The Wade, a 1960s Midcentury Modern lakefront tower on Lake Shore Drive

The Wade

A stylish lakefront tower by Navy Pier with
sweeping Lake Michigan views and a rooftop scene.

W Chicago Lakeshore1963 644 N. Lake Shore Drive, in Streeterville

The Wade. Holiday Inns Hotel, 1965, William W. Bond Jr. & Associates, 644 N. Lake Shore Drive. Photo courtesy of The Wade.

Amenities at The Wade
The Wade facilities. Photo courtesy of The Wade.
Lobby at The Wade
The lobby at The Wade. Photo courtesy of The Wade.
Lobby at The Wade
The The Wade lobby. Photo courtesy of The Wade.
Restaurant and bar at The Wade
Dining and cocktails at The Wade. Photo courtesy of The Wade.
Restaurant and bar at The Wade
The restaurant and bar at The Wade. Photo courtesy of The Wade.
Restaurant and bar at The Wade
The restaurant and bar at The Wade. Photo courtesy of The Wade.
Restaurant and bar at The Wade
The restaurant and bar at The Wade. Photo courtesy of The Wade.
Restaurant and bar at The Wade
The restaurant and bar at The Wade. Photo courtesy of The Wade.
Restaurant and bar at The Wade
The restaurant and bar at The Wade. Photo courtesy of The Wade.
Restaurant and bar at The Wade
The restaurant and bar at The Wade. Photo courtesy of The Wade.
Amenities at The Wade
The Wade amenities and facilities. Photo courtesy of The Wade.
Amenities at The Wade
The Wade facilities. Photo courtesy of The Wade.
Amenities at The Wade
The Wade facilities. Photo courtesy of The Wade.
Amenities at The Wade
The Wade facilities. Photo courtesy of The Wade.
Amenities at The Wade
The Wade facilities. Photo courtesy of The Wade.
Amenities at The Wade
The Wade facilities. Photo courtesy of The Wade.
The Wade exterior
The Wade exterior. Photo courtesy of The Wade.
Amenities at The Wade
The Wade facilities. Photo courtesy of The Wade.
Amenities at The Wade
The Wade facilities. Photo courtesy of The Wade.
Guest room at The Wade
A guest room at The Wade. Photo courtesy of The Wade.
Guest room at The Wade
The Wade guest accommodations. Photo courtesy of The Wade.
Guest room at The Wade
The Wade guest accommodations. Photo courtesy of The Wade.
Guest room at The Wade
The Wade guest accommodations. Photo courtesy of The Wade.
Guest room at The Wade
The Wade guest accommodations. Photo courtesy of The Wade.
Guest room at The Wade
The Wade guest accommodations. Photo courtesy of The Wade.
Guest room at The Wade
The Wade guest accommodations. Photo courtesy of The Wade.
Guest room at The Wade
The Wade guest accommodations. Photo courtesy of The Wade.
Guest room at The Wade
The Wade guest accommodations. Photo courtesy of The Wade.
Guest room at The Wade
The Wade guest accommodations. Photo courtesy of The Wade.
Guest room at The Wade
The Wade guest accommodations. Photo courtesy of The Wade.
Guest room at The Wade
The Wade guest accommodations. Photo courtesy of The Wade.
Suite at The Wade
A suite at The Wade. Photo courtesy of The Wade.
Suite at The Wade
The Wade suite accommodations. Photo courtesy of The Wade.
Suite at The Wade
The Wade suite accommodations. Photo courtesy of The Wade.
Suite at The Wade
The Wade suite accommodations. Photo courtesy of The Wade.
Views from The Wade
Views from The Wade. Photo courtesy of The Wade.

What guests are saying

What guests love

  • A genuine Midcentury Modern lakefront tower — a survivor of Chicago’s Space-Age hotel era.
  • Sweeping Lake Michigan and skyline views, including from the former revolving restaurant high on the 33rd floor.
  • An indoor pool and a true lakefront perch overlooking Navy Pier and Ohio Street Beach, a 5-minute walk to Northwestern's hospital and university.

What to keep in mind

  • Much-renovated over the decades — interiors are contemporary, not period
  • Read recent reviews; a property in transition

Best for Travelers drawn to mid-century Chicago and a genuine lakefront location near Navy Pier and the Mag Mile.

Summary of guest reviews. Sources: The Wade Hotel, Preservation Chicago. Photography courtesy of The Wade, used with permission. Details may change over time.

Why this building matters

In March 1963, the Chicago Tribune reported that Holiday Inns of America would build a soaring tower on Lake Shore Drive between Erie and Ontario, just south of the American Furniture Mart — some 600 rooms, its lowest floors given over to parking and its summit crowned by a revolving restaurant. That rooftop room became the Pinnacle, a Space-Age supper club that rotated slowly to take in the lake and the skyline. The hotel later became the W Chicago–Lakeshore and, today, the independent Wade; the old revolving restaurant survives as the 33rd-floor event space now called Altitude.