Plans and updated visuals have just been released for a new hotel development at 3257 North Halsted Street in Chicago’s Lake View neighborhood — now officially named the Backbeat Hotel.
The six-story building is being created by local developers Allan O’Brien (of Men’s Room) and InFocus Builders, and it’ll take over the site where Yoshi’s Café once stood.
Design & Inspiration
- The hotel’s design is a collaboration between Jonathan Splitt Architects and Studio Rodrigo Buelva, and it draws inspiration from Chicago’s deep roots in house and alternative music.
- Planners gave the exterior a fresh redesign with softer corners, standout window framing, and custom lighting to give it a lively, contemporary look.
What’s Inside
Backbeat Hotel will be more than just a place to stay — it’s shaping up as a vibrant social spot:
- A basement speakeasy lounge hidden behind a wall of vinyl records.
- A ground-floor restaurant serving Japanese-inspired Chicago-soul cuisine with an outdoor patio.
- A lobby space designed for both guests and community gatherings.
- A year-round rooftop pool and lounge under a retractable glass roof — open to everyone, not just hotel guests.
All of these spots will be accessible to the public, creating a community hub as much as a hotel destination.
Rooms & Features
The Backbeat Hotel will have 50 rooms, including 12 suites. They’re designed with a sleek, minimalist aesthetic — and, according to the hotel’s website, rooms will even be able to sync with guests’ heartbeats.
The rainbow-inspired exterior fins originally proposed have been replaced with LED-lit translucent panels, allowing the building to display custom lighting shows for different events and occasions.
Timeline
Chicago fully approved the project last year, and funding appears to be in place. Demolition of the existing structures is expected to begin this summer, followed by about 18 months of construction. Backbeat is targeting a 2028 opening.
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