Last week, the always fabulous NeoCon took over the Merchandise Mart here in Chicago. My personal favorite part of this great event is the opportunity to see keynote speeches by industry heavy hitters. Last year, my favorite was Margaret Russell speaking on her ingenious Architectural Digest revamp.
This year, I was lucky enough to get a glimpse into the life of the man who started the boutique hotel movement, Ian Schrager. For us Chicagoans, Schrager has been on our radar recently for his overhaul of The Pump Room and his new concept, Public Hotel.
Before changing the hotel game, Ian's first major business venture was opening this place. NBD.
I am totally crazy over the variety of amazing aesthetics he puts to use in his boldface lineup of projects. 40 Bond, a residential building in NYC is architecturally totally phenom:
Having your own 'graffiti' installation as part of the facade? Killer.
My fave is the Gramercy Park Hotel, in which Schrager said he wanted people to be able to live with fine art in a way that was previously only accessible by the very wealthy.
The roof deck that puts others to shame.
You're also probably familiar with his South Beach stunners, The Delano and The Mondrian. Swoooon.
In his presentation, Mr. Schrager emphasized that "Good design is good business." and, "Classic, good taste never goes out of style." Wise words, and I couldn't agree more.
I'm dying to check out the Pump Room! The decor and the food look amazing.
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