Hotel proposed for vacant lot on Randolph Street

An empty lot near City Hall that’s stayed that way for years despite surrounding development would get a 13-story hotel under plans disclosed by downtown Ald. Brendan Reilly (42^nd).

Convexity Properties, which is owned by Chicago trader Don Wilson, has proposed a 310-room, 13-story building for 180 W. Randolph St. The site’s now an unused parking lot and is wedged between the 188 W. Randolph apartment tower and the Michael A. Bilandic Building that contains state government offices.

Reilly said that while the proposal conforms to overall downtown zoning, he’s working with the developer on a streetscape design to ensure that a drop-off zone for guests doesn’t endanger bicyclists or impede traffic.

Because Convexity is seeking a technical zoning change, the proposal must go before the Chicago Plan Commission and the City Council.

Convexity’s past projects in Chicago include the high-rise Loews Hotel in Streeterville, the 18-story Viceroy Hotel at 1118 N. State St. and the boutique Robey Chicago hotel at 1600 N. Milwaukee Ave. It also was behind the conversion of the old Esquire Theater at 58 E. Oak St. into retail space.

All are part of a sizable expansion in downtown’s hotel market in recent years, but demand this year has shown signs of softening, according to data maintained by the Choose Chicago tourism agency. Downtown-area occupancies and average rates so far this year have declined compared with the same period a year ago.

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