�With a total of 2 million square feet of mixed-use space, this is the largest urban project ever associated with Embassy Suites,� said Jim Holthouser, Embassy Suites senior vice president of brand management. �The Embassy Suites Chicago-River East will be a leader in the growing trend for the brand to be a focal point of central business district development. Its soaring atrium and relaxed atmosphere will make the hotel a central gathering place for the community. With a design on the cutting edge of urban development, this property will be one of the crown jewels of the entire Embassy Suites system.�

The 13-acre project is located in the block bounded by Grand Avenue, Columbus Drive, the Chicago River and Lake Shore Drive in Chicago�s River East neighborhood, which currently is undergoing a major development initiative. The complex will serve as a focal point for the district and become the link that ties together Michigan Avenue and Navy Pier, the city�s two most visited attractions.

�We believe this project will not only anchor the River East section but also become a welcome and recognizable addition to Chicago�s skyline,� said Daniel E. McLean, president and CEO of MCL Companies, developer of the project. �We believe the Embassy Suites
brand and reputation for upscale excellence will help set the tone for the River East neighborhood. The hotel�s spectacular views of South Lake Shore Drive and Lake Michigan will attract out-of-town business visitors and tourists, especially families, who will enjoy the
convenience and amenities of this strategically located all-suite hotel.�

The hotel will be clad in reflective glass and a combination of metal panel pre-cast. The property will feature 12 floors of suites and two function floors above the ground-floor lobby. A three-story structure will connect the two towers and will contain 250,000 square feet of restaurants, a 21-cinema AMC Theatres complex and upscale retail space. In addition, the complex will provide 1,100 parking spaces.

The Embassy Suites River East 15-story atrium will feature a 40-foot long, 12-foot high waterfall cascading over a gray granite wall into a reflective pool. Designed for both business and leisure travelers, each suite offers a separate living room and bedroom and provides a microwave oven, coffee maker, refrigerator, wet bar, two remote-controlled televisions, two telephones and a dataport.

Hotel amenities will include a swimming pool, sauna, whirlpool and state-of-the-art exercise facilities. An upscale restaurant will be located directly off the lobby. Additionally, guests will receive a complimentary, cooked-to-order breakfast, an evening reception and a complimentary USA Today and concierge service.

River East is being developed by MCL Companies, a full-range development company formed by Daniel E. McLean in 1976. In addition to the River East development, current projects of MCL Companies include residential and commercial ventures in central Chicago, as well as the city�s north, south and west sides, including Dearborn Park II, Chicago Homes, Prairie Homes, the Residences at Central Station, The Pointe at Lincoln Park, The Oak Club, Cornell Square, Old Town Square, The Homes of Mohawk North, Altgeld Club, The Chicago Homes on Altgeld and residential developments in Miami, Fla., and Denver, Colo.