Hotel Conversion Proposed for Historic Burnham Center in Chicago’s Loop
A new redevelopment proposal could bring hotel rooms to one of downtown Chicago’s most historic buildings. Plans have been revealed for a potential conversion of the Burnham Center at 111 West Washington Street in the The Loop, as developers look to reposition underused office space.
The 22-story building, located across from Daley Plaza, currently operates as an office property with roughly 23% occupancy, reflecting broader trends impacting downtown office demand. The proposed project would convert part of the building’s 585,000 square feet into approximately 250 to 300 hotel rooms, along with new amenities.
The building itself carries significant historical value. Originally known as the Conway Building, it was the final design by Daniel Burnham, one of Chicago’s most influential architects. Completed in 1913, the structure features a Beaux-Arts design and a large central atrium that was originally intended to provide natural light and ventilation.
That same atrium is expected to play a key role in the redevelopment. Plans include transforming the space into a column-free ballroom, creating a unique feature that could appeal to hotel guests and event programming in the heart of downtown.
The project is being led by developers Igor Gabal and Mike Reschke, who have been involved in several other major downtown initiatives. The team acquired the property for $5 million last year, positioning it as a candidate for adaptive reuse as the city continues to rethink older office buildings.
For those following downtown Chicago real estate trends, this proposal is part of a broader shift toward converting aging office buildings into residential or hospitality uses. Similar projects are being explored across the Loop as vacancy rates remain elevated and demand evolves.
If approved and funded, the Burnham Center conversion would add to a growing number of redevelopment efforts aimed at revitalizing Chicago’s central business district, while preserving the historic architecture that defines the city’s skyline.
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