Hilton Chicago
A landmark luxury hotel on Michigan Avenue overlooking Grant Park and Lake Michigan.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Hilton Chicago is a historic luxury hotel on South Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago, Illinois. The property overlooks Grant Park, Lake Michigan, and the Museum Campus, and is recognized for its Beaux-Arts architecture, large-scale event facilities, presidential history, and long association with Chicago’s civic, political, entertainment, and business life. It opened on May 2, 1927, as the Stevens Hotel, developed by James W. Stevens and his son Ernest. With approximately 3,000 guest rooms, it was described at the time as the largest hotel in the world. Its original concept was a “city within a city,” incorporating amenities such as a bowling alley, barber shop, movie theater, ice-cream shop, drug store, rooftop miniature-golf course, and extensive dining and entertainment areas. The hotel’s early prosperity was undermined by the Great Depression. The Stevens family experienced severe financial problems, and the property entered government receivership after corruption and embezzlement proceedings involving its owners; the conviction was later reversed on appeal. In 1942, the United States Army acquired the hotel for wartime use. It became a barracks and classroom complex for the United States Army Air Forces and accommodated more than 10,000 air cadets. The building also hosted the 1944 conference that concluded the Convention on International Civil Aviation, commonly known as the Chicago Convention, which established a foundational framework for international civil aviation. Conrad Hilton purchased the property in February 1945. The hotel was renamed after him in 1951 and subsequently became one of the most prominent properties in the Hilton system. Hilton used the hotel’s location and reputation to attract political leaders, film stars, royalty, and other public figures. Its entertainment program included large ice shows in the Boulevard Room Supper Club, while the Hilton Center, added in 1962, expanded exhibition and ballroom capacity. The property was also closely connected with major events in American public life. During the 1968 Democratic National Convention, violent clashes between police and antiwar demonstrators took place outside the hotel. Tear gas and protesters entered parts of the building, and several street-level windows were damaged. Despite its aging infrastructure and consideration of possible demolition in the 1970s, the hotel underwent a major renovation beginning in 1984. The project closed the property for more than a year, rebuilt its room inventory, and reduced the roughly 3,000 smaller rooms to 1,544 larger rooms. The hotel reopened on October 1, 1985, as the Chicago Hilton and Towers. In 1998, Hilton changed its naming convention so that the Hilton name appeared first, producing the current name, Hilton Chicago. The hotel began another major renovation in 2012, adding or upgrading dining venues including 720 South Bar & Grill, SNAX, and Kitty O’Sheas. It joined Historic Hotels of America in 2015. The property temporarily closed in March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic and reopened in June 2021 after approximately fifteen months. Hilton Chicago remains a major accommodation and convention property, with one of the largest meeting and event footprints among Chicago hotels. It is also known for the two-level Conrad Hilton Suite, a large lake-view luxury suite created from a former ballroom space. The hotel has appeared in films and television productions including Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, The Fugitive, My Best Friend’s Wedding, Primal Fear, U.S. Marshals, Road to Perdition, Little Fockers, and Empire. Its historic Normandie Lounge incorporates panels and furnishings associated with the ocean liner SS Normandie. The property’s identity combines full-service luxury lodging, high-capacity conventions, architectural heritage, and an unusually prominent role in Chicago and United States history.
History
The hotel opened on May 2, 1927, as the Stevens Hotel. Designed in the Beaux-Arts style, it was developed by James W. Stevens and Ernest Stevens and contained about 3,000 guest rooms, making it one of the largest hotels in the world at opening. The property was conceived as a self-contained urban complex with retail, recreation, entertainment, and hospitality facilities. Charles G. Dawes, then vice president of the United States, was its first registered guest. The Great Depression severely affected the hotel and its owners. The Stevens family lost control of the property, which entered government receivership and declined substantially in value. In 1942, the United States Army bought the hotel and adapted it for wartime military education. It served as barracks and classrooms for the Army Air Forces and housed more than 10,000 cadets. In December 1944, representatives from 54 countries met in the Grand Ballroom to finalize the Convention on International Civil Aviation, the treaty framework that became central to the postwar international aviation system. Conrad Hilton acquired the property in February 1945. It was renamed the Conrad Hilton Hotel in November 1951. Under Hilton ownership, the hotel became a prominent venue for public figures and expanded its entertainment and meeting facilities. The Hilton Center, completed in 1962, added exhibition areas and major ballrooms. The property hosted political speeches and large public gatherings, but it was also associated with the unrest surrounding the 1968 Democratic National Convention, when police and demonstrators clashed outside and violence caused limited damage to the building. By the 1970s, the aging hotel faced possible demolition. Instead, it received a major renovation beginning in 1984. The more than year-long closure involved a reported $185 million project that transformed the room layout, reducing the original inventory to 1,544 substantially larger rooms and adding improved meeting and guest facilities. It reopened on October 1, 1985, under the name Chicago Hilton and Towers. Hilton’s branding policy changed the name to Hilton Chicago in 1998. A further renovation began in 2012 and included new or refreshed food-and-beverage venues such as 720 South Bar & Grill, SNAX, and Kitty O’Sheas. The hotel was admitted to Historic Hotels of America in 2015. It closed in March 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and reopened in June 2021. Today it remains a large full-service hotel and convention venue, with extensive event space and a location near Grant Park, the lakefront, museums, and central Chicago attractions. Its historical reputation is reinforced by its presidential, military, aviation, political, architectural, and popular-culture associations.
- 2021
Reopening after pandemic closure
[1]Operations resumed in June after approximately fifteen months.
- 2020
Pandemic closure
[1]The hotel closed in March because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- 2015
Historic Hotels of America induction
[1]The property was recognized by Historic Hotels of America.
- 2012
Major renovation begins
[1]A substantial renovation included new dining outlets and guest-facility improvements.
- 1998
Current Hilton Chicago name adopted
[1]Hilton’s branding initiative placed Hilton first in the property name.
- 1985
Major renovation and reopening
[1]After an extensive closure and renovation, the hotel reopened on October 1 as Chicago Hilton and Towers.
- 1962
Hilton Center added
[1]A three-level addition expanded exhibition and ballroom capacity.
- 1951
Renamed Conrad Hilton Hotel
[1]The property adopted Conrad Hilton’s name on November 19.
- 1945
Conrad Hilton purchases the property
[1]Conrad Hilton acquired the hotel in February as World War II was ending.
- 1944
Chicago Convention concluded
[1]Delegates from 54 nations finalized the Convention on International Civil Aviation at the hotel.
Products and positioning
Historic, upscale full-service urban hotel combining luxury accommodation, major convention capacity, landmark architecture, and proximity to Chicago’s cultural and civic attractions.
Hotel accommodation · 1927
Guest rooms
The hotel provides full-service urban accommodation in a landmark downtown building. Its 1980s redevelopment replaced the original small-room configuration with 1,544 larger rooms and suites, supporting leisure, business, group, and convention guests.
Luxury suite
Conrad Hilton Suite
A two-level suite occupying approximately 5,000 square feet of former ballroom space. It is distinguished by lake views, large windows, multiple bedrooms, balconies, a baby grand piano, billiard table, and a private helipad.
Hospitality events · 1927
Meetings and events
Hilton Chicago operates one of the city’s largest hotel event platforms, with grand ballrooms, exhibit areas, banquet facilities, and meeting rooms serving conventions, corporate functions, weddings, and civic events.
Food and beverage · 2012
Dining venues
The property’s food-and-beverage offer includes restaurants, bars, lounges, and event catering. The 2012 renovation introduced or refreshed venues including 720 South Bar & Grill, SNAX, and Kitty O’Sheas, while the Normandie Lounge provides a historic themed setting.
Controversies
1968
Violence during the Democratic National Convention
During the 1968 Democratic National Convention, police clashed with antiwar demonstrators outside the hotel. Protesters, tear gas, and stink bombs entered parts of the property, and street-level windows sustained minor damage. The episode became associated with the convention’s broader political unrest.
Brand decisions
2020
Temporarily suspend operations during COVID-19OtherBackground
The pandemic sharply reduced travel, meetings, and hotel demand.
Action taken
The hotel closed in March 2020 and remained out of operation for approximately fifteen months.
Aftermath
The property reopened in June 2021 as travel and hospitality activity began to recover.
2012
Refresh facilities and dining offerStrategyBackground
The hotel sought to modernize its guest experience while maintaining its position as a major convention property.
Action taken
A reported $150 million renovation added or upgraded dining outlets including 720 South Bar & Grill, SNAX, and Kitty O’Sheas.
Aftermath
The project updated the property’s food-and-beverage offer and broader guest facilities.
Renovation cost. $150 million (2012 renovation)
1984
Undertake comprehensive hotel redevelopmentStrategyBackground
The aging property faced possible demolition during the 1970s, while Chicago’s South Loop was entering a period of revival.
Action taken
The hotel closed for more than a year for a reported $185 million renovation that replaced the original room configuration with 1,544 larger rooms.
Aftermath
The renovated hotel reopened in October 1985 as Chicago Hilton and Towers and helped support the area’s redevelopment.
Renovation cost. $185 million (1984-1985 renovation)
Sources2 sources
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