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The historic facade of the Freehand Chicago with its red script marquee on the former Tokyo Hotel building

Freehand Chicago (Devonshire Hotel)

A restored 1920s Art Deco building housing the award-winning
Broken Shaker — design-forward, social, and budget-friendly.

1920sArt Deco 19 E. Ohio Street, in the heart of River North

Freehand Chicago. Devonshire Hotel, 1927, Ralph C. Harris, 19 E. Ohio Street. Photo courtesy of Freehand Chicago.

A cozy lobby lounge with a brick fireplace, mid-century chairs, and Navajo textiles
A cozy lobby lounge with a brick fireplace, mid-century chairs, and Navajo textiles. Photo courtesy of Freehand Chicago.
A high-ceilinged suite living room with a blue velvet sofa
A high-ceilinged suite living room with a blue velvet sofa. Photo courtesy of Freehand Chicago.
A bartender mixing a cocktail at the Broken Shaker
A bartender mixing a cocktail at the Broken Shaker. Photo courtesy of Freehand Chicago.
The speakeasy-style Broken Shaker bar down a wood-lined stair
The speakeasy-style Broken Shaker bar down a wood-lined stair. Photo courtesy of Freehand Chicago.
A design-forward shared room with custom wood bunk beds
A design-forward shared room with custom wood bunk beds. Photo courtesy of Freehand Chicago.
The on-site cafe with a colorful Chicago-themed mural
The on-site cafe with a colorful Chicago-themed mural. Photo courtesy of Freehand Chicago.
The red script Freehand marquee over the historic entrance
The red script Freehand marquee over the historic entrance. Photo courtesy of Freehand Chicago.

Why this building matters

Set in a 1920s building that once housed the Tokyo Hotel — its painted "TOKO HOTEL" ghost sign still visible behind the marquee — the Freehand brought new life to a piece of old River North. The restoration kept the historic bones and vintage character while layering in eclectic, globally-sourced design, turning a faded property into one of the neighborhood's most characterful and affordable stays.

What guests are saying

What guests love

  • The design and atmosphere are the draw. Reviewers love the warm, eclectic, vintage-meets-modern interiors — Navajo textiles, mid-century furniture, art and plants throughout — and the relaxed, social vibe that makes the lobby and lounges feel alive rather than corporate.
  • The Broken Shaker is a destination in itself: an award-winning, speakeasy-style cocktail bar (a James Beard honoree) tucked into the hotel, alongside a coffee shop and the all-day Cafe Integral. Guests and locals mingle, and you rarely have to leave the building for a great drink.
  • And the value-for-location is hard to beat — from budget-friendly shared rooms to stylish private rooms, all in the heart of River North, a 5-minute walk to the Magnificent Mile and the river, with the neighborhood's restaurants and nightlife.

What to keep in mind

  • Rooms run compact — the focus is design & value
  • Lively and social — not the choice for total quiet

Best for Ideal for budget-conscious, design-minded, and younger or solo travelers who want a stylish, social base in River North with a standout bar and don't need full hotel service or a spacious room. Choose a private room if you want quiet and privacy; lean into the shared rooms and common spaces if you're here to meet people and explore.

Summary of guest reviews. Sources: Freehand Chicago, Commission on Chicago Landmarks, Preservation Chicago. Photography courtesy of Freehand Chicago, used with permission. Details may change over time.