Chicago Athletic Association Hotel: Preserved building with 1890s history

Aside from being one of the largest cities in the United States, Chicago also has a fascinating architectural past. The city is the birthplace of the skyscraper and features some of the most beautifully preserved buildings in the country. intimate and casual yet chic.

The distinct Chicago Athletic Association, designed by Henry Ives Cobb

One of these structures was designed by prominent architect Henry Ives Cobb. Completed in 1893 to give a distinctive identity to the Chicago Athletic Association – founded in 1890 by families in the American sport and athletic commerce – the Venetian Gothic tower has been transformed into an opulent hotel with 241 rooms and suites.

The Chicago Athletic Association has 11 floors, and is classified as a Venetian Gothic building. There are currently seven restaurants on premises, namely:

• Cherry Circle Room
• Drawing Room
• Game Room
• Milk Room
• Fairgrounds
• Cindy's Rooftop
• Shake Shack

All the public and private spaces celebrate the club’s high-spirited and sports-driven heritage while bringing the spirit of the Chicago Athletic Association into the 21st century.

The Roman and Williams team is behind the restored interiors that feature colossal fireplaces, bas-relief wood carvings, 19th-century stained-glass windows and an ornate marble staircase, which create a one-of-a-kind atmosphere that invites you to travel through time.

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“A touch of disorder in the new space would draw in a younger generation, with a brave desire to balance it with references of its past,” the interior designers say.

Before starting to work on this project, Roman and Williams toured the raw space and were lucky enough to find paintings in the basement, as well as trophies, lighting, furniture and abandoned athletic equipment, which inspired the creative concept.

In the rooms and suites, custom lacquered wooden armoires and bars exist harmoniously with Faribault Woolen Mill Co custom blankets and a modern take on 19th-century brass beds.

Adorned with a mural of athletic characters by Texas-based artist collective LAND, the Game Room is a meeting point for guests who are invited to enjoy activities such as bocce ball, billiards, shuffleboard and chess.

The hotel offers several dining experiences, including casual restaurant Shake Shack, fine dining establishment Cherry Circle Room and the 13th floor’s rooftop lounge Cindy’s, which offers breathtaking views of Millennium Park and Lake Michigan.

Honouring the original character and soul of the building, the current design continues the illustrious history of this place.

Chicago Athletic Association Hotel is located at 12 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603, United States. Tel: +1 312-940-3552.