Drake
The brothers’ master plan was a hotel to inspire wonder and emulation—and for nearly a century, the Drake brothers’ dream in Chicago has endured. Conceived by John and Tracy Drake, The Drake Hotel was highly acclaimed from the outset, its rise to fame hastened by the popularity of the radio broadcasts it delivered to a nation weary from war and ready for change.The circular door’s wooden frame, complete with painstakingly carved filigree, ushered in The Drake’s first distinguished guests on New Year’s Eve in 1920. Standing upon the checkered Bottacino marble floor, guests marveled in wonder at one of the nation’s first urban resorts—by every measure, an auspicious beginning.
Embracing progress, The Drake was the first hotel in Chicago to provide air conditioning in every room and the first to have color televisions in all guest rooms. However when modern marvels would have diminished services, The Drake became the only hotel in Chicago to retain elevator operators. Years later, it spurned the advent of ice machines until the quality of the ice became comparable to handmade cubes. For while the property is majestic, there exists an atmosphere within these walls that is notably inviting, comfortable, and always rewarding.
As the eras have passed, The Drake has solidified its reputation as a Chicago original, its timeless story inextricably woven in to the very fabric of this great city. The Cape Cod Room has been one of the city’s most popular restaurants, it’s Coq d’Or, opened the day after the repeal of Prohibition, is one of Chicago’s best loved bars. And its private Club International has enjoyed a lengthy waiting list for membership. These authentic Chicago experiences endure, for no other Chicago hotel inspires more legendary acclaim, nor does there exist another address that affords its guests a level of prestige, refinement, and service on par with The Drake.
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The Drake Hotel was constructed in 1920 by the architect Ben Marshall. In February 2006 Hitlon Hotels Corporation bought the Hotel and sold it in September 2006 to WWL DHotel Investors, L.L.C., a partnership led by Chicago-based Lodging Capital Partners. The Drake Hotel was to open in 1920, and the March 1919 issue of "The Economist" reported that the structure would be "of unusual magnificence, nothing like it in appearance, arrangement or finishing having ever been attempted in this country", Ben Marshall (1874-1944), responsible for this magnificence, had no formal architectural schooling. It was just intuition, divine guidance and a knack for flying by the seat of his pants. An unconformist from the outset, he became an office boy at seventeen and by twenty-one he was a partner in the architectural firm of Wilson & Marshall. It was Ben who decided in 1917 that the Near North Side would be Chicago's most strategic and important section and therefore, the most prominent location for The Drake's magnificent structure.
Ben Marshall persuaded veteran hotelmen John and Tracy Drake to construct this luxury hotel on an area previously water (Lake Michigan) which was landfilled. Stylistically, The Drake takes its balanced formal composition and restrained detail from the Italian palaces of High Renaissance Rome and Florence. Constructed of smooth limestone, the building is thirteen stories high. It rises from a rectangular base, which changes at the third story to an H-shape. A distinctive feature of Italian Renaissance design found in The Drake is the "Plano Nobile" which was the principle story, raised above ground and containing the public rooms. This concept was especially appropriate for adaptation to a grand hotel, particularly in the case of The Drake, which was ideally located to afford a panoramic view of the park, beach and lake. Canopies provide a sheltered entrance in the both Walton Place and Oak Street. These are connected by an interior arcade, which provides showcase space for various shops on the street level. In emulating sixteenth' century Italian architecture, Ben Marshall wisely chose a historical precedent noted for the dignity and serenity of its designs. After he designed and erected The Drake, Ben Marshall busied himself decorating the Gold Coast room, the Cape Cod Room and the Club International. The interior of The Drake was no less impressive than the exterior. It was extolled by "Good Furniture" magazine in 1921 for creating "a reposeful spirit of welcome and home surroundings planned in a large and, to be sure, more or less monumental way. It stands to the credit of the architects that the ideal of the hotel has found such appealing and noble expression." Innovations at The Drake such as the much-acclaimed Cape Cod Room (1933) have only enhanced the Drake's original appeal to both out-of-town visitors and native Chicagoans. The Drake cost $10,000,000 to build, including land, building and furnishings. Nine hundred employees served its original eight hundred rooms. Flo Ziegfield, Ben's intimate friend, stimulated his interest in theatrical productions. For years, Ben personally directed the top-flight shows in The Drake's huge Gold Coast Room. In those earlier days, WGN's first radio broadcasts were aired from atop The Drake, where the fabulous big bands of that era played in the Gold Coast Room. Ben's fame as a continental host carried over The Drake and such a reputation all over the world that today visiting royalty and heads of nations check in at The Drake as routinely as they pocket their passports. Ever since its opening on New Year's Eve 1920. The hotel continued to operate under the Drake the brothers' ownership until 1930 when the Brashears family took control during the ravages of the depression. When Brashears later went to serve in World War II, the hotel was leased to a national hotel chain, which maintained the property for military lodging, while still under the ownership of the Brashears. When the war ended, The Drake was completely refurbished to once again provide elegant hostelry. In 1979, Jerrold Wexler and Edward W. Ross, who maintained the hotel in its accustomed splendor, purchased The Drake. On January 1, 1981, Vista Hotels commenced operation of this property offering increased international appeal to The Drake. A milestone in The Drake's history occurred in May 1981 when it was proclaimed a historic place. The U.S. Department of Interior and the State of Illinois now list The Drake Hotel in the National Register of Historic Places, joining other landmark structures such as Louis Sullivan's Carson Pirie Scott building and the old Water Tower structure. The Drake Hotel has been through many phases of renovation since its construction in 1920. Working with Turner Construction Co. of Chicago and the Gensler Architect Co., the most recent and most costly project to date has been the $45 million dollar renovation, which was completed in April 2003. All guest rooms are have been fitted with a new sprinkler system and additional fire hose cabinets for the safety of our guests. Guest rooms and corridors were renovated with new vinyl, paint and carpet. All guest rooms have new furniture, drapes and upholstery. Bottachino Classico Italian Marble has been installed in the bathrooms as well. The exterior of the building completely tuckpointed. For the convenience of our guests The Drake Hotel is also equipped with the latest technology for the convenience of its guests such as high speed Internet and an advanced dual line telephone system with caller ID in all guest rooms. Interior architecture of particular note includes the large banquet rooms such as the Gold Coast Room, the Ballroom, the French Room, and the Drake's private Club International. The Gold Coast Room, situated in the north central section of the Drake has as architectural style that is purely Italian. The colonnades of columns carry a spiral of vines covered in tones of cream and gold; the floor of Tennessee marble; the chandeliers of crystal. This room, used primarily for large weddings and banquets, extends 142' long x 52' wide. The windows on the north overlook the East Lake Shore Drive, beautiful Lake Michigan and a small park. This room can seat up to 700 people. The Grand Ballroom is sufficiently large enough to seat 600 people utilizing the balconies. This room of Georgian architectures has many unique features. A balcony extends around the room on all four sides. There is a hardwood floor conducive to dancing, illuminated by eight crystal chandeliers and art wall scones. The lighting system can be controlled for optimum or minimum lighting. It is grandly proportioned for the entertainment of large parties and so placed in the southeast corner of the main floor away from the regular business of the hotel. This room also has a movie projection booth skillfully concealed when not in use. The French Room, 56' x 72', is a cheerful, beautifully decorated room in the Louis XVI period; its square French columns adorned with ribbon relief. Located on the northeast corner of the building, the French Room windows allow views of Lake Michigan, Michigan Avenue, and Lake Shore Drive. This room is one of the most popular banquet rooms in the hotel, lending itself well for large receptions. The Drake's Private Club International is a reproduction of Haddon Hall, an English mansion in Derbyshire, and a notable example of medieval residence. The room's finish is oak, the walls in palm plaster, the ceiling a scroll pattern in relief, and the cozy corners inviting their atmosphere of comfort. A Gothic opened hearth fireplace ads warmth to this room. ON THE DESIGNER DAVID T. WILLIAMS 1981-1987 When David T. Williams was given the assignment of redoing The Drake, he sat back and grinned with satisfaction for he spent many years in Chicago, and The Drake was a place he visited many times. His traditional Chicago ties date back to the 1940's when he attended Chicago's Institute of Design and the Academy of Fine Arts. In the late 40s he entered a career of design with Marshall Field and Co., and progressed to the chief designer of the contract division. After 4 decades in the business, he is known as one of the 'great names' in the International Design for hotels, restaurants, and public rooms. His achievements cannot be measured in numbers, but all one need do is visit the beautiful Kahala Hilton in Honolulu, Canada's Chateau Frontenac, and Chateau Champlain, Stratford-Upon-Avon, and Gloucester, in England, to appreciate his creative talents.
He uses no standardized techniques, but develops the feeling of the structure. Some call him an Environmental Designer and others call him a 'Creator of Distinctive Living', but The Drake was extremely selective when choosing Mr. Williams to do the restoration. The Old Grande Dame had to be brightened to come alive in a classic, traditional style. Mr. Williams knew Chicago and what The Drake meant to the local community. THE PALM COURT For several years, Mr. Williams had his eye on the antique urn, which today is the focal piece of The Drake's Palm Court in the upper lobby. The 270-year old urn belonged to the Florentine Craftsman House (a garden sculpture house in New York). The urn was purchased as soon as Mr. Williams knew of The Drake assignment. Today, the urn looks like it has always been a part of the Palm Court environment. The floral print fabrics on the couches, the greenery, the custom built fountain base and lobby appointments were all hand picked by Mr. Williams to create a proper setting for the urn, English afternoon tea is served in this elegant setting. His Associate Designer, David Leavitt, a former Director of Architecture and Interior Design, played a major part in the detailing of paneling for the lobbies and the marble work in the front entryway and fountain areas.
Both Davids worked together to make the Palm Court a showpiece with a cozy atmosphere. When Mr. Williams is questioned on how the Palm court was created, he quips, "I really don't know how to explain it, but I do know I just love to sit there and enjoy it." THE PRESIDENTIAL SUITE He next was given the challenge of creating a Presidential Suite that soon would achieve worldwide acclaim. On the fifth floor of The Drake Hotel is a masterpiece! The six-room home for dignitaries houses antiques, 'objets d'art, ' appointments, specially designed carpets, crystal and mirrors that sparkle with elegance. Several antique pieces are original Drake pieces that were refinished and recovered. Much of the furniture, paintings, and ceramics were purchased from Chicago's own Marshall Fields and John M. Smythe stores. A French crystal chandelier, with amethyst and amber crystal fruit, adorns the formal dining room of this suite. The total effect of the suite is one of regal comfort. Since this suite was created, and completed in January 1982, the Prime Minister of Australia, the Prime Minister of Tunisia, the Queen of Thailand, the Italian President, Nancy Regan, and Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands have all enjoyed the royal atmosphere of The Drake's Presidential Suite. It is truly worthy of the Grande Dame.
An interesting bit of history is associated with the Suite's fifth floor location. The widow of the clothing merchant Maurice L. Rothchild occupied this area for 58 years until her death in 1980, at the age of 102. The sweeping views of Lake Michigan and Lake Shore Drive provide an ideal location for a Presidential Suite. The Cape Cod Room, a much honored seafood restaurant, boasts of fresh seafood from the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, from the lakes and freshwater streams. It has been consistently named as one of America's finest dining spots since opening in December 1933 " was opened for the World's Fair, designed by Ben Marshall architect for The Drake Hotel".
Zagat's consumer survey also picked the Cape Cod Room as atop hotel restaurant. It was recently inducted by Nation's Restaurant News into the Fine Dining Hall of Fame.
461 rooms, 74 suite, internet access, 2 executive floors Rooms
56 Family rooms are available with either two double beds with two full bathrooms, or with one king bed and two twin Murphy beds. All guestrooms also offer Web TV and video games.
Children’s fanny-packs are given out upon arrival and are full of goodies and coupons for ice cream and fun things to do around the city. We also have Drake kids robes, and all sorts of games available at the Concierge desk.