Drake Hotel (Chicago)
| Company type | Hotel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Hospitality |
| Founded | 1920 |
| Founder | Tracy Drake and John Drake Jr. |
| Headquarters | Chicago , United States |
Area served | Chicago, Illinois |
| Products | Hotel accommodation, dining, event venues |
| Owner | Hilton Hotels & Resorts |
| Parent | Hilton Hotels Corporation |
| Website | www |
The Drake, a Hilton Hotel, positioned at 140 East Walton Place in Chicago, Illinois, is an upscale, full-service establishment located downtown on the lakefront side of Michigan Avenue. It lies close to landmarks such as the John Hancock Center and Oak Street Beach, at the northern end of the Magnificent Mile. Established in 1920, this hotel rapidly became an iconic fixture and a longstanding competitor to the Palmer House.
Boasting 535 guest rooms, including 74 suites and a six-room Presidential Suite, The Drake offers several dining venues, two expansive ballrooms, the "Palm Court" lobby known for afternoon tea service, and Club International—a private members' club founded in the 1940s. Its Italian Renaissance design by architects Marshall and Fox contributes a distinctive profile and signage that stand out within the Gold Coast skyline.
History
In 1916, second-generation hoteliers Tracy Drake and John Drake Jr. purchased the site from the estate of Potter Palmer. Funding was secured through a syndicate incorporating prominent families such as the Palmers, Armours, Swifts, and McCormicks, alongside architects Benjamin Marshall and Charles Fox. The combined expenditure for land acquisition, construction, and interior furnishings amounted to $10 million—equivalent to roughly $120 million today.
Upon its completion, The Drake effectively connected the prestigious Gold Coast residential area with the developing commercial district along north Michigan Avenue. Its entrance on Walton Place allowed for improved vehicle access while bypassing congested commercial streets. Ownership of The Drake and the Blackstone Hotel at opposite ends of Michigan Avenue solidified the Drake brothers’ prominence in Chicago’s social and business circles.
Beginning in 1924, The Drake housed the original studios of radio station WGN. William Drake and his wife Elizabeth resided at the hotel until financial difficulties during the Great Depression led to a loss of ownership. During the 1930s into the early 1940s, Frank Nitti, leader of the Chicago Outfit, maintained an office within a suite at The Drake.
Throughout the 1950s to 1980s, The Drake preserved its esteemed reputation amid ongoing development along the Magnificent Mile and expansion of luxury retail within the Gold Coast. This progress reinforced The Drake’s status as a vital link between Chicago’s affluent neighborhoods.
Hilton International assumed operational control in 1980 under its Vista International Hotels division and acquired full ownership by 1996. Between 1998 and 2003, Hilton invested $45 million in comprehensive renovations. Additional upgrades from 2005 to 2006 included a new fitness center, an executive conference facility, and updated guest room interiors at a cost of $15 million. Following Hilton Hotels Corporation’s merger with Hilton International in 2005, The Drake became integrated into Hilton’s global hotel portfolio.
Notable visitors
Since opening its doors in 1920, The Drake has welcomed numerous dignitaries, celebrities, international leaders, and European nobility—some residing for extended periods. Among its distinguished guests are Winston Churchill, Eleanor Roosevelt, U.S. Presidents Herbert Hoover, Dwight Eisenhower, Gerald Ford, and Ronald Reagan. Royal visitors have included Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales (on separate occasions), alongside entertainment legends such as Elizabeth Taylor, Judy Garland, Hugh Hefner, Walt Disney, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and aviator Charles Lindbergh. Other prominent figures who have stayed include Prince Felix Yusupov, Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, King Hussein of Jordan, Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, and actress Julia Roberts. Notably, Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe left their initials carved into the wooden bar of the Cape Cod Room—a detail still visible today. Princess Diana visited The Drake during her sole trip to Chicago in 1996.
Urban legends
One local tale credits John Drake (1826–1895) with founding the hotel, claiming he acquired a hotel at risk during the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 after detecting a change in wind direction. Nevertheless, this account predates the actual opening of the Drake Hotel by nearly five decades and likely confuses this event with John Drake’s temporary acquisition of the Tremont House amid the fire. The hotel is also linked to various ghostly anecdotes.
In popular culture
The Drake Hotel has appeared in numerous films, including Risky Business, My Best Friend's Wedding, Hero, What Women Want, Continental Divide, Flags of Our Fathers, Wicker Park, Mission: Impossible, and Carol. In Mission: Impossible, Jon Voight’s character commends the hotel’s amenities, highlighting features such as round-the-clock room service and chauffeured vehicles. The television show Agent X incorporates the Drake into a plot involving photographs sent to the Vice President (Sharon Stone) revealing her late spouse’s infidelity. Moreover, an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm humorously attributes the invention of the Cobb salad to the hotel. The Family Matters episode "Dream Date" portrays Laura Winslow and Steve Urkel attending their high school prom at the Drake.
Afternoon tea
Guests visiting Chicago frequently partake in afternoon tea, a custom established in 1840. Distinguished attendees have included the Empress of Japan, Princess Diana, and Queen Elizabeth II. This tradition takes place in the Palm Court, which is adorned entirely in white. The hotel offers a signature "Palm Court" tea blend that combines Indian Assam, Chinese Keemun with chocolate undertones, Ceylon, and Taiwanese Formosa Oolong teas. Live harp performances are available from Wednesday through Sunday. In 2013, USA Today recognized the Drake Hotel as one of the top venues for afternoon tea in the United States.
Retail tenants
As part of Hilton Hotels, the Drake accommodates high-end retail brands such as Chanel, Georg Jensen, and Van Cleef & Arpels, each occupying street-level storefronts along Chicago’s renowned Magnificent Mile.