Chicago Fashion House

In 1896 Ivan Mayor designed a house for Solomon and Rosalie Bluestein at 5 Pirot Street. 

Solomon Bluestein was a famous trader who accumulated his wealth thanks to his huge collection of post stamps that he exhibited at Chicago Fair. There he made an impression to  Aleko Konstantinov himself, who included him in his traveller’s notes To Chicago and Back.  

He and his wife invested the money earned in opening a hotel, named Bucharest, in the building in Pirot Street. Soon it turned to be a favourite place for entertainment for Ruse citizens and visitors. The owners detached cabaret in it and invited singers and dancers from all over Europe. The first elevator in Bulgaria is said to have been installed in this hotel on the American model. Due to the lack of electricity, the elevator was pulled by 4 strong men.

The hotel existed for 4 years only. The building accommodated At Chicago company hat shop, owned by Solomon’s wife. Rosalie Bluestein’s fashion house was the first and one of the biggest Bulgarian producers of ladies and children’s hats. It had company shops not only in Ruse but in Sofia and in Pleven.

Until today the initials of Solomon and Rosalie Bluestein – SRB – can be seen on the entrance of the building. At present The Elevator Restaurant runs there and guests can see photos of the building from the time of its construction.