CHICAGO, April 19, 2018 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- For locals
and visitors alike, Hyde Park holds a unique place in the history
of Chicago. This historic
neighborhood, home to the University of
Chicago and one of the most racially and culturally diverse
areas in the city, has a rich legacy of intellectual, artistic and
cultural innovation that continues to this day. The developers and
designers of the first luxury boutique hotel in Chicago's South Side in over a generation took
inspiration from this unique heritage when creating SOPHY Hyde
Park. The name of this new 98-room boutique hotel is rooted in the
Greek word "sophia," meaning wisdom and dedication to excellence
through the pursuit of knowledge. It pays tribute to Hyde Park's
unique legacy and is reflected in both SOPHY's architecture and
design.
Located in the heart of Hyde Park at 53rd Street and Dorchester
Avenue and scheduled to open in summer 2018, the property is close
to the site of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, the Museum of
Science and Industry, Frank Lloyd
Wright's Robie House and the site of the future Barack Obama
Presidential Library.
"From the outset," said Mike
Zimmerman, Vice President of Development for The Olympia
Companies, "we wanted the design of the hotel to reflect the
eclecticism of Hyde Park's history, manifested in a richness and
layering of design elements that invited curiosity and intellectual
engagement."
Architecture by GREC Architects
"SOPHY's design pays respect to the rich history and diversity
of architecture in Hyde Park, while celebrating new
technologies and innovations," says Greg Randall, a Principal of GREC Architects,
the architect of the project. "The hotel is cozy and artful,
yet provocative. We organized the ground floor to create an
atmosphere of discovery for guests. From the warm, inviting front
entrance, to the secluded, landscaped outdoor terrace, SOPHY
creates a meaningful environment for hotel guests and the Hyde Park
community."
Brick masonry appears as a common theme and will be embraced in
SOPHY's facade, which will be clad in Norman brick, similar to the
elongated masonry module employed by Wright on the Robie House. The
punched windows of dark metal and glass pay homage to Chicago's progressive industrial era. A lobby
lounge and bar was designed to anchor the restaurant and make it a
neighborhood destination.
Interior Design by Stonehill Taylor
"SOPHY stands apart from bustling downtown Chicago as a sophisticated sanctuary
reflective of surrounding Hyde Park," says Michael Suomi,
Principal, Stonehill Taylor, the firm responsible for the hotel's
interiors. "Each space in the hotel celebrates the arts, sciences,
music and literature. We combine upscale materials with sinuous
forms to achieve an elegant aesthetic throughout and crafted
expansive public areas and oversized guestrooms, layering in
textures and a prominent art package. Our goal is to create
luxurious yet intimate spaces reminiscent of the neighborhood's
residential interiors."
These sinuous forms can be found in the reception lobby, where a
1,000 lb. swirling chandelier inspired by Hyde Park's musical
legacy overlooks a 15 foot double sided fireplace that connects and
separates it from the multi-faceted lounge. Business casual by day
and subtly sophisticated by night, the lounge connects to the bar,
which is inspired by the scientific discoveries that Hyde Park has
witnessed over the last century, manifested in metals, geometric
motifs and orbital light fixtures. Local 20th century
literary figures have influenced the decor of the restaurant, which
has been imagined as an author's dining room, with bookshelves
carved into columns to partition seating areas. Walls feature a
gallery of book covers and original pieces by local artists
inspired by the literature of Hyde Park. The design of the
guestrooms, which include standard rooms and larger suites, was
inspired by the incredible fine arts legacy of Hyde Park. Each room
is anchored by an 8 foot abstract painting by local artist
Joey Korom, rendered in fabric, and
is finished with books, ornaments and even a record player with a
selection of local musicians on vinyl. With hardwood floors, area
rugs, custom lighting and a comfortable seating area, these unique
hotel rooms aim to inspire guests to build on Hyde Park's amazing
legacy.
The Olympia Companies is an innovative leader in high
profile real estate development, equity investment and hospitality
management projects throughout the U.S. It is responsible for a new
breed of sustainable, environmental and philanthropic hotels that
it has developed, managed and /or owns. The dynamic and seasoned
executive team at the helm of The Olympia Companies delivers
expertise in hotel development, LEED building design and
construction, project management, operational oversight, branding,
feasibility and market analysis, as well as sales and marketing.
The company currently has 23 hotel projects under management or
development in the U.S. For more information, visit
www.theolympiacompanies.com
SMART Hotels LLC develops eco-friendly campus hotels
and mixed-use projects at prominent universities and medical
centers around the country. SMART Hotels is led by Jon Adams and Ed
Small, who bring a triple-bottom line commitment to deliver
successful projects that are environmentally sustainable and
favorably impact campus and community. For more information, visit
www.smarthotelsgroup.com
SOPHY Hyde Park is a 98- room hotel currently
under construction in Chicago's
historic Hyde Park neighborhood. Developed by The Olympia
Companies and SMART Hotels, the property
will be managed by Olympia Hotel Management. SOPHY is near the site
of the future Barack Obama Presidential Library, the University of Chicago and the University of Chicago Medical Center and has
been engineered to achieve LEED Silver certification.
SOPHY is a member of the Preferred Hotels & Resorts
Lifestyle Collection. www.sophyhotel.com
SOPHY Hyde Park 1411 East 53rd Street
Chicago, IL 60615
@SOPHYHotel #SOPHYHotel
Media Contact: Gayle
Conran, ConranPR, 212-447-1010, gconran@conranpr.com
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SOURCE SOPHY Hyde Park