They Just Don't Build 'Em Like This Anymore
When you first look at this photo you may think it came from our recent trip to Paris. It bears a lot of the hallmarks of a 19th century, Parisian, neo-classical interior. But, the photo was actually taken in the lobby of the Palmer House Hotel in Chicago.
If you focus solely on the ceiling, you might think that you are seeing the handiwork of 16th century Italian artisans. Though the gold, laurel wreath encased P might look a little too contemporary, you could imagine that it is the official crest of the great family who built this palazzo.
The P does represent the first initial of a prominent Chicago name, Potter Palmer, the man who built the first Palmer House on this site in 1871, just months before it was destroyed in the great Chicago fire. It took 4 years to build a second hotel which claimed to be the "only thoroughly FIREPROOF HOTEL in the United States." A very good marketing idea given the hotel's recent history. The current building was built for the Palmer Estate in 1927, and designed by the architectural firm of Holabird & Roche.
The ceiling is comprised of 21 individual paintings some of which date from the 19th century, with ceiling medallions by French muralist Louis Pierre Rigal, commissioned for the 1920s era hotel. Some of the earlier artwork is said to have been inspired by Palmer's wife Bertha, who was the Queen of Chicago society, and liked to proclaim to the world that she introduced French Impressionism to the United States.
The ornate plasterwork cove that sweeps up into the ceiling line was created by master craftsman who worked as contractors, and thus remain nameless and uncredited. The entire lobby underwent a multi-year renovation, and the ceiling was restored under the supervision of the Florentine artist noted for his work on the Sistine Chapel.
Even though Palmer had been dead for 25 years by the time this latest incarnation of his namesake hotel was constructed, this Palmer House still retained the opulent atmosphere of the previous two hotels. The Hilton company took over management in 1945 and is now managed by Thor Equities, who are continuing with the hotel's renovation.
See more on the artistically inclined Bertha at: Mrs. Palmer's Paintings.
Posted by designslinger at 7/6/2009 2:55 AM 
Categories: Architecture, Decorative Arts, Art, Preservation
Tags: Holabird and Roche hotels State Street Chicago Loop
Categories: Architecture, Decorative Arts, Art, Preservation
Tags: Holabird and Roche hotels State Street Chicago Loop
What a wonderful looking place. Lovely photos too, which must have been difficult to get right.
Nice pictures! It must have been cool if you would see those in person.
It's a pretty amazing building. One of the perks of living in Chicago - some great architecture.
I did actually stay at the Palmer House once in the mid-eighties. My company usually put us up at the Hyatt, but for some reason we were at the Palmer House. I definitely recall the spectacular lobby, and the restaurants at the time were marvelous. The rooms were less stunning. I remembered that they were typical hotel rooms of the period with updated amenities, much like those at The Drake. Speaking of the Drake, have you created any posts for that hotel?
The Drake is on the 2011 post schedule.
Thanks for visiting designslinger!