Located at 140 East Walton Place, the Drake is a luxury, full-service hotel overlooking Lake Michigan. Opened in 1920, it was designed in the Italian Renaissance style by the firm of Marshall and Fox. The hotel serves as a transition between the Gold Coast residential area and the commercial north Michigan Avenue, featuring 535 bedrooms and the secluded Palm Court for afternoon tea.
The property was acquired in 1916 from the estate of Potter Palmer and cost $10 million to construct and furnish. It became a prominent social and political hub in Chicago, housing the original studios of radio station WGN in 1924. Throughout the 20th century, the hotel maintained its status as a notable destination, eventually becoming part of the Hilton Hotels Corporation in 2005.
The Drake has been frequented by many heads of state and members of the European aristocracy. Notable guests include Winston Churchill, Eleanor Roosevelt, and several U.S. Presidents. It has also hosted celebrities such as Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, and Julia Roberts. In the Cape Cod Room, Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe carved their initials into the wooden bar, where they can still be seen today.
Today, the hotel continues to host guests with its various restaurants, ballrooms, and a fitness center. It remains a landmark of the Gold Coast skyline, balancing its historical role as a social hub with modern amenities. The hotel has also appeared in numerous films and television shows, including Mission: Impossible and Risky Business.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
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