2025 Midwest Best Projects
Best Residential/Hospitality: RIU Plaza Hotel Chicago
RIU Plaza Hotel Chicago
Chicago
BEST PROJECT
Submitted by WSP USA
Owner: Riu Hotel Group
Lead Design Firm: The Lamar Johnson Collaborative; Lucien Lagrange Architects
General Contractor: W.E. O’Neil
Civil Engineer: Eriksson Engineering Associates
Structural Engineer, MEP Engineer: WSP USA
This 28-story hotel transforms a vacant lot in Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood into a vibrant, four-star destination with 380 rooms, rooftop bar, fitness center and full-floor dining, contributing to the neighborhood’s economic and cultural vitality.
Designed by Lucien Lagrange and Lamar Johnson Collaborative, the project navigated an extended community review and the challenges of COVID-19.
Photo by The Lamar Johnson Collaborative
Drawing inspiration from the Chicago School of Architecture, the team designed a structure that marries timeless aesthetics with modern engineering. The stunning interiors, so important to an elevated hospitality experience, came together through teamwork.
Photo by The Lamar Johnson Collaborative
Structural hurdles, including a dramatic cantilevered rooftop balcony, were resolved through close coordination involving the owner, architect and engineers.
Sustainability solutions, like a heat-recovery chiller and advanced energy monitoring, reduced environmental impact, while interiors were completed through synchronized international design and construction efforts.
