Swissôtel in Chicago, Illinois
Photograph © Wayne Lorentz/Artefaqs Corporation
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Swissôtel in Chicago, Illinois
Photograph © Wayne Lorentz/Artefaqs Corporation
Click here to license this image
Click here to purchase a poster or print of this image
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Swissôtel in Chicago, Illinois
Photograph © Wayne Lorentz/Artefaqs Corporation
Click here to license this image
Click here to purchase a poster or print of this image
Swissôtel in Chicago, Illinois
Photograph © Wayne Lorentz/Artefaqs Corporation
Click here to license this image
Click here to purchase a poster or print of this image
Swissôtel
Formerly:Swiss Grand Hotel
323 East Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois, The Loop 60601 United StatesPrint this page   •   Share this page

At the far end of the Illinois Center complex is the best building of the bunch. The Swissotel is a large silver glass tower with a triangular form that gives it interesting views both from within and without. The triangle shape is necessitated by the peculiarities of the building site. It also has the effect of humanizing what would be yet another dark glass box. In that sense, the silvered windows provide an effective transition between the dark glowering office blocks at the city end of the Illinois Center and the light and open spaces available as the city reaches the extremities of Lake Michigan.

It's said that there are no bad views from this Swisshotel. Rooms offer lake, river, and city vistas. But there are some places with no windows at all. Most notably, one of the restaurants which is below street level.

But it's the triangle that gets all the attention. Astute observers of Chicago architecture probably sense a link between this hotel and the similarly triangle-shaped Metropolitan Correctional Center. That link is local architectural star Harry Weese. It was his mind that created both of these buildings 11 years apart. Just like the jail, a triangle was perfect for this project in order to minimize hallway lengths. Long tunnel-like hallways are a security risk in jails. In hotels they are merely an aesthetic liability.

Sponsored by: Chicago Spire Condo Information
Quick Facts
  • Construction start: 1986
  • Construction finish: 1988
  • Designed by: Harry Weese Associates
  • Cost: $125,000,000
  • Renovated: 2006-2009
  • Type: Skyscraper
  • Stories: 45
  • Maximum Height: 457 feet / 139 meters
Notes
    > The building was built by Morse/Diesel of Illinois.
    > The building points north so that two sides face the river, providing perpetually unobstructed views.
    > This building extends seven stories below street level.
    > July 1, 1986 - The developer unveils plans for this building.
    > September 18, 1986 - Groundbreaking.
    > October 4, 1988 - A charity grand opening gala is held with $100,000 in proceeds raised to expand a children's hospital.
    > February 20, 1994 - 16 people are hurt when they squeeze into and overload an elevator marked for only ten. Their extra weight causes the elevator to descend too fast. The emergency brakes activate, but the elevator car is eventually stopped by a hydraulic plunger at the bottom of the shaft. The elevator recently passed inspection and was in compliance with all ordinances. The accident is blamed on impatient conventioneers.
    > April 18, 2007 - Ground is broken for a $47 million expansion of this hotel, adding 50,000 square feet of meeting space.
Quotations
    "We have the understanding that people are not coming to Chicago to stay at the Swissotel; they are coming to experience the city." -Nicole Jachimiak, Swissotel sales and marketing manager, Chicago Tribune , January 21, 2004
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Your Thoughts

There is one comment.

  Wow...that's nearly identical to WTC7 in New York City.

Julia - Tuesday, November 13th, 2007 @ 5:40pm  

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