NATIONAL REPORT—Inspiration and a strong sense of design are the force behind three U.S. luxury properties that have opened or are due to open this week.
Marriott Marquis Chicago has opened in Chicago. With a 40-story presence, it is the largest Marriott to open in North America in 2017, bringing 1,205 guestrooms, including 44 suites, to McCormick Square, according to the brand. The hotel is directly connected to the country’s largest convention center, McCormick Place, and is adjacent to the new 10,000-seat Wintrust Arena.
Designed by Chicago-based Anderson/Miller Ltd., in collaboration with design architect Gensler, the hotel is rooted in the ethos of the city, with a clean, contemporary design. The new modern glass hotel connects to the historic American Book Company building, originally built in 1912, creating a distinct architectural juxtaposition of old meets new.
Indianapolis’ Ironworks Hotel Indy, the first boutique hotel on Indianapolis’ north side, has opened today. Inspired by the Industrial Era—the manufacturing as well as the architecture—the design for Ironworks Hotel Indy, a boutique hotel on the north side, aims to revive and pay homage to its venerated past. Adjacent to the Ironworks at Keystone mixed-use apartment and retail complex, the 100,000-sq.-ft. hotel has 120 guestrooms, a fitness center and three meeting and conference rooms including the 700-sq.-ft. Keystone room, 250-sq.-ft. Meridian room and 200-sq.-ft. Chatham room.
“Every decision for this hotel—from the architecture to the aroma to the bed sheets—was made with our guests at top of mind,” said Rob Gerbitz, president and CEO of Hendricks Commercial Properties, the developer behind Ironworks Hotel Indy. “We want Ironworks Hotel Indy to be a must-visit for local residents and those traveling to the city, and we can’t wait to serve our visitors.”
In the Baltimore-Washington metro area, The Hotel at the University of Maryland is scheduled to open this Friday. The property will have 297 guestrooms and 43,000 sq. ft. of meeting space in a 10-story structure located opposite the campus visitors’ center for the University of Maryland. In addition, it houses a lobby bar and four restaurants.
The hotel is working in partnership with the university, but is independently owned and operated by Southern Management Corporation. It is the inspiration of developer David H. Hillman, who saw a need for this type of facility in Prince George’s County, MD.
“This community has been eagerly awaiting our hotel, which provides a luxury lodging and event venue in a town that has craved this caliber of facility for decades,” Hillman said. “We wanted to spark economic growth along Baltimore Ave. and throughout the town of College Park, and I think you can already see the positive impact the property is having.”