Sofitel Chicago Water Tower, the North
American flagship property for Sofitel, the prestige brand of Accor
hotels, has been chosen by the Chicago chapter of the American Institute
of Architects as the “best new building in Chicago in the last ten years.”
The hotel is located at 20 E. Chestnut, at the intersection of Chestnut
and Wabash streets. Designed by award-winning Paris-based architect
Jean-Paul Viguier, the stunning 350,000-square-foot, prism-shaped
structure was chosen by 338 of Chicago’s finest architects as one of the
city’s most outstanding achievements in architecture.
With its geometric simplicity, attention to detail and careful
orchestration of materials, the striking glass triangular tower displays a
majestic presence, thrusting forward over the street and narrowing as it
rises. Two prominent facades with exposures facing east and southwest
allow for substantial natural light. Adding to the building’s refinement
is its exterior of horizontal cladding of opaque and visible glass in
dynamic interaction with its verticality.

“Accor chose architect Jean-Paul Viguier from a number of applicants to
lead this one-of-a-kind project,” said Sofitel Chicago Water Tower’s
General Manager Patrick Filatre. “With Chicago’s history of renowned
architecture, we are proud to have made a significant contribution to the
city’s striking and awe-inspiring skyline.”

Mr. Viguier was selected for the Sofitel Chicago Water Tower project in
1998, during a design competition judged by top Accor executives and
several outside consultants. His entry was chosen for its design that best
complemented the hotel’s exceptional surroundings. Mr. Viguier graduated
from Harvard University with a Master of City Planning in Urban Design,
1973 Graduate School of Design. Mr. Viguier appointed the Chicago-based
architectural firm Teng & Associates to assist on the project with
engineering services.

Sofitel Chicago Water Tower features: 32 floors of 415 elegantly-appointed
guest rooms, including 30 Deluxe Executive Rooms, 32 Deluxe Suites and one
Presidential Suite, each with a spectacular view of the Chicago skyline or
Lake Michigan; 10,000 square feet of meeting room and banquet space; Cafe
des Architectes, a first-class restaurant; Le Bar, a chic meeting place;
state-of- the-art fitness center; and Le Petit Bijou gift boutique.

Sofitel Chicago Water Tower complements an existing portfolio of 10
Sofitel hotels in North America, including: New York, Washington DC,
Philadelphia, Chicago O’Hare, Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco Bay,
Houston, Minneapolis and Montreal.

To reserve a stay at any Sofitel hotel or resort, call 1-800-SOFITEL
(763-4835), visit http://www.sofitel.com/ or http://www.accorhotels.com/ .
To reserve a stay at the Sofitel Chicago Water Tower, please call (312)
324-4000 or visit http://www.sofitel.com/ .

Throughout the course of the last four years, Sofitel has become a
benchmark for brand expansion in the luxury hotel market with the
prestigious openings of Sofitel New York, Sofitel Paris Bercy, Sofitel
Tokyo, Sofitel St. James London, Sofitel Palm Beach Marseille, Sofitel
Chicago Water Tower, Sofitel Lafayette Square Washington D.C., Sofitel
Marrakech, Sofitel Silom Bangkok, Sofitel Montreal , Sofitel Buenos Aires,
Sofitel Budapest, Sofitel Nicolas de Ovando (Dominican Republic), Sofitel
Boao, Sofitel Chengdu and Sofitel Jin Jiang Oriental Pudong Shanghai in
China.

The strategic development of the brand continues into 2004 with a number
of new properties, including, amongst others, Sydney (Australia), Venice
(Italy), Marbella (Spain), and 6 new addresses in China including Sofitel
Royal Lagoon Dongguan (facing Hong Kong) and Sofitel Grand Park Hefei
(North East of Shanghai).

More than 20 Dorint Sofitel hotels are enriching the Sofitel network with
new addresses in the major cities and the leading holiday resorts in
Germany, Netherlands, Austria and Spain (Balearic Islands).

All these openings strengthen the presence of Sofitel, which stands out
with its French “art de vivre” that can be felt in each hotel around the
world; through its decor, art work, uniforms created by Jean-Charles de
Castelbajac, and the cuisine.

Sofitel is the prestige brand of Accor hotels, with more than 180
properties that bring a unique French “art de vivre” to prime locations
around the world.
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