Chicago Motor Club Building: A 1920s Ode to the Open Road
- 123gochicago
- Oct 31
- 2 min read
Standing tall at the corner of Wacker Drive and Michigan Avenue, the Chicago Motor Club Building is a love letter to the golden age of travel. Built in 1928 by the legendary architectural firm Holabird & Root, this 15-story tower perfectly captures the optimism and elegance of the Art Deco era.
When it opened, this building served as headquarters for the Chicago Motor Club, one of the city’s most influential automobile associations. Inside, drivers could find travel maps, touring advice, and even early road safety information — think AAA before GPS.
Step into the lobby and you’re greeted by a breathtaking three-story mural by artist John Warner Norton. It celebrates America’s growing road network and the promise of adventure — a powerful symbol in an age when cars represented freedom and discovery.
One of the most delightful surprises in the lobby today is a vintage Ford Model A (named Betty Ford), proudly displayed as a tribute to the building’s origins. The Model A, produced by Ford Motor Company between 1927 and 1931, was the car that truly put America on wheels. Affordable, dependable, and revolutionary for its time, it transformed everyday travel — turning road trips from luxury into possibility.
Its presence in the Chicago Motor Club Building feels perfectly at home. The car sits beneath soaring Art Deco ceilings, gleaming under soft lobby lighting — a physical reminder of how much the automobile shaped the world this building was designed to serve. The Model A isn’t just décor; it’s a symbol of freedom and progress, echoing the same energy that inspired Holabird & Root’s sleek, vertical design and Norton’s mural above.
The Motor Club Building’s design is pure Art Deco — streamlined, vertical, and geometric. The limestone façade features elegant setbacks, strong vertical lines, and intricate detailing that reflect the spirit of the 1920s — speed, sophistication, and modernity.
Today, the building has been beautifully restored as the Hampton Inn Chicago Downtown/North Loop, allowing guests to stay in one of the city’s architectural treasures. Many original features remain, including the grand lobby and decorative metalwork.
The Chicago Motor Club Building may not tower over its neighbors, but it tells a story of innovation and design that helped define modern Chicago. The next time you stroll along Wacker Drive, take a moment to look up — you’re seeing one of the city’s most graceful tributes to the road that never ends.
Chicago Motor Club Building/Hampton Inn
68 E. Wacker
Chicago, IL 60601
Discover More Hidden Gems
For more hidden gems check out my book Chicago Beyond the Bean, available now. It’s filled with stories that take you beyond the typical tourist spots to explore the city’s most fascinating corners.
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