The Publishing House Bed & Breakfast – Chicago
Where Industrial Heritage Meets Boutique Hospitality
Why DNA Hotels Loves It
● A beautifully restored 1909 publishing house that combines industrial architecture with warm, residential interiors.
● Just 11 individually designed rooms, each inspired by Chicago’s rich literary heritage.
● One of the West Loop’s most personal places to stay, where homemade breakfasts and thoughtful hospitality make guests feel instantly at home.
From Publishing House to Boutique Hideaway
Long before it became one of Chicago’s most beloved boutique stays, this handsome brick building served as the Free Methodist Publishing House. Built in 1909, it later reinvented itself as a casket factory, showroom, and even a holography museum before owners Shawn Uldridge and Kimberly Lowery gave it an entirely new purpose. Working with Nushu Architecture and Vero Design + Build, they transformed the century-old industrial building into an intimate bed & breakfast that celebrates both its history and the creative spirit of Chicago’s West Loop.
Industrial Character with Residential Warmth
The building’s industrial bones remain beautifully intact. Exposed brick walls, soaring ceilings, original timber floors, steel-framed windows, and generous open spaces create a classic loft atmosphere, softened by carefully collected mid-century furniture, flea-market discoveries, kilim rugs, contemporary artwork, and vintage lighting. Rather than feeling like a boutique hotel, the interiors resemble an exceptionally stylish private home.
A Living Room Worth Lingering In
The social heart of the property is its inviting communal lounge. Centered around a striking double-sided concrete fireplace, the space also features comfortable seating, a grand piano, bookshelves filled with literature, and a fully stocked butler’s pantry where guests can help themselves to fresh-baked cookies, drinks, and snacks throughout the day. It’s a place designed for conversation, reading, or simply slowing down after exploring the city.
Rooms Inspired by Chicago’s Literary Heritage
Each of the eleven guestrooms has its own personality. Rather than using room numbers, every room is named after a notable Chicago author, literary character, or place connected to the city’s rich literary history. Books by each featured writer are waiting on the shelves, adding another thoughtful layer to the experience. Vintage furnishings, original artwork, clawfoot bathtubs in several rooms, soft linens, and warm textures create spaces that feel deeply personal rather than professionally staged. The larger rooms even feature steam showers, vintage sofas, and generous sitting areas.
Breakfast Like You’re Visiting Friends
Every morning begins with one of the hotel’s defining rituals. Owners Shawn and Kimberly prepare generous home-cooked breakfasts served around the communal table, creating exactly the kind of atmosphere that makes boutique bed & breakfasts so memorable. Fresh ingredients, homemade dishes, good coffee, and easy conversation turn breakfast into one of the highlights of the stay. It’s hospitality that feels genuine rather than scripted.
The Creative Heart of Chicago
Located in Chicago’s vibrant West Loop, The Publishing House places guests in one of the city’s most exciting neighborhoods. Award-winning restaurants, independent cafés, cocktail bars, galleries, and converted warehouse buildings are all within walking distance, while downtown Chicago remains only minutes away. Despite the lively surroundings, stepping inside feels like entering a quiet residential retreat.
Why It Works
The Publishing House proves that true boutique hospitality isn’t about luxury amenities or grand gestures. It’s about atmosphere, authenticity, thoughtful design, and hosts who genuinely enjoy welcoming people into their home. By preserving the building’s industrial character while filling it with warmth, literature, vintage design, and heartfelt hospitality, Shawn Uldridge and Kimberly Lowery have created one of Chicago’s most memorable stays. Intimate, creative, and unmistakably local, it’s the kind of place guests remember long after they’ve returned home.
