Conrad by Hilton Chicago Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Yesterday, the Conrad by Hilton Chicago, a new 5-star, Luxury Hotel located at 101 East Erie, had its official ribbon cutting ceremony. An event that featured speeches from developer Laurence Geller, 42^nd Ward Alderman Brendan Reilly, as well as Steven Koch, Deputy Mayor for the City of Chicago, applauding the team behind this dramatic office-to-hotel redevelopment.

(from left to right, Steven Koch, Laurence Geller, & Brendan Reilly)

For the Conrad by Hilton project Epstein was the architect of record as well as civil, MEP/FP, and structural engineer working with a team of designers which included Pierre-Yves Rochon and the Puccini Group. In this role Epstein was responsible for leading the design team and helping the Gellar Investment Company convert the upper 13 floors of the commercial office building at 101 East Erie, formerly known as the Draft FCB building, into a Conrad By Hilton hotel.

(Clockwise from top left: The Development, Design & Hotel Team; Laurence Geller with Epstein's David Scott & Randy Buescher; Epstein's Mike Dalezman, Randy, Cory Warning with Geller Investments, David, and from PYR, Jungsoo Kim (Lead Designer), Steeve Dandrea (Project Manager) & Rebbecca Otto (FF&E PM); and Randy & David with Kelly Vohs, the general manager of the Conrad by Hilton Chicago)

Epstein's designers and engineers coordinated the lobby design, guest rooms and public spaces created by Pierre-Yves Rochon while Epstein designed all of Hilton's Operational Spaces under the Conrad flag and brand standards. The Conrad by Hilton program included a 289 key hotel with public spaces on the ground floor and levels 8-20. Hotel operational functions occupied the 2nd basement level. Multiple food and beverage venues were developed by the Puccini Group. Typical guest rooms are located on levels 8-18 with a fitness center on level 8. Meeting rooms occupied level 19. Level 20 was conceived as an amenity level with Hotel check-in, Bar/Lounge, and kitchen supporting a 3-meal signature restaurant.

This hotel also features a visually impressive spiral stair case and atrium that connects levels 18 & 19, and a rooftop terrace/restaurant that provides unique panoramic views down Michigan Avenue.

In addition to our design and engineering role, Epstein also provided technical assistance in determining the viability of this endeavor based on a history with this building and several options for re-development.

Representing Epstein at todays ribbon cutting ceremony were L. Randall (Randy) Buescher, AIA, our director of architecture and interior design, as well as the two individuals at Epstein most responsible for this incredible project, David Scott, AIA, our senior project manager, and Michael Dalezman, our project architect.

In addition to Randy, David and Mike, the following Epsteiners played a significant role in transforming this former office building into a grand hotel:

Paula Padilla-Bożyk, Paul Thomas, Ryan Lezcano, Joe Bouley, Paul Valente, Jeffrey McQuiston, Michael Shepherd, Sheya Finkelstein, Yan Weng, Maxie Suero, John Kolb. Tom Suarez, Raveesh Varma, Stu White, John Robertson, Melissa Gibson, Jacob Soerens, Becky Howe, Laura Rebbe, Tom Pociask, Jay Reddy, Mario Roman, Martin Barenbaum, Dave Hilty, Lori Chandler & Jenn Pisano.

Congratulations to all of you on a truly fabulous project!