citizenM — the pioneer of affordable luxury hotels — is set to open its first property in Downtown Chicago on September 21. The newly-constructed hotel, located at 300 N Michigan Ave., is conveniently situated between the Riverwalk and Millennium Park. citizenM Chicago Downtown presents travelers with eye-catching art, high-tech design and frictionless service in one of the most culturally robust cities in the world. The 280-room hotel sits within the 47-story tower which also includes 289 residential units and 25,000 square feet of retail space.
To mark citizenM’s arrival, Chicago native Nina Chanel Abney was commissioned to transform the building’s exterior 2,000-square-foot terrace and entrance walls into a gigantic abstract and vibrant Chi-town tribute. The inspiration behind her work is fueled by the dynamics of the contemporary media landscape and addresses topics of race, gender, and politics. Known for her paintings, prints, and large-scale murals with layered compositions, her figural works feature colorful hard-edged geometric symbols and shapes.
Visitors can expect the same unfailing dedication to design, art, technology, and comfort, seen throughout all of citizenM’s properties. The property was designed by Chicago’s bKL, in collaboration with citizenM’s long standing architecture partner Concrete to offer a streamlined, luxury experience — including high-tech amenities, friendly and genuine service, comfortable guest rooms, and spacious and inviting living areas filled with contemporary art and iconic furnishings such as Vitra, citizenM’s furniture partner. citizenM Chicago Downtown features a 24/7 gym and three societyM meeting rooms, available for half and full day hires to both guests and the public, offering unlimited coffee to let ideas flow.
citizenM’s philosophy of “affordable luxury” is best experienced in the guestrooms. All guestroom features are designed to be the very best: the beds are XL king- size wall-to-wall with an extra comfy mattress and luxury bedding. An HD widescreen TV offers streaming options via free super-fast Wi-Fi, so that guests can enjoy their own content. A powerful rain shower with full-size shower gel and shampoo (as well as giant fluffy towels) will soothe all long- and short-haul travelers. The room ambiance is fully controlled by an iPad — the blinds, climate, the TV, even the lights with changeable colors — or via the award-winning citizenM app.
The facade mural is just the first piece of a larger portfolio that will give the new property an art collection that is distinct to Chicago. A whimsical neon piece entitled Ding Dong Your Opinion is Wrong, by Dutch artist Daniel van Straalen will be showcased prominently in the bar area, while works by Muntean/Rosenblum, Yngve Holen, Rainer Fetting, and more can be found throughout the hotel’s shared spaces. The rooms and interiors also drew inspiration from the local community, filled with an eclectic mix of contemporary art, photography, and objects by local artists.
citizenM continues to make it a priority to support the communities the brand operates in by bringing art to the forefront through commissioned and existing works by local artists. For this property, citizenM partnered with ArtLifting — a platform for artists that have traditionally been underrepresented in the contemporary art market, to curate a variety of pieces for the in-room art. The program offers artists who experience a variety of challenges, from disabilities to homelessness, the chance to secure their own income through the sale of original paintings, prints, and products.
