PUBLIC Chicago Opens Its Doors

150 150 Daniel Fountain
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As of the 11th October, Chicago will undoubtedly be in the PUBLIC eye. The renowned American hotelier, Ian Schrager, takes the big city by storm with an even bigger bang. But this time, his new phenomenon, PUBLIC Chicago, has a twist. This hotel accommodates all guests and at an accommodating price. It’s out with the old and in with the new with PUBLIC. Schrager has taken Chicago’s iconic Ambassador East Hotel, built in 1926, and its legendary Pump Room and turned it into another worldwide wakeup call that welcomes businessmen and leisure seekers alike.

PUBLIC Chicago is a new breed of hotel and is all about ‘essential’ service. Inclusive, rather than exclusive, the hotel promises a unique experience above business or price point. As Schrager explains: “the idea behind the boutique [hotel] as I saw it was meant to touch people emotionally and viscerally and offer guests a truly unique experience. These travellers now expect truly unique experiences and not merely a place to sleep. PUBLIC will punctuate this with great value and service.”

This hotel resonates sophistication and authenticity. Along with interior designer Anda Andrei, Schrager has stripped the building of pretence and filled it with a warm feel to comfort every one of its guests – “we are trying not to be hip, we are in fact anti-hip, and therefore by definition, we are.”

Schrager continues to lobby for ‘chat rooms,’ with the plush Living Room and Library at the heart of the hotel’s social activity. In addition, PUBLIC Chicago will be the first property to offer PUBLIC EXPRESS, a gourmet takeaway offering an on-the-go dining experience in which worldwide acclaimed chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten prepares sumptuous packaged meals for guests.

MORE IMAGES ON PAGE TWO…

Daniel Fountain / 15.10.2011

Editor, Hotel Designs

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Fun fact: I’m usually the person friends rely on to organise trips, schedules, and group plans.

Workhighlights: Successfully coordinating events from planning through to delivery and seeing everything come together on the day.

Fun fact: I’m a keen cyclist and will happily bore people with copious amounts of cycling chat. My top cycling experience (so far) would have to be riding in the spectacular mountains of Crete.

Work highlights: Charles joined Forum Events in 2022. With a background in publishing, editorial media and events, Charles brings a wealth of experience to his role as Senior Production Manager. Having being involved with SPACE from the outset, he is excited to see the brand grow and develop.

Fun fact: People tell Sienna she gives off Bridget Jones vibes, and she loves to bake, always making sure there are shortbreads floating around the office

Work highlights: Sienna joined Forum Events & Media Group while studying Communications and Media, starting in the sales team where she managed and helped launch the first the PA Life Leading Venues of London SHOWCASE, where she built relationships with luxury venues across the capital. Drawn to the stories behind these spaces, she naturally transitioned into the editorial team, creating social media and editorial content. Upon graduating in June 2026, she is excited to be joining as Assistant Editor for Hotel Designs and SPACE.

Fun fact: When not working, Jess can usually be found tending to her kitchen garden in the Sussex countryside or foraging for herbs in the nearby woods. A keen grower, she recently studied a RHS Level 2 Diploma in the Principles of Horticulture during her spare time.

Work highlights: Jess joined SPACE magazine in 2022 and has since progressed from Assistant Editor to Editor. During this time, she has worked across many aspects of the publication – from shaping editorial strategy and overseeing operations to contributing to art direction and representing the brand on stage at industry events including Surface Design Show and WOW!house.

Alongside her role at SPACE, Jess has built a creative career spanning the arts, culture, design and travel sectors. Prior to joining the magazine, she spent more than a decade in the commercial art industry, in artist liaison, gallery management, and curating collections for the hospitality sector across hotels and cruise ships. During this time, she also worked on freelance projects as a writer, photographer, and creative content producer.
 
Jess studied photojournalism at London College of Communication and the Danish School of Media and Journalism and holds a first-class BA (Hons) in Culture, Criticism and Curation from Central Saint Martins.

Fun fact: Katy has spent years perfecting all kinds of accents and loves a good impersonation!

Work highlights: Katy has been with Hotel Designs since the beginning, way back in 2015 when Forum Events & Media Group acquired the brand.

During this time, she has fostered many meaningful relationships with clients from across the hospitality spectrum, as well as playing a pivotal role in the launch of The Brit List Awards, Hotel Designs MEET UPs, client-led roundtables and panel talks, brand and website redesigns, HD Wellness Sets, DESIGN POD podcast, Hotel Designs LIVE panel talk series, Accessible Design Talks and more. Katy is always on the lookout for the next opportunity to help grow the Hotel Designs brand even further.
 
Most recently Katy has stepped in to the role of Publisher at SPACE magazine, the printed bi-monthly publication focused on hotel design, architecture, and development.

Together these platforms offer a comprehensive 360-degree service encompassing digital media, print publishing, and live events – providing unparalleled value to advertisers, partners, and readers alike.