https://www.architecturalrecord.com/rss/2733 en-us jim@jamesgauer.com (James Gauer) A new hotel borrows from 20th-century Modernism to fit into a gritty landmarked district in Chicago.

]]> http://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/13323 Sun, 01 Apr 2018 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/13323-ace-hotel-by-grec-architects-and-commune-design The hotel is massed to read as three buildings, one incorporating a historic redbrick facade. Photo © Tom Harris The other wings feature charcoal-aluminum windows with floor-to-ceiling industrial sashes and casements in horizontal ribbons. Photo © Tom Harris 1804-GREC-Architects-COMMUNE-Design-Chicago-Ace-Hotel-03.jpg The building’s low center wing houses the lobby at grade and guest rooms above. Set back to create a patio, it is enclosed by an open steel-frame screen with brick planters and spandrels. Photo © Anhjali Pinto 1804-GREC-Architects-COMMUNE-Design-Chicago-Ace-Hotel-04.jpg The lobby bar and restaurant are furnished in modern classics and showcase commissioned art, such as a textile based on abstract bird’s-eye views of Chicago. Photo © Mike Schwartz The lobby has terrazzo floors, a rug by George Nakashima, and ceilings clad in plywood and fiberboard. Furnishings are vintage and new. Photo © Spencer Lowell Guest rooms feature plywood built-ins and custom furniture. Photo © Spencer Lowell The top-floor open-air lounge has skyline views. Photo © Lyndon French Upper-level meeting and public spaces lead to the roof terrace. Photo © Mike Schwartz Image courtesy GREC Architects Image courtesy GREC Architects Image courtesy GREC Architects Image courtesy GREC Architects