General manager Ryna McKenzie of the hotel says that it is one of the most unique Hamptons in the world. "When guests walk into this lobby, they're going to be blown away."
Even though it is crowded out by much larger and modern structures and outglammed by other boutique hotels like the Hard Rock Hotel at the more significant Carbide and Carbon Building, this is a destination in itself.
It is located at at 68 E. Wacker Place between the Church of Christ Scientist dome and Michigan Avenue. The classical Motor Club Building insignia is below the Hampton Inn sign. Once past the revolving doors, you stand in the 33-foot high lobby.
On the mezzanine above the lobby is a 1928 Ford Model A coupe with a rumble seat, which was purchased from a private collector in Spring Grove, Illinois. That is where I live, but it is not mine.
Above the elevators in the lobby is a 33-foot-wide by 27-foot high mural map of the United States by Chicago artist John Warner Norton, It predates the Interstate Highway System and shows the roads as they were in the 1920s. However, I saw the Lincoln Highway, but not Route 66.
There is a legend on it showing major cities, national parks and highways. One road is called the Black and Yellow Trail, also known today as US-14, that connects Chicago with Yellowstone National Park.
That Is One Impressive Map. --RoadMap
RoadDog's RoadLog Blog: Being my travels down those great two lane highways of this nation as well as news I learn about them from media sources. Since I'm also very interested in historic preservation, there will be a lot of that as well.
The Shamrock Court Motel in Sullivan, Missouri. It can be yours for $125,000. Lots of possibilities. Actually, now you're too late. Missouri's Roamin' Rich bought it.
Showing posts with label Hampton Inns. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hampton Inns. Show all posts
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Chicago's Motor Club Building Is Back on the Roadl-- Part 1: "A Short Building That's All About Being Tall"
From the June 7, 2015, Chicago Tribune "Motor Club back on the road" by Robert Duffer.
Renovated 'Temple of Transport" reopens as a Hampton Hotel.
"The automotive and architectural worlds have had big hands in shaping American culture over the past century. Symbolizing the marriage of these industries, the renovated Chicago Motor Club Building bridges the past to the present by honoring Chicago's motoring history in a swanky art deco hotel that would please flappers and yuppies alike."
The building was built in 1928 for the Chicago affiliate of the American Automobile Association. For a skyscraper, it is short, just 15 stories, but the tall open lobby defines what Chicago Tribune architect critic Blair Kamin calls "a short building that's about being tall."
In 2012 it was elevated to Landmark Status for Chicago.
But things were not always so great for the little, tall structure. In 1985, the AAA Chicago Motor Club left to suburban Aurora.It had been vacant and near ruin since 2004. Now, it iw an upscale Hampton Inn Hotel. Hamptons, of course, are better known for roadside layovers than destination artworks.
On My List of Things to See in Chicago, Even If I can't Afford to Stay There. --RoadDog
Renovated 'Temple of Transport" reopens as a Hampton Hotel.
"The automotive and architectural worlds have had big hands in shaping American culture over the past century. Symbolizing the marriage of these industries, the renovated Chicago Motor Club Building bridges the past to the present by honoring Chicago's motoring history in a swanky art deco hotel that would please flappers and yuppies alike."
The building was built in 1928 for the Chicago affiliate of the American Automobile Association. For a skyscraper, it is short, just 15 stories, but the tall open lobby defines what Chicago Tribune architect critic Blair Kamin calls "a short building that's about being tall."
In 2012 it was elevated to Landmark Status for Chicago.
But things were not always so great for the little, tall structure. In 1985, the AAA Chicago Motor Club left to suburban Aurora.It had been vacant and near ruin since 2004. Now, it iw an upscale Hampton Inn Hotel. Hamptons, of course, are better known for roadside layovers than destination artworks.
On My List of Things to See in Chicago, Even If I can't Afford to Stay There. --RoadDog
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Old News, But... It's a Preservation Thing
Back on December 5, 2008, Hampton Hotels announced their list of 9 landmarks to be restored during 2009.
This is a wonderful thing that a corporation is doing, showing an interest in things past, something they have been doing for quite some time. This is their Save-a-Landmark campaign.
People were allowed to vote for 18 days between November 12 to Nov. 30th. They received 45,000 votes to elect the nine landmarks.
THE WINNERS:
ABRAHAM LINCOLN BOYHOOD HOME-- Knob Creek, Ky.
PORTLAND OBSERVATORY-- Portland, Maine-- built 1807 with grand views of the harbor
MAYOWOOD-- Rochester, Mn.-- estate from 1911 to 1938 founded by Dr. Charles H. Mayo, co-founder of the Mayo Clinic.
NEON MUSEUM-- Las Vegas-- "collecting, preserving and exhibiting neon signs."
ROBERT FROST FARM-- Derry, NY-- many of his poems attributed to his Derry years where he lived 1901-1911.
TOWN OF MAYBERRY OLD CITY JAIL-- Mount Airy, NC (Andy Griffith's home town which he based the fictional TV Mayberry on)
RAIL DEPOT MUSEUM-- Troutdale, Oregon, 1907
WASHINGTON HOUSE-- Two Rivers, Wi.-- Ed Bennett's Ice Cream Parlor considered to be the birthplace of the ice cream sundae.
HISTORIC ATLAS THEATER-- Cheyenne, Wy-- building there since 1887, converted to theater in 1908.
A Salute to Hampton Inns!! --RoadDog
This is a wonderful thing that a corporation is doing, showing an interest in things past, something they have been doing for quite some time. This is their Save-a-Landmark campaign.
People were allowed to vote for 18 days between November 12 to Nov. 30th. They received 45,000 votes to elect the nine landmarks.
THE WINNERS:
ABRAHAM LINCOLN BOYHOOD HOME-- Knob Creek, Ky.
PORTLAND OBSERVATORY-- Portland, Maine-- built 1807 with grand views of the harbor
MAYOWOOD-- Rochester, Mn.-- estate from 1911 to 1938 founded by Dr. Charles H. Mayo, co-founder of the Mayo Clinic.
NEON MUSEUM-- Las Vegas-- "collecting, preserving and exhibiting neon signs."
ROBERT FROST FARM-- Derry, NY-- many of his poems attributed to his Derry years where he lived 1901-1911.
TOWN OF MAYBERRY OLD CITY JAIL-- Mount Airy, NC (Andy Griffith's home town which he based the fictional TV Mayberry on)
RAIL DEPOT MUSEUM-- Troutdale, Oregon, 1907
WASHINGTON HOUSE-- Two Rivers, Wi.-- Ed Bennett's Ice Cream Parlor considered to be the birthplace of the ice cream sundae.
HISTORIC ATLAS THEATER-- Cheyenne, Wy-- building there since 1887, converted to theater in 1908.
A Salute to Hampton Inns!! --RoadDog
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