CHICAGO—Chicago is recognized as one of the nation’s leading green cities so it is fitting that owners of the Hotel Felix, the city’s first hotel designed to achieve a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver rating from the U.S. Green Building Council, announce the property’s opening during Earth Month. Originally designed in 1926 by Chicago architecture firm Levy and Klein, the former Hotel Wacker, a single room occupancy property, closed for redevelopment in 2007. Hotel Felix now provides an innovative, eco-friendly boutique hotel with efficiencies and key design elements that lessen the environmental impact of a newly built property.
The 225-room boutique hotel located at the crossroads of the Gold Coast and River North neighborhoods was redeveloped by the Oxford OBG Hospitality Investment Partners, a value-added acquisition and redevelopment initiative focused on the lodging sector. The $50 million-plus project’s investment group is led by Oxford Capital Group, LLC and other principals include Park Ridge-based Bricton Group, Inc. and Chicago-based Gettys. The Hotel Felix helped create 50 new jobs, while the construction crew enlisted approximately 125 individuals. The adjacent, independently managed restaurant opening soon is expected to add another 20 jobs for area workers.
“We’ve consciously developed a hotel that will offer our guests a more healthy, environmentally conscious property that also includes all of the technology and high style expected by today’s discerning travelers,” said John Rutledge, managing partner for the Oxford OBG Hospitality Investment Partners and founder and CEO for Oxford Capital Group, LLC. “We believe these features will help this property stand out in the crowd.”
Wellness Spa Included
The juxtaposition of the 1926 historic exterior, a contemporary two-story lobby featuring a uniquely designed water feature, and the bustling urban mecca surrounding the property all come together to offer a refreshing sense of arrival. The 12-story eco-friendly boutique hotel also features a lobby bar overlooking a quiet neighborhood, an Asha Aveda wellness spa, and comfortable guestrooms with sophisticated details and top-of-the-line technology, three small conference rooms and Elate, an adjacent restaurant that will soon open.
The Chicago hotel boasts LEED-related features in the property including in-room motion sensors to control heat and lighting, installation of recycled products in everything from artwork to fabrics and surfaces, flooring and wall coverings. Organic materials, renewable resources, and energy-efficient plumbing, heating and air-conditioning add to the benefits. Recycled materials, low-emitting paints, carpets, and a green cleaning program are used throughout.
Hotel guests arriving in a hybrid auto will receive complimentary valet parking. The 100 percent nonsmoking building will also feature a hotel-wide recycling program. Ancillary benefits that helped this property meet LEED certifications include the close proximity to public transportation so employees and guests can choose alternative methods of arrival and departure. Further enhancements in the hotel’s back of house allow employees to shower after riding a bike to work. Bike racks are located adjacent to the property.
Go to the Hotel Felix.
