Hilton Chicago Pulls $8.2M Permit to Modernize 14 Elevators
A Chicago permit issued Oct. 27 lists $8.2M to modernize 14 passenger elevators in three banks at the Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan Ave.
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Chicago issued a permit on Oct. 27, 2026 to modernize all 14 passenger elevators at the Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan Ave. The permit lists a reported cost of $8.2 million.
Why it matters
Elevator replacement is a major capital item for a hotel of this size. It points to long-horizon investment in the building rather than a cosmetic refresh, and it affects guest flow in a property that depends on moving large groups quickly.
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The permit is pulled in the name of Chicago Hilton LLC, the owner entity on the record. It does not say who is paying for the work or how the project is financed.
The numbers
Permit 101090016 covers three banks of cars, all rated 3,000 lb at 800 feet per minute: elevators 1 to 5 serve 14 floors, elevators 6 to 10 serve 29 floors, and elevators 11 to 14 serve 21 floors. At $8.2 million for 14 cars, the reported cost is about $586,000 per elevator, which includes controls, machines and related work, not only cabs.
The cost is applicant-reported. The permit does not list a contractor or a schedule, and the filing is an elevator-equipment permit rather than a building permit, so it does not describe any guest-room or public-space renovation.
What’s next
Modernizations of this size are usually phased bank by bank so the hotel stays open. With cars serving up to 29 floors, the work touches nearly every guest and event floor in the building. Watch for contractor and phasing details and any related lobby or convention-floor permits. More Loop-area permit activity is on the Chicago market page.
ON THE RECORD: City of Chicago building permit 101090016 (elevator equipment), issued Oct. 27, 2026. Cost is applicant-reported.
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Quick answers
- What is the latest on 720 S Michigan Ave?
- A Chicago permit issued Oct. 27 lists $8.2M to modernize 14 passenger elevators in three banks at the Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan Ave.
- Who is developing 720 S Michigan Ave?
- Hilton, according to City of Chicago Building Permits.
- What are the key numbers for 720 S Michigan Ave?
- reported cost: $8.2M; elevators: 14; banks: 3.
On the record
Permit 101090016, issued 2026-10-27 at 720 S Michigan Ave with Chicago Hilton LLC as owner, lists a reported cost of $8,200,000 to modernize 14 passenger elevators: five serving 14 floors, five serving 29 floors and four serving 21 floors, all rated 3,000 lb at 800 fpm.
Permit · data.cityofchicago.org