This mural at Embassy Suites is our biggest project yet–over 1,600 square feet of painted mural! The mural is inspired by Chicago’s city motto since the 1830s, “Urbs in Horto,” Latin for “city in a garden.” Our goal in designing the mural was to honor Chicago’s enduring commitment to blending architecture and nature in beautiful ways. Scenes in the mural vary from sweeping panoramas to small specific details depicting Chicago’s verdant North, South, West and East sides. We captured the city with vibrant views from Lincoln Park, Promontory Point, Logan Square, The Loop, Northerly Island and more. We also included Chicago’s and Illinois’s honorary flora and fauna: chrysanthemums, violets, great white oak trees, a monarch butterfly, and a cardinal. 

Studio artists Shayne Taylor, Brittney Williams, Brandin Hurley and Nancy were all committed to the project, proposing many approaches to the Urbs in Horto theme. After two months of bidding on the project, three months of sketching and seven full weeks of painting, we are really pleased with how it turned out.

The mural unveiling party in July welcomed local arts and culture influencers, who are posing in front of the mural below. 

Our mural has been making waves! Check out ABC7’s article on our Mag Mile Mural and learn about the best outdoor murals to snap a selfie around the city according to the Chicago Parent blog. The Hilton’s news site has a great write-up on the mural unveiling. We were also featured in a story by the New Eastside News; according to their article, “Streeterville’s got a brand new shine.”