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"Fortunately, there were hundreds of or 60s," she said. "But they saved the tiles
pictures of the hotel that were found in the and placed them on top of the new steel
building," Lieber said. "Plus, there were plate flooring, so you can still see the
other photos in the newspapers and from markers for the swimming lanes and that's
various other sources so that they could pretty neat."
restore it back to its original glory. Lieber also showed us the fourth floor
"And our (former) general manager was gymnasium and basketball court, where a
here for the entire renovation to oversee class of novice roller skaters were doing
the process," she added. their best to stay upright. Named in honor
On our concierge-led tour, Lieber took of Amos Alonzo Stagg, who coached foot-
us up a marble staircase where we could ball and other sports at the University of
look down upon the now-gone natatorium Chicago from 1892 to 1932, Stagg Court has
where Weissmuller once worked out. Presi- its original floorboards, hoops and a run-
dent Teddy Roosevelt also swam there, ning track that overlooks and encircles the
Leiber said, during a reunion of Roughrid- court.
ers whom Roosevelt led in Cuba in 1898 And she took us to the amusingly
during the Spanish-American War. named "Milk Room," which she said served
"The pool was filled in during the 1950s alcohol to members and, perhaps, a few
164 WINE DINE & TRAVEL MAGAZINE SPRING 2025
