The Langham Hotel, IBM Building
Why keep constructing while empty space sits in iconic Chicago buildings? The Langham, a luxury hotel chain started in London in 1865, carved out the first thirteen stories of Mies van der Rohe’s iconic IBM building for its 316-room Chicago outpost, which opened this summer. Mies fans’ complaining that the shimmering décor hampers his minimalist aesthetics can only blame within the family—the architect’s grandson designed the lobby. As a developer fights for rights to build another hotel overtop a residential garage across Wabash Avenue, not overcrowding the city’s famous skyline might be the best move yet.
330 North Wabash, (312)923-9988, chicago.langhamhotels.com
AUDIENCE CHOICE: Burberry Flagship Store, 633 North Michigan, (312)787-2500, us.burberry.com/store-locator/chicago