A Look Back at the Infamous Lexington Hotel at Michigan and Cermak

The Sloop's history has a colorful past.  One of the main reasons is due to the infamous gangster Al Capone.  As part of Curbed Chicago's "Hotel Week" they had a brief, but fun post looking back at the infamous hotel:

Al Capone had a lot of stomping grounds during his time in Chicago, like the former Lexington Hotel in the South Loop, where the mobster lived for three years between 1928 and 1931. Capone and his gang occupied the fourth and fifth floors of the hotel, which became a sanctuary for illicit activities. The famous gangster had his own personal suite featuring a pea-green and lavender tiled bathroom and had a view of 22nd and Michigan. In 1986, the hotel was the subject of Geraldo Rivera's live syndicated television show to break open what was thought to be Capone's vault. However, nothing of value was found.

The Lexington Hotel (photo via My Al Capone Museum)

Geraldo Rivera and crew unlocking the "treasures" of Capone's vault. (image via Free Republic)

The hotel is long gone and has been replaced by The Lex apartment building.