IHG Hotels & Resorts and Ruby Group have confirmed plans to bring the Ruby Hotels brand to the United States for the first time, with a flagship property set to open in downtown Chicago.
The hotel will be developed and operated by Ruby Group under a 30-year franchise agreement with IHG, marking a significant milestone in Ruby’s international expansion. The project will see the comprehensive renovation and repositioning of the historic Inn of Chicago building, located one block east of the Magnificent Mile.
Originally constructed in the late 1920s, the 22-storey landmark will be transformed into a 412-room Ruby Hotel, blending the brand’s contemporary, design-led approach with the building’s rich hospitality heritage. Renovation work is expected to begin in the second half of 2026, with the hotel scheduled to open in 2027.
Plans for the property include a reimagined lobby and bar designed to function as a social hub throughout the day and into the evening, alongside a rooftop terrace and bar offering panoramic views of the Chicago skyline. Updated public spaces will reflect Ruby’s character-driven aesthetic, aimed at attracting both international travellers and local residents.
Guestrooms will follow Ruby’s signature “lean luxury” concept, combining compact, efficient layouts with high-quality finishes to deliver a premium experience while maintaining operational efficiency and strong commercial returns.
Jolyon Bulley, chief executive officer, Americas, at IHG Hotels & Resorts, said the signing underlines the brand’s confidence in Ruby’s growth trajectory. “We’re incredibly excited to bring our first US Ruby Hotel to Chicago, an iconic city with a deep architectural and cultural legacy,” he said. “This flagship signing highlights the brand’s strong momentum and potential across key urban markets in the Americas and globally.”
Ruby Group will work closely with IHG to ensure the property reflects both the Ruby brand’s distinctive design language and Chicago’s cultural identity, positioning the hotel as a vibrant new addition to the city’s lifestyle hospitality scene.
The Chicago opening represents Ruby Hotels’ first step into the US market, building on its expanding presence across major European cities and reinforcing IHG’s strategy of growing its lifestyle and urban-focused brand portfolio worldwide.