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Congress Plaza Hotel History
Explore Fascinating Congress Plaza Hotel History
Congress Plaza hotel history begins in 1893, when the structure was built to house travelers visiting for the World's Columbian Exposition. Today, you can stay within the walls of one of the city's most celebrated structures. Don't hesitate to take a step back in time while enjoying our comfortable rooms and convenient amenities.
The Early Years
The Congress Plaza Hotel & Convention Center was originally named the Auditorium Annex when it opened to swarms of tourists in 1893. It was built by famed developer R.H. Southgate, with a north tower designed by Clinton Warren. In the early years, it also housed a unique feature known as Peacock Alley, which was an underground passageway that connected the new annex section to the original Auditorium Hotel. The south tower was built between 1902 and 1907 and featured a luxurious banquet hall, which quickly became the first ballroom in America to use air conditioning. The history of Congress Plaza Hotel Chicago is fascinating, isn't it?
The Middle Years
The Congress Plaza Hotel was routinely updated through the years as new owners tried keeping pace with modernity. By 1908, the hotel was a veritable force in Chicago with over 1,000 guest rooms. To differentiate the hotel from its original annex/hotel format, its name was changed to the Congress Hotel in 1911. This was due to its location, as the hotel was conveniently situated on Congress street adjacent to the Congress Plaza section of Grant Park. With the new name came swarms of new guests, and the hotel did everything it could to accommodate them.
Hotel Changes
In 1916-1917, electrical outlets and desk lamps replaced chandeliers. The bathroom plumbing was replaced in 1923-1924. In the 1930's, the former Elizabethan room was renamed and became a vibrant nightclub hosting a bandstand. In 1935, that same room became the centerpiece for an NBC radio show featuring Benny Goodman. When WWII broke out, the government purchased the hotel and used it to house army officers. In 1950-1952, Pick Hotel Corporation began a grand remodeling and renovation program of the entire hotel. This happened again in the 1960s.
Home of Presidents
A fascinating part of Congress Plaza Hotel history? So many presidents and have stayed here that it's become known as the "home of presidents." These include William Howard Taft, Teddy Roosevelt, Warren Harding, Calvin Coolidge, William McKinley and Grover Cleveland.
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