Wit makes its own welcome, and levels all distinctions. No dignity, no learning, no force of character, can make any stand against good wit. –Ralph Waldo Emerson
Does lightening ever strike the same place twice? With a bold, neon yellow glass bolt stretching 27 floors into the sky on the facade of its new building at the corner of State and Lake Streets, theWit Hotel (201 N. State St.) answers the question with a resounding “yes.”
Located just a few blocks north of what (in the early 20th century) was the busiest intersection in the world, theWit joins the rebirth of State Street at an explosive moment. The nearby Block 37 mixed-use development is nearing completion, and the neighborhood recently celebrated the opening of The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago’s new Joffrey Tower. New retail stores, residential towers and attractions abound nearby, and theatergoers flock to the surrounding district to take in shows on some of Chicago’s most famous stages: the Goodman, the Harris, the Ford Oriental, the Cadillac Palace, the Bank of America Theater, and, of course, theWit’s next-door neighbor, the iconic Chicago Theatre.
The developer of theWit, Scott Greenberg president of the ECD Company, took full advantage of the neighborhood’s rich cultural street cred when laying the groundwork for his hotel concept. Forget staid, stuffy and stiff: Starting with its playful name, theWit is a contemporary hotel with personality, its impishly chic sense of humor in evidence at every turn. The hotel’s forward-thinking structure was designed by breakout Chicago architect Jackie Koo, with interiors by Cheryl Rowley (the mastermind behind Kimpton Hotels’ distinctive look). Progressive edge mingles with long-lashed glamour throughout theWit’s guest rooms and common areas; chandeliers that appear held aloft by white angel wings hover near the soaring lobby ceiling, and mirrored elevator walls and hallway carpets are tattooed in bold floral cutout patterns. Edison-esque lightbulbs hang above boardroom tables, and pops of color throughout add surprise and whimsy to the sexy, dark color palette.
Guest Rooms & Suites
theWit houses 238 queen and king guest rooms on floors 6-20, with 60 magnificent one- and two-bedroom suites on floors 21-26 (298 rooms total). Floor-to-ceiling views of Chicago’s architectural gems are spectacular, with east-facing panoramas of Millennium Park, northward cityscapes of the Thompson Building and the Chicago River, and west-facing scenes of bustling State Street.
The stylish appointments overlook no details: 40-inch flat-screen TVs are standard in all rooms, with 60-inch screens in some suites. Easily accessible, all-inclusive jacks provide plugins for computers, phones, iPods and other electronics. Sweet Dreams by Doubletree Sleep Experience© mattresses offer the ultimate in comfort, and custom furniture includes plush chaises and electric blue velvet sofas. Clever artwork is anything but mundane, with inspiring red-and-gray felt “walls of kisses” above the beds; prints featuring Monopoly boards alongside Shakespeare’s face on the cover of Esquire; and framed wordplay referencing the wittier quips of some of history’s greatest thinkers.
In the suites, fully equipped kitchens are stocked with refrigerators, microwaves, convection ovens, and more. Super-sized bathrooms with separate showers and deep soaking tubs (many with outdoor views) are an irresistible place to relax after a long day absorbing Chicago’s cultural attractions. The latest energy efficient, eco-friendly HVAC innovations are put to use, with smart thermostats that use motion detectors to determine when guests are in the room and push air in specific directions to eliminate hot and cold spots.
Conferences, Meetings & Events
Floors three and four at theWit offer 7,000 square feet of meeting facilities, with a 2,523-square-foot dividable ballroom and conference rooms named after notable wits Lincoln, Dickinson, Churchill and Wilde. Ideal for educational, business or social events, the rooms are fully wired and outfitted with state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment. More dramatic views keep the creative vibe churning, and when groups get hungry, they’ll enjoy mouthwatering catering from the chef at theWit’s State and Lake restaurant.
SCREEN
Rivaling the over-the-top luxury of any Hollywood producer’s in-home spread, SCREEN, theWit’s $1 million digital high-definition multimedia theater, is sure to become the venue of choice for Chicago’s film aficionados, as well as for businesses and organizations that are looking for a one-of-a-kind space to host a special event.
SCREEN can accommodate up to 40 guests which features luxurious gray electronic recliners, cozy couches and club chairs, which are situated on multiple levels to offer ideal sightlines to all viewers.
Dining at theWit
theWit’s food and beverage partner, Concentrics Restaurants, has created three distinct dining experiences throughout the hotel. With striking interiors by Atlanta’s Johnson Studio, each venue offers its own compelling argument for becoming Chicago’s newest, hottest see-and-be-seen destination:
STATE AND LAKE
Its name an ode to its exact location, STATE AND LAKE is a contemporary gastropub on the ground floor of theWit. With a menu of artisanal American cuisine and inviting décor punctuated by an amber-lit bar, cork floors, and rich mahogany leather banquettes, STATE AND LAKE is the perfect place to cozy up and unwind after long day of work in the Loop.
ROOF
Perched 27 stories above the hum of the Loop sidewalks, the nightlife experience at the 7,000-square-foot lounge ROOF can be defined in a word: View. The scene from the deck and out the windows of ROOF is jaw-droppingly spectacular; gaze in one direction to see the Bean at Millennium Park, another way to see a slice of the Chicago River, and any which way to take in the up-close details of architectural icons standing sentry in every direction. Long fire pits lined with bar stools, a large projection screen on an outdoor wall, and a high-quality telescope for sneaking peeks into surrounding buildings are all part of the sensual, sensory experience at ROOF. A menu of 20 small plates is executed from ROOF’s own full-service kitchen, with a pizza oven in the main bar area.
Spa@theWit
Managed by industry leader WTS and offering a range of facial, nail and body treatments, Spa@theWit does away with traditional beige, beige and more beige in favor of a striking color palette that invigorates as much as it soothes. Spacious treatment rooms outfitted in enveloping black and cream are injected with splashes of hot pink, and textured tone-on-tone wallpaper lines the halls. In the adjoining fitness center, the latest Precor treadmills and elliptical machines face out windows with downtown views of the L train and sidewalk action below.