Lake House Chicago
Chicago, Illinois (Streeterville)
Named for a past mayor of Chicago, the DeWitt Hotel has a storied history. In past lives, the vintage 1924 building has served as a nurses dormitory, multi-family housing, and most recently, an 82-room extended-stay hotel. Following a total renovation of all 11 stories, the DeWitt will be reborn as Lake House Chicago.
A stone’s throw from the Lake Michigan shore and nestled within Chicago’s exclusive Gold Coast neighborhood, Lake House was created to provide guests with a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere reminiscent of summers at the family lakeside retreat. Here the family, close friends, and neighbors gather to share stories and good times in a place that is a subtle blend of traditional charm and contemporary design—with a twist.
At the very center of the renovation of this property, developed by Saratoga Investors, a Chicago-based real estate development firm, is their commitment to re-establish Lake House as a gem of the Streeterville neighborhood by reflecting this area’s serene and stately qualities. Located in Lake Michigan’s curve, Lake House will become a retreat blocks from the hustle and bustle of Chicago’s Magnificent Mile.
Across its 11 floors, Lake House will provide guests with a combination of traditional rooms, suites, and petite euro units reminiscent of fine European hotels, each designed and furnished to strike a balance between essential and minimal. Every guestroom has been thoughtfully planned using the principle of Omotenashi, a Japanese concept of hospitality, meaning that every service is from the bottom of the heart – honest, no hiding, no pretending, and readily at hand.
Within an open plan, ground floor public spaces flow freely from one to another, from the hotel lobby to the game room to study, each space a new vignette for guests to relish. Appointed with paneled walls and a coffered ceiling that features a custom mural, these communal rooms appeal to a sophisticated traveler while being comfortable enough to put your feet up, read a book, do some work and feel at home. Among the hotel amenities are a rooftop balcony with views of the blue waters of Lake Michigan and a second-floor fitness area.
Eckenhoff Saunders provided architectural and interior design for the project. Along with the more refined design elements, the entire building received life-safety upgrades and a complete replacement of the elevators to bring the building infrastructure up to contemporary standards.