Retractable Roof Installation – I|O Urban Roofscape

The city and media are buzzing about our upcoming rooftop lounge, I|O Urban Roofscape. And we can’t blame them – we’re just as excited.  In case you haven’t heard, I|O will boast uninterrupted views of the southern Chicago skyline – just gorgeous.  Guests and Chicagoans can enjoy the rooftop while basking in the sunlight during the day or through the late afternoon and into the evening starlight.

Here’s how we’ll make all that happen:  With our unique design of the retractable roof.  The design creates the largest northern lookout point to the entire southern Chicago skyline.   The fourth floor will offer approximately 15,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, with 10,000 square feet of lounge and event space.  We previously gave you an update in a past blog post and this is the latest installation on the retractable roof, which happened yesterday (Nov. 25).   Plus, among the panoramic skyline views include a fire pit, shimmering water elements, a video wall, retractable roof and more.  I|O Urban Roofscape has more space and unique amenities to offer than other venues in the city.

As always, enjoy the view!

We are continuing to build our unique retractable roof for I|O Urban Roofscape.
We are continuing to build our unique retractable roof for I|O Urban Roofscape.

Our Unique Retractable Roof

You’ve likely seen the news coverage about the torrential rain, storms and tornadoes around the Illinois area.  While Chicago is mostly safe, our thoughts are with those towns primarily in Central Illinois that are affected the most, including Peoria, Nashville and Washington, IL.   We do find it inspiring to see how the communities came together to support and help one another.

The photo below was taken from our fourth floor space – a little wet outside from the recent rain. I|O Urban Roofscape will be approximately 15,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, with 10,000 square feet of lounge and event space.  The exciting part is the retractable roof, which you can see is being erected in the image below.  This unique design makes for unobstructed views of Chicago’s skyline.

I|O offers dramatic, south-facing skyline views, which are unobstructed due to the unique design of the retractable roof.
I|O offers dramatic, south-facing skyline views, which are unobstructed due to the unique design of the retractable roof.

Fortunately, all this rain doesn’t mean “rain delay” – we’re still right on schedule for a spectacular opening in February 2014.

Stay warm and dry.

Hard Hat Tour

We’re pleased to conduct our first Hard Hat tour yesterday.   The tour was led by George Jordan, area general manager, and Adam Schomaker, director of sales and marketing.  Our guests included hospitality and design-focused media, Chicago media, along with the astute input from our partners.

Chris McDonough from GETTYS added great insight into the design elements and inspiration.  Katie Soven, of Valerio Dewalt Train Associates, shared background on the architecture.  Our hotel is owned and developed by Oxford Capital.

The tour included a first-look at our lobby, guest rooms, suites and I|O Urban Roofscape.  Matthew McCahill, food and beverage director, provided background on the much-anticipated I|O.   It will be the largest indoor/outdoor, all-season rooftop lounge and bar in Chicago. I|O will offer two full-service bars and lounge seating at the roofscape’s two-level fire pit, which will also serve as a beacon to guests above bustling LaSalle Street.  It certainly will be a must-see and must-visit in Chicago for travelers and Chicagoans alike.

Most importantly, George Jordan said he hopes the hotel “delights” the guests.

We hosted a Hard Hat Tour with our partners and media on Oct. 29, 2013.
We hosted a Hard Hat Tour with our partners and media on Oct. 29, 2013.