Status Update: No Rest at Virgin Hotel
It’s been a very busy week at the old Dearborn Bank Building, soon to emerge as the world’s first Virgin Hotel (203 North Wabash Avenue).
One of our Loop spies has been sending us a steady stream of photographs as crews get ready to begin a $55 million renovation of the building into a shiny new place for visitors to stay.
The Dearborn Wabash Street sidewalk has been covered by a construction canopy and moved out into what used to be the parking lane, and the former sidewalk is now a fenced-in area. That is, presumably, where the construction hoist will be located and materials will be stored.
Expect an all-out push if this project is to make its original opening deadline of Autumn, 2013.
I’m sure you meant Wabash, not Dearborn. I hope this ends up looking as cool as the Hard Rock, but still wish someone would restore and reopen the Motor Club building. I didn’t get a chance to go on Open House Chicago day.
You are correct. I meant to write Wabash, not Dearborn. That’s the second time I’ve done in the last few hours. I can’t brain today.
Friday they were taking down the fire escape!