History of The Wheeler Mansion
In the late 1870's the Near South Side area neighborhoods began to devlop as a home for Chicago's well-to-do. A successful banker and President of The Chicago Board of Trade, Calvin T. Wheeler, commissions the house to be built by local architect, Otis Wheelock. Inspired by French architecture of the 19th century, the ornate mansion is a reflection of the opulence that abounded in Chicago during the late 1800's as the city transformed from a frontier city to an internationally recognized manufacturing and production giant.
When Mr. Wheeler sold the house in 1874 to Joseph Kohn, a successful clothing wholesaler, it maintained it's status as their residence for thirty-four more years before the area became more industrial and the building was sold.
The years that ensued proved to be detrimental to the beautiful mansion. It was sold to a publishing company that used the property as production grounds for their printed books and religious tracts. Years later, in 1944, the Murphy Butter and Egg Company bought the property and used the home as a distribution warehouse. They built a warehouse at the rear of the property, removing many of the walls and altering the interior of the mansion.
Finally in 1997, just as the property lay abandoned to be torn down into a parking lot, it was purchased by Historic Real Estate, Inc. as a result of a tour of the historic Prairie Preservation District. After two years of intense restoration and working with The City of Chicago, The Wheeler Mansion opened in all of it's new but reflective elegant glory in 1999.
The Wheeler Mansion is an important remnant of Chicago's history - of a time when architecture took on an important role in how the city presented itself. The outstanding architecture and handsome style of The Wheeler Mansion is in itself a symbol of Chicago's transition from a frontier outpost to a major urban center. The era's successful citizens reinforced their prosperity by building grand residences such as this one.
Today, guests of The Wheeler Mansion can enjoy the feeling of having their own mansion and staff, as they experience a part of Chicago's heritage-turned-luxury in a boutique hotel.
The Wheeler Mansion... A Landmark Experience in Chicago since 1870.
2020 S. Calumet Avenue
Chicago, IL 60616
Phone: 312.945.2020
Fax:
312.945.2021