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(Northern
Illinois Real Estate article, March 2000 issue)
The foundation for Chicago's landmark Reliance Building
was laid 110 years ago at the southeast corner of State
and Washington. Today, the architecturally significant
property has been restored to its original glory in
the shape of the elegant Hotel Burnham–a transformation
that has triggered the renewal of the once great State
Street shopping district. The $27.5 million renovation
was financed by Canal Street Hotel LLC, a joint venture
comprising Mansur Realty Corporation, McCaffery Interests and
Granite Development, with support from the City of Chicago
Planning and Development Department.
The new Hotel Burnham is managed
by the Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group, a growing San
Francisco luxury hotel chain that also operates Hotel
Allegro and Hotel Monaco in Chicago. It caters to both
the business and leisure guest with numerous upscale
amenities. Full concierge service, exercise room and
complimentary morning coffee and evening wine service
in the lobby are a few of the many services provided.
The hotel also boasts The Atwood Cafe, an 86-seat restaurant
and lounge offering all-American comfort foods prepared
in traditional style.
"The Hotel Burnham offers
guests a unique experience in downtown Chicago,"
said E. Barry Mansur, chairman of Mansur Realty Corporation,
the Chicago-based private real estate investment, development
and institutional advisory company. "The restoration
of this architectural landmark as a luxury boutique,
European-style hotel represents a major step toward
bringing State Street back to its original splendor
and establishing it once again as a major destination
for visitors to the city."
Completed in 1895, the Reliance
Building was designed by architects Daniel Hudson Burnham
and John Wellborn Root, and later, Charles Atwood. Originally
designed as an office space, the Reliance Building was
one of the city's original skyscrapers as well as one
of the first to use iron and steel frame construction
rather than the customary concrete. The exterior faade
consists almost entirely of windows, with both flat
and projecting bays, and is filled out with glazed terra
cotta tiles. At the time, the building was a premier
example of Chicago and foreshadowed the city's 20th
Century skyline.
By the 1950s, the building had
lost its premier status and became valued primarily
for its State Street retail space where Carson Pirie
Scott had once been a tenant. The 5,500 square feet
of office space in the upper levels of the building
had grown outdated as an office tenants increasingly
wanted larger footprints and modern floorplans.
Despite its 1975 landmark designation,
the Reliance Building and its value continued to decline
until 1993, when the City of Chicago acquired the building
by eminent domain for $1.2 million and funded a $6.6
million rehab to encourage private investors to contribute
to the rebuilding of this historic building. The city
initiated the restoration of the building's exterior,
including replacing the windows and reconstruction of
the terra cotta claddings and cornices. A storefront
was erected to give a temporary look of progress to
the building.
"The City played a very
active role in preserving and restoring the Reliance
Building. The Hotel Burnham proves the wisdom of that
effort," said Mayor Richard M. Daley. "It's
a real jewel, and it's contributing to the revival of
State Street and the entire Loop. An exciting downtown
attracts tourists and suburbanites, and that translates
into jobs for people from every neighborhood of Chicago."
Five years after the city's
initial restoration effort, in 1998, Canal Street LLC
provided $19 million to acquire the property and complete
the restoration of the Reliance Building. Financing
was provided by Fremont Investment & Loan of California
and Mid City Financial Corporation of Chicago. An additional
$2.5 million in tax-increment financing was provided
by the City of Chicago. Antunovich Associates, Inc.
was architect of record, with assistance from McClier
for restoration. Plant UBM Joint Venture served as general
contractor. In completing the historic ambiance, interior
designer Susan Caruso of Intro Spec Design focused on
using rich earth tones and luxurious materials throughout.
"One of the many challenges
facing the redevelopment team was restoring the building's
historic aspect while also meeting contemporary building
codes," commented Ted Rodriguez, general manager
of the Hotel Burnham. "Every design aspect was
approved by McClier to ensure that the building retained
its historic elements while being converted into a contemporary
business hotel."
The glazed white terra cotta
facade, the bronze and granite storefront with wide
glass windows, and the flat cornice topping the structure
have all been restored to replicate the original look
given by Burnham, Root and Atwood. The interior again
mimics the original design, boasting an open cast-iron
staircase, white Carrara marble wainscoting and ceilings,
ornamental elevator grills and an elaborate mosaic floor.
The upper levels contain many references to the buildings
former office designs with the room numbers painted
on opaque windowed doors, the original mail slots, and
doorknobs and hinges acting as additional reminders
of the building's history.
The success of the hotel has
proven the worth of recreating the original look and
feel of the Reliance Building. The Hotel Burnham is
providing a luxurious escape for guests while preserving
a piece of history.
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