The Langham has debuted in Chicago, capping off a huge two months in North America for Langham Hospitality Group (LHG).
The property made its long-awaited opening on July 10 and LHG’s CEO Brett Butcher said it’s been a milestone the company has been looking forward to.
“This is a banner year for Langham Hospitality Group. For the first time, we are experiencing tremendous growth in some of the most coveted locations in the world,” Butcher, an Australian, said.
As part of a whirlwind of regional growth, Langham has introduced three new hotels into the North American market representing three separate brands and an unprecedented leap forward in the company’s evolution as a global hospitality powerhouse.
“Introducing new locations for our three brands – The Langham, Langham Place and Eaton – in Chicago, New York and Toronto respectively will help imprint the group into the consciousness of the local community in these cities and the leisure and business traveller to these markets,” Butcher said.
Located on the banks of the Chicago River, The Langham, Chicago is situated in a landmark building, which was the last project designed by legendary architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.
The building, which was declared a Chicago Landmark in 2008 and entered into the National Register of Historic Places in March 2010, continues LHG’s legacy of owning and managing properties with historic and cultural significance.
As a testament to this heritage, Mies’ own grandson, interior designer Dirk Lohan, designed the Entry Lobby at ground level, incorporating furniture and objets d’art from his family’s personal collection.
The hotel’s 316-rooms, starting at 516 square feet, will be among the largest in the city and many will feature views of the Chicago River.
Travelle, the property’s signature restaurant and bar was designed by David Rockwell of the Rockwell Group and will feature a glass expo kitchen and chef’s table, all overseen by Chef Tim Graham, formerly of Tru.
The Langham, Chicago will feature 15,000 square feet of wedding and special event space, including the Devonshire Ballroom, the ideal setting for weddings and special events.
The group’s award-winning 22,000 square feet wellness retreat which includes its signature Chuan Spa will offer a new and innovative spa experience with treatments based on the principles of traditional Chinese medicine. And the hotel’s art collection, overseen by curator Lauren Rottet, will include sculptures, photography and paintings by international artists as well as artists plucked straight from the burgeoning Chicago art community.
Two months earlier on 7 May, Langham Place, Fifth Avenue joined the Langham family, marking the company’s first foray into the New York hotel landscape and introducing a five-star experience representing sleek, sophisticated modern luxury to the market.
On 1 July, which coincidentally and rather aptly was Canada Day, LHG officially introduced its four-star Eaton brand into North America, when the former Delta Chelsea was re-flagged the Eaton Chelsea, Toronto.
Officially the largest in Canada, this 1,590-room hotel will also hold the same distinction within the Langham Hospitality portfolio. This is the first time in the group’s history that Langham Place and Eaton have opened properties outside of Asia.