Carlson Hotels has signed an agreement with Magellan Development Group, the owner of the 81-floor Aqua tower, to establish its first Radisson Blu hotel in the United States. Slated to open in late 2011, the Chicago hotel will occupy 18 floors of the tower. Hubert Joly, chairman and executive officer of Minnetonka-based Carlson Cos. Inc., noted that the hotel was part of the company's ambitions plan to expand in US major cities. Carlson Hotels announced that it would continue to boost its Radisson Hotels and Resorts brand to expand world wide.
The Aqua skyscraper was completed in 2009. Designed by Jeanne Gang, it is now the tallest building in the United States and the third tallest in the world. The building is located at 225 N. Columbus Drive. The new hotel will feature spacious rooms, high quality accommodation services and numerous entertainment facilities, which will include fitness and spa centers, workout rooms, restaurants, bars, etc.