Chicago
The new McCormick Square development opened recently between the South Loop, Chinatown, the Prairie District and Bronzeville. This new entertainment and lodging district is anchored by the McCormick Place convention center; between the Lakeside Center and the North, South and West buildings, it currently offers 2.6 million square feet of exhibition space.
The new Event Center at McCormick Square is slated to open next fall as a multipurpose meeting center and home to the DePaul University Blue Demons basketball team.
Also set to open in McCormick Square in 2017 is the 40-story Marriott Marquis Chicago, which will offer 1,205 guest rooms and more than 90,000 square feet of meeting space.
The John Hancock Observatory has been renamed 360 Chicago. Located on the 94th floor of the John Hancock Center, the observation deck attraction offers unparalleled views of the city and Lake Michigan from 1,000 feet in the air. 360 Chicago also offers Tilt, a one-of-a-kind viewing experience that extends a transparent viewing deck out from the side of the building, tilting visitors over the cityscape below and Chicago’s Magnificent Mile.
Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel recently finished an extensive update. The facility offers 474 guest rooms with 26 suites, and 22 event rooms with more than 100,000 square feet of event space.
Just minutes from downtown, the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort offers 389 guest rooms, four restaurants and lounges, and 40,000 square feet of event space. The luxury golf resort recently finished an update to its facilities; amenities include two pools, a hiking path, biking trail, live theater, an 18-hole PGA golf course and a tennis club.
Moline
Residence Inn Moline Quad Cities recently completed a remodel of the 84-room facility, and the indoor pool is now a salt-water pool. The hotel offers 530 square feet of meeting space.
The iWireless Center in Moline wrapped a $5 million renovation this spring with new arena lighting, some new seating, a new box office and a new concession area. The facility also offers banquet space.
The historic O’Rourke Building will become Element Moline, and include 5,000 square feet of retail, restaurant and cafe space, plus the 90-room Element Moline by Starwood, featuring 900 square feet of meeting space. The development is part of Moline’s revitalization project for the riverfront and downtown, and is slated to open in April 2017.
The Holiday Inn Rock Island–Quad Cities (www.ihg.com) recently finished a complete interior renovation, including 172 guest rooms and lobby spaces.
Peoria
Obed and Isaac’s Microbrewery and Eatery will open this fall in the historic Cornerstone Building. The former church structure will see new life as one of Peoria’s most popular microbreweries. The venue will include craft beer, whiskey, pub fare and even bocce ball courts.
Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Peoria at Grand Prairie recently opened with 113 rooms, including 17 suites and a restaurant on-site. The new facility is located next to the Shoppes at Grand Prairie.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites East Peoria–Riverfront opened recently with 93 rooms and one meeting room. The facility is located next to Bass Pro Shops, just minutes from downtown and the Peoria International Airport.