Navy Pier’s first hotel, Sable at Navy Pier, opened this week in Chicago. The KOO-designed project links the lake with the city that acts as its backdrop.
KOO started with a window box as the organizing principle for the design of the facade and guest rooms. Each of the 223 guest rooms features a window seat with views of Chicago’s skyline and Lake Michigan. The angled surface of each room’s window seat creates a textured exterior that reflects the range of light, shadow, and color of the lake.
The interior design, also done by KOO, pulls inspiration from Navy Pier’s history as a port and the eponymous USS Sable by incorporating subtle nautical cues like weathered brass, ship building materials, and the use of smooth curves similar to those of a ship’s interior cabin. The color palette is grounded by mixed neutrals and highlighted by a spectrum of blues and blue-greens reminiscent of the colors of Lake Michigan.
The design of Sable at Navy Pier also preserves Navy Pier’s structure. A unique structural engineering approach was introduced to protect the pier. The design uses micropiles that thread through the existing pier foundations and lake water to bedrock below. The micropyles support new columns and a new structural slab that creates a platform to carry the hotel floors. The columns create an arcade that supports the hotel rooms above the Sable at Navy Pier’s lobby and newly created retail space.
In addition to KOO as the architect, James McHugh Construction Co. was the project’s general contractor. Sable at Navy Pier is targeting LEED Silver certification.
Related Stories
Movers+Shapers | Jun 13, 2016
THE DISRUPTORS: The Millennial generation is imposing its will on design
AEC firms, particularly those that design hotels and offices, gain a competitive edge by knowing how to appeal to the largest share of the American workforce.
Hotel Facilities | May 17, 2016
U.S. hotel construction pipeline full, fueled by upscale property segment
The 506,000 rooms under contract in April represent a 14.6% YoY increase.
High-rise Construction | May 17, 2016
Foster + Partners-designed towers approved as part of massive neighborhood redevelopment in San Francisco
One of Oceanwide Center’s buildings will be the city’s second tallest.
Retail Centers | May 10, 2016
5 factors guiding restaurant design
Restaurants are more than just places to eat. They are comprising town centers and playing into the future of brick-and-mortar retail.
Hotel Facilities | Mar 9, 2016
New hotel rooms generate an intergenerational battle
Hotels are going for a new minimalist look to attract younger guests, but some older business travelers don't like the small "desks"—and they don't want to work in the hotel lobby. But it's really all about trimming construction costs.
Hotel Facilities | Jan 19, 2016
8 trends sparking the hospitality sector
Hotels and restaurants are branching out to attract more customers—and hold onto them longer.
| Jan 14, 2016
How to succeed with EIFS: exterior insulation and finish systems
This AIA CES Discovery course discusses the six elements of an EIFS wall assembly; common EIFS failures and how to prevent them; and EIFS and sustainability.
Hotel Facilities | Jan 13, 2016
Hotel construction should remain strong through 2017
More than 100,000 rooms could be delivered this year alone.
Hotel Facilities | Nov 17, 2015
Marriott to acquire Starwood for $12.2 billion
The combination would form the world’s largest hotel company, and bring together two growth-minded businesses.
Hotel Facilities | Nov 13, 2015
15 ways 'soft brand' hotel chains can distinguish themselves
Hospitality’s biggest names are creating new, evolved brands to appeal to today’s traveler and compete against boutique hotels and Airbnb, writes VOA's Mark Pratt.