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I take a very European approach to life in Chicago. By that, I mean forcing my friends to join me for weekday drinks and utilizing public space to the fullest. So when I heard Buckingham Fountain was getting 100 metal chairs inspired by the Luxembourg Garden in Paris, I had to see what this was about.

Why French?

The Luxembourg chairs are from Fermob, a renowned French furniture manufacturer. Two styles now surround the fountain — the low armchair, which is slightly reclined, and the lounge armchair, an upright version. Both come in a subtle “willow green” color.

It was the price tag that caught my attention more than the chairs’ origin. The low armchair retails for $1,080, while the upright version is $930. The total price tag for the 100 metal chairs in Chicago came out to $54,488, or about $544 per chair. Lollapalooza covered about 55% of the costs.

I’m quick to pocket-watch the city, but I can’t help but admit I am a fan. The chairs are comfortable and inviting — and they’re movable. The chairs weigh 11-13 pounds, pretty lightweight for a durable metal patio chair. I was able to easily pick one up with one arm. A child could drag one across the floor thanks to the silencing pads at the bottom of the legs.

Public Chairs in Chicago

Public chairs that aren’t benches or bolted to the ground have already proven popular in the city. There are the Adirondack chairs on the riverwalk, but those are more difficult to move just by virtue of their shape. They are still comfortable for looking out at the architecture tour boats and people watching.

Before the chairs, the only seating options at the fountain were benches that circle the far perimeter of the plaza. Chicagoans and tourists would swing by, look at the fountain, take some photos, and keep it pushing.

But this is why public furniture plays a vital role in urban landscapes. After visiting on a weekday morning and afternoon, I was happy to see people taking time to sit for a while. Some took in the skyline or the fountain itself. Others, myself included, positioned the chairs to sunbathe. I can imagine walking over on a summer evening after a Millennium Park concert, my friends collecting chairs to pull close to one another.

The chairs are accessible during Buckingham Fountain’s operating hours — unlocked before 8 a.m. and locked up around 11 p.m. Early Friday, I caught two Park District guys coming out of white pickup trucks, unlocking the heavy-duty security cable around the chairs. They said their job is to “make sure the chairs survive the night.” 

I give the fancy French public chairs my highest recommendation, but the cynical Chicagoan in me is wondering how long it will be until one of the chairs ends up in the lake or a dibs spot next January. I hope we can all fight the urge and protect the chairs at all costs.