Ambassador East: The Rebirth of Chicago's Cultural Icon

NEW YORK, April 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Ian Schrager, visionary and creator of the boutique hotel that spawned a whole new generation of hotels and imitators, officially acquired on April 1st, 2010 the historic landmark Ambassador East Hotel in Chicago, Illinois, located in the heart of the exclusive Gold Coast. This coveted location is the city's most desirable retail, dining, entertainment and residential neighborhood.  Mr. Schrager, who has owned and operated multiple hotels, comprising thousands of rooms, in gateway cities such as New York, London, Los Angeles, Miami and San Francisco, has always wanted to own a hotel in Chicago.  "I have always considered Chicago one of the most beautiful and architecturally significant cities in America-the city that Mies van der Rohe, one of the best architects in history, called home.  It also doesn't hurt that my wife and her family are from Chicago too!" says Schrager.

The 285-room and 189,000 square foot hotel, built in 1926 located at 1301 Northstate Parkway at Goethe Street, and world famous, acclaimed restaurant, The Pump Room, will undergo a renovation in the following months.  Schrager intends to return them both to their past glory.  "It will still be the Ambassador East...but better," says Schrager.  In its hay-day, the esteemed hotel served as the wedding location of Humphrey Bogart to Lauren Bacall and played host to world renowned celebrities such as Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, John F. Kennedy, Natalie Wood and Robert Redford, to name a few.  Frank Sinatra was known to have booked an entire floor of rooms when in town, as well as, clear out the Pump Room for private entertaining with his famed Rat Pack buddies.  The Pump Room is also famous for introducing the Bloody Mary with the celery stalk to the world!

"I respect and love this hotel, its history, the city, the Gold Coast location and the neighborhood. I cannot think of a better city, time or location to launch one of the 2 new hotel brands that I am creating," says Schrager.

There is no doubt that Schrager will continue the Ambassador East's successful legacy and may even create a few new legends of his own.

ABOUT IAN SCHRAGER COMPANY

Ian Schrager Company (ISC) builds, develops and markets innovative lifestyle residences and hotels, introducing new concepts and reinventing industry standards. ISC was founded in 2005 by visionary Ian Schrager following a formative career revolutionizing and impacting nightlife (Studio 54 and Palladium) and hospitality (Morgans, Royalton, Paramount, Hudson, Mondrian, Delano, Shore Club, Clift, St. Martin's Lane and Sanderson). ISC's recent projects include the transformation of the fabled Gramercy Park Hotel in New York, 50 Gramercy Park North, and 40 Bond, among others. www.ianschragercompany.com

SOURCE Ian Schrager Company