Chicago-based design practice, Gettys Group, has completed the striking design of The Godfrey Hotel Chicago. Completed in 2014, this adaptive reuse project showcases a chic design and features Chicago’s largest rooftop outdoor terrace.
The Godfrey Hotel Chicago incorporates rich materials and textures, with a sophisticated tonal palette. The hotel‘s interior design showcases rich materials, strong geometries, and a tailored classic feel to complement the iconic architecture. Bold lighting, stone portals marking spatial transitions, along with integrated custom millwork can be found throughout the public areas.
The roof deck is now Chicago’s largest outdoor terrace. Named the I|O Urban Roofscape for its unique indoor/outdoor experience, the lounge and event space can host up to 750 people. With panoramic skyline views, the roof deck features a unique fire pit that acts as beacon to the city, along with shimmering water elements, a video wall, and a retractable roof.
Chris McDonough, Gettys design director, said to Adelto: “The Godfrey Hotel Chicago project gave Gettys the opportunity to both help save a modern new building for the city and to create timeless engaging interior and exterior experiences for the guests.”
Michael Maurer, Gettys principal, said to Adelto: “It’s always a pleasure to work with a seasoned hotelier who asks us to create a unique new vision in hospitality. The striking architecture of this building provided inspiration for an exciting new guest experience, capturing the city’s skyline and nightlife in a previously unseen way.”
What was the biggest challenge during the Godfrey Hotel project?
The biggest challenges with this project were converting a building which was originally designed to become a Staybridge Suites, that had not been under construction for several years. When the ownership company (oxford Capital) brought it out of limbo and the Gettys team began working on the project, they had to determine what aspects of the project could be used as they were, and what needed to be gutted, renovated, and reconfigured. This allowed the Gettys team to get really creative with the floor plans, enabled them to move the reception area from the fourth floor to the first, and create the signature rooftop deck. This also enabled the design team to introduce wet bars in most guestrooms by taking advantage of the existing plumbing set up as designed for the Staybridge Suites.
What current design trends did you incorporate into the Godfrey Hotel project?
The key trend incorporated into the design of The Godfrey is the idea of creating a dynamic experience and narrative, a transformative experience that bridges the several desirable neighborhoods adjacent to the property. The visual aesthetic is designed to pull guests upward and into the hotel, leading guests towards the rooftop I|O Roofscape, which overlooks the flashy lights of downtown Chicago.
Images courtesy of Marian Kraus, George Papadakis, and EROC Nation LLC
