Kindling Downtown Cookout & Cocktails

Kindling Downtown Cookout & Cocktails brings the concept of a “walk in the park” to the heart of downtown Chicago. Surrounded by a sea of high rises lacking green space, three KTGY disciplines came together to craft an experiential space united by a strong storyline that appeals to office workers, families and tourists alike. As the product of collaboration between the client, the restauranteur and KTGY’s architecture, interior design and branded environments teams, Kindling invites guests to unwind in a charming getaway that breaks out of the city grid from the base of Willis Tower.

The idea backing this restaurant is to rekindle some of the communal spirit and joy of discovery of the 1970s. Through a strong, tactile brand identity and playful interiors, the concept evokes the warmth and nostalgia of the era of the building’s original opening. The design gracefully juxtaposes a typical cityscape with winding pathways, open-fire kitchen, vivacious greens and a treehouse-inspired loft level with a game area and abundant plant life.

The first task was to build out a new space in the historic building’s contemporary podium. The design teams were faced with two virtually empty stories, enclosed in glass — a blank slate pierced by the monolithic supports of the world’s former tallest building. Working hand in hand with the other two disciplines to define and maintain their vision, our architects built out tenant improvements to meet the whimsical concept with the reality of operating a live fire kitchen at the base of a historic tower.

Contextual research and a strong concept inform a process of naming and identity building that helps guide the other design elements. “Kindling” communicates the spirit of our concept: every day is field day, and every night is the Fourth of July. Clear signage with friendly typography and a vibrant ’70s color palette takes visual cues from Chicago parks and zoos of the era. These signs guide guests through Kindling’s wide-open spaces like a map of paths winding through a city park, leading people to areas of discovery —a front row seat to the kitchen, picnic-like dining areas, or more private nooks designed for intimate conversations and quiet moments.

The restaurant’s first floor cultivates intimacy with dining enclaves that offer a mix of privacy and the opportunity to be seen. The second floor attracts the weekend crowd with a striking bar and lively patio terrace. Carmine, knotty ropework seems to suspend the bar, accenting and supporting the second-level treehouse. The patio comes alive on summer nights when patrons amble between the shed bar, games and lounge tables under festoon lighting. With four entrances strategically placed in high-traffic areas, Kindling capitalizes on high visibility to attract different visitors from the office lobby and the main tourist entrance.

The picnic-inspired menu, bound in branded wooden books with leather clasps, covers early morning breakfasts to late-night dining, appealing to everyone from families on vacation, to executives negotiating over cocktails. With Willis Tower being one of the top tourist destinations in Chicago, Kindling forges countless opportunities to leave a sensational impression on each guest.