The Hospitality Studio at VOA Associates Incorporated has completed two new hospitality projects in downtown Chicago. Hyatt Centric The Loop Chicago at 100 W Monroe St, is among the very first of Hyatt’s new boutique urban experience hotels to open nationwide, and Hyatt Place Chicago/Downtown The Loop at 28 N Franklin St, is an upscale select service hotel.
Hyatt Centric The Loop Chicago (100 W Monroe St) opened late this summer, concurrently with Hyatt Centric South Miami Beach. Together they are first properties within the Hyatt Centric concept. The Hyatt Centric brand is designed to appeal “Modern Explorers,” travelers who look for a cosmopolitan vibe in the center of the action. Hyatt Centric The Loop Chicago is designed to be an authentic entryway to the city with human touches and a focus on a simple, welcoming experience.
The stylish Hyatt Centric The Loop Chicago occupies a 1920s-era Art Deco skyscraper putting guests in walking distance to Chicago museums and Millennium Park. Its 257 guest rooms are vibrant and outfitted with flat-screen TVs, iPod docs and WiFi. Upgraded rooms have seating areas and city views. Hyatt Centric The Loop Chicago is home to Aire, a 10,000 SF rooftop on the 24th floor with a capacity of 230 and the upscale French bistro Cochon Volant Bakery, Brasserie and Bar.
VOA served as the Executive Architect on Hyatt Centric The Loop Chicago providing architecture and interior architecture services while Gary Lee Partners provided the interior design. Walsh Construction served as the general contractor. VOA worked closely with the owner and Hyatt on design development for the Hyatt Centric The Loop Chicago.
VOA’s design challenge for this adaptive reuse project was to preserve and enrich the historic features of the almost century-old building in a landmark district while creating the layout for a contemporary hotel. This also involved making necessary updates in mechanical zones and means of egress.
The select service Hyatt Place Chicago/Downtown The Loop (28 N Franklin St) debuted this summer, two months ahead of schedule. The new 18-story building features 206 guest rooms and three meeting rooms with floor to ceiling windows features a three-meal, 103-seat restaurant, 1,800 SF fitness center, free WiFi and an indoor swimming pool. Sustainable design practices and materials choices were employed in targeting the building for LEED-NC Silver certification.
VOA provided architecture and interior design services on the hotel on an extremely tight 90’x90′ urban infill site. The VOA Hospitality studio worked closely with Hyatt to customize programming to create an urban prototype for Hyatt Place.
