140 East Walton Place
The Drake Hotel was built in 1920 by brothers John and Tracy Drake. At the time of its opening, this now haunted hotel was seen as the epitome of style and status. Throughout its history, celebrities from around the world have flocked to the opulent structure, designed in the Italian Renaissance Style.
The most famous ghost is the Lady in Red. One can only imagine her excitement as she examined the dazzling chandeliers overhead. The Gold Coast Room, one of many palatial event spaces at the Drake Hotel, was intimidating to her at first. Its massive columns and soaring ceilings made her feel small and unimportant. But, as the band began to play, and her loving fiancé swept her onto the dance floor, any fears she might have had about that night’s New Year’s Eve Gala, were lost to the music. Over 2,000 of Chicago’s most celebrated citizens were there to celebrate the opening of the Drake Hotel. The night was young, and the champagne was flowing.
The clock was nearing midnight, and her fiancé was nowhere to be found. She had spent so much time dancing with strangers, all wanting a turn with the young lady in the blood-red dress, that she hadn’t noticed him leave the ballroom. He probably needed a breather and headed back to their room, she thought. So, she grabbed a champagne bottle and made her way to the 10th floor in search of her betrothed.
The door to her room was unlocked. She paused for a moment, then shook her head. He must have had too much to drink. The thought made her smile. The young lady in red opened the door quietly, hoping not to disturb her fiancé’s rest. But, what she found inside, left her breathless.
Her fiancé tried to explain that this other woman in bed was just a friend. This was all one big misunderstanding! But she knew exactly what was happening and suddenly felt very alone.
She slammed the door shut and ran down the hallway of the 10th floor until she reached the elevator. She rode all the way to the top, to the roof, and stepped into the icy Chicago night air. With one last look at her beloved city and all of its broken promises, she jumped.
Guests at the Drake Hotel still encounter the hopeless Lady in Red, roaming the halls of the 10th floor. She can also be seen lingering near the Gold Coast Room, and the Palm Court. Perhaps she is looking for one last dance.
The most famous ghost is the Lady in Red. One can only imagine her excitement as she examined the dazzling chandeliers overhead. The Gold Coast Room, one of many palatial event spaces at the Drake Hotel, was intimidating to her at first. Its massive columns and soaring ceilings made her feel small and unimportant. But, as the band began to play, and her loving fiancé swept her onto the dance floor, any fears she might have had about that night’s New Year’s Eve Gala, were lost to the music. Over 2,000 of Chicago’s most celebrated citizens were there to celebrate the opening of the Drake Hotel. The night was young, and the champagne was flowing.
The clock was nearing midnight, and her fiancé was nowhere to be found. She had spent so much time dancing with strangers, all wanting a turn with the young lady in the blood-red dress, that she hadn’t noticed him leave the ballroom. He probably needed a breather and headed back to their room, she thought. So, she grabbed a champagne bottle and made her way to the 10th floor in search of her betrothed.
The door to her room was unlocked. She paused for a moment, then shook her head. He must have had too much to drink. The thought made her smile. The young lady in red opened the door quietly, hoping not to disturb her fiancé’s rest. But, what she found inside, left her breathless.
Her fiancé tried to explain that this other woman in bed was just a friend. This was all one big misunderstanding! But she knew exactly what was happening and suddenly felt very alone.
She slammed the door shut and ran down the hallway of the 10th floor until she reached the elevator. She rode all the way to the top, to the roof, and stepped into the icy Chicago night air. With one last look at her beloved city and all of its broken promises, she jumped.
Guests at the Drake Hotel still encounter the hopeless Lady in Red, roaming the halls of the 10th floor. She can also be seen lingering near the Gold Coast Room, and the Palm Court. Perhaps she is looking for one last dance.