Tremont House

Tremont House was a five-story brick building located at the corner of Lake and Dearborn Streets with around 260 rooms spread across multiple floors. The structure featured various levels with guest rooms, public spaces, and leisure areas for visitors.

The original building was constructed in 1833 as a wooden structure and was Chicago's first hotel operation under the management of brothers Ira and James Couch. Over time it was rebuilt several times, with the 1873 version later converted into educational spaces for Northwestern University.

The place was a favored gathering spot for influential political and business figures who came together for important conversations and meetings.

The building was situated at a central location on a corner of two major streets, making it easy to reach. Today the location is part of an academic campus and may have limited public access depending on university activities.

The establishment was among the first hotels in America to provide guests with private bathrooms and gas lighting, setting standards for other hotels. These modern conveniences were revolutionary for the time and made it a model for hotel innovation.

Location: Illinois

Inception: 1833

GPS coordinates: 41.88560,-87.62920

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:22