222 North LaSalle, USA

Project222 North LaSalleLocationChicago, USALighting DesignSchuler Shook, USAArchitectOTJ Architects and Serendi, USAInterior DesignSerendi, USAAdditional DesignSOM Architects (Structural Engineers); Stantec (MEP)ClientTishman SpeyerLighting SuppliersLucifer Lighting, Focal Point, Luminii, Acoylite, Kreon, Dado Lighting, Ecosense, iGuzzini, Coronet, Flos, Gotham Lighting, Allied Maker, Santa & Cole, Hemera, Pablo, Alva, Artemide, RH, AstepLighting ControlLutronPhotographyDaniel Kelleghan

Located near the Chicago Riverwalk, this project is at the heart of the city’s business district and competitive real estate market. To unlock its full value, the developer partnered with designers to transform the lobby into a striking amenity inspired by avant-garde hotel foyers.

Overall, the design blends atmospheric lighting and post‑modern gestures with historic architectural elements to evoke the warmth and elegance of European hospitality. In doing so, it rejuvenates a previously underutilized space, reimagining it as the foyer of an avant‑garde hotel. This transformation is further enriched by lighting that softly accentuates the architecture and reinforces the refined sensibilities of European hospitality

To realize this vision, lighting played a pivotal role—employing 2700K warm illumination through small-profile fixtures seamlessly integrated into the architecture, and lighting emanating softly from the floor, balustrades, pilasters, and millwork to create a cohesive and immersive experience. This subtle integration enhances architecture’s elegance while preserving a sense of warmth and refinement throughout the space. Paired with warm finishes and metal trims, this approach produces a dramatic chiaroscuro effect—striking yet intimate—with visual emphasis placed on the ceiling of the soaring atrium.

The most challenging aspects of the project was concealing fixtures in front of the balustrade to illuminate this architectural feature without disrupting its integrity. This required multiple mockups to test fixture integration and develop a wiring strategy respectful of the architecture. Small LED tape was concealed behind a fascia and meticulously wired from a single end of each segment to remote drivers in the mezzanine ceiling.

Because the atrium is frequently rented for weddings, interior designers reimagined the space with drapes suspended from the tops of the pilasters to enhance elegance and verticality. Drapes were illuminated using low-glare, 4-inch in-grade fixtures with regressed sources and louvers to minimize glare. Installing and powering these fixtures posed a challenge due to floor beam obstructions. Through collaboration with structural engineers, the team accurately positioned and installed the fixtures to reveal the luxurious texture and movement of the drapery.

In the west lobby, the interplay of light and shadow is central to the concept. Globe fixtures provide soft, ambient lighting that enhances intimacy. Integrated linear LED-fixtures with opal-white lenses trace the curvilinear seating, subtly highlighting biophilic elements and reinforcing the organic flow.

As visitors ascend into the mezzanine, they are greeted by a pair of ornate golden doors. These are discreetly illuminated by adjustable, rectangular recessed fixtures with regressed sources and black louvers, remaining visually unobtrusive in the ceiling. This subtle lighting softly highlights the doors’ craftsmanship while preserving the elegance and drama of the architectural moment.

All fixtures, including custom wall sconces, were fitted with 0.1% dimming drivers to enable deep dimming during weddings.

Close collaboration between the client and design team brought into focus the vision of a sophisticated lounge-like environment. More than renovation, the repositioned lobby reintroduces a transformed property to a market of connoisseurs, leaving the client thrilled with the results.