IHG Hotels & Resorts and Ruby Group Bring its First U.S. Ruby Hotel to Chicago

ATLANTA (January 26, 2026) – IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG), one of the world’s leading hospitality companies, celebrates the U.S. market debut of its Ruby Hotels brand with a property in the heart of downtown Chicago. Ruby Group will develop and operate the hotel under a 30-year franchise agreement with IHG, overseeing the comprehensive renovation and repositioning of the historic Inn of Chicago building into a vibrant Ruby Hotels property that blends soulful design with its storied past.

The transformation of the late 1920s era landmark – one block east of the famed Magnificent Mile – will honor its Chicago hospitality heritage while introducing Ruby’s modern sensibility. Expected to begin in the latter half of 2026, the renovation will reflect Ruby’s urban lifestyle brand and embody its signature blend of character, charm and efficient design.

Plans call for a 22-story hotel with 412 rooms and a reimagined lobby and bar experience, delivering an energetic, social atmosphere from morning to late night. A rooftop terrace and bar will showcase the iconic city skyline, inviting guests to gather and take in the unique culture and rhythms of the Windy City. Updated public spaces will reflect Ruby’s vibrant and character-rich environments, attracting both travelers and locals alike. Guestrooms combine efficient layouts with premium finishes, delivering an elevated experience at a lower cost per square foot for strong returns.

Jolyon Bulley, Chief Executive Officer, Americas, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “We’re incredibly excited to bring our first U.S. Ruby Hotel to Chicago, an iconic city with a deep architectural and cultural legacy. This flagship signing underscores the brand’s strong growth potential and momentum in key locations across the Americas and around the world.”

With a planned opening in 2027, Ruby Group will develop and operate the hotel, collaborating closely with IHG to bring the Ruby brand’s unique design and hallmarks to life while reflecting Chicago’s cultural identity.

Michael Struck, Founder and CEO, Ruby Group, said: “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. Ruby Group’s operating platform will also now be launching in North America, offering extraordinary operating efficiency to investors with a unique operating set-up that utilizes both centralization and automatization to drive margins while lowering operating risks."

Ruby Group is developing the project together with Orange County-based Berk Properties. Led by principals David Davidson and Rajesh Masina, Berk Properties contributes deep real estate and hospitality expertise, drawing on more than 25 years of experience in the residential and hospitality luxury real estate markets in the U.S.

The introduction of Ruby Hotels to the U.S. less than a year after IHG’s acquisition of the brand, and just four months after its U.S. development availability, reflects its ambition to grow the brand to more than 120 global hotels during the next decade and more than 250 during the next 20 years. Founded in Germany in 2013, Ruby’s expanding presence includes 35 open and pipeline hotels across major European cities.*

*As of Q3 2025