InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile Hotel, has completed the first phase of a refresh that saw changes made to several of the hotel’s historic ballrooms and event pre-function space. The restoration, handled by Whitespace Interiors, combines modern-day meeting aesthetics with the hotel’s original architecture and historic Gatsby-era design.
Phase two of the renovation project is set to be completed in early 2020.
For the refresh, Whitespace Interiors used bold patterns as displayed in furniture and carpeting. Meanwhile, subdued hues were used throughout to highlight the detailing of the original fixtures and design. The spaces are also lit by crystal-dripped chandeliers.
InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile Hotel has more than 45,000 square feet of meeting space and can play host to up to 1,000 attendees. The largest of the hotel’s event space, the Grand Ballroom, has a six-ton Bacarrat crystal chandelier—reportedly the largest in North America—and hand-painted murals that were restored by Lido Lippi, who previously worked on the restoration of the Sistine Chapel. The hotel also has 20 breakout spaces.
The property has 792 restored guestrooms, two restaurants (Michael Jordan Steak House and ENO); a wine lounge; and is home to the oldest pool in Chicago, which showcases classic architecture from the '20s and was carefully restored to maintain its 1929 look. The pool includes a hand carved terracotta fountain of Neptune as well as hand-painted Spanish tiles lining the walls, and marble pillars.
Pete Demay is the GM of the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile Hotel.
Photo credit: Intercontinental Chicago Magnificent Mile Hotel