Robert De Niro Launches New Luxury Hotel Project In West Loop
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Academy Award winner Robert De Niro was in Chicago Monday, not to promote a movie role, but the start of his latest construction project--a luxury hotel in the trendy West Loop.
De Niro has been called the greatest living American actor, but on Monday, wearing a hard hat, he was getting his hands dirty at the ground breaking for Nobu Chicago hotel.
Most know him for his intense characters on screen.
However, off camera, he has become a luxury hotel owner.
He spoke with CBS 2's Vince Gerasole about his latest project here in Chicago.
"We are happy we are building it from scratch," De Niro said. "It's nice to take over an old landmark building but it's even better if you can start from scratch and build something that fits in the neighborhood."
The Nobu Chicago will be a 103-room modern luxury resort, located at 800 block of West Randolph Street.
De Niro, along with his celebrity chef partner Nobu Matsuhisa, have been eyeing a Chicago location for 10 years.
"This is the perfect place," DeNiro said. "So, we are very happy."
De Niro is a two-time Academy Award winner, for best supporting actor as a young Vito Corleone in "The Godfather Part 2" and best actor as boxer Jake Lamata in "Raging Bull."
In later years, De Niro has branched out into comedic roles, but his darker portrayals, like the troubled Travis Bickle from "Taxi Driver," remain iconic.
"I wouldn't let a character like Travis Bickle in my hotel," De Niro joked.
De Niro's digs in Chicago will feature a spa and destination restaurant with locally sourced food.
WBBM's Steve Miller
