The legendary Empire Room that first opened as a dinner club in 1933, quickly became one of the premier nightspots in the country having hosted performers including Liberace, Judy Garland, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Phyllis Diller, and more. Known for many firsts and claims to fame, Palmer House is the birthplace of the original chocolate fudge brownie, the first fireproof hotel, the first to employ the vertical steam lift, which would later become the elevator, and the first hotel to use the lightbulb and telephone. 'We have faced the most challenging year for the travel industry and Chicago community, but in the face of adversity, Palmer House has continued to rise like a Mythological Phoenix, allowing our legacy as one of the most iconic hotels in Chicago to live on.' Reopening a grand hotel of this stature is no easy task, in the months leading up to reopening day, the team at Palmer House vacuumed over 4 miles of carpet, changed 10,000 light bulbs, and for the first time, filled 14,600 gallons of water into our new swimming pool.' said Dean Lane, Area General Manager, Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel. 'We are incredibility proud to reopen the iconic Palmer House doors, and welcome guests back to the epicenter of Chicago's rich history for our 150 th anniversary year.

Proving its staying power through the years, the Palmer House remains a steadfast beacon of light for the city of Chicago following a challenging year.

After using their influence to rise Chicago up from the ashes, the grand hotel welcomed its first guests again on November 8, 1873. Palmer borrowed $1.7 million to rebuild the hotel and surrounding Chicago area, developing Lake Shore Drive and reimagining State Street, the socialite couple were integral in creating the city structure as it stands today.

Just 13 days after its grand opening, Palmer House was destroyed by the Great Chicago Fire and was later rebuilt by founder Potter Palmer. The hotel began as an extravagant wedding gift and was immediately regarded as one of the most luxurious hotels in Chicago. Palmer House first opened on September 26, 1871.

Palmer house a hilton hotel