Virgin Hotel Chicago: Hidden Bank History Inside a Modern Hotel
- 123gochicago
- Nov 8, 2025
- 2 min read
Most people walk into the Virgin Hotel Chicago for the rooftop views, bold design, or Instagram-worthy lobby. But long before it became one of the city’s trendiest hotels, this building served a very different purpose — it was a historic Chicago bank.
The Virgin Hotel occupies the former Old Dearborn Bank Building, completed in 1928. At the time, Chicago was booming with new architecture, and this tower broke away from tradition. Instead of choosing strictly Gothic or Art Deco design, the architects combined both styles — and the mix still shows today.
Look up at the façade and you’ll see detailed stonework carved with geometric shapes alongside small Gothic-inspired flourishes. This blend makes the building stand out among its neighbors, even if most people don’t realize they’re looking at a 1920s landmark.
Step inside and you’ll notice that the hotel kept more of its history than most modern renovations: Original frescoed ceilings from the former banking hall,1920s brass elevator doors with ornate patterns, carved stone details still visible along the exterior and one of the most impressive features — the original bank vault doors. Not many hotels can say they have an original bank vault in the building. The massive steel doors, built for total security nearly a century ago, were preserved when the space was converted. It’s a detail that gives the hotel an atmosphere you don’t usually see in modern hospitality.
These architectural details were restored rather than removed, which is unusual for a downtown renovation. Today, you’ll find them blending into the hotel’s bold interior style, a small reminder of its former life.
The Virgin Hotel is one of those Chicago landmarks people walk past every day without noticing its history. Beneath the sleek branding and nightlife, the property is a surviving piece of 1920s Chicago banking history — updated, restored, and hiding in plain sight.
Whether you’re staying overnight or stopping by for a drink, take a moment to look up at the ceilings, the stone carvings, or the vault doors. You’ll see exactly what this building used to be.
Virgin Hotel Chicago
203 N. Wabash Avenue
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.