Roomful of Memories

edited by Craig Kellogg -- Interior Design, 11/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

It's the era of grand hotel renovations. In Chicago, Lucien Lagrange Architects is preserving the Blackstone Hotel, a 1910 landmark, to the tune of $112 million, following a failed condominium conversion. When the dramatically enlarged guest rooms debut next year, original architectural elements will be intact. ForrestPerkins, meanwhile, is updating Detroit's 1921 Book-Cadillac Hotel, to be managed by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. The 31-story building's 455 guest rooms are slated to be ready in 2008, upon the completion of a $180 million face-lift. San Diego is already applauding the $52 million overhaul of the landmark U.S. Grant Hotel for Starwood's Luxury Collection arm.