Closed Hotel to be Reintroduced to Market as Le Meridien Chicago at Oak Brook

By Veronica Grecu, Associate Editor

A shuttered Renaissance-branded hotel next to the Oakbrook Center mall in Chicago’s Oak Brook suburb will reopen in early 2014 under the Le Meridien banner. The announcement was made last week by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc., who teamed up with real estate investment firm RockBridge Partners of Columbus, Ohio to transform the closed facility into an upscale hotel for both business and leisure travelers.

The 10-story Renaissance Hotel building (pictured) located at 2100 Spring Rd. was sold by General Growth Properties Inc. to RockBridge Partners for an undisclosed amount in October 2012. The property is undergoing a complex $20 million renovation that will culminate with a grand opening ceremony in January 2014.

“The comprehensive renovation and re-branding of the hotel, coupled with the strength of the Starwood system, will position Le Meridien Chicago–Oakbrook Center as the premier hotel in the market,” said Jim Merkel, president and CEO of RockBridge, as quoted in a press release by Starwood Hotels.

The hotel’s 172 guest rooms and suites will be completely refurbished and feature the signature Le Meridien Bed designed by artist Nick Dine, who is one of the members listed in Le Meridien’s “LM 100” list of design experts and consultants. A proprietary new bar and restaurant with meeting spaces will be created on the building’s ninth floor, and guests will have access to a state-of-the art fitness center and rooftop terrace.

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Image of former Renaissance Hotel via hotelsharbor.com