Chicago, ILLINOIS - Bismarck Hotel - 1942 for Sale

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Chicago, ILLINOIS - Bismarck Hotel - 1942 For Sale

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Chicago, ILLINOIS - Bismarck Hotel - 1942:
$8.50

Chicago, ILLINOIS - Bismarck Hotel - 1942: Built in 1926 by brothers Emil Eitel and Karl Eitel, the Bismarck Hotel is located at 171 W. Randolph Street in Downtown Chicago, between LaSalle Street and Wells Street. The Eitel brothers came to Chicago from Stuttgart, Germany in the early 1890s and after working selling wine and spirits and managing a south-side hotel during Chicago's 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, built the first Bismarck Hotel in 1894 at its current location. During World War I, the Bismarck, named after Germany's first Chancellor, Otto von Bismarck, changed its name to the "Randolph Hotel." At the war's end, the name was changed back to Bismarck. In 1924, the old building was razed an impressive 22-story building covering nearly an entire city block was erected. Opened in 1926, the "New Bismarck Hotel" offered 600 rooms. In 1998, the Bismarck underwent a $31-million renovation and was re-opened as the "Hotel Allegro" with two new restaurants, the "Encore" and "312 Chicago," designed to look like an old-time Chicago restaurant. The Lobby of the Bismarck Hotel was reached by a stairway off the main entrance on Randolph Street. The room featured a decorative plaster ceiling with star-shaped designs, a diamond patterned marble floor, and wood paneled walls with stained glass windows. Traditional Queen Anne furniture including chairs and coffee tables were arranged on area rugs. Seating areas were centered around a row of five fireplaces with large oil paintings above creating ample rest areas for guests. The Bismarck's entrance had visitors come up a decorative brass railed stairway to the Lobby. A spacious staircase, the charm of which was enhanced by a hand-wrought balustrade, led from the noisy street level to the quiet block-long lobby. Custom brass light fixtures can be seen at the entrance below and at the stair landing. The Bismarck's Lobby was updated in the late 1930s and early 1940s with a strong Art Deco influence. The custom leather curved booth-style seating had a planter on top with a classic Art Deco-style light fixture above. A large American flag hung over a fireplace demonstrating the Bismarck Hotel's patriotism during World War II. This Linen Era (1930-45) postcard is in good condition but has lost its stamp. American Colortype. Chicago.