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Marriott is reportedly planning to open a new luxury hotel inside one of Chicago’s most recognizable skyscrapers. This will mark the latest transformation for the John Hancock Center and a welcome addition to Michigan Avenue.
According to reports, Marriott is in advanced negotiations with Chicago-based real estate firm Hearn to bring its upscale EDITION Hotels brand to the 100-story tower at 875 North Michigan Avenue. If finalized, the project would introduce a 350-room hotel occupying floors 23 through 34 of the landmark skyscraper.
The development would represent the Chicago debut of the EDITION brand. The luxury lifestyle concept created through a partnership between Marriott and renowned hotelier Ian Schrager continues to expand globally. Since launching its first locations in London, Miami, and New York during the 2010s, Edition has rapidly expanded into major global destinations. There is even one in Tampa and it’s fabulous (review here).
The move also highlights the growing trend of converting underused office space into hospitality and mixed-use developments as commercial real estate markets continue to evolve. Hearn has owned the office and parking portions of the skyscraper since acquiring them for $140 million in 2013 and has spent recent years exploring alternative uses for vacant office floors.
The iconic tower, completed in 1970 and famous for its black X-shaped exterior bracing, has undergone significant changes over the past decade. John Hancock removed its name from the building in 2018 after ending its naming-rights agreement (though the skyscraper remains widely known by its historic identity).
Today, ownership of the building is split among multiple parties. Hearn controls the office floors and parking levels while the residential condominiums are individually owned. The observatory attraction, now operating as 360 Chicago, is separately owned by Paris-based Magnicity.
The tower has seen additional changes in recent years following the sudden closure of the longtime Signature Room restaurant in 2023. This was a sad loss and I remember dining there and watching the fireworks (actually below) on Navy Pier. Magnicity later acquired the former dining space and announced plans to expand the observatory experience while adding new event venues.
The proposed hotel also arrives amid broader revitalization efforts along Chicago’s Magnificent Mile shopping district. New attractions and retail concepts continue moving into the area, including a Harry Potter Shop Chicago, entertainment venues, and major retail expansions from brands like Uniqlo, Levi’s, and Nike.
Anthony’s Take: Neither Marriott nor Hearn has announced an official opening timeline for the proposed EDITION hotel, though the project would become one of the most high-profile hotel additions to Chicago’s skyline in recent years if completed.
(Featured Image Credit: Marvin Samuel Tolentino Pineda via iStock.)
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
