The Chicago Athletic Association Hotel: The Club That Inspired the Cubs
- 123gochicago
- Oct 29
- 2 min read
Across from Millennium Park, framed by Gothic arches and Lake Michigan’s breeze, stands one of Chicago’s most stunning landmarks — the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel.But long before guests checked in, this was a private world for Chicago’s most powerful men.
When the club opened in 1893, it wasn’t a hotel at all. Architect Henry Ives Cobb designed it in Venetian Gothic style, matching the grandeur of the World’s Columbian Exposition happening that same year. Inside, marble staircases, ornate woodwork, and stained glass greeted members of the city’s elite. It was a place where business deals were made over billiards, boxing matches, and cigars.
The Chicago Athletic Association was more than just a gym — it was a status symbol.Members could box, swim, dine, and socialize in luxury that rivaled Chicago’s finest clubs. The halls echoed with laughter, competition, and ambition — a blend of sport and sophistication that defined early 20th-century Chicago.
And hidden within its history is a fascinating detail: Did you know the Chicago Cubs logo was inspired by the Chicago Athletic Association’s emblem? The club’s signature circular “C” and bold typography influenced the team’s early design — a subtle nod connecting Chicago’s love of athletics to its baseball legacy.
By the early 2000s, the old club had faded. It closed in 2007, leaving behind more than a century of memories. But Chicago doesn’t let its icons disappear easily.
In 2015, the building was reborn as the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel, restored with extraordinary care. The transformation preserved the grandeur of the past while welcoming a new generation of visitors.
Today, guests can sip cocktails at Cindy’s Rooftop overlooking Millennium Park, or play shuffleboard in the Game Room — all surrounded by the same ornate details that once hosted Chicago’s elite. The atmosphere feels like stepping into another time — where history, design, and energy blend seamlessly.
The Chicago Athletic Association Hotel is more than a boutique hotel — it’s a living museum of Chicago’s story. It bridges the city’s past and present, reminding visitors that behind every grand façade lies a century of ambition, reinvention, and pride.
So next time you stroll Michigan Avenue, look up.That Gothic beauty isn’t just another hotel — it’s the building that helped inspire a baseball icon and still embodies the city’s unstoppable spirit.
Chicago Athletic Association Hotel
12 S.Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60603
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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