Origins as the Medinah Athletic Club (1929–1934)
Built in 1929 as the Medinah Athletic Club, the building was a lavish private facility created by the Shriners’ fraternal organization. It served as a gathering place with guest rooms and meeting spaces, as well as extensive athletic amenities: a large indoor swimming pool, miniature golf course, bowling alley, archery and shooting ranges, billiards hall and boxing arena. These facilities were housed in a soaring limestone structure (yourchicagoguide.com; wttw.com).
The club struggled financially during the Great Depression and filed for bankruptcy in 1934 (wttw.com).
Transition and Reinvention (1934–1988)
In 1944, the building was rebranded as the Continental Hotel and Town Club of Chicago, changing from a private club to a public hotel. It later operated under hotel chains including Sheraton and Radisson. Sheraton added a second tower in 1961, expanding the property while complementing the original architecture (yourchicagoguide.com). Some of the original grandeur faded, while features such as the pool and ornate public spaces remained, preserved to varying degrees.
Restoration and Modern Revival (1988–Present)
InterContinental Hotels acquired the property in 1988 and began a $250 million restoration project that lasted 12 years. The work restored original details while adding modern amenities and technology. A 1930 Medinah Athletic Club yearbook, donated by a former member, helped guide the restoration of decorative elements (yourchicagoguide.com).
Today, the hotel combines contemporary hospitality with historic architecture and spaces.
Architectural Highlights
Exterior Design and Façade
The limestone façade features pseudo-Mesopotamian relief sculptures, vertical emphasis and ornate details. The design reflects early 20th-century eclecticism and stands out along the Magnificent Mile (wttw.com).
The Gold Dome and Dirigible Dock
The gold dome atop the south tower was designed as a docking station for dirigibles, reflecting 1920s interest in aviation and technological progress. The 24th floor beneath the dome housed sporting facilities (yourchicagoguide.com).
The Historic Pool
The indoor pool is on the 14th floor of the Historic Tower. Finished with blue Spanish majolica tiles and surrounded by elegant columns, it is a celebrated engineering feature. Olympic gold medalist and Tarzan actor Johnny Weissmuller swam there in the 1930s (yourchicagoguide.com).
Interior Spaces and Decorative Details
The public interiors include grand staircases, intricate plaster ceilings and motifs inspired by Mesopotamian, Assyrian and Moorish art. The King Arthur Court event space preserves wood paneling, stained-glass windows and intricate chandeliers. Restored glasswork, decorative tiles and the pool’s tile mosaics and fountains are among the interior features.
Dual-Tower Configuration
The Historic Tower has classic European-inspired décor, while the Grand Tower offers contemporary accommodations (yourchicagoguide.com).
Visitor Information
Visiting Hours
The hotel is open year-round. One description says the lobby and public spaces are accessible 24/7 to guests and visitors; another gives typical access hours of 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM. Restaurant and amenity hours vary.
Tickets and Booking
There is no formal ticketing system for casual visits to the hotel, and no tickets are required to enter its public areas. Hotel guests and visitors attending events can access historic spaces such as the lobby and King Arthur Court during the hotel’s operating hours. Booking a stay or dining reservation is recommended, especially during special events or peak seasons. Reservations are available through the Intercontinental Chicago Magnificent Mile website.
Access to the historic indoor pool is generally limited to hotel guests and event attendees. Non-guests may be able to visit during special events or through Resort Pass.
Accessibility
The hotel is described as fully ADA compliant, with accessible entrances, rooms and facilities. It provides wheelchair-accessible entrances, elevators and restrooms. Accessible guest rooms are available upon request. Contact the hotel directly about specific accommodations.
Travel Tips
- Spring and fall offer pleasant weather and fewer crowds. Weekdays and visits outside peak tourist seasons can also be quieter.
- Allow 1–2 hours to explore the hotel’s public spaces and amenities, or longer for dining or an overnight stay.
- Chicago weather varies; dress in layers and check the forecast.
- Use Chicago’s public transit system to avoid parking fees and traffic congestion.
Nearby Attractions
The hotel is close to the John Hancock Center, Museum of Contemporary Art and Michigan Avenue shopping district. Other nearby destinations include the Wrigley Building, Tribune Tower, Millennium Park, Chicago Riverwalk and Oak Street Beach. The Art Institute of Chicago and Shedd Aquarium are accessible by a short drive or public transit. The area also has architecture tours, museums and entertainment venues.
Tribune Tower
The Tribune Tower is at 435 North Michigan Avenue in Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood. Completed in 1925, the neo-Gothic skyscraper was designed by John Mead Howells and Raymond Hood, winners of an international design competition sponsored by the Chicago Tribune newspaper. Inspired by European cathedrals, its design includes ornate buttresses, flying arches and intricate stone carvings. Fragments from landmarks including the Great Wall of China, the Parthenon and the Taj Mahal are incorporated into the façade. The building housed the Chicago Tribune and other media outlets and was designated a Chicago Landmark in 1989.
The Tribune Tower is primarily an office building and has no public observation deck. Visitors can admire its exterior and explore nearby Michigan Avenue public spaces year-round at no cost. It is described as fully ADA-compliant, with accessible entrances and elevators; the exterior areas and nearby sidewalks are also described as ADA-compliant.
The nearest CTA ‘L’ stations are Grand on the Red Line, a 7-minute walk, and State/Lake on the Brown, Green, Orange, Pink and Purple Lines, a 12-minute walk. CTA trains and buses serve the area. O’Hare International Airport (ORD) is 18 miles away and Midway International Airport (MDW) is 12 miles away. Valet parking and nearby parking garages are available, and the tower is highly walkable from many downtown locations.
Nearby sights include:
- Wrigley Building Known for its white terra cotta façade and clock tower, across Michigan Avenue from the Tribune Tower.
- DuSable Bridge A historic bascule bridge with scenic river views.
- Chicago Riverwalk A promenade with dining and boat tours.
- Millennium Park Home to Cloud Gate (“The Bean”) and the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, about a 15-minute walk away.
- Art Institute of Chicago A renowned art museum, approximately a 20-minute walk away.
Special guided tours and events about the Tribune Tower’s history and architecture are occasionally offered by local tour companies and architectural foundations. Visitors can check the Chicago Architecture Foundation or the Magnificent Mile event calendar for opportunities.
For photographs, early morning or late afternoon light can highlight the building’s Gothic details. The DuSable Bridge and Michigan Avenue offer angles that include the Wrigley Building.
Chicago Water Tower
The Chicago Water Tower is at 806 North Michigan Avenue, on the Magnificent Mile. Built in 1869, it is one of the few structures to survive the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Designed in the Gothic Revival style, it originally housed a large water pump and remains one of Chicago’s most photographed landmarks.
The outdoor monument is accessible year-round, 24 hours a day, and viewing it is free. The surrounding area is wheelchair accessible. The adjacent City Gallery at the Water Tower typically opens from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Tuesday through Sunday; admission is free. Interior access to the Water Tower itself is limited, but photography is encouraged around the monument and in the gallery.
The Grand underground station and the Michigan & Grand bus stop are a short walk away. Nearby amenities include restrooms and seating along Michigan Avenue, as well as dining and shopping. The Shops at Northbridge are nearby. Several guided tours of the Magnificent Mile and Chicago’s historic sites include the Water Tower, and the City Gallery occasionally offers educational programs and art workshops for visitors of all ages.
The City Gallery at the Water Tower can be reached at +1 (312) 744-6630. Its website is City Gallery at the Water Tower.
Special Events and Guided Tours
The hotel does not offer regular guided tours of its historic spaces, but it occasionally offers tours and hosts special cultural events. Architectural tours, poolside movie nights and other cultural happenings are hosted throughout the year. Local architectural tours may also include the building. Visitors can ask the hotel concierge or consult its events calendar for details.
Photographic Spots
At the hotel, notable photo locations include the gold dome from street level, the historic pool and the grand lobbies. The lobby’s glasswork and the pool area’s tile mosaics and fountains are also photographic highlights. Follow hotel policies when photographing private event spaces. Images and virtual tours are available on the hotel’s official website.
At the Chicago Water Tower, early morning or late afternoon offers favorable lighting and fewer crowds. Chicago weather can be variable, so check the forecast and dress in layers.
FAQ
Are tickets required to visit the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile?
No tickets are required to enter the hotel’s public areas, but reservations are recommended for lodging and dining.
What are the hotel’s visiting hours?
The hotel is open year-round. Accounts describe public-space access as 24/7 or typically 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM; specific amenities have variable operating hours.
Is the hotel accessible for visitors with disabilities?
Yes. It offers accessible entrances, rooms and facilities, including elevators and restrooms.
Can non-guests visit the historic indoor pool or tour the historic areas?
Pool access is primarily for hotel guests and event attendees; non-guests may gain access during special events or through Resort Pass. Historic areas may be accessible during guided tours or special events. The hotel does not offer regular tours, though special events and local architectural tours may include the building.
Can I enter the Tribune Tower, and is there an admission fee?
The building is primarily office space with limited public access and no public observation deck. Visitors can view its exterior and surrounding public spaces for free. Occasional tours are offered by local organizations.
Where can I learn more about the Tribune Tower?
The Chicago Architecture Foundation and local guided tours provide information about the building.
What are the best nearby dining options?
The Magnificent Mile offers diverse dining options, including Michael Jordan’s Steakhouse inside the InterContinental hotel. Advance reservations are recommended for Michael Jordan’s Steakhouse.
Is there an entrance fee to see the Chicago Water Tower?
No. Viewing the outdoor monument is free, as is admission to the adjacent City Gallery.
Can I take photos inside the Chicago Water Tower?
Interior access is limited. Photography is encouraged around the monument and in the City Gallery.
Are tours available at the Chicago Water Tower?
Yes. Multiple tour companies include the Water Tower in Chicago historic and architecture tours.
