Eighteen months since our last update, and progress at the site of 1101 S Wabash has moved along considerably, what was then a patch of dirt on an empty lot south of the Chicago Loop having risen to its full, 30-storey height. The future home of the Homewood Hilton, the 281-key hotel will feature 196 short-term rooms with an additional mix of long-term rooms. 

1101 S Wabash, topped off with cladding underway, image by Forum contributor harryc

Designed by Lothan Van Hook DeStefano Architecture, the 93-metre tower features a smooth glass curtain wall punctuated at the 8th ad 30th storeys by a series of indented windows. Tinted in an alternating pattern of blue and grey, the cladding has been given a certain degree of visual interest and added verticality.

Alternating tint, image by Forum contributor harryc

Located south of the Loop at S Wabash and E 11th St, the new development will place guests within easy striking distance of transit, downtown, and the waterfront. Viewed in close-up above, the visual treatment can be easily appreciated, the alternating tint providing a subtle yet pleasing effect. 

1101 S Wabsh, urban context view, image by Forum contributor harryc

Placed atop a multi-storey above-ground parking garage, the tower will meet the the street with a 3,500 square-foot ground-level retail component, the latter to act as a clever disguise to the former. Topped off and with its cladding roughly half-way completed, it will now only be a matter of months before the Homewood Hilton opens its doors to guests. 

SkyriseCities will be sure to return to this project as progress continues. For more information, check out the associated Database file and Forum thread, and as always, feel free to join the conversation in the comments section below.