While there has been no official announcement, the on-again, off-again reopening of the Hilton Orrington hotel in downtown Evanston appears to be on, this time for real.
Thursday afternoon, a large banner was being put up, saying “Hilton Orrington Welcomes Back Students and Guests.”
Hotel ownership has not responded to questions in the past from Evanston Now. However, Gina Speckman, executive director of Chicago’s North Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau, has said the reopening is targeted for June 9.
The Hilton website is accepting reservations as of that date.
The Orrington suspended operations late last year, as the hotel industry was devastated by the pandemic-related decline in business travel. The Orrington was hit even harder, as events such as weddings were canceled, and there were no guests for Northwestern football games, which were played without fans.
The hotel has been hit with a lawsuit alleging nonpayment of the mortgage. Crain’s Chicago Business has reported that the owner, Olshan Properties of New York, is willing to give up control of the hotel and turn the keys over to another entity.