Harrison Hotel and Parking Garage

Category: Preserved

Today this is the tallest parking garage in Chicago, but it was once surpassed by the Quincy Street Garage. The design is almost strictly utilitarian except for a few art deco panels on the Wabash Avenue facade. A giant electric "Harrison Hotel Park Free" sign at the top was a Grant Park landmark for years. Today the sign says "Travelodge". Two large elevator platforms midway through the building ferry cars up and down. The elevators are open at both ends, with one-way traffic on the ground floor so that cars never have to turn around inside the garage.