The former Ambassador East Hotel has been a Chicago landmark since its opening in 1926. Now, thanks to iconic hotel designer and developer Ian Schrager, the legend of days gone by has been transformed to rise to new heights of sophistication and elegance for the discriminating traveller. Schrager, widely known for his revolutionary boutique hotel concept birthed in the 1980s is once again changing the luxury hotel paradigm with a new brand known simply as PUBLIC. The brand is Schrager’s attempt to redefine luxury travel without the unnecessary excess which has long made it unaffordable to the masses. His PUBLIC brand changes the way we think of luxury hotels, thus allowing access to anyone who wants it.

At the heart of PUBLIC Chicago is a design theme that harkens back to the days of the American and European coffee houses in the 1950s. The hotel’s public spaces are designed to encourage both socialization and business interaction by including relaxing sofas and chairs intermingled with workspace tables. Soft colours and sleek lines combined with refined and low-key décor, present a sophisticated space that is instantly classic without being ostentatious. When you’re in the hotel’s lobby you will know you’re somewhere special — though you might not know exactly why.

Moving on to the accommodations, PUBLIC Chicago’s 285 rooms strike a perfect balance between comfort and functionality. Immediately upon entry your eyes will be captivated by Schrager’s “no color” color palette, which makes great use of soft neutrals for a peaceful and relaxing ambience. The hand-picked furniture is specifically selected for each room to provide what the hotel chain defines as “superb integrity.” Perfectly complementing the furnishings are custom-designed lighting systems, draperies, and artwork.

Guests will enjoy a range of amenities including 300 count linens by Frette, oversized desks, complementary high-speed wireless Internet, concierge service, daily housekeeping, stocked minibar, and spectacular views of the city of Chicago.

PUBLIC has redefined the luxury travel model to make your stay more about the experience, and less about price or class; a new paradigm perfectly encapsulated in the hotel’s public and private spaces.

Nightly rates start at under $200.

PUBLIC Chicago
http://www.publichotels.com/chicago/home/
1301 North State Parkway
Chicago IL 60610

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In Europe the Virgin brand name is one of the most well-known and respected among all industries. Now the company aims to strengthen its position in North America by venturing into the hotel business. To that end, Virgin Group has announced the completion of a deal that will bring the first Virgin-branded hotel to America. The site of the property is a historic office building in downtown Chicago that the Group purchased from Wabash Lake Partners LLC, Chicago.

Assisting Virgin Group in the deal was Chicago-based John Buck Company. The two will jointly work together on a redevelopment plan to transform the property into a 250-room, four-star hotel. No details have yet been released on the direction designers will be taking, or the total cost of the renovation, but Virgin’s hotel division has been allotted as much as USD $500 million to acquire and develop properties in America’s most dynamic cities. In addition to Chicago, Virgin has targeted New York, Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco, and Washington DC.

The Chicago property is a 27-story building on the city’s West side, between the shores of Lake Michigan and the Chicago River. The Art Deco building is significant to Chicago’s heritage, making it a perfect venue for the Virgin brand name. Virgin has not yet scheduled a date for the property’s grand opening and is open the possibility of another US-based hotel debuting before the October 2013 Chicago deadline.

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