About Chicago Athletic Association
Est. 1893
“We wanted to make sure that a guest could get a full Chicago experience without ever leaving the building.”
Patrick Hatton, General Manager, Chicago Athletic Association
Hello, Chicago World’s Fair
The Chicago Athletic Association was founded in 1890 and opened its doors in 1893–just months ahead of the Chicago World’s Fair―with 3,000 members and a 10-year waiting list that persisted until admissions were used to buoy finances during World War I. Originally intended as an exclusive private club for men who were interested in athletic and social pursuits, the building was strategically located at 12 South Michigan Avenue to place it at the heart of Chicago’s cultural and commercial development. In this prime location, the club’s grandeur and exclusivity made it a central hub for Chicago's social, business, and cultural life.
Architect Henry Ives Cobb designed the 11-story Venetian Gothic facade with replica pieces from Doge’s Palace in Italy. No expense was spared with the interior either, which incorporated the best European craftsmanship and design. Elaborate stained glass windows, Italian Carrra marble floors, rich walnut parquet, a grand marble staircase, and a hand-made ceiling featuring 167 stalactites are just a few stunning original architectural details in the space.
After years of being used as a private club, the building was closed to the public in the early 2000s. In 2015, the building was converted into the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel, a luxury boutique hotel that blends the building's historic elements with modern amenities. The renovation maintained the building's ornate design and historical charm, while reimagining the space for contemporary use.
Italian columns, gilded doors, and Turkish baths were all painstakingly restored. German millwork on the second floor was removed, cataloged, stored, and reinstalled like pieces of a puzzle. Modern flooring in the club’s gymnasium, which took up the entire fourth floor, was removed and repurposed in the hotel’s elevator cabs. The original pine deck underneath was uncovered, supplemented with new wood where needed, and restored to its original look.
The building is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, underscoring its importance as a historic site in Chicago.
