Hotel Indigo®, IHG’s (InterContinental Hotels Group) upscale boutique brand, is constant its expansion in major U.S. cities with plans for its third hotel inside the Chicago market. The hotel, with the intention to be located within the historic downtown area’s Atlantic Bank Building, is predicted to open in spring 2014.
The Hotel Indigo Chicago-Millennium Park hotel, located at 168 N. Michigan Ave., will undergo an estimated $20 million renovation by the ownership and could occupy a 101-year-old building that first opened in 1912 because the Federal Life Building. The 156-room hotel will feature design elements that reflect its local neighborhood just north of Millennium Park within Chicago’s central business district.
As a part of the extensive renovations, the hotel will add four floors to the building—bringing the entire to 16 stories – housing a rooftop bar, and a cafe managed by celebrity chef David Burke. The hotel will maintain lots of its historic features, including the unique white enamel terra cotta exterior, while including the advantages and amenities guests expect from staying with a brand from one of many world’s largest global hotel companies.
“The Hotel Indigo brand is uniquely designed to mirror the culture, character and history of the neighborhoods where our hotels can be found,” said Mary Winslow, director, Brand Management, Hotel Indigo, the Americas, IHG. “This hotel will occupy a native landmark on famed Michigan Avenue, probably the most storied neighborhoods in Chicago. The expansion of the Hotel Indigo brand in top-tier markets like Chicago, Long island and New Orleans proves that guests value the boutique, local neighborhood experience that our hotels provide.”
Set inside the heart of Chicago’s vibrant business district, and within walking distance to a lot of Chicago’s best restaurants, shopping and theater districts, the Hotel Indigo Chicago-Millennium Park hotel can be conveniently located just steps from the Jay Pritzker Pavilion and Millennium Park. The hotel can also be in close proximity to the Magnificent Mile, Grant Park, the Art Institute of Chicago and various corporate offices. Within a mile of Interstates 90, 94 and 290, in addition U.S. Highway 41, the Hotel Indigo Chicago-Millennium Park hotel could be served by several bus and train stops and may be near the Chicago Cultural Center, among the city’s finest sites for fundraisers, concerts and other special events.
“We are excited to be involved with bringing the Hotel Indigo brand to downtown Chicago,” said Musa P. Tadros, president, Crown Series 168 North Michigan Avenue LLC, a Frankfort, Ill. based company. “Chicago is a thriving business and travel destination that gives unique local flavors not found anywhere else within the U.S. We glance forward to welcoming both business and leisure guests and sharing our neighborhood story with them.”
The Hotel Indigo brand, the world’s first global branded boutique hotel brand, has grown rapidly since launching in 2004. The Hotel Indigo brand is still a powerful growth vehicle for IHG with its strategy curious about growing in top-tier priority markets and gateway cities. With a high quality global pipeline of nearly 50 hotels, the Hotel Indigo estate is anticipated to double in size to 100 properties inside the next three to 5 years.
The Hotel Indigo Chicago-Millennium Park hotel is among the Hotel Indigo properties expected to open in key cities within the U.S. inside the following couple of years, including Ny city, Philadelphia, Newark, N.J., Savannah, Ga. and Pittsburgh. The emblem has recently seen growth in top U.S. markets with the 2012 openings of the Hotel Indigo Brooklyn and Hotel Indigo New Orleans Garden District hotels. The Hotel Indigo brand has also seen strong international growth, with the hot opening of the Hotel Indigo Barcelona – Plaza Catalunya hotel, and the approaching opening of the Hotel Indigo Hong Kong Island hotel, anticipated to open by mid-year.
The Hotel Indigo Chicago-Millennium Park hotel, owned by Crown Series 168 North Michigan LLC and managed by First Hospitality Group, is franchised by an affiliate of IHG.