Initial details have been revealed for the potential hotel conversion of part of 875 North Michigan Avenue on the northern end of the Magnificent Mile. The iconic tower, commonly known as the John Hancock Center, is working on reimagining itself as it faces high vacancy rates like others in the surrounding area. The parking and office floors are owned by local firm Hearn.
View of 875 N Michigan Avenue via JLL
Rising 100 stories tall, the tower was long known for holding one of the highest indoor pools in the world and the iconic Signature Room on the top floors. Its current program includes retail on the bottom three floors, parking from floors four to 12, offices from 13 to 41, residential units from 44 to 92, and an upcoming multi-story observation deck and event space on floors 94 to 96.
Rendering of expanded 360 Chicago by SOM
While the units are popular, the office floors remain largely vacant after efforts by its owner to market them toward medical uses. Now, they are on track to lease roughly 400,000 square feet of space across floors 23 to 34 to Marriott International to build out a new outpost for its EDITION brand, which currently has 20 outposts as well as planned locations in Detroit and Nashville.
Rendering of EDITION New York within the historic Met Life Building via EDITION
Rendering of EDITION New York within the historic Met Life Building via EDITION
EDITION hotels are normally marketed as luxury boutique properties with on-site dining and bars; we can expect a similar program for the 350-room outpost in Chicago. The lease for the hotel is still being finalized and needs to be executed, according to Crain’s. At the moment, no timeline or renderings have been revealed.
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Excellent idea. A great location for a luxury Marriott branded hotel and significant boost for north end of Michigan Ave. Similar to the St Regis arrangement on Wacker Drive.
Amazing proposal! Chicago needs more hotels badly
This is a good idea, and probably would have been as far back as 30-40 years ago. There were probably reasons it hasn’t been done until now (figuring out logistics for a hotel lobby experience, lack of event space, long term office leases?) but it’s Long overdue.