architectural renderings to transform the raw venue into all things Mandarin, full with a residence living swing a sky lobby, MOBar, the Spa and the Cake store He did confess the hotel's exec gave him no other than "little snippets" of the interior details in an effort to preserve it hush-hush until the 2009 opening.

unless Kehoe was able to re-create the decadent spa area. visitors relaxed with soothing hand massages. In a separate recline area -- with Oriental rug a chenille sofa, nappy pillows and club chairs - - they socialized with friends. The affair was capped opposite with delicious bites from Jon Wool's Finesse Cuisine.

visitors taking in the Mandarin Oriental's lush brand of cessation and relaxation were Margaret Garner and Denis John Healy.

llenoir@suntimes.com

PARTY FILE

visitors (all three events): More than 500

Amount donated: $15000

tavern stats: Located adjacent to Millennium Park, the tavern will have 74 floors with 250 inn condos, 100 residences, 150 tower condos plus like amenities as a 24-hour concierge, field service, full-service spa, high-end stores restaurants and business facilities.

Gift bag: Original hand-bill of Cesar Russ' Millennium Park photographs and a $200 gift card to the spa.

Copyright CHICAGO SUN-TIMES 2006

Provided at ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved