The newly constructed hotel represents a significant milestone for Hilton Hotels Corporation -- the 2001st hotel in the company's system, coinciding with the year 2001. The property also is the cornerstone of a $1.5 billion, upscale, mixed-use complex -- River East Center -- located near the City's landmark Navy Pier. The hotel is owned by MCL Companies and managed by Hilton Hotels Corporation. The architect and interior design firm for the hotel are

The Embassy Suites Hotel Chicago Downtown-Lakefront 511 N. Columbus Drive,  Chicago, IL

The Embassy Suites Hotel Chicago Downtown-Lakefront is clad in reflective glass and a combination of metal panel pre-cast. Its 13-story atrium features a 40-foot long, 12-foot high waterfall cascading over a gray granite wall into a reflective pool. The property features 12 floors with a total of 455 suites, including 227 king suites, 227 double/double suites and one Presidential Suite, as well as two function floors. From the first-floor reception area, two glass shuttle elevators transport visitors to the fifth-floor lobby.

In addition to the hotel, River East Center will house a 58-story luxury condominium tower, restaurants, a 21-cinema AMC Theatres complex, a Euro-spa, upscale retail space and 1,200 parking spaces within a four-story underground parking structure.

Participating in the ribbon-cutting ceremony were: Stephen F. Bollenbach, president and chief executive officer, Hilton Hotels Corporation; Daniel McLean, president of MCL Companies; Mark Snyder, senior vice president -- brand management, Embassy Suites Hotels; Steve Jung, general manager of the hotel; Burton Natarus, Alderman of the 42nd Ward; and Dorothy Coyle, executive director, Office of Tourism/Department of Cultural Affairs for the City of Chicago.

The 13-acre River East project is located in the block bounded by Grand Avenue, Columbus Drive, the Chicago River and Lake Shore Drive in Chicago's River East neighborhood, which currently is undergoing major redevelopment. The complex serves as a focal point for the district and links together Michigan Avenue and Navy Pier, the city's two most visited attractions.

"This is the largest urban project ever associated with Embassy Suites Hotels," said Snyder. "The opening of this hotel serves as a strong indication of our growing interest in anchoring mixed-use developments in major metropolitan areas. The hotel's soaring atrium and relaxed atmosphere make it an attractive central gathering place within the community. Featuring a design on the cutting edge of urban development, this property is one of the crown jewels of the entire Embassy Suites Hotels brand."

"We believe this hotel not only will anchor the River East section but also become a welcome and recognizable addition to Chicago's skyline," said McLean, president and CEO of MCL Companies, developer of the project. 

Bollenbach said, "Opening our 2001st hotel is a major milestone when considering that only two years ago the Hilton system consisted of fewer than 300 hotels. Not only do we now feature the best brands in the hotel business, we offer our guests and customers more places to stay and a wide range of products serving different needs and styles," said Bollenbach. 

"Celebrating 2001 hotels during the year 2001 is a rare occasion and one made all the more fitting because Embassy Suites Hotels -- the premier all-suite brand -- represents one of our newer family of Hilton brands. Additionally, it is significant that this milestone opening is being celebrated in the City of Chicago, where Hilton has been a strong corporate citizen for more than five decades, and currently has 12 hotels featuring more than 6,300 rooms," said Bollenbach.

Hotel amenities include a swimming pool, sauna, whirlpool and state-of-the-art exercise facilities. An upscale bistro, called 511 North, located directly off the lobby, is open 6:30 - 9:30 a.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday for complimentary full cooked-to-order breakfast. The hotel offers more than 11,000 square feet of meeting space throughout, 16 breakout rooms and a 6,300-square-foot ballroom. 

River East was developed by MCL Companies, a full-range development company formed by Daniel E. McLean in 1976. In addition to the River East development, MCL Companies is developing or has completed a number of residential and commercial ventures in downtown Chicago, as well as the city's north, south and west sides, including Dearborn Park II, Chicago Homes, Prairie Homes, the Residences at Central Station, The Pointe at Lincoln Park, The Oak Club, Cornell Square, Old Town Square, The
Homes of Mohawk North, Altgeld Club, The Chicago Homes on Altgeld, as well as residential developments in Miami and Denver, Colo.

Embassy Suites Hotels, created in 1983, was the first all-suite upscale hotel brand to enter the industry and today has more than 160 hotels. Embassy Suites Hotels is part of Hilton Hotels Corp.