A hotel operator has been confirmed for the upcoming mixed-use development at 193 N Columbus Drive in Lakeshore East. Located just north of the intersection with E Randolph Street, the hotel would be within the tower set to replace the long-vacant Parcel O within the megadevelopment led by Magellan Development Group.
Site context map of 193 N Columbus Drive via Google Maps
A project has been in the works for nearly a decade on the site, originally proposed as a two-brand hotel before pivoting to hotel and apartments. While the bKL Architecture-designed building received full approval from the city and caisson permits in 2023, construction stalled without a hotel operator and securing funding.
2021 rendering of 193 N Columbus Drive by bKL Architecture
Now the 47-story tower will be anchored by a new Hoxton hotel according to CoStar, the second in the city behind its 2019 location in Fulton Market. The hotel would include 240-rooms and multiple food and beverage locations. These would most likely occupy the majority of the building’s 9,000 square-feet of commercial space.
2021 rendering of 193 N Columbus Drive by bKL Architecture
Sitting just above 500-feet in height, the rest of the tower will hold around 600-residential units mostly made up of studios, one-, and two-bedroom layouts. The building’s lower level will also be capped by a large pool deck most likely used by both the hotel and residents. The building will also utilize the existing motor court to the north that is shared with Aqua.
Parcel O Site at 193 N Columbus Drive. Image by Jack Crawford
The project isn’t the only one to have secured a hotel operator recently, with One Fulton Market nearing a deal for their own hotel property. At the moment, a timeline is unknown for 193 N Columbus Drive, while already fully approved, funding will be the next hurdle in an ever changing market.
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Great news for the neighborhood.
For everything west of this site/the big park, I wish there was a way to liven up the streets. The roads have always felt desolate and foreboding, even with a couple of hotels. Maybe a grocer would be beneficial and bring some needed foot traffic.
It’s a pleasantly peaceful area, but the sidewalks seem to be occupied more by passing litter than residents or tourists.
There is already a Bockwinkel’s and a Mariano’s over there. I think the problem is that the area was originally designed with 60-70s defensive architecture in mind. There aren’t small scale storefronts that provide street life like in other parts of the city. Much of the life of the area is in the pedway below. More storefronts on the street would enhance the area and make it feel like more of a part of the city as a whole.
I’ve walked these blocks many times and never knew there was a Mariano’s. I guess we’ve got the grocer chunk covered.
Admittedly, I don’t spend any time in that complex, so my fault for my ignorance.
As a visitor… I still think there’s room for improvement. All my out-of-town visitors never know about Pedway. Love showing them the tunnels come winter. When it’s shorts weather, I prefer above ground. Upper Wacker could seriously use some TLC. River East just needs a sprinkle of Nordic public space design.
Lakeshore East**
The Mariano’s is inside Lakeshore East, across from the park. Most people don’t know it’s there unless they live inside the neighborhood.
The streets in the near east side (or whatever they’re calling it now, east loop, new east side, whatever) were designed to be super wide and hold lots of cars. I think that’s why developers don’t bother putting much retail space along the sidewalks. Food trucks would probably be ideal for those streets.
the Pedway in general is a massively underutilized potential tourism place, in the same way the river was underutilized before the riverwalk. anyone who has been to an underground market in Seoul or Shanghai knows how absolutely incredible these spaces can be. It needs a huge shot in the arm to connect together, have programming and more stores, and better signage and navigation.
Chicago in general has tons of “good bones” features that are used in a very utilitarian way but could be extremely glamorous (canals, old siloes and factories, the Pedway, etc.)
Especially in times of bad weather, which Chicago has plenty of. There are several problems with the pedway. It’s not well marketed or easy to find for those who are unfamiliar. It’s not very navigable or seamlessly connected between sections (literally, right in the middle of it you have to go THROUGH the platforms of a train station to continue from one side to the other). Tolerance for vagrancy in some sections scares people away. There’s a lot of retail establishments that are really only open during the Monday through Friday daytime business hours. They’re oriented just towards office workers, not tourists. Also, some sections of it are locked up or closed off outside of those weekday office towers. And I’m not just talking about the sections that are privately owned or operated. The city/county are actually the worst offender around the Cultural Center, and again around the Daley Center/City Hall/Dunne buildings. Same thing for the State in pre-google times at the Thompson Center. There’s no real effort to make the Pedway more of a thing. Shame, since it runs through red, blue, and Metra Electric stations. Plus Macy’s, Boock 37, and several hotels. It’s potential is enormous
If Chicago could get their pedways to the level of what Toronto has, it would be good. I was there a couple years ago and they were vibrant with few empty storefronts. That being said, I’d prefer the life to be on street. There had been some food trucks at Upper Columbus pre-covid that got a fair amount of business. I don’t know if they’re back. There are a ton of residences there that could support businesses. So much of the architecture there again doesn’t support on-street commercial in their design. Hopefully the new development going forward will.
This news is really exciting! I’m hoping everything works out and they get the financing soon—maybe we’ll see some groundbreaking by the end of the year. It’s also interesting that the Hoxton Hotel, which usually goes for a more traditional vibe, is choosing to go with a more modern design. Can’t wait to see how that turns out!
When it comes to the Lakeshore East neighborhood, a lot of people don’t seem to get its appeal. It’s this quiet little spot surrounded by some of Chicago’s tallest buildings. You’ve got Millennium Park nearby, the Magnificent Mile just around the corner, and the Riverwalk right there. It’s got this perfect blend of being in the action while still feeling a bit secluded. I think that’s what people love about living there—it’s open to everyone, but they definitely don’t want to be overwhelmed by crowds. That vibe is what really makes Lakeshore East special!
Great news, I’m hoping this tower finally starts soon!
I disagree with the complaints about the street presence of Lakeshore East. It is a wonderful place for pedestrians. And yes, there are retail spots on the ground at two places. They are all destination retail (grocer, Subway, coffee shop, restaurant, Dermatologist, etc) so not a lot of draw for casual strolling or window shopping. But whenever I’m in LSE there is always plenty of foot traffic. One of my favorite downtown neighborhoods
its a suburb
oriented inwards
and closes itself off to the city
That is what people are talking about when they criticize its “street presence” – and – they are correct
Good news and let’s not forget teen gathering at night
LOL
Don’t worry, with BJ at the helm, all is under control!
The “teen gathering” or domestic terrorism
could easily be stopped by restricting red-line service south
and letting police “police” (stop and frisk etc)
Lakeshore East aka back in the day…..Illinois Center.