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The patina of our flagship hotel brand hasn’t been created solely from the passing of time. It’s also made from the countless memorable moments enjoyed by our guests.
READ MOREDirk Lohan
Architect
“My grandfather was my greatest inspiration. I spent countless hours with him, discussing his life, architecture, and art.”
Dirk Lohan
Architect Dirk Lohan discovered his love for design by following in the footsteps of his grandfather and mentor, the legendary Mies van der Rohe. His innovative vision has since shaped countless projects across the United States and beyond—including the striking lobby of The Langham, Chicago, housed in the iconic IBM Building, which he worked on alongside van der Rohe.
Dirk Lohan was only a boy when he started developing an interest in architecture. Growing up in rural Germany in the 1940s, he received black-and-white photographs from his grandfather, who had emigrated to the US. By the age of 12, Lohan had covered his bedroom walls with those images, dreaming of one day seeing the buildings in person.
“There was one picture—a view from a high-rise—that really impressed me,” Lohan recalls. “So much so that I told myself I’d live there one day.”
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After moving to the United States, Lohan studied architecture under his grandfather’s guidance. Together, they worked on projects like the New National Gallery in West Berlin and the IBM Building—now home to The Langham, Chicago.
“My grandfather was my greatest inspiration,” shares Lohan, candidly. “I spent countless hours with him, discussing his life, architecture, and art.”
One of his most treasured memories is working on the IBM Building during his grandfather’s final years. “We’d review drawings and materials over a martini or two at his place,” he says. “Building the tower over an active train track was a monumental challenge.”
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Decades later, when part of the landmark was transformed into The Langham, Chicago, the lobby needed a redesign—one that honoured van der Rohe’s vision while adapting to the hotel’s needs. Naturally, Lohan took on the task.
Today, the lobby stands as a testament to his architectural style: a seamless blend of his grandfather’s minimalism and his own warmth—or, as he puts it, a touch of “bling.” Every detail reflects his bold yet understated vision, from the custom-designed furniture to the meticulously curated art.
And as for that childhood promise? Lohan kept it. He now lives in 860-880 Lake Shore Drive, one of van der Rohe’s residential masterpieces—the very building from that black-and-white photograph.
