Waldorf Astoria Chicago’s Renovation Is Complete
Hospitality Design
January 12, 2023
KTGY Simeone Deary Design Group is behind the sophisticated reimagining of the luxury hotel
KTGY Simeone Deary Design Group has completed renovations at Waldorf Astoria Chicago. The refresh, which impacts the hotel’s public and private spaces, pays homage to the French masters through an aesthetic that embodies timeless luxury with a contemporary twist. “We focused on creating a sense of place, almost as if you are a welcomed guest of a modern manor home,” says KTGY senior design project manager Jessica Alexander. “Throughout the property, we wanted there to be a sense of discovery and excitement.”
A reimagined lobby greets visitors with a showstopping chandelier installed above comfortable new seating and side tables. Beyond the lobby parlor, Waldorf Astoria’s signature Peacock Lounge subtly nods to the brand’s illustrious history with real feather wall panels that serve as a backdrop for sumptuous seating upholstered in velvet and other woven fabrics. The lifestyle, home, and aura of late Chicago businesswoman Bertha Palmer further informed the fashionable space.
American brasserie Brass Tack joins the hotel’s F&B lineup, while Bernard’s cocktail lounge has been reintroduced with a timeless-yet-modern sophistication manifested through rich, dark hues and classic forms. Scottish tweeds and equestrian influences are also imbued across the bar, which comprises millwork paneling with custom inserts, cozy banquettes detailed with leather and plaid, a central tête-à-tête, and a rippling smoked glass window that overlooks the lobby from Bernard’s second level. Rounding out the renovated public spaces, the onsite spa boasts a new couple’s treatment room.
The French Fashion Masters served as muses for the elevated redesign of guestrooms and suites. A warm white palette modernizes each chamber, while the fashion pinstripe acts as a subtle throughline across rooms. In addition to the new 1,800-square-foot Astoria suite, the 2,400-square-foot presidential suite has been revamped to evoke the charm of a Parisian pied-à-terre, complete with polish wood floors, bright metals, and curved lines. The suite also features moody-hued upholstered headboards clad with leather side panels, architectural stone and crystal side tables, and a custom sofa wrapped in chenille.
“We wanted to preserve the legacy this property holds and how it has continued to stand apart in the Chicago luxury hotel market,” Alexander adds. “This property has and will continue to push the envelope further and create an even more sought-after, modern luxury experience.”
