Located near Grant Park in Chicago’s South Loop, the Blackstone Hotel, built in 1910, was restored to its former glory and given an updated, modern design scheme that is playfully integrated within the Beaux-Arts style historiclandmark building.

The biggest challenge was to provide lighting that was appropriate to the space, compatible with landmarks standards, but also met modern light level and code requirements. Almost all of the public spaces within the building had maintained their original fixtures. These existing wallsconces and chandeliers from spaces such as the Barbershop and Ballroom, were carefully removed, cataloged, and then taken to an off-site restoration specialist to be cleaned, repaired, rewired, and relamped. Limited architectural lighting was added to provide art work accent or additional tasklight where necessary, but was carefully considered so that it did not standout visually.

The large, spectacular Ballroom space presented the most opportunities for new architectural accent lighting. A cold cathode cove was added to highlight the balcony railings, and the balcony itself, no longer open to guests, became a giant cove to house 2-lamp dimmable T5HO end-to-end fixtures that uplight the walls and ceilings. Individual floor mounted MR-16 accent lights that highlight decorative plaster moldings that surround the space.

ARCHITECT: LUCIEN LAGRANGE
INTERIOR ARCHITECT: THE GETTYS GROUP
LIGHTING DESIGN: CHARTERSILLS