Hilton Chicago
| Company type | Hotel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Hospitality |
| Founded | May 2, 1927 in Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Founder | James W. Stevens and family |
| Headquarters | Chicago , United States |
| Products | Hotel accommodations, meeting and event facilities |
| Parent | Hilton Hotels Corporation |
| Website | www |
Hilton Chicago—known as Chicago Hilton and Towers between 1985 and 1998—is a luxury hotel situated in the heart of Chicago, Illinois, United States. Offering views of Grant Park, Lake Michigan, and the Museum Campus, it stands as the third-largest hotel in Chicago by the number of guest rooms and boasts the most extensive meeting and event facilities in the city. From its inauguration in 1927 until 2008, every incumbent president of the United States stayed at this establishment prior to leaving office.
The Stevens Hotel
The hotel originally opened on May 2, 1927, under the name Stevens Hotel, showcasing the Beaux-Arts architecture style and holding the title of the world’s largest hotel at that time. Developed by James W. Stevens, his son Ernest, and their family—who also owned Illinois Life Insurance Company and Hotel La Salle—the Stevens featured 3,000 guest rooms and was constructed at a cost of approximately $30 million. It was designed as a comprehensive "City Within a City," offering amenities such as a bowling alley, barber shop, rooftop miniature golf course known as the "High-Ho Club," movie theater, ice cream parlor, and drugstore. The hotel's first registered guest was Vice President Charles G. Dawes.
The Stevens family suffered severe financial losses during the Great Depression; their ownership was embroiled in embezzlement allegations that were eventually overturned on appeal. Like many hotels across America during that period, Stevens Hotel declared bankruptcy and was placed under government receivership, with its valuation plummeting to $7 million by the late 1930s.
In 1942, the United States Army acquired the property for $6 million to use as barracks and classrooms for the United States Army Air Forces amid World War II. It accommodated over 10,000 air cadets who utilized the Grand Ballroom as a mess hall. By January 1944, businessman Stephen Healy purchased the hotel for $4.91 million.
A historic moment occurred on December 7, 1944, when representatives from 54 countries convened in the hotel's Grand Ballroom to sign the Chicago Convention, a seminal international treaty that laid down the foundation for worldwide civil aviation regulation.
The Conrad Hilton
Following World War II, Conrad Hilton took ownership of the hotel in February 1945. On November 19, 1951, it was officially renamed the Conrad Hilton, capitalizing on Hilton’s connections within Hollywood to attract celebrities, political figures, and royalty.
Notable upgrades included an expansive ice stage installed in the Boulevard Room Supper Club where elaborate ice performances began in 1948. In January 1958, acts such as Darlene and Jinx the skating chimpanzee entertained guests. The hotel expanded its exhibition capacity in 1962 with the addition of the Hilton Center, a three-story facility housing both the Continental and International Ballrooms.
In April 1951, General Douglas MacArthur delivered a speech in the Great Hall urging for a revised American strategy in the Korean War to fill what he described as a "political vacuum."
During the turbulent 1968 Democratic National Convention, protests against the Vietnam War outside the Conrad Hilton escalated into a violent police confrontation. Protesters chanted "The whole world is watching" while some sought refuge inside the hotel amid tear gas and "stink bomb" attacks. The building suffered minor damage when street-level windows shattered due to pressure from demonstrators being pushed by law enforcement.
Chicago Hilton and Towers
During the 1970s, the aging Conrad Hilton Hotel was at risk of being demolished; however, it ultimately closed in 1984 to undergo a $185 million refurbishment, which was the most costly hotel renovation at that time. This extensive overhaul transformed the original 3,000 guest rooms into 1,544 more spacious and upscale accommodations, including 600 rooms enlarged to double size with two bathrooms each. This modernization significantly contributed to the revitalization of Chicago's South Loop district. The property reopened on October 1, 1985, under the name Chicago Hilton and Towers.
Hilton Chicago
In 1998, Hilton Hotels Corporation renamed the property "Hilton Chicago," emphasizing the Hilton brand by placing it first. Led by General Manager John G. Wells, the hotel continued its tradition of hosting every U.S. president since 1927.
A $150 million renovation initiated in 2012 brought new culinary options such as 720 South Bar & Grill, SNAX, and Kitty O'Sheas. The Hilton Chicago earned induction into Historic Hotels of America in 2015, acknowledging its historical importance.
The hotel temporarily closed in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resumed operations in June 2021 after a closure lasting 15 months.
The Conrad Hilton Suite
The Hilton Chicago boasts the largest and most luxurious suite in the city—the Conrad Hilton Suite—spanning 5,000 square feet over two floors (T3 and T4). Renovated in 2013 with a nightly rate exceeding $7,000, this suite features expansive 16-foot windows overlooking the lake, a baby grand piano, billiards table, three balconies, and three bedrooms each equipped with multiple flat-screen televisions. Additionally, it includes a helipad. Distinguished guests such as Tony Blair, Frank Sinatra, John Travolta, and Hu Jintao have stayed here.
Appearances in popular culture
The Hilton Chicago has appeared in numerous films and television series, enhancing its public profile. Some notable productions filmed at or featuring the hotel include:
- Empire (2015–2020)
- Little Fockers (2010)
- The Express: The Ernie Davis Story (2008)
- Road to Perdition (2002)
- Unconditional Love (2002)
- Love and Action in Chicago (1999)
- U.S. Marshals (1998)
- My Best Friend's Wedding (1997)
- Primal Fear (1996)
- E.R. (1994–2009)
- The Fugitive (1993)
- Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
- The Package (1989)
Within the hotel is the Normandie Lounge, which showcases panels and furnishings originating from the renowned French ocean liner SS Normandie, highlighting its distinctive historical character.
Bernard Malamud’s 1952 novel The Natural features a crucial scene set at the Stevens Hotel—the original name of what is now the Hilton Chicago.