Influencing the Way People Eat, Drink and Gather
Where luxury meets intention.
Who We Are
Hill Hospitality Group is a Chicago-based luxury hospitality company built on the belief that every detail matters. We create environments where atmosphere, service, and craftsmanship converge — delivering experiences that linger long after the evening ends.
Our approach is rooted in intentionality. From concept development to execution, we build hospitality brands that feel timeless, culture-driven, and elevated at every level. We don't follow trends — we create moments.
Founded by Kenneth E. Hill, Hill Hospitality Group is committed to redefining what hospitality looks and feels like — starting with Jackson's Ultra Lounge, currently in development in Chicago, Illinois.
Our Pillars
Intentionality
Every decision is made with purpose. Nothing is accidental.
Sophistication
We build for the discerning guest. Elevated aesthetics, refined experiences, uncompromising standards.
Community
Great hospitality brings people together. We create spaces where culture, energy, and connection thrive.
Purpose & Direction
Our Mission
Our mission is to craft extraordinary hospitality experiences that blend elevated design, impeccable service, and thoughtful programming.
Our Vision
We envision Hill Hospitality Group as a recognized name in luxury hospitality — a multi-concept company whose venues become cultural touchpoints.
What We're Building
Each concept under the Hill Hospitality Group umbrella is developed with the same commitment to excellence, distinct in character, united in quality. Our flagship lounge sets the benchmark for everything that follows.
Flagship Concept · In Development
Currently in development, Jackson's Ultra Lounge is the flagship concept of Hill Hospitality Group — a luxury cocktail lounge experience being built with intention from the ground up.
The Build
Jackson's Ultra Lounge is currently in development. We are actively working alongside architects and builders to bring a refined, hospitality-driven experience to life. Every detail is being intentionally designed to deliver something elevated and unforgettable.
The Person Behind the Vision
“Luxury isn’t just what you see — it’s how you feel the moment you walk in. We create spaces where energy, culture, and experience come together effortlessly.”
A Letter From Our Founder
Hospitality has always been about more than food, drinks, or entertainment.
At its best, hospitality creates experiences that bring people together. It creates places where relationships are built, milestones are celebrated, ideas are shared, and memories are made.
That belief is what inspired the creation of Hill Hospitality Group.
Our mission is simple: to develop hospitality concepts that combine exceptional service, thoughtful design, and meaningful guest experiences. Every concept we create will be rooted in a commitment to excellence, community, and genuine connection.
Our flagship concept, Jackson's Ultra Lounge, represents that vision. It is being designed as a sophisticated social destination for professionals, entrepreneurs, travelers, and individuals who appreciate elevated experiences in welcoming environments.
The journey to bring Jackson's to life has required patience, persistence, and an unwavering belief in the vision. Every meeting, every site visit, every conversation with potential partners and supporters moves us one step closer to making that vision a reality.
Hill Hospitality Group was built on the belief that great hospitality can leave a lasting impact on people and communities. As we continue to grow, that belief will remain at the center of everything we do.
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about our company and our journey. We look forward to welcoming you in the future.
Sincerely,
Kenneth E. Hill
Founder & Managing Member
Hill Hospitality Group
Kenneth E. Hill is the Founder and visionary behind Hill Hospitality Group, a Chicago-based hospitality company committed to creating elevated, culture-driven experiences. With a sharp eye for detail and a passion for refined social environments, Kenneth is building a brand centered on intentionality, sophistication, and meaningful connection.
But his journey into hospitality isn't just about business—it's personal.
Kenneth's path has been shaped by both ambition and adversity. Like many entrepreneurs, his story includes moments of setback, loss, and rebuilding. Those experiences didn't break his trajectory—they refined it. They instilled a deeper sense of discipline, resilience, and purpose that now shows up in every decision he makes.
That resilience is the foundation of Hill Hospitality Group.
Before stepping into ownership, Kenneth built his foundation within the nightlife industry as an event curator and promoter, developing experiences that brought people together and created energy within the room. Through that work, he gained a strong understanding of audience dynamics, atmosphere, and what it takes to create moments that people remember and return for.
Kenneth believes hospitality should go beyond service—it should move people. His approach is rooted in creating environments where energy, design, and experience come together seamlessly. Rather than following trends, he focuses on building concepts that feel timeless, elevated, and intentional at every level.
As an operator, Kenneth is hands-on and detail-driven, with a strong understanding of guest experience, brand identity, and multi-layered business strategy. From concept development to execution, he blends creativity with structure to build experiences that are both impactful and sustainable.
Through Hill Hospitality Group, Kenneth is building more than venues—he is building a legacy. His long-term vision is to develop a portfolio of distinctive hospitality concepts across multiple markets, each designed to leave a lasting impression and redefine the standard of experience.
This journey is driven not only by vision, but by the people and moments that shaped him—carried forward with purpose, and built to honor what came before.
Leadership
Hill Hospitality Group is guided by a leadership team committed to hospitality excellence, meaningful guest experiences, and long-term community impact.
Kenneth E. Hill
Founder & Managing Member
Founder of Hill Hospitality Group and visionary behind Jackson's Ultra Lounge and the company's future hospitality concepts.
Christa Hill, LCSW
Director of Guest Experience, Culture & Membership
Christa helps shape the guest experience philosophy, membership culture, and hospitality standards that support Hill Hospitality Group's commitment to exceptional service and meaningful guest engagement. Drawing upon her professional background and passion for creating meaningful connections, she plays an integral role in ensuring every guest interaction reflects the values and vision of the company.
Stay in the Know
Be the first to know when Jackson's Ultra Lounge opens. Join the list — no spam, just culture.
Development Updates
Hill Hospitality Group is committed to creating elevated hospitality experiences that bring people together through exceptional service, thoughtful design, and memorable moments.
As we continue developing Jackson's Ultra Lounge and future concepts, we believe in sharing our progress with our supporters, partners, and community stakeholders.
July 2026
Founder Kenneth Hill welcomes guests to Founder’s Table: Summer Session • Vol. 1 and explains how their participation and feedback will help shape the culinary, cocktail, and overall guest experience being developed for Jackson’s Ultra Lounge.
In July 2026, Hill Hospitality Group hosted the inaugural Founder’s Table: Summer Session • Vol. 1, an invitation-only tasting experience created to support the continued development of the food and beverage program for Jackson’s Ultra Lounge.
Hosted by Founder Kenneth Hill and Director of Guest Experience, Culture & Membership Christa Hill, the afternoon brought together a select group of supporters, hospitality enthusiasts, community members, and prospective future guests for an early look at the concepts currently being developed for Jackson’s.
Founder’s Table was not designed as a traditional meal or dinner service. It was an interactive menu-development session in which guests sampled a curated progression of appetizers, entrées, desserts, and handcrafted cocktails while providing candid feedback after each tasting.
Guests evaluated flavor, presentation, creativity, portioning, overall appeal, and whether they believed each item should continue moving forward toward potential inclusion on Jackson’s final menu.
Director of Guest Experience, Culture & Membership Christa Hill makes final preparations before guests arrive, arranging the scorecards, tasting materials, and Jackson’s concept renderings that would guide the afternoon’s interactive experience.
Every element of the Founder’s Table was prepared with intention. Each guest received tasting materials and detailed scorecards that allowed them to document their impressions, provide constructive recommendations, and indicate whether they would personally order an item at Jackson’s.
The scorecards were designed to encourage honesty rather than simply confirm the team’s existing ideas. Not every dish or cocktail presented during Founder’s Table will make the final menu—and that is precisely the purpose of the experience.
The goal is to identify the strongest concepts, determine what requires refinement, and make informed decisions before Jackson’s opens its doors.
Guests review Jackson’s Ultra Lounge renderings while learning how the menu, design, service philosophy, and atmosphere are being developed together to create a complete hospitality experience.
The afternoon extended beyond the food and cocktails. Guests were introduced to the broader vision for Jackson’s Ultra Lounge through concept renderings and conversations about the design, atmosphere, programming, service philosophy, and overall guest journey.
This allowed participants to understand how the culinary program will function as one part of a larger experience built around elevated hospitality, culture, and meaningful connection.
One of the questions Hill Hospitality Group receives most often is:
“What kind of food will Jackson’s serve?”
While the menu remains in development, the culinary vision is clear:
Elevated comfort with Southern soul and contemporary execution.
At Jackson’s, familiar favorites and Southern influences will be elevated through premium ingredients, refined techniques, creative flavor combinations, and thoughtful presentation. The goal is for guests to recognize the inspiration behind a dish while experiencing it in a fresh and memorable way.
Founder’s Table provided the first opportunity to bring that culinary vision to life and place developing menu concepts directly in front of the people Jackson’s ultimately hopes to serve.
Culinary Consultant Sam Marshall prepares one of several tasting selections as prospective menu items move through the development and refinement process.
Culinary Consultant Sam Marshall is working alongside Hill Hospitality Group to help build and refine a menu that reflects the identity of Jackson’s while remaining creative, operationally sound, and appealing to its intended audience.
Throughout Summer Session • Vol. 1, Sam prepared a progression of tastings that gave guests an opportunity to experience different flavors, presentations, and culinary approaches being considered for the menu.
Their feedback will now help guide decisions about recipe adjustments, presentation, portioning, flavor balance, and whether individual concepts should advance to future rounds of development.
Handcrafted cocktails were developed and prepared throughout the afternoon, allowing guests to evaluate flavor, balance, presentation, and their potential place within the Jackson’s beverage program.
Founder Kenneth Hill receives one of the featured cocktails as the team evaluates both the beverage itself and the personalized style of service envisioned for Jackson’s Ultra Lounge.
Because Jackson’s is being developed as an upscale lounge experience, the cocktail program received the same level of attention as the food.
Guests sampled handcrafted cocktails and provided feedback regarding balance, presentation, sweetness, strength, overall appeal, and whether each drink complemented the atmosphere envisioned for Jackson’s.
The Founder’s Table also provided an opportunity to evaluate how food and beverages were introduced and served. Every detail—from presentation to interaction—helped the team think through how the future Jackson’s experience should feel from the guest’s point of view.
The most valuable part of the afternoon was not simply presenting the concepts. It was listening.
Guests were encouraged to respond honestly, discuss what stood out, identify areas that could be improved, and share whether they would order each item again.
Their reactions ranged from thoughtful critiques to several unforgettable moments of excitement:
“This is orgasmic.”
“Y’all are gonna be a problem.”
“This is definitely signature-dish worthy.”
“I would definitely order this again.”
An enthusiastic reaction to one of the featured cocktails reflects the candid feedback guests shared throughout the Founder’s Table experience.
Guests evaluated each tasting as potential future customers, offering direct feedback on what they enjoyed, what could be refined, and what they would order again at Jackson’s.
The excitement in the room was encouraging, but the value of the process went beyond positive reactions. Guests were also given the freedom to explain what did not work for them and why.
That combination of enthusiasm and constructive criticism will allow Hill Hospitality Group and Sam Marshall to continue strengthening each concept rather than relying on assumptions about what future guests may want.
Several of the most promising ideas generated such strong reactions that Hill Hospitality Group has chosen to keep certain dishes and details close to the vest as development continues. Some concepts deserve to be introduced when Jackson’s is closer to opening and guests can experience them exactly as intended.
The scorecards and comments collected during Summer Session • Vol. 1 are now part of the continuing menu-development process.
Some items may advance with only minor refinements. Others may be reworked significantly, revisited during a future Founder’s Table, or removed from consideration altogether.
Founder’s Table will continue as an ongoing part of Hill Hospitality Group’s development process, creating future opportunities to test culinary concepts, refine cocktails, strengthen service standards, and gather meaningful feedback before opening day.
This collaborative approach reflects a central belief of Hill Hospitality Group:
Exceptional hospitality is not created through assumptions. It is created by listening, testing, refining, and remaining intentional about every detail.
Guests gather at the conclusion of Founder’s Table: Summer Session • Vol. 1. Their participation, honest feedback, and shared excitement marked an important milestone in the continued development of Jackson’s Ultra Lounge.
Founder’s Table: Summer Session • Vol. 1 transformed ideas that previously existed through planning documents, renderings, recipes, and conversations into a tangible experience that guests could see, taste, evaluate, and help shape.
It marked an important step in bringing Jackson’s Ultra Lounge to life while inviting future guests into the development journey from the beginning.
Summer Session • Vol. 1 was the first gathering around the table—but it will not be the last.
June 2026
As part of Hill Hospitality Group's commitment to responsible hospitality and community engagement, Founder Kenneth Hill and Director of Guest Experience & Membership Christa Hill recently met with South Loop residents, community stakeholders, and neighborhood leaders to present the vision for Jackson's Ultra Lounge.
The meeting provided an opportunity to introduce the concept, share the long-term vision for Jackson's as Hill Hospitality Group's flagship location, and engage in an open dialogue regarding the proposed hospitality experience. Topics discussed included operations, security, parking and traffic management, guest experience, entertainment programming, food service, and our commitment to being a positive addition to the South Loop community.
We are grateful for the thoughtful questions, valuable feedback, and meaningful conversations that took place throughout the evening. Community members shared neighborhood insights, local history, and perspectives that will continue to help shape our planning efforts as development progresses.
At Hill Hospitality Group, we believe great hospitality begins long before the doors open. It begins with listening, building relationships, and becoming part of the community we hope to serve.
Founder Kenneth Hill presents the vision for Jackson's Ultra Lounge during a South Loop community engagement meeting, answering questions and discussing the proposed concept with residents and stakeholders.
South Loop residents, community members, and neighborhood stakeholders gather to learn more about the proposed Jackson's Ultra Lounge concept and participate in an open community discussion.
May 2026
Hill Hospitality Group continued evaluating multiple hospitality properties throughout Chicago, focusing on locations that align with the long-term vision for Jackson's Ultra Lounge. Investor outreach efforts were expanded to support pre-development activities and future growth initiatives.
April 2026
Architects, contractors, and industry professionals conducted walkthroughs and preliminary evaluations of potential hospitality spaces. Discussions focused on operational feasibility, guest flow, infrastructure requirements, and concept implementation.
March 2026
Hill Hospitality Group completed several foundational business milestones, including organizational structuring, business banking, operational planning, and the continued development of Jackson's Ultra Lounge as the company's flagship concept.
Looking Ahead
Our focus remains on securing the right location, building strategic partnerships, and laying the foundation for a hospitality experience that reflects our commitment to excellence.
Thank you for following our journey.
Let's build something iconic.
Media & Press
Follow the journey of Hill Hospitality Group and Jackson's Ultra Lounge through media coverage, interviews, community features, and industry recognition.
July 2026
Block Club Chicago
Coverage of Jackson's Ultra Lounge's proposed arrival in Chicago's South Loop following community engagement meetings and neighborhood discussions.
Read Article →What Now Chicago
Feature article highlighting the Jackson's Ultra Lounge concept, ownership team, and plans for creating an upscale hospitality destination in Chicago.
Read Article →Community Commitment
At Hill Hospitality Group, we believe great hospitality extends beyond the walls of our venues. We are committed to operating with integrity, professionalism, and respect wherever we do business.
Responsible Operations
Creating safe, professional, and well-managed hospitality environments for guests, employees, partners, and neighbors.
Good Neighbor
Building positive relationships with residents, businesses, property owners, and community stakeholders.
Economic Impact
Creating jobs, supporting local businesses, and contributing to the economic vitality of the neighborhoods we serve.
Community Engagement
Supporting charitable initiatives, cultural programs, and opportunities that positively impact our communities.
At Hill Hospitality Group, we believe great hospitality extends beyond the walls of our venues. Every concept we develop is designed to become a positive and lasting part of the communities we serve.
We are committed to maintaining safe, well-managed environments for our guests, employees, neighbors, and business partners. This includes professional security and operational oversight, responsible alcohol service practices, well-trained staff, and clear policies promoting guest safety.
We understand that hospitality venues become part of a neighborhood's daily fabric. We are committed to respecting the character of the communities we serve and addressing concerns in a constructive and respectful manner.
Hospitality creates opportunities. Through our concepts, we strive to create meaningful employment, support local vendors, attract visitors who contribute to the local economy, and invest in neighborhoods through long-term business operations.
We believe in showing up for the communities we serve. As Hill Hospitality Group grows, we will actively seek opportunities to support charitable initiatives, community organizations, cultural events, and educational programs.
Our goal is to build respected brands that become valued members of the communities they call home. We are committed to earning that trust through consistency, professionalism, and accountability.
Thank you for allowing us to be part of your community.
Let's Build Something Iconic.
Kenneth E. Hill
Founder & Managing Member
Hill Hospitality Group
