Only yesterday we talked about the loyalty perks being offered to members of Leaders Club, the loyalty programme of the Leading Hotels of the World network. Leading Hotels has a network of some 430 luxury properties around the world. And soon enough it could include the upcoming Radisson Blu that is set to occupy the first 18 floors of the 82-floor Aqua skyscraper in Chicago.
Initially, a Fairmont hotel was to come up in the vacant hotel space in Aqua. However, the deal fell through, paving the way for Carlson Hotels to enter the scene in late 2008. Carlson Hotels have plans for a $125 hotel in the building that also houses a number of condos. The hotel, which opens doors in the fall of 2011, is a joint project between Carlson Hotels and Magellan Development Group, developer of Aqua. The two companies are apparently splitting the cost on a 50-50 basis.
Although plans for a hotel in Aqua are longstanding, the recession played spoilsport, forcing the building’s developers to rent out many of the building’s condo units and delaying the hotel project. The building has won several awards including one from PETA for its use of bird-deflecting elements. Its wave-like balconies are a distinguishing characteristic.
The Radisson Blu’s 200 hotels are largely based in Europe. The property in Aqua will be the brand’s maiden venture in the United States. With room charges in the vicinity of $200 a night, the upcoming Radisson will be a new name in luxury for downtown Chicago.
