Optimo

Visit the new headquarters and production facilities of Optimo, situated within a century-old firehouse in Beverly. Optimo is Chicago’s only custom men’s hatmaker, known for its classic fedoras, straw Panama hats and even a limited edition hat modeled after Frank Lloyd Wright’s signature headwear. The exceptional renovation by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) consolidates Optimo’s operations into one 7,500-square-foot space. The design imparts an industrial aesthetic enhanced by a palette of refined, understated materials like blackened steel, walnut and cork. The factory, the smallest ever designed by SOM, is a working museum of hatmaking equipment dating back to the turn of the century.

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, 2018