Janko Group, LLC and Janko Hospitality, LLC held the topping off ceremony of the new Hyatt House Evanston hotel on July 14. The new hotel, located at 1515 Chicago Ave., will be eight stories high and contain 114 den guest rooms and studio and one-bedroom kitchen suites, featuring real kitchens. Peak Construction Corporation is the design/build firm and SCB Architecture is the architect.
“With thousands of Northwestern University students, alumni and business and leisure travelers arriving in Evanston from across the country, it is an exciting time to be a part of this Hyatt House hotel development in downtown Evanston,” said Greg Spanos, Managing Director, Janko Group. “We are excited to be opening our first Hyatt House hotel in Evanston, where local business is supported by such a strong community.”
“Evanston is such a great market,” said Justin Dickinson, associate director of the Janko Group. “We think Evanston will continue to grow and thrive and we want to be part of that.”
John Brooke, chief operating officer of Janko Hospitality, said the hotel would be ready to open in late February or early March 2016. He said a new Hyatt has not been established in Evanston for eight years, and the new hotel, with extended-stay accommodations, “will serve Northwestern University and the community very well.” He thanked neighbors for their patience and continued support of the project and said Janko would continue to be good stewards of the community.
John Cantele, senior vice president, select service for Hyatt, said Evanston was a great location for the hotel, and that Hyatt had a great partner in Janko. “This is a wonderful day for us. We have a lot to celebrate.”
First Ward Alderman Judy Fiske said, “I’m thankful the project is going to be a good fit for the neighborhood. It’s going to generate tax money. It’s going to bring people into Evanston.” She referred to concerns raised by neighbors about development of the site, and said the hotel was “so much more reasonable than what it could have been.” Addressing representatives of Janko and Hyatt, she said, “We’re thankful you’re here. We couldn’t be more delighted.”
The Hyatt House Evanston will offer, among other things, the H BAR, a restaurant and bar; a landscaped terrace located on the second floor; more than 2,000 square feet of flexible, high-tech meeting/function space for business or social gatherings; and a range of public spaces, including a 24-hour workout room and guest laundry facilities.