Why this building matters
Designed by Shaw, Metz & Associates and opened on November 23, 1963 as the Continental Plaza, the hotel was a crisp expression of mid-century modernism — reinforced concrete and glass rising above the Magnificent Mile. Its debut was poignantly timed: scheduled for November 22, the opening was pushed back a day by the assassination of President Kennedy. A 27-story tower by the same architects followed in 1974, nearly doubling the hotel, which has operated as the Westin Michigan Avenue for decades since.
Read more on The Westin's own site → (booking directly with the hotel doesn't generate a referral fee that supports our preservation work — the button at right does)
What guests are saying
What guests love
- A genuine Midcentury Modern landmark of the postwar Magnificent Mile.
- A central Michigan Avenue location amid the city’s best shopping, near the lake.
- Lake and skyline views from many of its 750-plus rooms, with dependable full-service amenities.
What to keep in mind
- A much-renovated mid-century hotel, not a period showpiece
- A busy Michigan Avenue location
Best for Shoppers and travelers who want a dependable, full-service base with mid-century roots in the middle of the Magnificent Mile.
Summary of guest reviews. Sources: The Westin Michigan Avenue Chicago, Commission on Chicago Landmarks, Preservation Chicago. Photography courtesy of The Westin Michigan Avenue Chicago, used with permission. Details may change over time.