"When the city of Chicago burned down in 1871, the then-growing metropolis faced the daunting task of rebuilding its destroyed downtown. The period, being the peak of the Gilded Age, also brought enormous wealth ... and plenty of business leaders eager to spend it on ostentatious, impressive designs. The result? A city full of grand European-inspired buildings, like the historic Palmer House hotel."
"Originally built in 1870 as a wedding gift from businessman Potter Palmer to his wife, Bertha, the landmark hotel reopened after the fire in 1873, and it was rebuilt again in 1925. Aside from its history, ornate ballrooms, and over 1,000 rooms, the hotel's crown jewel is its lobby, a preserved masterpiece displaying French painted ceilings and gold-dipped Tiffany chandeliers."
"Today, guests at the hotel can lounge around just like they did 100 ago, and the public can visit the bar and restaurant inside the hotel. I visited the historic hotel to see what it was like to step inside a piece of history. I spent the night dining like the many visitors who have stayed at the hotel, including US presidents and figures like Frank Sinatra and Oscar Wilde. Here's what the experience was like."
The Palmer House in Chicago opened originally in 1870, reopened in 1873 after the Great Chicago Fire, and was rebuilt again in 1925. The hotel exemplifies Gilded Age wealth with grand European-inspired architecture funded by business leaders during downtown rebuilding. The hotel contains ornate ballrooms, over 1,000 rooms, and a preserved lobby featuring French-painted ceilings and 24-karat-gold Tiffany chandeliers. The lobby functions as the hotel's crown jewel and allows guests and members of the public to visit the bar and restaurant. Numerous notable figures, including U.S. presidents, Frank Sinatra, and Oscar Wilde, have stayed at the hotel, and visitors can dine amid that historic atmosphere.
Read at Business Insider
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