The story of the Monarch Hotel in Ethiopia is a compelling narrative that intertwines historical significance, personal journeys, and ambitious development plans. It's a story about rebuilding, reimagining, and reconnecting, honoring history while creating something entirely new.
Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, where the Monarch Hotel is centrally located.
A Chance Encounter in Oak Brook
Twelve years ago, a young man from a small village in Ethiopia walked through the doors of the Drake Hotel in Oak Brook, Illinois. He didn’t wear a suit, nor did he know who owned the building. He only knew one thing: he wanted to be part of something great.
At the center of this story is Jim Nagle, owner of The Drake Hotel Oak Brook, a former attorney and seasoned real estate developer with a track record of investing in post-conflict regions. When Gebreslasse walked in looking for work, Nagle didn’t just see a potential employee-he saw drive, humility, and something rare: a deep love for one’s homeland. That instinct proved right.
Historical Roots: Emperor Haile Selassie and The Drake Hotel
But the roots of this story run even deeper-through time and history, all the way back to the original Drake Hotel in downtown Chicago. During World War II, Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia stayed at the Drake while raising funds and support to fight Mussolini’s fascist invasion. He famously sourced much of his armament from South Chicago and Gary, Indiana.
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Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia
That connection wasn’t lost on Gebreslasse-nor on his family. His father, an Orthodox priest and scholar, knew the Drake’s significance well. Gebreslasse’s middle name, Haile, is a tribute to the very monarch who helped preserve Ethiopia’s independence during a century of African colonization.
From Distance Runner to Managing Director
Gebreslasse’s story is one of both endurance and faith-qualities he first developed as a distance runner. As a high school exchange student, he enrolled at Wheaton North High School, where his natural athletic ability quickly emerged. During a P.E. class, the teacher asked students to run a few laps. Gebreslasse completed them in under three minutes.
Within weeks, Gebreslasse was running varsity. He earned a full athletic scholarship to John Brown University in Arkansas, where he ran track and cross-country for four years.
The marathon king who changed the Olympics forever - BBC Africa
Bringing the Drake Brand to Ethiopia
Together, Nagle and Gebreslasse are bringing the Drake brand to life in Ethiopia, beginning with a flagship luxury hotel in Mekele in the heart of Tigray. The property includes not just five-star accommodations but a full entertainment campus: an amphitheater, music venue, indoor natatorium, water park, and more.
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Monarch Hotel in Addis Ababa
This is the first of several Drake-branded developments planned across the continent under the leadership of Nagle and the parent company Drake Oak Brook Autography Collection Hotel and the Drake Luxury Yacht Collection. Various projects are underway in Botswana, Rwanda, and other key locations. Each project is rooted in economic partnership and cultural respect with local firms responsible for massive infrastructure projects like Ethiopia’s hydroelectric dams and airports-partnering on the ground.
“The hardest deal is the first one,” Nagle says. “Once people see what we’re building-what we’re bringing to the table-the phone starts ringing.” That has proven true.
A Cultural Bridge
What sets this endeavor apart isn’t just ambition-it’s authenticity. Gebreslasse is more than the Managing Director of African Markets for Drake Luxury Brands; he’s a cultural bridge. His early belief in Ethiopia’s tourism potential was born from a simple realization. He recalls, “People knew about castles in Scotland, but not about the ones in Ethiopia built in the 4th century.” He saw firsthand how his homeland was misunderstood.
“They thought we were from the jungle,” he said with a laugh. Ethiopia, with a population of over 130 million and a median age under 20, is positioned for an economic renaissance. The nation was never colonized-giving it a unique cultural identity in Africa. As Gebreslasse puts it, “Africa is young. Seventy percent of the continent is aged between 18 and 36.
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Belief in People
What makes this story so moving isn’t just the scale of the development or the depth of the history-it’s the people. During COVID, when others laid off staff, Nagle kept his team employed, investing in the Drake even when returns weren’t guaranteed. He believed in people. That same belief extended to Gebreslasse, even when he left for a time to pursue opportunities elsewhere. They always stayed in touch.
The Ethiopian Empire: A Historical Overview
The Ethiopian Empire, historically known as Abyssinia, was a sovereign state that encompassed the present-day territories of Ethiopia and Eritrea. It existed from around 1270 until the 1974 coup d'état. Founded by Yekuno Amlak, who claimed descent from King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, the empire saw periods of expansion and conflict.
Under Emperor Menelik II in the late 19th century, the empire expanded significantly. After the Second Italo-Ethiopian War, Benito Mussolini's Italian Empire occupied Ethiopia, but during World War II, the Italians were driven out with the help of the British army, and the Emperor returned from exile.
Key Periods and Events in Ethiopian History:
- Zagwe Dynasty: Ruled the Ethiopian Highlands after the fall of the Kingdom of Aksum.
- Yekuno Amlak: Rose to power in 1270, claiming descent from the Aksumite kings and King Solomon.
- Amda Seyon I: Expanded the empire significantly through military campaigns.
- Zara Yaqob: Launched campaigns against pagan worship and centralized the administration.
- Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi: Led an invasion of Ethiopia in the 16th century.
- Emperor Gelawdewos: Resisted the Muslim invasion and eventually defeated al-Ghazi.
- Emperor Fasilides: Founded Gondar as a permanent capital in 1636, marking a golden age.
- Emperor Tewodros II: Reunified the Empire and led it into the modern period.
- Emperor Menelik II: Expanded Ethiopia into its modern territorial boundaries.
- Italian Occupation: Mussolini's Italian Empire occupied Ethiopia until World War II.
The Ethiopian Empire's rich history and cultural heritage serve as a backdrop for the Monarch Hotel's mission to connect the past with the future.
Monarch Parkview Hotel: A Modern Icon in Addis Ababa
Monarch Parkview Hotel is an iconic business brand hotel centrally located in the heart of Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia and Africa. It’s perfectly placed at the center of piazza adjacent to Churchill Avenue and 9km away from bole international airport. It also stands a short distance from the city’s main points of interest such as Tewodros square, Merkato, which is the largest open market in Africa, Grand Anwar Mosque, Holy trinity Cathedral, Unity Park, Friendship Square Park, grand palace and surrounded by contemporary banks and Commercial buildings.
It has a total of 100 rooms of different types ranging from standard rooms, standard king, and standard queen to apartments, king Apartment, Queen Apartment and Deluxe Apartment. All rooms are equipped with premium amenities, complimentary breakfast, high-speed internet, Sauna & Steam, health center, and free shuttle service. The apartment rooms offer a fully functional kitchen, comfortable working, and living space.
| Room Type | Features |
|---|---|
| Standard Rooms | Premium amenities, complimentary breakfast, high-speed internet |
| Apartments | Fully functional kitchen, comfortable working and living space, premium amenities |
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