Morrison Hotel

Morrison Hotel Known as the "Hotel of Perfect Service" the Morrison Hotel (left) was located at the southeast corner of Madison Street and Clark Street. Originally a four-story structure, the hotel was rebuilt in 1913 and offered 519 rooms. Ahead of its time, the Morrison was one of the first hotels to offer a bathroom in every room. A 46-story tower addition in 1927 brought the height of the hotel to 637 feet and gave the Morrison the distinction of being the "World's Tallest Hotel." The tower also included an observation deck for visitors to view the city. The Morrison was razed in 1965 to make way for the First National Bank Building, now known as Bank One Plaza. This view of the Morrison's Lobby (right) shows the Madison Street entrance to the hotel as it appeared soon after its completion during World War I. A large United States flag can be seen at the lobby desk with flags above showing support for the troops. The Lobby features a two-story ceiling with mezzanine, grey marble floors, light marble wainscoting, white walls and green carpets with leather chairs. Signs can be seen for the The Grill restaurant in the center, and the Terrace Garden restaurant up the stairs to the left. One of two entrances to the hotel, this view shows the Madison Street Lobby (right) circa 1918. The Lobby has been redecorated in red with maroon carpets and maroon velvet chairs. The sparse furnishings include topiary trees, pink-shaded floor lamps and spitoons. This same closer view of the Madison Street Lobby (right) shows a new color scheme circa 1927. Pillars and ceiling beams have been painted green and blue and the maroon carpets are now green. Urns with palms line the hallway and new maroon curtains create the look of a theater at the entrance to The Grill restaurant. The Morrison's Lounge and Rest Room (left) was an elegant and relaxing space for hotel guests. The room features dark wood paneling and furniture, a large white marble fireplace, black and white marble tile floors with large green carpets and green ceilings with intricate gold gilding and large beams. This view of a Deluxe Bedroom (right) shows the room decor at the Morrison in the 1920s. The room is furnished with a full-sized bed, two maroon wing-backed chairs, a dressing table with three-way mirror and bench two side tables with lamps. More lighting is provided with an overhead chandelier and three sets of wall sconces. The carpet and curtains are dark maroon and the walls are panels of mauve with white trim. Small framed pictures and a clock adorn the walls. The Morrison's Terrace Garden Restaurant (left) was known as "Chicago's Wonder Restaurant." A dramatic multi-tiered dining area curved around a large a dance floor and stage. The ceiling includes intricate plaster decoration gilded in gold on a grey backround. Each table is lit with its own small lamp to add extra lighting in the large room. In the late 1910s and 1920s the Terrace Garden Restaurant (right) was a popular place for public dancing with live orchestras. The room is full with dinner guests and dancers dressed in formal outfits. They appear to be waiting for the next song to begin. A lighted sign (top right) indicates when dancing is starting. By the late 1920s the Terrace Garden Restaurant (right) was updated and repainted. The room features yellow and mauve striped chairs and a pink ceiling with blue and rose accents. The table lighting remained with the addition of red lampshades. Swing dancing and live bands made the Terrace Garden (right) a popular spot for public dancing in the "Roaring '20's." Tuxedos for men, and flapper-style outfits with brightly-colored shawls for women is the dress code of choice. The Terrace Garden's dance floor could also be converted to an ice rink as seen in this view of an Ice Skating Carnival (left). The event offered dinner and a show with special front-row seats for VIP guests. The ice performances at the Terrace Garden (left) provided unique live entertainm