CHICAGO—The Kinzie Hotel is slated to open here in February following the conversion of the Amalfi Hotel.
The design project, led by Gettys Design Group Chicago was inspired by the city’s first settler and explorer, John Kinzie. All elements, from branding to design, pay tribute to Kinzie’s historical role. Vintage imagery of 19th century Chicago maps and compasses are displayed throughout guestroom wall coverings, paying tribute to the hotel’s exploratory namesake. The navigational branding also speaks to the hotel’s tagline, “Chicago Starts Here,” encouraging guests to explore the city as John Kinzie once did in the early 1800s.
"The Kinzie Hotel is a quintessential Chicago hotel...the hotel incorporates Chicago concepts throughout the design, from intricate vintage map work in the guestrooms, to the carpeting which features a modern interpretation of the city grid,” stated Design Director Ben Nicholas of Gettys Group. “We are excited about the opening of this city-centric hotel – a place where guests can experience a little bit of Chicago with every turn.
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The hotel features three intimate, concierge-style guest check-in desks as well as sofa niches along each wall. In the newly renovated 1,500-sq.-ft. lobby, there are spherical, central lighting fixtures that brighten the tone-on-tone gray palette that features metallic grey iridescent tile.
Both the lobby and common areas feature artwork commissioned by local artists, including a gallery component, displaying interpretations of Chicago’s urban landscape. Navy blue and gray colors are on the corridor walls, with deep tones on one wall side and lighter accents on the other.
Kinzie Hotel themed colors and textiles are featured throughout three renovated meeting spaces. Named after Kinzie’s close friend and colleague, Billy Caldwell aka “Sauganash,” the Sauganash Room is a fixed boardroom. A nod to Kinzie’s many pivotal moments at Fort Dearborn, the Dearborn Room is a fixed boardroom. The largest room is Wolf Point, 848 sq. ft. with its name inspired from James Kinzie, the son John Kinzie, who built a tavern by the same name on the west bank of the river at Wolf Point in 1828.
The hotel features 210 standard guestrooms and five suites displaying a color palatte of bright teal, cobalt, crimson and pumpkin. A navigational map representing Chicago in the early 1800s is blended throughout the wall covering above the bed. Adding to the room are the navy blue carpet floors, outlined with hexagonal detailing inspired by Chicago’s cobblestone streets and city grid of Kinzie’s time period. Guestroom lighting is outfitted with sconces resembling city lamp posts, situated adjacent to the king and queen beds.
The guestrooms also feature long, counter-height multipurpose desk units that serve as storage, a desk, and media piece. Renovated bathrooms have new granite countertops, fixtures and portable vanity mirrors.
The Kinzie Hotel is managed by Portfolio Hotels & Resorts
