The Gwen, Renovations
Guestrooms and public space received an $8 million facelift in this engineering design project.
The Objective
Located in the landmark McGraw-Hill building on the Magnificent Mile, The Gwen features 311 guestrooms and 15,000 square feet of event space. The recently renovated hotel pays homage to pioneer Chicago sculptor Gwen Lux, who designed the building’s Art Deco facade and architectural sculpture in 1927.
GBA collaborated with Fujikawa Johnson Goebel Architects, providing engineering design and construction administration services for renovation of guestrooms and public spaces.
The Response
Public space renovations included:
- Renovation of the ground-floor entry and fifth-floor lobby.
- A relocated lobby bar.
- HVAC modifications to the air distribution system in the lobby and restaurant.
- Plumbing alterations for new kitchen equipment in the pantry and bar.
- New gas piping for fire features on the fifth-floor terrace.
- Electrical improvements throughout, including light fixture replacements in the porte cochere and fifth-floor lobby; reconfigured power for the new pantry and bar; and new lighting and power for the lobby.
Guestroom renovations included:
- Renovation of 311 guestrooms, including 12 mobility-accessible.
- Conversion of three standard guestrooms to mobility-accessible.
- New plumbing fixtures in all rooms.
- ADA fixture upgrades for mobility-accessible rooms.
- Upgrades to power, including new receptacles, new switches and luminaires, wall sconces, illuminated vanity mirrors, and chandeliers.
- Upgrades to the fire alarm system to accommodate architectural modifications.
Images courtesy of Fujikawa Johnson Gobel Architects
Improvements to lobby, bar, and restaurant areas
Renovation of more than 300 guestrooms
Conversion of some standard guestrooms to mobility-accessible
Plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and fire alarm system upgrades
