Swissôtel Chicago

Swissôtel Chicago

Swissôtel Chicago
Hotel chain Swissôtel
General information
Location United States
Address 323 East Upper Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601
Opening 1988
Cost $125 million
Management FRHI Hotels & Resorts
Technical details
Floor count 45
Design and construction
Architect Harry Weese and Associates
Other information
Number of rooms 661 (including suites)
Number of restaurants 3
Website
Swissotel Chicago, Fairmont Corporate

Swissôtel Chicago is a luxury hotel in downtown Chicago, Illinois. Its location provides access to several of Chicago's well-known features, including the Loop business district, the Magnificent Mile upscale retail district, and the confluence of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan.[1][2]

Riverwalk

The hotel is adjacent to the Chicago Riverwalk, construction of which began in 2011, and is slated for completion in 2016. By the time it is finished, it will span nine city blocks. The Chicago Riverwalk contains seating areas, restaurants, shops, residential buildings, landscaping and water features, and offers activities such as boat and kayak rentals.[3][4]

Architecture

Swissôtel Chicago was designed by renowned Chicago architect, Harry Weese, who is perhaps best known as the designer and architect of the Metro system in Washington, D.C., and of the Time-Life Building in Chicago.[5]

The hotel is triangle-shaped, glass, and stands 45 floors, and 457.01 feet (139.30 m) tall, but 12 of them (Floors 32-43) are in rush hours (it means that in regular times it will be as high as floor 31), offering views of the city, the Chicago River, or Lake Michigan, depending on the side of the hotel.[6]

Unlike many hotels that place their swimming pools on the ground floor, and usually outside, Swissôtel Chicago offers an indoor, heated pool on the 42nd floor along with a fitness center, giving guests the opportunity to take in views of the city while exercising.[7]

Renovations

In 2007, the hotel underwent a $47 million expansion to add 50,000 square feet (4,600 m2) of meeting space.[8] The hotel was renovated again in 2012, to incorporate a more European style, at a cost of $10 million.[9]

References

  1. ↑ "Welcome to Swissotel Chicago". Swissotel Chicago. Fairmont Raffles Hotels International. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  2. ↑ "Swissotel Chicago Overview". Travel Weekly. Northstar Travel Media. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  3. ↑ "Building a New Chicago". Chicago Riverwalk Construction. City of Chicago. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  4. ↑ Pringle, Aubrey (22 July 2015). "Things to do on the Chicago Riverwalk". Tribune Broadcasting. WGN TV. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  5. ↑ Muschamp, Herbert (3 November 1998). "Harry Weese, 83, Designer Of Metro System in Washington". The New York Times. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  6. ↑ "Swissôtel Chicago". Emporis. Emporis GMBH. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  7. ↑ "Swissôtel Chicago". Fodor's Travel. Penguin Random House, LLC. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  8. ↑ "Swissôtel". Chicago Architecture Info. Artefaqs Corporation. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  9. ↑ "Swissotel Chicago". Jetsetter. Retrieved 20 October 2015.

Coordinates: 41°53′15″N 87°37′10″W / 41.887368°N 87.619321°W / 41.887368; -87.619321

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