Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle was joined on Tuesday by a host of elected officials, numerous stakeholders and members of the developer team in a ceremonial groundbreaking for the restoration and redevelopment of Old Cook County Hospital. The redevelopment project will lead to the end of the 16-year vacancy for the 104-year-old Beaux Arts landmark, which for decades was lauded for its medical innovations and its work as a teaching institution. The building, located at 1835 W. Harrison St., was designed by architect Paul Gerhardt and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The deal can expect to receive approximately $24 million from historic tax credits. Construction will commence immediately, beginning with interior, non-structural demolition.  Facade restoration is slated to start in July.  A dual-branded 210-room Hyatt House/Hyatt Place will be the first tenants of the rehabilitated structure and is expected to open in 2019 and 2020. Additional spaces include 71,000 square feet of medical office space and 25,000 square feet of retail. Subsequent phases of development may include mixed-use residential, office, retail and parking on County land north, south and east of the existing building. Historic restoration plans have been developed and refined by the architecture firm of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. Detailed plans on the restoration elements of the project have been submitted to Illinois State Historic Preservation Office.