Lexington Hotel, Historic hotel on Michigan Avenue, Chicago, US.
The Lexington Hotel was a ten-story brick and terra cotta building located at 2135 South Michigan Avenue south of downtown Chicago. Its red brick structure featured elaborate facade details that reflected late 19th-century architectural styles.
The hotel opened in 1892 to welcome visitors to the Columbian Exposition world's fair. It later became a residence and headquarters for a prominent underworld figure from 1928 until 1931.
The building played a central role in Chicago's underworld during Prohibition, reflecting the social reality of that era. Its location on Michigan Avenue made it a focal point in the city's complex history.
The building no longer stands, having been demolished in 1995, so it cannot be visited today. Walking along South Michigan Avenue gives a sense of the historical architecture that once defined this area.
In 1986, an empty abandoned building underwent a live televised vault opening that drew millions of viewers searching for hidden treasures. The search generated enormous public interest despite ultimately finding nothing of significance.
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