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Peek Inside The Robey, A Boutique Hotel In Wicker Park's Northwest Tower

By Alisa Hauser | August 16, 2016 6:11pm | Updated on August 16, 2016 6:40pm
 The Robey, 1600 to 1626 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Wicker Park. 
The Robey and The Hollander in Wicker Park
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WICKER PARK — Two neighboring Wicker Park boutique hotels under construction for almost three years are taking reservations for this fall, it was announced Tuesday by Grupo Habita, operators of The Robey and The Hollander.

"Both The Robey and The Hollander embody the values of Grupo Habita: the genuine warmth of Mexican hospitality, the feeling of an extended family looking after you with our intuitive service and thoughtful amenities," the group said in a news release.

Located at the intersection of Milwaukee, Damen and North avenues in Wicker Park/Bucktown, the entrances to the hotels will be on North Avenue. The Robey's address in the iconic 12-story Northwest Tower is 2018 W. North Ave., while The Hollander, located in a rehabbed warehouse, is at 2022 W. North Ave.

 A pool atop The Robey.
A pool atop The Robey.
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Provided

The Art Deco Northwest Tower — built in 1929 — is considered to be one of Wicker Park's most important buildings and was the first skyscraper to be built outside of the Loop. In 2013, members of the Wicker Park Committee unanimously supported Convexity Properties' plan to transform the mostly empty office building into a hotel.

The Robey's 69 rooms will either have a single bed, queen or king-sized. Rates will start at $175 per night. Perks and amenities include pet-friendly rooms, soft denim robes and felt slippers, free WiFi and access to a pool and private rooftop cocktail lounge, "Up & Up."

"Robey" was once the name for Damen Avenue during the 1890s, but it was changed to Damen in 1927, according to reports.

Gruop Habita described The Robey's rooms, designed by Belgian duo Nicolas Schuybroek Architects and Marc Merckx Interiors, as "sun-soaked" and warmly contemporary" with "skyline views even locals will instantly admire." View photos on The Robey's website.

Another 20 rooms will be on the upper floors of the five-story Hollander Fireproof Warehouse at 1618 N. Milwaukee Ave., adjacent to the tower. Those rooms, designed by French studios Ciguë and Delordinaire, will offer both queen-sized and twin beds for families and small groups.

"Social Stays" in The Hollander's eight shared rooms will start at $45 per night and the 12 private rooms start at $165, according to a "Fact Sheet." 

The eight shared rooms dedicated to "Social Stays" will "create a welcoming atmosphere for digitally-connected travelers" who can opt to meet and connect with each other through Instagram prior to their In Real Life (IRL) stay. View photos of the room on The Hollander's website.

Amenities in The Hollander include a coffee and grab-and-go counter as well as an onsite bike rental and repair shop.

A public restaurant, Cafe Robey, will occupy the ground floor of the Northwest Tower with each of its 56 seats looking out through double-height windows and the "bustling street scene," Grupo Habita said. 

Chef Bradley Stellings will oversee Cafe Robey's kitchen, serving up French-American fare.

A public bar and cafe will be located on the ground floor of The Hollander.

Grupo Habita operates 14 hotels in Mexico as well as the Hotel Americano in New York City's Chelsea neighborhood. The New York hotel opened in 2011 and is the firm's largest hotel, with 56 rooms.

The hospitality complex also offers three retail storefronts, including a Sprint store at 1624 N. Milwaukee Ave. and another for-lease storefront at 1620 N. Milwaukee Ave. 

At 1618 N. Milwaukee Ave., a not-yet-revealed boutique retail chain making its first appearance in Chicago is expected to open in the spring, a spokesman from Convexity Properties said earlier this month.

Room in The Robey with a Queen-sized Bed [The Robey]

The Robey Corner Suite.  [The Robey]

The Pool Above The Robey.  [The Robey]

RELATED:

The Robey, Wicker Park Boutique Hotel, Plans to Open by Thanksgiving (Aug. 4, 2016)

The Hollander Seeks Liquor License at Base of New Wicker Park Hotel (June 14, 2016)

Northwest Tower Boutique Hotel FINALLY Has a Name (June 8, 2016)

New Wicker Park Hotel Will Include a Second Restaurant Next to Pool (Aug. 26, 2015)

Northwest Tower $22 Million Rehab Project Gets Tax Relief: City Council (June 25, 2014)

Northwest Tower: Hotel Developers Share Plans for Art Deco Corner Jewel (Oct. 16, 2013)

Tenants Leaving Northwest Tower in Wicker Park, Future May Be as a Hotel (March 8, 2013)

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