IHG Hotels & Resorts' Ruby Hotels brand has made its U.S. debut with a flagship property in downtown Chicago.
Developed and operated by Ruby Group under a 30-year franchise agreement with IHG, the hotel will be created through the renovation and repositioning of the historic Inn of Chicago building. Renovation work is expected to begin on the late-1920s landmark—which is located one block east of the Magnificent Mile—in the second half of 2026.
The hotel is expected to open in 2027, with Ruby Group working with IHG to bring the brand’s design hallmarks to life while reflecting Chicago’s cultural identity. Ruby Group is developing the project with Newport Beach, Calif.–based Berk Properties, led by principals David Davidson and Rajesh Masina.
“We’re incredibly excited to bring our first U.S. Ruby Hotel to Chicago, an iconic city with a deep architectural and cultural legacy,” Jolyon Bulley, CEO, Americas, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said in a statement. “This flagship signing underscores the brand’s strong growth potential and momentum in key locations across the Americas and around the world.”
“This project marks a significant milestone for Ruby Group and its international growth. In partnership with IHG and alongside experienced development partner Berk Properties, we are bringing Ruby’s design-led and efficient hotel concept to the U.S. market for the first time,” added Michael Struck, founder and CEO, Ruby Group.
Plans call for a 22-story hotel with 412 guestrooms, along with an updated lobby and bar and a rooftop terrace and bar. Updated public areas will reflect the neighborhood while guestrooms will have efficient layouts and premium finishes designed to deliver strong returns at a lower cost per square foot.
The U.S. debut of Ruby Hotels comes less than a year after IHG’s acquisition of the brand and four months after its U.S. development availability. IHG plans to grow Ruby to more than 120 hotels globally over the next decade and more than 250 within 20 years. Founded in Germany in 2013, Ruby currently has 35 open and pipeline hotels across major European cities.