Chicago Construction News staff writer
General contractor W.E. O’Neil Construction has topped out RIU Plaza, Chicago’s newest hotel, a four-star, 28-story tower just off Michigan Avenue in the Streeterville neighborhood. Developed by The Prime Group, the site will be one of only a few locations in the United States for the Spanish hotel brand RIU Hotels and Resorts.
To celebrate this construction milestone, W.E. O’Neil hosted a topping out party to celebrate with the ownership team, the design team, and trade partners.
Rising 345 feet, the base of the tower will span two floors with 23 floors of guest rooms above. Catering to both business and leisure guests, the resort will have 390 guestrooms, a sky bar, one level below grade, and a ground-level bar at the southeast corner of the tower base.
Designed by renowned Lucien LaGrange, the classically styled structure is distinctive from most other new buildings in Chicago. Its unique material palette includes a mix of painted architectural concrete and aluminum-framed windows, rather than the more typical brick or glass curtain wall façades. This classic Chicago School architectural style façade will complement the building’s modern and functional interior.
Established in 1925, W.E. O’Neil Construction has flourished into a nationally ranked industry leader. RIU Plaza Hotel will be added to the ranks of many Chicagoland marquee projects built by W.E. O’Neil including Millennium Park’s Crown Fountain, Block 37, and the LondonHouse luxury hotel.
More about the RIU Plaza Hotel here.
