W Chicago–City Center Debuts Glam New Look

WHY IT RATES: The new look updates an already chic space, adding another stylish property to visit in Chicago. —Janeen Christoff, TravelPulse Senior Writer

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Set in Chicago’s historic Financial District, W Chicago–City Center is unveiling Phase 1 of its much buzzed about transformation this April.

In a reinvention reflecting the infused DNA of the iconic downtown Chicago Loop with its landmark 1928 Beaux Arts building, this contemporary hotel will introduce an all-new lobby and restaurant, Midland Social Club, named after the building’s original use as The Midland Club, a private gentleman’s club. The design memorably highlights historic touchpoints to illustrate the hotel’s early Chicago ties, while speaking to the many diverse cultural neighborhoods of the Windy City.

“With this renovation, we set out to disrupt the norm while staying true to Chicago’s history,” said Brendan Tsukiyama, general manager at W Chicago–City Center. “Our twist on the narrative will provide guests with the VIP experience in Chicago, unlike anything they’ve ever seen before.”

While reflecting the Second City’s rich ties to architectural design and cultural history, the entry into the hotel begins the experience, paying homage to The Great Chicago Fire with dramatic, charred wood walls, glowing sconces, and a suspended gold bucket, a nod to Mrs. O’Leary’s Cow.

As guests continue into the lobby, they are led by a mesmerizing, up-lit infinity ceiling, inspired by the rapid growth of Chicago. To the left of the entrance stands the check-in area, with re-designed front desks inspired by the sculptural public art of the Loop and the Millennium Park Pedestrian Bridge.

Adjacent to check-in, a dramatic, two-story back bar alludes to the hotel’s history with the infamous gangster Al Capone. This entry into the new Midland Social Club features a lit suspended display of Templeton Rye (Capone’s favorite), taking shape in the form of a reimagined version of Chicago’s iconic Municipal Device. Music from Chicago’s top DJs will pour throughout from the glass DJ stand, featuring a movable lit partition wall that doubles as a projection screen.

The Plateau, the second-floor seating area, provides guests with the ultimate viewing experience, as the spaces below transform before their eyes, including a dynamic loop inspired shape on the bar when looked down upon to connect back to the city’s famed transit system, the “L.”

The dining area of the Midland Social Club captures the high energy, whimsical character and ebullience of the Chicago streets. Graffiti art, commissioned by local Chicago street artists, greets guests as they are seated. The menu by executive chef Mark Powierski allows guests to hit up Greektown and the Latin flavor of Pilsen without ordering an Uber. Bites inspired by various neighborhoods include Chinatown sticky pork, taquitos de Pilsen, West Town pierogis and South Loop border mussels.

W Chicago-City Center continues to offer W’s signature contemporary lifestyle programming for guests and locals alike, including urban inspired cuisine by acclaimed chef Mark Powierski at Midland Social Club, FIT state-of-the-art fitness facility, WIRED 24-hour business center and more than 14,000 square feet of ultra-modern meeting and event space, including 13 meeting rooms and a 4,000 square foot Great Room (W’s twist on the hotel ballroom), perfect for accommodating large-scale events.

The hotel also offers W Hotels’ Whatever/Whenever service promise, offering guests whatever they want–from a private boat tour of the city along the shores of Lake Michigan to a pair of jogging shoes at 2am–whenever they want it, as long as it’s legal.

SOURCE: W Hotels Worldwide press release.