Architecture, river access and the building history of The Langham, Chicago
The Langham, Chicago occupies the first 13 floors of the landmark Mies van der Rohe–designed IBM/AMA Plaza at 330 North Wabash Avenue, directly on the Chicago River with a doorstep river jetty for leisure boat cruising. The property opened in 2013 and combines modernist architecture, riverfront views (including river- and lake-view room categories) and on-site dining such as Travelle and Pavilion.
In this guide
Architecture and building history
The Langham, Chicago is housed within the former IBM/AMA Plaza, a landmark modernist tower designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. The hotel occupies the first 13 floors of that Mies-designed building, which supplies the clean lines and structural expression associated with his work.
The hotel itself opened in 2013, converting office-floor space within the landmark tower into a luxury hotel footprint while retaining the building’s modernist exterior and riverfront orientation.
- Building original architect: Mies van der Rohe (IBM/AMA Plaza)
- Hotel opening year: 2013
- Hotel floors occupied: first 13 floors
Location, riverfront access and nearby landmarks
The Langham sits on the south bank of the Chicago River at 330 North Wabash Avenue, placing it within easy walking distance of the Magnificent Mile, Millennium Park and several civic landmarks.
The property provides direct doorstep access to a river jetty for leisure boat cruising on the Chicago River, and the departure point for the Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise is an easy walk from the hotel.
- Address: 330 North Wabash Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611
- Walk: roughly 4 minutes to the Magnificent Mile, about 8 minutes to Millennium Park
- River access: hotel river jetty for leisure boat cruising; architecture cruise nearby
Rooms, views and named room types
The Langham offers 316 guest rooms and suites located within the hotel floors of the Mies-designed tower. Room categories include Premier Room, Premier Room, River View, Junior Suite, Club Room (Executive), Club Suite, 1 Bedroom, and several other Deluxe and Club variants — many with city, river or lake views.
If a river or lake view matters to you, look for room names that include 'River View' or 'Lake View' (for example Premier Room, River View; Club Suite, 1 Bedroom, River View; Club Suite, 1 Bedroom, Lake View). These room types are marketed to provide direct waterway or lake-facing windows.
- Total guest rooms and suites: 316
- Room names to note: Premier Room; Premier Room, River View; Junior Suite; Club Suite, 1 Bedroom; Club Suite, 1 Bedroom, River View; Club Suite, 1 Bedroom, Lake View
- In-room amenities noted by the hotel: minibar and laptop-compatible safe; complimentary Wi‑Fi
Public spaces and dining
Public spaces include multi-level lobby areas, lounges and event rooms with river-facing windows. Pavilion provides the hotel’s afternoon tea service and Travelle is the signature seasonal American restaurant and lounge on Level 2 with River views and a glass-enclosed show kitchen.
Travelle’s dining room and bar were designed by David Rockwell; Pavilion serves traditional afternoon tea Friday–Sunday and live music on weekend afternoons. Reservations are accepted for both venues through the hotel reservation system or by phone for Pavilion.
- Travelle: seasonal American cuisine, show kitchen, lounge and bar; lunch and dinner service hours vary (hotel lists specifics)
- Pavilion: afternoon tea Friday–Sunday, 12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.; reservations recommended 24+ hours ahead
- Other outlets: seasonal Ice Cream Social on the river side during select months
Spa, pool and fitness facilities
Chuan Spa occupies the hotel’s fourth floor and is the brand’s only U.S. location; it follows Traditional Chinese Medicine and the Five Elements philosophy and is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The spa offers signature massages, multi-step Escapes and other treatments.
The Langham’s wellness facilities include a 67-foot indoor swimming pool on Level 4 (open daily, 6:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.), a hydrotherapy hot tub, Oriental steam room, Himalayan salt sauna and a 2,260 sq ft Health Club with Life Fitness equipment and Peloton bikes (open 6:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.).
- Pool: 67-foot indoor pool on Level 4; pool hours 6:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.
- Spa: Chuan Spa, open 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.; signature Chuan treatments available
- Fitness: 2,260 sq ft Health Club with Peloton bikes and Life Fitness equipment (6:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.)
Meetings, weddings and event spaces
The Langham provides roughly 15,000 sq ft of event space across multiple rooms and ballrooms, suitable for conferences, weddings and private events. Ballrooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows and river views in some spaces.
The hotel’s event team handles private dining and larger functions; for weddings the Devonshire Ballroom, Cambridge and Chelsea are the primary venues and outdoor riverside ceremonies are offered for smaller parties.
- Total event space: about 15,000 sq ft
- The hotel lists 10–12 meeting rooms and ballrooms, including Devonshire, Cambridge and Chelsea
- Devonshire Ballroom has floor-to-ceiling windows on two sides
| Venue | Approx. Sq Ft | Typical Max Reception |
|---|---|---|
| Devonshire Ballroom | 4,840 | 312 |
| Cambridge | 2,639 | 225 |
| Chelsea | 2,400 | 150 |
Practical travel notes and policies
Standard check-in begins at 3:00 p.m.; standard check-out is 12:00 p.m. The hotel requires guests to be at least 21 years old with valid government-issued ID to reserve and check in to a guestroom.
Valet parking is available on-site (valet-only parking). The hotel provides complimentary wireless Internet; in-room safes and minibars are standard. The property is smoke-free.
- Check-in: from 3:00 p.m.; check-out: 12:00 p.m. (noon)
- Minimum age to book/check in: 21 with valid ID
- Parking: valet only (on-site); complimentary Wi‑Fi available
