An artfully designed hospitality destination is cementing the buzz of Chicago’s Wicker Park neighbourhood. The Robey, one of the stateside properties from Mexico-based Grupo Habita, is located far away from the din of the city’s congested downtown, yet has managed to generate an air of excitement that is all its own.
As the only skyscraper for miles around, The Robey commands attention at this creative ‘hood. Based in the 12-storey art deco Northwest Tower, the 69-room hotel was transformed by Belgian design firms and occasional collaborators Nicolas Schuybroek Architects and Marc Merckx Interiors, and is fully dialled into the history of its landmark home. Schuybroek, the brains behind sophisticated designs such as JJM House in Brussels, is a deft hand at balancing warmth and minimalism, rawness and refinement.
‘Every floor tells a story,’ says Merckx. ‘It’s all about comfort and feeling at home, embracing the creative vibe and heritage of the neighbourhood.’ As such, minimalist furniture, hardwood flooring and intelligent lighting by Chicago-based Filament 33 impart a mood of simple luxury, both in rooms and in the French-American-style Café Robey. ‘The design was conceived as a subtle balance between Americana style and pared down, timeless, almost Belgian interiors,’ adds Schuybroek. ‘A harmony between old and new, European and American, unpretentious and elegant, timeless and warm.’
The property has been really on the up since its opening in 2017, offering visitors an opportunity for a taste of the Habita world as the group has managed to carve out its place in this blossoming corner of Chicago. And why Chicago? ‘For its authenticity,’ says Habita co-founder Carlos Couturier. ‘It’s a true community with unique values. It's the crossroads of America – trains, planes, roads merge in Chicago – and lastly, for its great past and amazing architecture. As Frank Lloyd Wright once said: "Eventually, Chicago will be the most beautiful, great city left in America.'
So impressed were we by The Robey's energy that we chose it as our location for our Next Generation shoot - a series of portraits of exciting, emerging architecture practices from the American Midwest, featured in our January 2022 issue of Wallpaper*. Read more here.
As originally featured in the January 2017 issue of Wallpaper* (W*214)
INFORMATION
ADDRESS
The Robey
2018 W North Ave
Chicago IL 60647
-
Luxury yacht kitchens are nautical but nicer thanks to Officine GulloYacht kitchens are often compact and utilitarian. Italian kitchen specialist Officine Gullo set out to reimagine them as spaces of conviviality and connection
-
Everything you need to know about changes to UK airport security rules for liquids and electronicsAt select airports, new scanning technology means that liquids and electronics can stay in passengers’ bags as they go through security, and some airports are ditching the 100ml limit on liquids. Consult our simplified guide to understand the new rules
-
This Porsche surfboard collaboration captures the spirit of 1970s Southern CaliforniaThe Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 is the inspiration for the company’s second collaboration with California’s Almond Surfboards, featuring a custom-made board and limited-edition apparel and accessories
-
A local architect’s guide to Joshua TreeMirtilla Alliata di Montereale shares her favourite things to do to slow down, look closely, and discover Joshua Tree through a more intentional lens
-
Meet artist Michael McGregor, using hotel stationery as his canvasMichael McGregor unveils an exclusive postcard set made with notepads from The Luxury Collection properties in Minneapolis, San Francisco and Savannah
-
Home is where Beethoven Market is – a joyful Italian restaurant in LA’s Mar VistaIn Mar Vista, a historic space is reborn as a modern-day gathering spot, an Italian-infused restaurant where rotisserie chicken, handmade pasta and tableside tiramisu welcome you like family
-
Aman New York unveils exclusive US Open-themed experienceAman’s ‘Season of Champions’ pairs Grand Slam action with personalised recovery and performance treatments designed by Novak Djokovic and Maria Sharapova
-
Caribbean cool meets mid-century glamour at this new LA hotspotFrom golden mirrored chambers to jerk-spiced tomahawk steaks, Lucia reimagines Afro-Caribbean dining and design
-
Classic New York restaurants for delicious food and inspired designFrom Michelin-starred fine dining to reimagined retro diners, these are the most emblematic (and easy-on-the-eye) places to eat in the Big Apple
-
Inside Hotel Chelsea’s secret basement sushi restaurantTeruko, a new Japanese restaurant and sushi bar in Hotel Chelsea, marks the final jewel in the hotel’s years-long transformation
-
Wallpaper* checks in at Fouquet’s New York: a lush, urban cocoon for the 21st centurySet in the heart of Tribeca, Fouquet’s New York balances French-inspired refinement and cosiness
