Airport Getting Major Upgrades
The Chicago City Council approved a plan for an expansion of O’Hare International Airport . The eight-year plan, which is expected to be completed in 2026, will see its 55-year-old Terminal 2 torn down to make way for a new Global Terminal. This terminal will contain wider concourses and gates to accommodate the larger aircraft that embark on international flights.
A-plus Hotels
Ambassador Hotel
The Ace Hotel Chicago settled in the West Loop neighborhood in 2017 in an alluring industrial concrete-and-glass building. The hotel offers guest rooms with skyline views, event spaces, a restaurant, a top-floor bar and a café. The Ambassador Chicago hotel reopened in July 2017, and the rebranded 285-room boutique hotel retains its distinctive Art Deco features while adding streamlined furnishings and contemporary art. Wrigley Field’s recent expansion includes the March 2018 opening of the Hotel Zachary, a distinctive boutique hotel nestled across the street from the classic ballpark. The hotel features 173 guest rooms, including 20 suites, and has a roster of award-winning chefs that provide visitors a five-star dining experience.
Indoor and Outdoor Fun
Hotel Zachary
The Chicago Music Hall of Fame, set to open in fall of 2018, will serve food and beverages, provide entertainment and honor those from Chicago who have left a mark on the music industry. Beginning this summer, Odyssey Cruises will offer an elegant experience on the Chicago River in the form of a glass-enclosed vessel that offers 360-degree city views. The ship will showcase the city’s architecture and mesmerizing vistas while serving an upscale menu with plated service along with live music. Opening in 2019, the Chicago Blues Museum will contain three levels totaling 50,000 square feet that will be filled with interactive displays, tributes to local legends and a performance lounge and restaurant. The historic Theater on the Lake underwent renovations to become a year-round program and event facility, with larger capacity, restaurant and event space, outdoor seating and a patio.
Unmatched Sartorial Splendor
Women’s clothing retailer Free People opened its Fulton Market shop in 2017. The 10,950-square-foot store specializes in trend and vintage clothing for women, shoes and beauty products. The Tie Bar opened a new store in 2018 on the ground level of the Kimpton Gray Hotel. The shop offers contemporary menswear including dress shirts, belts, socks, pocket squares and tie bars.
Fabulous Food on Horizon
In 2019, a three-floor, 50,000-square-foot food hall is scheduled to open in the Fulton Market District. The project is slated to have 600 seats and will consist of 16 food counters, three bars, a demo kitchen and retail and event space.