Oxford Capital designates 5 of its Chicago hotels for coronavirus housing program

The hotel investor and developer has freed up rooms at Hotel 166, Hotel Cass and others for the citywide program to prevent overcrowding at local hospitals

Founder, President and CEO of Oxford Capital Group John Rutledge with Hotel Felix and Hotel Julian (Credit: Oxford Capital Group, Hotel Felix and Google Maps)
Founder, President and CEO of Oxford Capital Group John Rutledge with Hotel Felix and Hotel Julian (Credit: Oxford Capital Group, Hotel Felix and Google Maps)

Hotel investor and developer Oxford Capital is designating 1,100 Chicago hotel rooms from five of its properties for the city’s program to house people who have tested positive for Covid-19 or who may have been exposed to the virus. The rooms would be for those who have tested positive but don’t show any symptoms.

Oxford will designate rooms from Hotel 166, Hotel Cass, Hotel Essex, Hotel Julian and Hotel Felix. Three meals a day will be included for guests.

The city this week said it will pay for up to 2,000 hotel rooms for that use, in an effort to prevent local hospitals from overcrowding and to help the decimated hotel industry. The cost to the city would be up to $175 a night for the rooms.

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Numerous hotels throughout Chicago have shuttered or are about to, leaving the industry crippled.

“As COVID-19 continues to spread throughout our community, we wanted to do our part to provide a sanctuary for those who need it during this difficult time,” John Rutledge, Oxford Capital Group founder, president and CEO, said in a statement to Crain’s. “We’re proud to help the city combat this crisis and allow our brave medical professionals to focus on their most critical patients in their hospitals.” [Crain’s] — Jacqueline Flynn