Hotel Felix - Chicago

Enhancing Chicago’s reputation as one of America’s greenest cities, Hotel Felix opened in April 2009 following a US$50 million-plus redevelopment programme designed to achieve Silver LEED certification. But the eco-friendly element is just one of the defining features of this 225-room boutique hotel that is owned by an investment group led by Oxford OBG Hospitality Investment Partners, part of Oxford Capital Group. John Rutledge, President and CEO of Oxford Capital Group, explains: “We’re constantly looking for opportunities to acquire and redevelop complicated, adaptive re-use projects. I had been driving past this building in the River North neighbourhood for years, monitoring the growth in restaurants, galleries and apartments. For us, it represented a long-standing piece of fruit waiting to be picked.”

Originally constructed in 1926 by architecture firm Levy and Klein, the property had been operated as a single-room occupancy, apartment hotel for years. So in 2007 the owner was approached, an offer made and the hotel acquired by the end of the year. Rutledge recognised the building’s great bones and elegantly designed lines but knew that a full renovation would have to be completed to ensure the downtown asset would not continue to be under-utilised. “We decided on upscale, stylish and boutique,” he continues. “We also wanted to do the right thing in terms of being green and knew this would make good business sense in terms of differentiating us from competitors.”

Rutledge also believed it would be possible to cater to multiple demographics by offering up an authentic Chicago experience at a rate that would not break the bank. With these considerations in mind, the investment group settled on a direction that would match subtle, contemporary interiors with the existing classical features. “It was previously a fully occupied building so there was only a certain amount of surveying we could do in advance,” says Michael Maurer, Vice President and Principal at design company Gettys. “We had to start afresh inside to achieve an optimal floor layout.”

Little was done to the traditional Beaux Arts façade except for a good clean and the extension of the canopy. Inside regeneration work covered mechanics, plumbing, engineering and layouts, with plans being adjusted to deal with awkwardly placed interior walls and damaged structural features. Maurer comments: “There’s a certain amount of guesswork that comes with an existing property but I think we have achieved a warmth and openness here that complements this tree-lined neighbourhood.”

Respectful of the urban environment, a soothing palette of warm, neutral shades underscores the hotel’s design with three-dimensional, custom-made artwork by Gettys adding welcome splashes of colour. Of note in the lobby and mezzanine area is a hanging display of Polish hand-blown glass inspired by the streetscape outside. A contemporary fireplace is bordered by a wall sculpture made of stacked logs, while earth-toned rugs add comfort to the Greek marble floors. A champagne-coloured water feature provides further interest in the lobby, with guests dropping a penny in for luck. Maurer admits that the ground floor bar could have been larger but with space restrictions, the solution was to allow the highly functional bar area to spill over in to the lounge.

From the exterior it is hard to believe this hotel is home to 225 guest rooms but there is a tardis-like quality to the building. Narrow corridors open up to cleverly conceived pockets of public space and the rooms are comfortable yet compact. Storage is provided under the beds while bright panels of abstract artwork above the bed enliven a neutral colour scheme.

Gettys has added elements of visual interest in other areas, including the spa where wall coverings finished with a metallic spray playfully mimic a forest and butterflies adorn the treatment room ceilings.
Maurer says the increasing availability of environmentally friendly products means it is possible to achieve a hip, urban design that is not compromised on impact by being green. Eco-friendly features include sustainably produced bamboo flooring in the spa, recycled flooring in the gym, low-flow shower fixtures and motion sensors in guest rooms to control heat and lighting. Low-energy bulbs and long-life LED lighting systems also play their part, while guests using a hybrid car get to park for free.

In the hotel restaurant, Elate, distressed concrete floors, exposed pipework and pillars set the scene for seating made of reclaimed Herringbone patterned oak. Designed by the LA-based Marshall and Agriam Studio, the rustic yet edgy space draws together antique mirrors, bronze chandeliers and metallic accents. Wood panelling created to resemble a curtain defines the feature bar, which has glass shelving filled with vases and candelabras for a vintage effect.

All in all, Hotel Felix delivers on its promise of comfort with an urban vibe. What’s impressive, though, is that this has been achieved with the environment in mind.