Glassy 13-story hotel pitched for narrow lot across from the Palace Theatre

Developer Convexity Properties wants to develop a narrow downtown parking lot at 180 W. Randolph Street into a glassy 13-story, 310-room hotel. Located across the street from the Cadillac Palace Theatre, the long-vacant parcel is wedged between the Randolph Tower apartments and the offices of the Michael A. Bilandic Building.

42nd Ward Chicago

Designed by global architecture firm DLR Group, the proposal will include a lobby and small bar on the ground floor topped by meeting space on the second level. All parking would be handled by off-site valet lots, according to an email from the office of 42nd Ward Alderman Brendan Reilly.

Owned by local trader Don Wilson, Convexity was behind several recent hospitality developments including the Loews Hotel in Streeterville, the Gold Coast’s Viceroy Hotel, and the conversion of Wicker Park’s historic Northwest Tower into the Robey. The developer is also a partner in an upcoming project to turn the upper floors of Chicago’s Union Station into a pair of hotels.

The 180 W. Randolph development will require approval from the Chicago Plan Commission, the Zoning Committee, and the full Chicago City Council to move forward. Convexity’s David Nelson told Crain’s that the firm hopes to break ground in the first half of 2020.