theWit, a Hilton Hotel, has revealed its top-to-bottom renovation, debuting a completely reimagined hotel with a new design concept and new amenities, for an elevated, entirely new guest experience. The transformation ushers in a new era for the upscale hotel, with reimagined spaces that are infused with clever and imaginative touches, creating a gallery-like atmosphere inspired by the home of a worldly collector.
“We are thrilled to unleash the new vision of theWit. Years in the making, this redesign introduces a new level of luxury with personality and panache that are unique to theWit and Chicago,” said Scott Greenberg, owner, theWit. “Our reimagined hotel will not only delight guests with a new opulence, it will wow them with an experience that is at the same time both exuberant and sumptuous.”
Conceptualized by Jackie Koo of KOO Architecture, Chicago, the redesign has transformed theWit into a destination unto itself, where vibrantly colored objects are layered on a backdrop of warm rich colors, and plush textures, perfectly fusing playfulness and sophistication.
“theWit is poised at the gateway to the Theater District, and its redesign draws from the city’s energy to offer guests vibrant new spaces with worldly touches,” said Koo. “The design was inspired by a fictional world traveler who collected objects and pieces of art, and the spaces instill a joyful yet luxurious feel.”
Guests arriving at theWit enter a soaring, light-infused lobby, where the boldly colored, sculptural, 38-ft. tall columns and a 12-ft. live floral installation are framed by floor-to-ceiling windows and set a dramatic tone. The vibrant columns and floral display are paired with warm-colored sculptural furnishings, a sophisticated white natural marble front desk, and black tiled floors, allowing the modern primitive textures and objects to shine through.
theWit’s 310 redesigned guestrooms and suites feature a soothing palette of warm earth tones with pops of color, all accented with original artwork and channeling the ambiance of a collector’s home. High-design accents such as origami-like light fixtures, a blue Memphis Design-inspired floor lamp and lipstick-red-trimmed mirrors capture attention, alongside polished stone and travertine finishes. Furnishings with modern forms depict architectural remnants, and each room features a mannequin-inspired torso sculpture which is a playful and unforgettable flourish. Throughout the halls, guests can find modern gallery-style artwork, choreographed alongside carpets with designs to resemble scribbles from the hand of an artist.
Beyond the distinctive design elements, theWit’s new guestrooms cocoon guests in comfort with lavish Centium Satin bed linens, ultra-soft Lynova terry towels and premium bath amenities by Italian-made Five Wits. High-touch services such as new nightly turndown are complemented by new high-tech features, including 65-in. flat-screen televisions in the suites. All guestrooms now feature an Amazon Echo, offering innovative integration for concierge services, hotel information, in-room dining requests and guest services on demand.
A mecca for entertainment and dining, theWit is located steps from the Riverwalk and the Chicago Theater. The hotel’s spirited design reflects its vibrant atmosphere and lively food and beverage experiences, which include the signature tavern-style restaurant, State and Lake Chicago Tavern, serving bistro-style cuisine in a warm and inviting gastro-pub atmosphere that locals know and love. Meanwhile, set 27 stories up, ROOF on theWit, one of Chicago’s most sought-after rooftop destinations, boasts a chic aesthetic, offering a lively nightlife and brunch scene, rotating DJs and a retractable rooftop, making it a year-round destination for sweeping views of the city.
Photography: theWit
