Collection by Patrick Sisson
Complete Renovation of W Chicago Lakeshore Hotel
The lifestyle hotel chain’s $38 million renovation brings more swagger to Chicago's waterfront.
As it expands to new hot spots around the world, from Bogota to Beijing, the W Hotel chain has also embarked on a rebranding program at home, remaking its North American properties with its core concepts of fashion, design and music in mind. A $38 million makeover of the W Hotel Lakeshore, one of Chicago’s premier waterfront properties, added a new light on Lakeshore Drive this summer. The renovation gave the property a set of shimmering, reflective interiors and a better flowing lobby, among other upgrade. See the 20-year-old hotel’s new look in our slideshow.
The reflective marble in the reception area and new Lobby Bar recalls a runway, according to Meyer, injecting life into the entryway while drawing the focus to the bar and the small, circular pods, curtained-off areas where guests can congregate. The reception area also boasts a white spray can mural that plays up a little-known historical fact—the aerosol cans were invented in Chicago in 1883—while referencing the city's spray paint ban.