Boutique Hotel PUBLIC Opens in Chicago - Part I

PUBLIC - for everyone

Ian Schrager, the godfather of boutique hotels, has done it again! He’s made quite a spectacular entrance into the Chicago market. His latest venture, PUBLIC, is tucked away in the Gold Coast and nestled into a part of town where the “old money” of Chicago resides.

Mr. Schrager is one of my favorite hoteliers. He’s responsible for single-handedly revolutionizing boutique hotels and conceptual design in the US. He’s in a league of his own and he “gets it”. “It” meaning: conceptual design, experiential design, what a hotel should be, how people should feel in a space, how to design memorable, one-of-a-kind spaces, and on and on! 

I had the pleasure of experiencing PUBLIC, once again, and this time decided to document the public areas with my iphone (hence the low quality montage of pics). I have yet to see a guestroom but hear they are simple and plain. Regardless, the 1^st floor containing the Lobby, Library and Pump Room restaurant are open to both guests and locals alike (or you could say the PUBLIC in general = to it’s namesake). 

I took a “boat load” of photos so I’ll break this post into parts over the next few days. Let’s begin, shall we, with the entry experience.

From the exterior, you’ll see the cutest crew of bellhop boys (you ever did see) hustling around hailing taxis, grabbing guests’ luggage, opening doors in the coolest uniforms. They’re dressed in modern-fit Levi’s, a button down Oxford and a black form-fitting, suit-style vest layered on top with Converse shoes on bottom. There are beach cruiser bikes parked out front for guests to explore Chicago and upon “revolving” through the front doors, you are greeted by a white grand staircase and a group of crystal chandeliers hung above. 

Since PUBLIC replaced the legendary Ambassador East Hotel, a hotspot to Hollywood stars and the elite back in the 1940’s, it was refreshing to see the grandeur of the hotel preserved but redone in a contemporary way.

I’ll have more for you tomorrow. Stay tuned!  

{images via Atelier Turner's iphone & PUBLIC website - I'm sure you can tell which ones are which}

Comments

[Fliciya21]

A boutique hotel is something not many of us have had the pleasure of visiting, but something we all definitely should. This irregular breed of hotels is becoming increasingly popular, with many popping up all over the world, and people becoming more and more interested in what they have to offer.Hotel stays aren't just about having somewhere to sleep for the night; they should be something that is relished and enjoyed for what the hotel has to offer, and how they make you feel.

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