The Drake Hotel, located in downtown Chicago, has a long and illustrious history. The hotel was first built in 1920 and quickly became the go-to spot for Chicago’s high society. However, over time, the hotel fell into disrepair and struggled to keep up with the more modern hotels in the city. Many wondered what would happen to this once grand hotel, but in 1980, Hilton International acquired The Drake Hotel and restored it to its former glory. In this blog post, we will delve into what exactly happened to The Drake Hotel and how it has changed over the years.
A Brief History of The Drake Hotel
The Drake Hotel was first opened in 1920 during the height of the Roaring Twenties. It was built by businessman Tracy Drake, who wanted to create a luxury hotel in the heart of Chicago. The hotel was an immediate success and quickly became the go-to spot for Chicago’s high society. The building itself was a sight to behold, with its stunning architecture, grand ballrooms, and luxurious guest rooms.
Over the years, The Drake Hotel hosted countless celebrities, politicians, and other luminaries. During World War II, the hotel even housed military personnel who were in town for training. However, as the years went on, The Drake Hotel began to fall into disrepair. The once-luxurious guest rooms became outdated, and the hotel struggled to keep up with the more modern hotels that were popping up in the city.
The Hilton International Acquisition
In 1980, Hilton International acquired The Drake Hotel and began a massive restoration project. The building was extensively renovated, with a focus on restoring many of the original design features that had been lost over the years. Hilton International invested over $100 million in the restoration project, and the hotel quickly became one of the most luxurious properties in all of Chicago.
The restoration project included a complete overhaul of the guest rooms, with updated furnishings, modern amenities, and sleek, contemporary design elements. Many of the public areas in the hotel were also reimagined, with a focus on preserving the history and grandeur of the original architecture while updating the spaces to meet the needs of modern guests.
Changes Over the Years
Since the Hilton International acquisition, The Drake Hotel has continued to evolve and change with the times. The hotel has undergone additional renovations, including updates to the dining and event spaces, and the addition of new amenities such as an on-site fitness center.
One of the most significant changes at The Drake Hotel over the years has been the inclusion of art and cultural exhibits throughout the building. The hotel has long been a supporter of the arts, and now features a rotating collection of exhibits that showcase local artists and cultural icons. This focus on the arts has helped to cement The Drake Hotel’s place as a cultural landmark in Chicago.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Drake Hotel has had a long and varied history. From its early days as a luxury hotel for Chicago’s high society to its more recent role as a cultural landmark, the hotel has evolved and changed with the times. The Hilton International acquisition in 1980 was a game-changer for the hotel, transforming it back into a world-class luxury property that has continued to thrive in the years since. Clearly, The Drake Hotel is an enduring symbol of Chicago’s rich history and culture, and a must-see destination for anyone visiting the Windy City.
FAQ
Why was the Drake Hotel demolished?
The Drake Hotel was a historic hotel located at 440 Park Avenue and 56th Street in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. It was built in 1926 by the famous developers Bing & Bing and had 21 floors with 495 rooms. Over its long history, the hotel was known for its lavish parties and glamorous guests, including politicians, celebrities, and wealthy businesspeople. However, in 2006, the hotel was sold to a real estate developer who had other plans for the land on which it stood.
The developers who purchased the Drake Hotel planned to build a residential skyscraper called 432 Park Avenue, which was designed by architect Rafael Viñoly. The new building would be one of the tallest in New York City, with 96 floors and a height of 1,396 feet. In order to make room for this massive new construction project, the Drake Hotel was earmarked for demolition.
Despite protests from preservationists and some members of the public, the demolition of the Drake Hotel was completed in 2007. Many were disappointed to see the loss of such an iconic part of the city’s history, as the Drake Hotel had been a fixture of midtown Manhattan for so many years. However, others saw the new development as a sign of progress and growth for the city, and as an example of how New York is constantly reinventing itself.
In the end, the demolition of the Drake Hotel can be seen as a reflection of the changes that are constantly taking place in New York City. While some might lament the loss of old buildings and historic landmarks, others embrace the new and innovative developments that are transforming the city’s skyline and shaping its future.
Does Drake have anything to do with the Drake Hotel?
The Drake Hotel is a well-known and historic hotel located in downtown Toronto, Canada. Many people know of popular rapper Drake, who was born and raised in Toronto, and may wonder if there is any connection between him and the Drake Hotel. The answer is that while Drake has no ownership or official affiliation with the Drake Hotel, there is some interesting history between the two.
The Drake Hotel was originally built in 1890 as the Raci Hotel and was located across from Toronto’s Union Station. In 1949, the hotel was acquired by new owners who expanded the building and renamed it the Drake. Since then, the hotel has become a popular spot for locals and tourists alike, housing a restaurant, bar, live music venue, boutique hotel rooms, and event spaces.
While Drake was not involved in the acquisition or redevelopment of the hotel, it is worth noting that he grew up just a few miles from the Drake Hotel in the neighborhood of Forest Hill. In fact, he has referenced growing up in the city’s west end in several of his songs, making references to the streets and neighborhoods he lived in.
Additionally, the Drake Hotel has played a small role in Drake’s personal history. James Earl Ray, the man who assassinated Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968, famously lived as a fugitive in Toronto for several months in 1968. He is reported to have visited a bar around the corner from the Drake Hotel while living on nearby Ossington Avenue. While this is certainly not a positive connection between Drake and the Drake Hotel, it does highlight the hotel’s place in Toronto’s history and culture.
While Drake has no direct connection to the Drake Hotel, there are some interesting pieces of history linking the two. Whether you are a fan of the rapper or just curious about Toronto’s cultural heritage, the Drake Hotel is definitely worth a visit.
What room did Princess Diana stay in The Drake?
Princess Diana visited Chicago in June 1996 and stayed at The Drake Hotel. During her stay, the Princess occupied what was known then as the hotel’s Presidential Suite, which is located on the 10th floor of the building. The luxurious suite is 2,610 square feet and features two bedrooms, three bathrooms, a formal dining room, a sitting room, and a kitchenette. The suite boasts stunning views of Lake Michigan and the Magnificent Mile, and it is decorated in a classic European style.
The Drake Hotel has a long and storied history, having been a staple of Chicago’s downtown scene for nearly a century. The hotel has hosted countless famous guests over the years, including celebrities, politicians, and royalty. The Princess’s stay at The Drake was a highly publicized event, and the hotel went to great lengths to ensure that her visit was comfortable and memorable.
In addition to the Presidential Suite, The Drake has several other luxurious accommodations, including Junior Suites, Deluxe Rooms, and Executive Rooms. The hotel also features several restaurants and bars, a fitness center, and a rooftop terrace with stunning views of the city. Whether you are traveling for business or pleasure, The Drake Hotel offers an exceptional experience that is sure to impress.
Is the resort in Uncharted real?
Fans of the popular video game series, Uncharted, were excited to hear that a live-action adaptation of the game was in the works. However, they were left wondering if the luxurious resort that played a key role in the film was real or just a CGI creation.
The answer is that the resort in Uncharted is not a real place. While the scenes in the movie were set in the Philippines, they were actually filmed in Spain. The coastal town of Costa Brava was transformed into a luxurious resort, complete with stunning ocean views and a pristine beach.
Despite not being a real location, the set designers and filmmakers worked hard to make it seem like a believable, functioning resort. The attention to detail was impressive, and fans of the video games will recognize many similarities between the resort in the movie and the locations they explored in the games.
It’s understandable why some fans might have thought the resort was real. The Uncharted games are known for their realistic graphics and attention to detail, and some fans might have assumed that the movie would follow suit. However, the film’s creators had to balance realism with practicality, and it made more sense to film in Spain than to travel all the way to the Philippines.
While the resort in Uncharted might not be a real place, it’s still an impressive feat of filmmaking and set design. Fans of the video games will appreciate the effort that went into creating a realistic and immersive environment, even if it wasn’t filmed on location.
What was The Drake hotels iconic fountain once home to?
Located in the heart of Chicago’s Gold Coast, The Drake hotel has been a symbol of style and elegance since it first opened its doors in 1920. Over the years, The Drake has undergone many changes, but one of its most iconic features has remained the same: the fountain in the hotel’s courtyard.
During the 1920s, The Drake became high-society’s first choice in opulence, and the fountain in the courtyard was a central part of this image of luxury. The Fountain Court, as it was called at the time, hosted Chicago’s social elite daily for tea—a continuing tradition at The Drake.
The fountain itself was once home to many exotic animals, including swans and alligators. It was said that one female alligator named “Champagne” lived in the fountain for over a decade, and was known to chomp on the legs of any man wearing white shoes who dared to walk too close to her pond. While the alligators are long gone, the fountain remains a treasured part of The Drake’s history.
Today, the Fountain Court has been renamed the Palm Court, and the fountain that once housed alligators and swans now features an array of colorful plants and flowers. The Palm Court is still a popular meeting spot for visitors and locals alike, who come to admire the fountain and take in the elegant surroundings.
The Drake hotel’s iconic fountain was once home to a number of exotic animals, including alligators and swans. While the fountain has changed over the years, it remains a central part of The Drake’s history and a beloved feature of the hotel today.
What hotel is in Drake and Josh Go Hollywood?
In Drake and Josh Go Hollywood, a comedy television film released in 2006, the Chambrulay Hotel is a central location and a prominent setting. The plot revolves around the two stepbrothers, Drake Parker and Josh Nichols, who accidentally take the wrong plane to Los Angeles, leaving them stranded and without money. The Chambrulay Hotel serves as the public accommodation where the two boys seek refuge and ultimately find help to return home.
The Chambrulay Hotel in the film is located in Santa Monica, California, right by the beach. It is depicted as a luxurious five-star hotel, with an elegant decor and various amenities like an outdoor pool, a spa, and a restaurant. The hotel lobby and the boys’ suite are also shown in the movie, and they feature lavish furnishings and classic architectural designs.
Moreover, the Chambrulay Hotel was not just a fictional set for the movie; it was a real hotel in Santa Monica that was transformed for the movie set. The actual hotel’s name was Wyndham Anatole Hotel, which was temporarily renamed to Chambrulay Hotel for the movie. After filming was completed, the hotel was restored to its original name and architecture.
The Chambrulay Hotel is an essential location in Drake and Josh Go Hollywood, becoming an iconic part of the film. Its luxurious setting, elegant furnishings, and prime oceanfront location are sure to transport the viewer to an exciting and exotic place, making the film memorable and entertaining.