Claridge House Chicago completed a renovation led by hospitality design and development firm The Gettys Group. Design-wise, the property now evokes a contemporary Gold Coast Chicago residence.
The property first opened in 1923 as the Claridge Hotel. It was renamed in 2005 as Hotel Indigo, but just this May, it reopened as the Claridge House Chicago, paying homage to its historic past. Originally designed by Chicago architect Walter Ahlschlager, the initials “CH” and the Claridge name remain inscribed on the exterior of the 12-story building.
According to Ben Nicholas, principal of The Gettys Group, the interior design team of the firm was charged with transforming the hotel’s look and feel into an intimate and curated residential aesthetic in the Gold Coast neighborhood.
The lobby has a custom chandelier comprised of silk-wrapped rings, which are a nod to the “coming full circle” inspiration. Custom millwork anchors the lobby with an elevated linear fireplace wrapped in marble and flanked in blonde oak.
Juniper Spirits & Oysters is the property’s new restaurant and lobby bar.
The 165 guestrooms were inspired by a pied-à-terre theme, and have a city apartment feel. Images of London were hung in each room, reminding guests of the origins of the name Claridge.
Reinforcing the hotel’s residential atmosphere, The Gettys Group’s interior design team also installed accents and personal touches to the public areas with collected art and artifacts to emulate a living room at home. There is also an art installation features travel photos from trips taken around the world that were gathered from hotel team members and the project team.
The hotel is located at 1244 N. Dearborn Parkway in the Gold Coast.
Photo credit: Nicolas James Photography