Marilyn Carlson Chairman of Carlson Properties officially cutting the ribbon
“May this moment and this place, The Radisson Blu Aqua be for all time a part of our collective legacy and may these doors like our hearts be open to all who enter here.”
The Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel held their highly anticapated grand opening celebration Thursday (Jan. 26) night and it was BEYOND! There was no stone left unturned from the amazing hotel’s decor like the Chicago murals by Steve Slaske, the plethora of food, various entertainment that included Cirque du Soleil contortionists & acrobats, the whole staff and the copious amount of drinks; the event was planned and executed flawlessly. Guests dined on selections of: chilled seafood bar, made to order sushi, carving station featuring roast and duck breast. a chilled vodka luge by hangar vodka, desert station including the Sebayon made to order station and pastries by Sarah’s Candies.
In attendance to celebrate this grand event were: Pat and Shirley Ryan, The Gage Family, Leslie Bluhm-Co Founder of Chicago Cares, Jeanne Gang, Neal Zucker, Linda Johnson Rice-Chair of Johnson Publishing, Cheryl McKissack of Kellogg School of Management, Sherren Leigh-founder of Today’s Chicago Woman, Sarah Lafferty and Amy Creyer -founder of Chicago Street Style, Toni Canada, Lynn McMahan, Les Coney, Dan Uslan of Michigan Avenue Magazine, Jessa and Ryan Baker(CBS Chicago), Grant DePorter, Dean Harrison-CEO & President of Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Dr. James Chandler of NMH Brain Tumor Institute, Juanita Jordan Lauren Berg of Skirt PR, John Chikow- President & CEO Greater North Michigan Avenue Association(GNMAA),Holly Gibout-NMF Dir. of Philanthropy, John Carroll of Modern Luxury, Don Welsh President & CEO of Chicago Convention & Tourism Board(CCTB), Preet Chahal, Johnny Todd, Eric Pieracci, Susan and Joel Carlins Co-CEO of Magellan Development plus many many more
Addressing guests in attendance, Ms. Carlson thanked Magellan Development Group’s Joel Carlins and
Jim Leowenberg, “for their work across all of Chicago speaks for itself.”
Acknowledging the partnerships between the families, she noted “The fact is we believe that it is our responsibility to do transformational things in this world of so much change.” The best part of this is the Radisson Blu Aqua Chicago has created 350 new jobs!
“We have a woman architect Jeanne ‘Genius’ Gang we think what she’s done here is nothing short of genius.”
Jim Hamilton who did the striking design of the interior was duly thanked
“Most great artist/poets have a muse, a special lady who was the muse is Chicago, this property pays tribute to Chicago, its history and its industry.”
The party benefitted the Northwestern Memorial Brain Tumor Institute with 4 destination items being auctioned off to four Radisson properties Blu-Shanghai, Capetown, Sydney, Berlin for 1 week stay.
There were 3 generations of families with a multigenerational commitment to Chicago, the property and one another.
I was really impressed by everything the night had to offer and I must say my new favorite desert is the sebayon. Although it was described as a desert hollandaise it’s nothing quite like it. The Sebayon was a custardy mix of eggs, sugar grand marnier and some desert moscato. It is then ladled atop fresh berries and the first taste made your mouth scream for more, mine did at least.
Cory, Candace and Lisa
Some of the Wagstaff ladies: Cat Taylor, Collis Hancock, Ana Espinoza, Caren Anderson
