Source: Starwood

CHICAGO – W Hotels Worldwide andChesapeake Lodging Trust today unveiled the full-scale,$38 million renovation ofW Chicago – Lakeshore, which combines the energy of the 'Windy City' with the glittering waters ofLake Michigan. The only hotel located on iconicLake Shore Drive in the heart of the city,W Chicago – Lakeshore has transformed all 520 guestrooms and its signature Living Room experience; expanded its 14,000 square feet of meeting and event space to include three new outdoor spaces; and introduced a new signature restaurant, CURRENT, with Executive ChefGregory Elliott at the helm.

"W Chicago – Lakeshore has been reimagined to reflect iconic architecture and vibrancy of Chicago, pulling inspiration from the 24/7 energy of the W brand DNA," said Anthony Ingham, Vice President, North America Global Brand Management, W Hotels. "With new cutting-edge designs and reinvigorated bar, restaurant and event spaces throughout, the reveal of W Chicago – Lakeshore is a true milestone in our strategy to ensure W Hotels around the country deliver a dynamic lifestyle experience for both guests and locals alike."

"We are very proud of our transformation of this incredible hotel," said Jim Francis, President and CEO of Chesapeake. "The project's end result captures all the design and energy elements we had hoped for and so much more."

The transformation of W Chicago – Lakeshore is a key project in the second wave of renovation projects, part of the W brand's plan to reinvigorate its iconic North American portfolio. The aggressive strategy includes a significant investment by the W brand and its ownership groups with cutting-edge updates to public spaces, new signature bar and restaurant concepts, and stylish guestroom refreshes in key markets, including New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, Mexico City and Washington DC.

Cutting-edge Designs Combine with Premier Lake Views
New York-based interior design and architecture firm Meyer Davis Design and Starwood's award-winning design team collaborated to redesign W Chicago – Lakeshore to reflect the incredible views of the hotel, combining the shimmering beauty of Lake Michigan with the urban environment of the city. The guestrooms draw the eye to the lake's reflections and the illumination of Chicago with each window featuring a seamless window frame. The color palate is a blend of soft tones, which allow for the views to pop and serve as the focal point of the room. Additionally, the light fixtures were changed to chandeliers to reflect and amplify the light and views, and mirrors were added to the walls for yet another reflective design element.

The décor in the public spaces reflect the W brand's urban New York City roots, merged with the vibrancy of Chicago. The Living Room has undergone a bold transformation, including a completely revamped layout to increase the space flow and energy. A spray can mural acts as an accent behind the Welcome Desk, a historical nod to the aerosol can, which originated in Chicago and is now used in modern day street art. The Living Room was broken into smaller circular lounges that have the opportunity to create social gathering spaces. A central point to the lounge is a circular DJ booth, that creates a dynamic energy to the space as guests enjoy activities of the restaurant, bar and Living Room.

The hotel also expanded its 14,000 square feet of meeting space to include an additional venue on the two top floor spaces; Altitude and Skyline. Altitude offers 360 degree views of the lake and city with floor to ceiling windows, and Skyline, a new adjacent space for even more flexibility with meetings and social events.

"Meyer Davis is excited to present the redesign of W Chicago – Lakeshore, which utilizes the textural and light qualities distinct to its Lakeshore Drive location," said Patrick Martin, project designer at Meyer Davis. "Our concept showcases the confluence of a vibrant world class city meeting the serene edge of Lake Michigan."

CURRENT – A Social, Italian-Inspired Restaurant

As part of the renovation, W Chicago - Lakeshore has debuted CURRENT (also designed by Meyer Davis), a fresh, modern take on seasonal Italian cuisine showcasing Chef Gregory Elliott's simple and soulful ingredient-driven dishes. Full of seasonal, Italian-influenced flavors with a modern twist, highlights from the menu include house-made Stracci pasta with wild mushrooms, pecorino and oregano; Sea Urchin Risotto with scallops and tarragon; and Grilled Slagel Family Farm Pork Chop, a 15 oz. bone-in ribeye with lardo-rosemary pesto.

"Having worked in this location leading up to the opening of CURRENT, we really developed our menus with our guests in mind," explained Chef Elliott, who has worked at some of the most renowned kitchens in the country, including Brannan's Grill in Napa Valley, one sixtyblue, Ambria and Lockwood restaurants in Chicago. "Pair our made-in-house pastas, pizza and salumi with our hand-crafted Italian cocktails, boutique wine list and array of local microbrews, and you can't go wrong."

For more information about W Chicago – Lakeshore or to make reservations, please visit www.whotels.com/chicagolakeshore or call 888.627.8260. Guests are invited to discover the new W Chicago – Lakeshore by booking the property's Reveal Package (from $259 per night), which includes a 1-night stay in a redesigned Wonderful guest room, complimentary valet parking and a $50 dining credit.

Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WChicagoLakeshore and follow on Twitter @WLakeshore.

About W Hotels Worldwide

W Hotels is a contemporary, design-led lifestyle brand and the industry innovator with 45 hotels and retreats, including 17 W-branded residences, in the most vibrant cities and exotic destinations around the world. Inspiring, iconic, innovative and influential, W Hotels provides the ultimate in insider access, offering a unique mix of cutting-edge design and passions around fashion, music and entertainment. W Hotels offers a holistic lifestyle experience that is integrated into the brand's sensibility through contemporary restaurant concepts, glamorous entertainment experiences, stylish retail concepts, signature spas and inspiring residences. With 15 years of proven success, W Hotels is on track to reach 60 hotels by 2017. W Hotels have been announced for Beijing, Bogota, Changsha, Shanghai, Amsterdam, Abu Dhabi, Mumbai, Dubai, Jakarta, Panama, Muscat, Chengdu, Suzhou, New Delhi, Shenyang and Kuala Lumpur, while upcoming W Retreats include Goa, India. For more information, visit www.whotels.com or www.facebook.com/whotels. To live the W Hotels lifestyle 24/7/365, visit www.wresidences.com.

About W Chicago – Lakeshore

Located on Chicago's famous Lake Shore Drive in the heart of the City and just steps away from Michigan Avenue and Navy Pier, W Chicago - Lakeshore has recently completed a $38 million dollar renovation. The hotel's full-scale redesign by Meyer Davis Design reflects the energy of the city onto the glittering waters of Lake Michigan, setting the stage for the W brand's fully integrated lifestyle experience. W Chicago – Lakeshore features 14,000 square feet of meeting space including Skyline and Altitude on the 33rd floor, a 9,600 square foot signature Bliss® spa and FIT gym that overlooks the lake, and the cuisine of CURRENT, where Executive Chef Gregory Elliott showcases his simple and soulful ingredient-driven dishes along with an innovative beverage menu. The hotel's 520 stylishly re-designed guestrooms, including 23 Marvelous Suites, 1 WOW Suite, and 1 Extreme WOW Suite all incorporate the innovative designs found throughout the property. Facebook: WChicagoLakeshore // Instagram/twitter: @WLakeshore

About Chesapeake Lodging Trust

Chesapeake Lodging Trust is a self-advised lodging real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on investments primarily in upper-upscale hotels in major business and convention markets and, on a selective basis, premium select-service hotels in urban settings or unique locations in the United States. The Trust owns 20 hotels with an aggregate of 5,932 rooms in eight states and the District of Columbia. Additional information can be found on the Trust's website at www.chesapeakelodgingtrust.com.