Throwback Thursday – Rest Haven Rehabilitation Hospital

This week for our Throwback Thursday trip through our archives we visit Chicago July, 1963 for the opening of the Epstein designed and engineered renovation and addition to the Rest Haven Rehabilitation Hospital. This $1.4M ($10.8M in 2015) physical rehabilitation center, located at 1409 S. California, was an agency of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago and when it opened it was one of only two rehabilitation hospitals in Illinois. Epstein's architects and engineers were responsible for remodeling the existing 41,000 square foot building as well as designing a 33,000 square foot addition.

Back in '63 Rest Haven provided physical rehab services that weren't found in typical hospitals ranging from relearning ordinary activities like speaking, to walking, and lifting objects for both children and adults. Rest Haven also provided new space for the evaluation of speech, hearing and psychological ailments. In addition to Rest Haven's rehab services, the hospital also featured laboratory and research space for education and training of physical therapists and therapy concepts/ideas. And, as a huge early 60s perk the Epstein renovation and addition included providing air condition for the entire facility!

Today, Rest Haven is still in existence although it is now known as the Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital and is part of the Sinai Health System.