The Congress-Plaza Hotel
520 Michigan Avenue
Images taken from www.congressplazahotel.com
History
The "Congress Plaza Hotel", previous known as the Auditorium Hotel, was constructed in 1893 as part of the World's Columbian Exposition. It was built as an adjunct to the famous Auditorium Building by Louis Sullivan, the fair's chief architect. R.H. Southgate purchased the hotel and brought in Clinton Warren to design the north tower . However, famed consultants such as Danmark Adler and Sullivan himself were also hired on the project. The design goal was to make it cohesive with the other buildings on the fairgrounds. (2)
The second tower was built in 1902 and 1907. It also boasts having the first air conditioned ball room in the United States. Many of Chicago's high society affairs, both during and after the World's Fair, were held at the Auditorium Hotel, and it became recognized as a place "to see and be seen". In 1908, the hotel owners changed its name to the Hotel Congress. The Fair had moved out, and now the hotel had an identity all its own. From 1908 until today, the hotel has undergone numerous changes in hotel management with the Pick Company in current possession of the grounds. The hotel has a magnificent view of Lake Michigan, Buckingham Fountain and Grant Park. It is a Chicago relic that does not let us forget the legacy and accomplishment of the World's Fair. (2)
Image taken from www.congressplazahotel.com
Famous People
According to one source, the Congress Plaza was known as the “Home of Presidents” among Chicago hotels (2). Presidents Grover Cleveland, William McKinley, Teddy Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, Woodrow Wilson, Warren Harding, Calvin Coolidge, and Franklin Roosevelt all with met with their political consistencies to tackle campaign tactics at the hotel. In 1932, the hotel even served as the Democratic locus for Franklin Roosevelt's presidential re-election (2).
Photo courtesy of www.congressplazahotel.com
Entertainment(2)
The Gazebo Restaurant
Rafael's
Tavern Tap Lounge
The hotel is located only a short walk from Millennium Park, Michigan Avenue shopping, Museum Campus, The Auditorium Theatre.
Grant Park, Buckingham Fountain, and the Lake are across the street. This is where the annual "Taste of Chicago" is held.
Photo Courtesy www.congressplazahotel.com
The Congress Plaza in Literature and Culture
The Devil in the White City is a book that basically describes what happened in the Congress Plaza's front yard. The hotel stood witness to the streams of crowds that came to see Sullivan's "White City" (note he was consulted on the architectural design of the hotel as well. Hotel industry is an important facet of this book. (12) Not only did hotels such as the Congress Plaza and the Palmer House house the throngs of visitors, but their owners also had reputations among society's elite. Names like Palmer and Southgate held weight in Chicago at the turn of the Century. H. H. Holmes, the villain of Devil in the White City, was also trying to build a reputation of status and power for himself, and in doing so, he also purchased a hotel chain. Therefore, we can see that the hotel industry was an important symbol of culture and high society in the development of Chicago. (12)