ANDIAMO - Bre Smith

EVP of The Hand & The Eye

Was there a specific moment or place that made you realize you were drawn to creating experiences for others?

It started at a very young age. I have always been drawn to people and to telling stories through hospitality. From the way a napkin is folded to how I move across a room, every detail matters, especially how a guest feels at the end of their evening. In every role I’ve held, I’ve led with the goal of creating memorable moments, big or small, that help guests feel like the best version of themselves.

When you first received the call about a ‘magic project’ at The Hand & The Eye, what made you feel that this role was something truly tailor-made for you?

When I received the call about The Hand & the Eye, I wasn’t entirely sure what I was stepping into. Everything shared with me over the phone felt intentionally mysterious, which only drew me in further. I had a strong sense that something extraordinary was on the other end, and it felt like the right moment to take a leap and answer that call.

Learning that this opportunity would bring me back to Chicago made it even more meaningful. I have a deep love and appreciation for the city, and The Hand & the Eye is introducing something truly remarkable to both Chicago and beyond. It aligns perfectly with what I’ve always wanted to do, create magical, unforgettable experiences for people.

In my role as EVP of Venue, I’m able to fully express who I am. It’s unlike anything I’ve done before, and I’m constantly learning in ways I never expected. This experience has expanded my understanding of what it means to create magic across food, music, performance,art,and design. 

Being part of this journey from the beginning has been incredibly rewarding, and I’m grateful for the opportunity that Glen Tullman has in me to continue growing and evolving every day.

Hand & The Eye asks guests to be present in a way that feels rare now, with limited screens and no photos during the experience. As a hospitality leader, what does it take to help people surrender to the moment?

Asking guests to put their phones away and fully immerse themselves in the experience has actually been much easier than expected. People genuinely appreciate that photography isn’t allowed in the space. From the moment you arrive, we invite you not only to step into the magic, but to show up for yourself. We encourage guests to dress up, enjoy a beautiful night out with their partner, friends, or colleagues, and truly be present.

In a world where social media often keeps people focused on their screens, removing that distraction has created something really special. It’s incredible to see guests smiling, engaging, and connecting with one another. There is so much to explore throughout the mansion, and if you’re not fully present, you might miss it.

I love the atmosphere we are creating,no two experiences are ever the same. There’s something truly special about losing track of time and enjoying an evening with loved ones, while also bringing back that elevated dining experience. Even the design of the space invites you in. The art has been curated with exceptional attention to detail, and the fabrics are more than decorative,they are layers of intention, each thoughtfully designed with elements of magic woven throughout.

Opening a venue of this scale requires an enormous team effort. What have you learned about leadership from building an opening team from the ground up?

Opening a venue of this scale has taught me that leadership starts with clarity of vision and trust in people. When you’re building a team from the ground up, you’re not just hiring skill sets,you’re building a shared mindset. Every individual has to understand not only what we’re doing, but WHY we’re doing it.

I’ve learned the importance of leading by example. Energy, attention to detail, and commitment are all things the team mirrors, so it’s essential to show up consistently with intention. At the same time, I’ve learned to create space for others to step into their magic. The best teams are built when people feel ownership over what they’re creating.

Communication has also been one of the biggest lessons. In something this layered and evolving, clarity, repetition, and transparency are everything. It keeps everyone aligned and builds trust across the team.

Most importantly, I’ve learned that building something meaningful takes patience and adaptability. Things rarely go exactly as planned, but when you have a strong foundation of people who believe in the vision, you can navigate anything together. It becomes less about managing and more about guiding and empowering a team to create something truly special.

The Hand & The Eye brings together performance, food, beverage, interiors, storytelling, and guest flow. What has been the most exciting challenge in building an experience with so many moving parts?

The Hand & The Eye weaves together every thread, it has been an incredibly creative experience building from the ground up. What excites me most is having been part of it from the very beginning,understanding what the building was before the walls went up, before the final paint and wallpaper, before the floors were laid. Knowing what exists beneath the surface adds a deeper layer of connection to everything we’ve created.

Being part of this journey over the past two years has allowed me to dive into every detail, far beyond operations. From selecting sinks and silverware to choosing fabrics and art, every element has been intentional. That level of involvement has been both the greatest challenge and the most rewarding part, ensuring that each detail contributes to a cohesive, immersive experience. It’s about making sure that everything, no matter how small, plays a role in bringing the story to life.

Bellino had the pleasure of creating custom napkins for The Hand & The Eye. In a space where every touchpoint matters, how do linens and table details contribute to the mood of the experience?

For us, linens are part of the storytelling. They help anchor the table while elevating the overall atmosphere, adding layers of texture and depth. These details may seem subtle, but they have a powerful effect on how a guest feels, creating a sense of presence, occasion, and connection to the environment around them.

The moment someone sits down, the first thing they see is our Bellino linen folded on top of their place setting. That initial visual and tactile interaction immediately sets the tone. The weight of the fabric, the way it’s folded, the feel in hand, it all communicates intention, care, and a sense of refinement before anything is even served.

It’s those quiet, thoughtful details that draw guests in and invite them to slow down, to notice, and to fully immerse themselves, setting the stage for everything that follows and becoming a seamless part of the magic we create.

There’s no traditional main stage at The Hand & The Eye. Instead, guests move through intimate performances and secret passageways. How does that change the role of hospitality, when guests are not just watching the evening unfold but becoming part of it?

The absence of a traditional main stage completely transforms the role of hospitality. From the moment you enter the mansion, you step into a world designed by magicians, for magicians. There are multiple performance spaces throughout the mansion, and each one offers a different moment, a different perspective, and a different layer of discovery.

Because guests are not just watching but truly participating, every interaction carries more weight. The role of hospitality becomes more intuitive and responsive, anticipating needs, reading the room, and helping shape each moment as it unfolds. We love leaning into what the mansion tells us & the heartbeat that lives within.

Ultimately, it’s about creating a balance where guests feel both supported and free to explore. The experience becomes personal, and hospitality is what quietly holds it all together, ensuring that every guest feels connected to the story while discovering something uniquely their own.

The McCormick Mansion has lived many lives, and now it has been reimagined as a home for modern magic. What responsibility comes with shaping the next chapter of such a historic Chicago space?

The McCormick Mansion has lived many lives, and with that comes a deep responsibility to honor everything that came before while gently shaping what comes next.

It’s really special to reflect on the history of the space and all that has existed within these walls. From its beginnings as a private residence to the miniature puppet theater inside Kungsholm, a Scandinavian restaurant that blended dining with performance, to Lawry’s Prime Rib, it has always been a place where people come together to experience something memorable.

As we step into this new chapter with The Hand & The Eye, our intention has been to carry that feeling forward. We’ve been thoughtful about preserving pieces of the original architecture while allowing the space to evolve into something new and immersive. There’s a balance between respecting what was and creating something that feels alive today.

Working alongside David Rockwell and the team at Pentagram has been such an incredible part of that process. They’ve brought a vision that honors the past while introducing a sense of wonder and curiosity for what’s next. It feels like we’re not just opening a venue, but continuing a story and adding to the magic that has always lived here.

Outside of work, what activities or hobbies bring you joy and help you recharge?

Outside of work, I find so much joy in painting and spending time with art in all its forms. It’s a way for me to slow down, be present, and express myself creatively in a more personal and quiet way. Whether I’m working on a canvas or simply noticing design and detail around me, art always brings me back to center.

I also really value time with my friends and family. I love trying new restaurants, discovering different neighborhoods, and exploring everything the city has to offer. I’m constantly researching new places, experiences, and things to try. I just love the feeling of discovering something new.

To me, life really is one big adventure, and I want to experience as much of it as I can. That sense of curiosity and excitement is what keeps me inspired, both personally and in everything I do.

Who has been your biggest inspiration throughout your career?

John O’Sullivan has been a friend, mentor, creative influence, and my biggest inspiration throughout my career. He has always had a way of seeing more in me than I sometimes see in myself, and that belief has stayed with me over the years in a really meaningful way. He challenges me to look at things differently, to think beyond the obvious, and to approach both work and life with curiosity and intention.

What I’ve always admired most about John is the way he brings a sense of energy and fun into everything he does. He genuinely believes that when you love what you do, work shouldn’t feel heavy or forced. That perspective changed how I think about my own career. It gave me permission to enjoy the process, to be creative, and to not take things too seriously while still showing up and doing great work.

Over the past 15 years, he has been a steady presence in my life. Someone I could learn from, talk things through with, and look to for honest guidance. He has a way of pushing me to grow while still making me feel supported, which is a rare balance. There’s a level of care in how he shows up for people that I carry over into my own life.

I’ve learned so much from him, not just about work, but about perspective, creativity, and how to carry yourself through different seasons of life. His influence has shaped the way I approach challenges, how I lead, and how I connect with others. I’m incredibly grateful to have had someone like John in my corner for so long, and his impact on my journey is something I will always carry with me.

What advice would you give to someone new to the hospitality industry?

Advice I would give to someone new in the hospitality industry is to stay curious and truly embrace the journey. Be open to learning every part of the experience so you can really understand the people you work with and the guests you’re creating for.

Approach each day with a sense of energy and excitement. Hospitality is all about creating moments, so bring warmth, personality, and a little bit of magic into everything you do. Ask questions, try new things, and don’t be afraid to step into something unfamiliar, that’s where so much growth happens.

I always tie everything back to the “why.” Why am I here, and what is my purpose? When you stay connected to that, it keeps your work meaningful and grounded, no matter where you are in your journey.

Most importantly, have fun with it. When you genuinely love what you’re doing and pour that joy into the experience, people feel it. That’s when something simple turns into something unforgettable.