When Ian Schrager purchased the storied 1926 Ambassador East Hotel on historic Chicago’s Gold Coast to open the Public Hotel Chicago, he commissioned Gabellini Sheppard Associates to redesign the public areas, including the main lobby, library bar and cafe, and the legendary The Pump Room and The Pump Room Bar.

Our design concept relied on an understated color palette, modern furnishings, and dramatic lighting to highlight the newly restored classical details in the lobby and library. The overall effect is a seamless blend of historic detail with a contemporary lifestyle overlay burnishing all of the public amenity spaces and breathing new life into the Public Hotel Chicago.

Photography of Nikolas Koenig.