The Renderings For New Restaurant Mr. Edison At The Bellevue Hotel Are Positively Luminescent
The renderings of Jefferey Chodorow’s first restaurant in Philadelphia at The Bellevue have us ready to book a table yesterday.
Talk about electrifying.
Based on these absolutely stunning renderings, we’re thisclose to calling The Bellevue to make a reservation — even though Mr. Edison won’t be opening until (hopefully!) later in 2026. But seriously, look at those Edison bulb chandeliers!
Jeffrey Chodorow — the restaurateur behind China Grill and a whole lineup of other iconic restaurants — is bringing his first Philadelphia venture to The Bellevue. And the name? A perfect tribute to Thomas Edison, who designed the original lighting at The Bellevue way back when. Talk about coming full circuit!
From Fine Clothes to Fine Dining (Well, Eventually)
The space getting this dramatic makeover has quite the pedigree. For 27 (!!) years, it housed the Polo Ralph Lauren flagship store — a true neighborhood institution that closed its doors back in 2017. We’re talking about prime real estate here: street-level frontage at Broad and Walnut, right in the heart of everything.
Since Ralph Lauren’s departure, the space has been waiting for its next act. And based on these renderings, it’s going to be quite the transformation from preppy retail to sophisticated dining. The space definitely has good bones (thanks, historic architecture!), and Chodorow’s team seems ready to make the most of them.
An Electifying Legacy (Sorry, Had To)
Here’s what makes the name so perfect: Thomas Edison literally designed the lighting for The Bellevue when it first opened. So Mr. Edison isn’t just a clever restaurant name — it’s a genuine nod to the building’s history and, frankly, we’re here for that kind of attention to detail. From The Inquirer:
Chodorow said Mr. Edison is named in tribute to Thomas Edison, who designed the Bellevue’s lighting for its 1904 opening. He said that a Spanish firm, Clavel Arquitectos, has created a “mind-blowing” design with a historical connection to the building
And based on the renderings, they’re taking that Edison legacy seriously. Those cascading Edison bulb installations look absolutely spectacular — like dining inside a warm, glowing constellation. Is it too early to call this the most Instagrammable dining room in Rittenhouse? (Probably, but we’re saying it anyway.)
Library Vibes Meet Electric Dreams
The design concept appears to blend sophisticated library aesthetics with Edison’s lighting genius — think floor-to-ceiling bookshelves creating intimate alcoves and booth seating throughout the space. It’s giving “dining in the most beautiful library you’ve ever seen” vibes, and we are HERE for it.
The arched architectural details play beautifully with The Bellevue’s existing bones, while those Edison bulb ceiling installations add drama and warmth. We’re getting major Belle and the Beast’s library energy, and honestly? We wouldn’t be mad about living in this space.
Where We’re At
Chodorow’s known for creating restaurants that are experiences — not just places to grab dinner. China Grill had serious staying power (and serious buzz), so expectations are running pretty high for what he’ll bring to our neighborhood.
Right now, construction is underway at The Bellevue but beyond these impressive renderings (which, please note, are ALWAYS fluid!) we don’t have any more details at the moment. So ETA is TBD for the moment, and we’ll share
Have you spotted any construction progress at The Bellevue? Drop us a line at rittenhouseramblings@gmail.com — we love hearing from our fellow Ramblers!
