IHG and Ruby Group to Open First U.S. Ruby Hotel in Downtown Chicago
IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced the U.S. market debut of its Ruby Hotels brand with a planned property in downtown Chicago. The hotel will be developed and operated by Ruby Group under a 30-year franchise agreement with IHG. The project involves renovating and repositioning the historic Inn of Chicago building as a Ruby Hotels property.
The late-1920s landmark, located one block east of the Magnificent Mile, will undergo a comprehensive transformation that preserves elements of its hospitality heritage while introducing Ruby’s contemporary urban design approach. Renovation work is expected to begin in the second half of 2026 and will align with Ruby’s urban lifestyle positioning and focus on efficient design.
Plans include a 22-storey hotel with 412 rooms, alongside redesigned lobby and bar spaces intended to create an active social environment throughout the day and evening. A rooftop terrace and bar will offer views of the Chicago skyline, while updated public areas are designed to appeal to both hotel guests and local visitors. Guestrooms will feature compact layouts paired with quality finishes, supporting operational efficiency.
Jolyon Bulley, Chief Executive Officer, Americas, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said the Chicago signing represents an important step in introducing the Ruby Hotels brand to the U.S. market and reflects its broader expansion plans across the Americas and other regions.
The hotel is scheduled to open in 2027. Ruby Group will work closely with IHG to deliver the brand’s design principles while incorporating elements that reflect Chicago’s cultural context.
Michael Struck, Founder and CEO of Ruby Group, said the project marks Ruby Group’s entry into the U.S. market and the launch of its operating platform in North America. He noted that the partnership with IHG and development partner Berk Properties supports the brand’s international growth strategy and introduces its operating model to U.S. investors.
The project is being developed in collaboration with Berk Properties, an Orange County–based firm led by principals David Davidson and Rajesh Masina, which brings experience in U.S. residential and hospitality real estate.
The launch of Ruby Hotels in the U.S. follows IHG’s acquisition of the brand and its recent announcement of U.S. development availability. Founded in Germany in 2013, Ruby currently has 35 hotels open or in the pipeline across major European cities, and plans continued global expansion over the coming decades.
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