Hotel EMC2, Chicago’s newest Autograph Collection Hotel, sets the tone upon arrival with a typographic design with the words of Leonardo da Vinci: “Study the science of art. Study the art of science. Develop your senses—learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else.” The 195-room hotel is scheduled to open in May blocks from Magnificent Mile.
“It’s always intrigued me that people distinguish art and science as two different disciplines; I see them as one in the same,” said Scott Greenberg, president and CEO of SMASHotels, which will manage the property. “Our unique hotel will pay homage to the symbiotic relationship of these fundamental concepts and transcend the traditional hospitality experience. It will educate, inspire and ignite imagination and innovation at every turn, challenging guests to expand their understanding of how everything is connected.”
The hotel will also feature a 120-seat restaurant, the Albert—yes, named for THAT Albert—helmed by chef Brandon Brumback, previously of The French Laundry, Grace and Blackbird. The restaurant, serving contemporary America fare, will offer a 20-seat open kitchen for a behind-the-scenes experience.
The nearly 2,000 square feet of meeting space features design inspired by mathematician Emmy Noether. The two multifunctional meeting and event spaces have blackboard-style artwork installations and art by Dr. Eugenia Cheng, a British mathematician, musician, author, artist and Scientist in Residence at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.