Lincolnshire considers new hotel

While Vernon Hills trustees decide the relative merits of blue lighting on a renovated hotel, another unique arrival is in the works a few miles south.

Plans for a 135-room aloft Hotel in the CityPark at Lincolnshire are progressing, albeit with some concerns among village officials.

Not only would the hotel be built over water, but it would be at the maximum height allowed in the community. Some trustees have said that could create an imposing presence.

"They're still proposing, to float, if you will, the hotel over the retention pond," said Stephen Robles, a planner with the village.

"It will be one of the taller buildings in Lincolnshire at the maximum seven stories. It's interesting and unique in the location it's at."

CityPark, which stretches south from Aptakisic Road fronting Milwaukee Avenue, features several restaurants and entertainment venues. It was developed between 1998 and 2002, but without removing parking spaces. The only site available for construction is where the detention pond is located.

Robles has been working with developers to determine how the design, which he described as a modern look, could be tied to aesthetics in CityPark. Lincolnshire also requires brick facades, but seven stories would be "a little too much," he added.

In previous informal discussions, village trustees were concerned about the building height. Computer models were done to determine how the building would fit in the CityPark landscape.

Information is being prepared for pending public hearings before the village's zoning and architectural review boards prior to a village board review.

aloft is a division of W Hotels, a luxury hotel chain with locations throughout the world. Both are part of the parent Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, which also includes Sheraton, Four Points by Sheraton, St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, Le Méridien and Westin.

The new brand, which will cater to young business travelers, is described as setting a higher standard for style, design and technological offerings in moderately priced hotels.

There are none in Illinois, although company literature says one is scheduled to open in Rosemont in August. The Lincolnshire site is listed as opening in August 2009. Locations near Millennium Park in Chicago and Oak Brook are slated for late 2009.