
A Historical Gem Among Chicago Hotels
The preeminent luxury hotel in Chicago wasn’t always a hotel. Built in 1929 as the exclusive Medinah Athletic Club, the opulent building at 505 North Michigan Avenue was constructed with larger-than-life architectural details: a bronze doorway, marble columns, a grand staircase, cast-bronze friezes, and painted ceilings.

Timeline
1925
The Chicago Shriners Club purchases the land at the northeast corner of Michigan Avenue and Illinois Street directly north of the Tribune Tower for $1 million.

Timeline
1928
The ceremony to lay the cornerstone of the Medinah Athletic Club was held on November 5 and, to commemorate the occasion, a copper time capsule was placed within the cornerstone. It currently remains sealed within the hotel's limestone exterior and contains records of the organization, photographs of members, and a copy of the Chicago Tribune announcing the proposal of the building, as well as coins and other historic data.

Timeline
1929
Construction of the building's 42 floors and 440 guest rooms is completed in August, and its facilities are made available for the exclusive use of the club’s members and guests. In October, The Great Depression starts and a worldwide economic depression sweeps over the United States.

Timeline
1934
The Medinah Club files for bankruptcy following a lengthy financial battle.

Timeline
1944
The building is sold to developer John J. Mack, who converts it to a 650-room hotel at a cost of $1 million, renaming it the Hotel Continental.

Timeline
1947
Mack sells the hotel to Sheraton Hotels. It is renamed the Sheraton hotel and later the Sheraton-Chicago Hotel.

Timeline
1961
Sheraton expands the hotel, adding a 26-story second tower just north of the existing building. During this era, the hotel features an outlet of the popular Polynesian-themed Kon-Tiki Ports restaurant chain. A facade of lava rock adorns the northern wall, where today only a small section remains visible.

Timeline
1978
MAT Associates purchases the hotel from Sheraton and brings in Radisson Hotels to manage the hotel, which is renamed the Radisson Chicago Hotel.

Timeline
1983
MAT Associates terminates Radisson's contract and returns the property to its original name, Hotel Continental.

Timeline
1986
MAT closes the hotel in November for a renovation.

Timeline
1987
In August, plans are announced for the property to be managed by InterContinental Hotels and split into two hotels, totaling only 792 rooms. North Tower reopens first as the 547-room Forum Hotel (the budget-priced division of Inter-Continental), while the historic 1929 South Tower is restored as the 346-room Inter-Continental Chicago.

Timeline
1989
The Forum Hotel opens.

Timeline
1990
In March, the historic InterContinental Chicago opens its doors to the public. Although operating as separate properties, the two share back-of-the-house facilities.

Timeline
1994
In April, the Forum Hotel merges into the Inter-Continental Chicago in a $10 million renovation, bringing it to a total of 792 rooms.

Timeline
1995
Strategic Hotels & Resorts acquires ownership of InterContinental Chicago Hotel and proposes a new 850-foot, 55-story north tower. Designed by Lucien Lagrange Architects, the new tower would have been twice the height of the current 42-story south tower, and would have replaced the 28-story north tower built in 1961 by Sheraton. The new north tower would house new condominiums, as well as an addition to the hotel. It is never built due to the 2008 economic crisis.

Timeline
2001
A new entrance and a four-story lobby are built, combining elements of both architectural styles. Its grand staircase, which ascends to the banquet space above, is lined with banisters bearing intricate cast bronze ornamentation. An illuminated rotunda is capable of changing colors and creating the illusion of twinkling stars against a night sky.

Timeline
2011
InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile becomes a member of Historic Hotels of America.

Timeline
2013
The Grand Tower, formerly the Forum Hotel, reveals a $12 million renovation. The design captures the vibrancy of Michigan Avenue and its celebration of high-end fashion.

Timeline
2015
The InterContinental Hotel on Michigan Avenue unveils a $13 million renovation of its Historic Tower, to be renamed the Executive Tower. The design is a celebration of Chicago and a reflection of the city’s famed architecture.

Timeline
2019
A multi-million dollar meeting space restoration enhances the design of the hotel’s interiors while maintaining the beautiful qualities of its legendary original architecture.
InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile celebrates its 90th birthday.