Waldorf Astoria Chicago

Waldorf Astoria Chicago

Waldorf Astoria Chicago (formerly, Elysian Hotel Chicago)
General information
Type Mixed
Location Chicago, Illinois
Construction started 2006
Completed 2010
Owner Equity Group Investments
Height
Roof 686 ft (209 m)
Technical details
Floor count 60
Design and construction
Architect Lucien Lagrange Architects
Developer Elysian Development

The Waldorf Astoria Chicago, formerly the Elysian Hotel Chicago, is a luxury hotel located at 11 East Walton Street in the Gold Coast area of Chicago, Illinois.

History

Originally developed as The Elysian, the project was approved in June, 2005; with construction occurring from 2006 until 2009. The 60 story hotel was designed by Chicago architect Lucien Lagrange and was developed by David Pisor. The project consists of two main parts: a 188 room hotel and 51 condominiums above (estimated at $280 million combined). In 2009 the condominiums were valued between $2.5 and $8.5 million.[1]

The hotel opened in February, 2009. In keeping with the tradition of the Gold Coast neighborhood the entrance of the project is a cobblestone courtyard. Its design emulates the grand hotels of Paris in the 1920s, complete with colonnades, spires, and a motor court.

The five star hotel was named Conde Nast Traveler's top hotel in the United States in 2011.[2] However, it was reported to have failed to make a profit in its first two years and in September, 2011 it was announced that its owner Jones Lang LaSalle was looking to sell after Pisor's equity partner chose to remove itself from the hotel business, rather than developing the Elysian into a hotel brand as had been originally invisioned.[3]

Conversion to Waldorf Astoria


By November, 2011 it was announced that an investment group and Hilton Hotels would be purchasing the Elysian and converting it to a Waldorf Astoria. A Waldorf Astoria had been planned as part of an international expansion in 2007, but failed to take off due to the economy in 2008. Although a sales price was not disclosed, it is believed that it was purchased for $95 million, which would put it at a per room price of $505,000.[4]

It was renamed the Waldorf Astoria Chicago on February 1, 2012, although nearly all of the hotel remained the same.[5]

It ranked first in the Travel + Leisure 2012 World's Best Awards readers’ survey and is a 2013 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Award recipient.[6]

Location


The Waldorf Astoria Chicago is located in the Gold Coast Neighborhood, a district that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is also close to Oak Street, which is known for its boutiques, high end jewelry stores, and spas, as well as State Street and Rush Street. The latter known for its night life.

Its street level tenants include Marc Jacobs, Yves Saint Laurent (brand), and local boutique Perchance.

See also

References

External links


Coordinates: 41°53′59″N 87°37′39″W / 41.89972°N 87.62750°W