The San Francisco call., 1910-04-24
|" DIFFERENT" HOTEL MAKES ITS DEBUT
The Blackstone Chicago Michigan Bouevards New Palace
Formally Opened the Public
OVERLOOkS LAKE MICHIGAN
lterior Model of Decorators Art; Many
Comfort of Guests

different" hotel made its formal
bow in Chicago last week
1t was without any fanfare of trum-
pets that the Blackstone, the big house
in Michigan boulevard, overlooking the
waters of Lake Michigan, made it's
start. For weeks and months the build
ers and decorators have been laboring
In the big structure. For weeks an
army of employees have been drilling
constantly in the duties of the various
positions.
More than threescore cooks under the
direction of Gustav Becker, who for II
years was the chef of the kitchen in
the Holland House in New York, have
been getting acquainted with the great
kitchens of the Blackstone.
And when Messrs. Tracy c. and John
B. Drake, with their assistant mana
gers, Paul Gore and j. r Tompkins,
after final survey passed the word
that the doors were open, the routine
began like the movement of a smooth
running machine in which every part
was perfectly adjusted and in perfect
balance.
Inspection by Stock Holders.
The occasion of the opening was
made the time for the gathering of the
stock holders of the Blackstone Hotel
Company, who, with their wives and
daughters and sweethearts, filled the
main dining room and oyerf1owed into
a smaller one. And finally, when the
excellence of Chef Beckers art had
been duly praised, they passed out into
the parts of the building to the beau
tiful ballroom and to the balcony sur
rounding it and up and down Art Hall.
with it's magnificent hangings and dra-
peries, and into the private dining
rooms adjoining it, then to the floors
above to inspect the bedroom suites
with the splendid appointments, and
they said: What a splendid hotel!"
The Blackstone is to be--in fact 1t
already is-one of the landmarks of
Chicago. 1t has a frontage on Michi-
gan boulevard of so feet, just north Of
Hubbard place. 1t towers 260 feet
above the street level, % stories in
height 1t already has taken its posi-
tion as one of the most prominent fea-
lures of the great sky line on Michi-
gan boulevard
1t Is the first building to be seen
from the boulevard. and from the lake
1t stands out alone, proud and beauti-
full. The slanting rays of the late
afternoon sun or those of the early
morning bring into especial beauty the
lines of the green tiled roof. The sur
roundings. with the view across Grant
park looking on to the waters of the
X
hotel in the United States.
Interior Is "Different,
But the way in which 1t is different"
lies in the interior. The main entrance
to the Blackstone is in Hubbard place
There is a carriage entrance in Michi-
gan boulevard. There is an entrance
in Hubbard place leading directly into
an elevator which lifts the guests di-
rectly to the ballroom floor, with It's
dressing rooms for men and women,
permitting them to attend a ball or
reception in the hotel and be enter
without having to pass through the
in the halls or promenades.
There is nothing gaudy about the
Blackstone No one will ever say gin
gerbread' on entering any apartment
of the esta blishment. 1t is not gay
with gilt or tinsel. 1t is not gorgeous
In the common use of that term. The
ballroom, the main corridor, the pri-
vate dining rooms, the main dining
room all have the quiet elegance that
comes from perfect taste. perfect har-
mony displayed by the best artists.
The main lobby is paneled in French
walnut. The ceiling is of old ivory. 1t
is of the period of Louis XVI. The
draperies, all from France, harmonize
with the paneling. Passing up the
broad marble steps the clerks offices
are on the left or west. On the east
Ia the entrance to the main dining
room.
French Dining Room.
The dining room, 5 feet above the
level of the avenue, extends along the