Prominent Chicago Developer Acquires Essex Inn; Plans "Upscale Lifestyle" Remodel

Big news on Michigan Avenue yesterday as it was announced that a local developer acquired the Essex Inn and plans to renovate it (via Crains):

With one hotel project under way on Michigan Avenue, Oxford Capital Group LLC is getting ready to launch another on the boulevard about a mile south.  

The Chicago developer acquired the 254-room Essex Inn across from Grant Park with plans to transform it into “an upscale lifestyle hotel,” according to a statement from the company.  

Oxford did not disclose a price. Oxford has been one of the busiest downtown hotel developers in recent years, with projects including the Langham and Godfrey hotels in River North. The developer is converting a vintage office building at 360 N. Michigan Ave. into a 450-room hotel.

To get a sense for what the future might hold for the Essex we suggest heading over to the TripAdvisor pages for the Langham and the Godfrey and see what people say.  According to the site the Langham is the #1 hotel out of 174 in Chicago.

Best Western - Another Candidate for a Remodel?

This seems to be a great thing for the South Loop and this stretch of Michigan avenue.  Another "upscale" hotel is a nice upgrade from the dated Essex Inn.  We'll be curious to see what's in store for this remodel.  It's definitely a prime location for a more modern hotel.

Speaking of hotels that could use a good remodel, just south of here sits the dated Best Western (1100 S. Michigan).  Seems like this hotel could be another candidate for a remodel as well.  Some day this will happen.  Some day.

(Hat tip:  AR!)