Throwback Thursday – Shore Drive Motel

For this weeks Epstein Throwback Thursday we visit April 1956 for the opening of the Shore Drive Motel in Chicago. This 155-room, 70,000 square foot hotel was located just north of the Museum of Science and Industry, on the northwest corner of South Shore Drive at East 56th Street.

The Shore Drive Motel solved the typical urban problem of parking by locating that space underground and placing the two floors of rooms directly above that, all accessible by automatic elevators. Guests to the Shore Drive would register at the main floor level and then proceed to the underground garage where they could either use the services of a bellman or load their own luggage and zip right up to their rooms.

In addition, television and individual air conditioning were in every room! And, there was also on-call doctor and dentist services available. Talk about service and amenities!

The Shore Drive Motel was constructed of stone walls and wood paneling on the exterior. Additionally the exposed reinforced construction for walls, columns and beams were all painted. Also, parts of the first floor walls were comprised of crab orchard stone, which were left exposed to form part of the lobby interior. This was complemented by wood paneling and full-length windows. The lobbys butterfly room also serves as weather protection for arriving guests.

Also, for you fans of a great steak, there was also a Mortons located within the Shore Drive Motel. Think of that steak, AC and TV. If thats not living the dream, what is?

For those of you curious, the Shore Drive Motel had a date with the wrecking ball in 1988 and is now the home to the Montgomery Place Retirement Community.