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. From films to fêtes to feasts, from artists to athletes to ardent admirers, the hallowed halls of our properties have been the settings for a rich and varied tapestry of occasions woven by people from all walks of life.
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Langham has a long history of dedication to the arts. Music is also at the forefront with staple pieces like the first SHADD piano ever made in our New York flagship. Learn more about other pieces and further commitment to the “Sounds of Langham.”
READ MOREDirk 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.”
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.”
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.
