6 Apr - Guide to Freehand Chicago

Chicago Local Guides

Freehand Chicago is set to open its doors in the next few months, and we’ve been working around the clock to ensure we bring our Chi-town vision to fruition. Before packing your bags and heading to our modest new outpost, check out our essential list of “need to know” Chicago/Freehand facts & figures:

L I T T L E // K N O W N // F A C T S

 Chicago is the third largest city in the U.S.

Chicago has 15 miles of bathing beaches and a total of 552 parks.

The Twinkie was invented in Chicago in 1930.

The Ferris Wheel was invented in the Chi’ in 1893…which probably explains the beauty standing tall at The Navy Pier.

Every summer, Chicago hosts the world’s largest outdoor food festival (A.K.A. The Taste of Chicago)

Freehand Chicago was once home to the Tokyo Hotel – a 15-story Windy City landmark that made its way in the River North neighborhood in 1927 as the Devonshire Hotel.

The booming River North neighborhood hosts the largest concentration of art galleries in the U.S, outside of Manhattan, NY. It is also Chicago’s top neighborhood for nightlife and restaurants.

The Chicago River runs through the city’s quarters and is the only river in the world that flows backwards.

// S L E E P//
Come hang solo or roll out with your crew. Freehand Chicago is home to over 100 private rooms and a multitude of shared accommodations. Learn more about our rooms here.

//E A T – D R I N K//
We can agree that Chicago is a local attraction for eclectic eateries, but there’s some award-winning newbies setting up shop at Freehand…so, no need to stray too far from your room. 

James Beard Award nominee, The Broken Shaker is moving into the oldest standing sushi spot that once lived inside the former Tokyo Hotel (R.I.P Ginza Restaurant). Expect innovative cocktails made with fresh and exotic ingredients.

We’re bringing a little bit of The Big Apple to The Windy City with our new cafe – Cafe Integral. By day, we’ll be serving perfectly brewed coffee from Nicaragua’s finest regions. By night,  a savory selection of classic mixed drinks will fill the laid-back space.

And for the budding culinary artist…there will be a communal kitchen available for use 24/7.

// H A N G //
Rest assured, our tapped-in event coordinator will be bringing ingenious events and activities to our guests. Expect pop-up shops, book launches, live music and more.

Freehand Chicago is conveniently located in close proximately to major transportation, effortlessly connecting you to alternative neighborhood hangouts.

Stay up-to-date on Chicago happenings with our Local Guides, and be on the look out for our weekly Guide to Chicago event roundup on the blog.

See you for Spring ‘15!