![]() ![]() The next morning (Sunday) Dear Boyfriend was waking me up in a hurry because we had brunch reservations at the Signature Room! And, I'll add that this restaurant is located on the 95th floor of the Hancock building, 360-degree views of Chicago- the skyline, the beach, all of it! For out-of-towners I HIGHLY recommend visiting at least the Signature Lounge (one floor up, serves Cocktails and a limited bar food-menu) Great for a night-cap! Back to Brunch- First I'll say that I'm not a big fan of the over-hyped brunch spots that Chicago is known for, but this deserves all the accolades! The Host/Hostess is kindly waiting to seat you upon checking in. Though The Drake has progressed both architecturally and technologically, the roots of The Drake Hotel run deep beneath Lake Shore Drive into Real Chicago.For my 25th birthday my boyfriend planned an entire Saturday of festivities in The Loop (we live in downtown Chicago, so for us we call the area ‘commonly’ known as downtown The Loop, for those that are unfamiliar.) and after an amazing spa treatment, dinner and Broadway show we retired at The W Hotel (amazing!) I thought, "This was perfect and just CANNOT get any better!" - I was wrong. The Drake Hotel guests see today provides the grandeur of the past and accommodations fitting for today’s high society. In 1980 Hilton International acquired The Drake Hotel and restored it to its former glory. By the 1970s the John Hancock Center towered over The Drake, providing a frame of evolution for the half-century hotel. Throughout the 50s and 60s the political and social climate of Chicago was evolving and The Drake was inclined to develop alongside the city. In the summer, to get the cool lake breeze, the ceiling was open and the fountain was filled with fresh water. In the winter, to set the holiday tone, the fountain was replaced with a 2,000-pound fireplace. The Palm Court changed seasonally to accommodate the changing palate of the sophisticated patrons. The 40s proved to be a decade of colossal change, both at The Drake and around the world. In 1940, The Drake sign was illuminated solidifying the hotel’s rightful place in the most internationally recognized skyline. On December 6th, 1933, the day after prohibition was repealed, Coq d’Or opened to the favor of thirsty patrons eager to purchase a 40 cent whiskey. In the 1940s it became a local hangout for reporters, politicians, and even some notorious characters, though it never lost the true Chicago crowd. Twenty years later, seen laughing over drinks, newlyweds Marilyn Monroe and Joe Dimaggio would carve their iconic initials into the bar’s world famous wooden counter. In 1932 the Cape Cod Room became Chicago’s first choice for fresh fish and seafood and the nation’s first themed restaurant. Icons such as Bing Crosby, Walt Disney, George Gershwin, and Charles Lindbergh could be seen sipping a cocktail and listening to Herbie Kay in The Gold Coast Room. The popularity of the illustrious urban resort continued to rise well into the 1930s seemingly unaffected by the crash of 1929. The Fountain Court, now known as the Palm Court, hosted Chicago's social elite daily for tea-a continuing tradition at The Drake. Throughout the roaring twenties The Drake became high-society’s first choice in opulence. The doors of The Drake Hotel opened on New Year’s Eve the following year to 2,000 of Chicago’s most distinguished citizens. ![]() Drake and Tracy Corey Drake financed the project in 1919. The StoryĬonceptualized by famed architect Benjamin Howard Marshall, The Drake Hotel came to fruition when John B. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, its distinguished service and historic traditions offer guests a REAL CHICAGO experience. The Drake was known as a city within a city, complete with an array of leisure activities and luxurious amenities within its famed front doors, ensuring every guest received nothing less than The Drake Standard of hospitality. Conceptualized by architect Benjamin Marshall, the Nation’s first urban resort came to fruition on the cornerstone of the Magnificent Mile and Lake Shore Drive by brothers John and Tracy Drake. The Drake Hotel is rich in history and architectural integrity. We have become a steward of stories for generations of Chicagoans, and are honored to have our National Historic Landmark property be recognized as a building of architectural significance,” said Damien McArdle, general manager of The Drake Hotel. “For over a century, our hotel has boasted its prominence within Chicago’s history, becoming known as high-society’s first choice in opulence and luxury and is listed in the Nation Register of Historic Places. ![]()
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