Residential Hotels
& Cooperatives to Bed &
Breakfast
Residential hotels gave Chicago's 'residents of modest means' an access and social interaction with some of the wealthiest residents of the city - Encyclopedia
of Chicago
The Politics of Place: A History of Zoning in Chicago
The 'Intensive' Apartment Hotel
here is sectional excerpt ...
In other words, in the late 19th and early 20th century 'residential or apartment hotels' sometimes called 'flats'
would allow residents of the multi-floor building the freedom from ownership maintenance of a building. The owner like current apartment owners would only have the responsibility of the rental maintenance fees.
would allow residents of the multi-floor building the freedom from ownership maintenance of a building. The owner like current apartment owners would only have the responsibility of the rental maintenance fees.
A Review from
page 2
A standard feature in apartment hotels that peaked in the 1920’s'. The bed is named for William Lawrence Murphy (1876–1959), who applied for his first patents around 1900. According to legend, he was wooing an opera singer, but living in a one-room apartment in San Francisco, and the moral code of the time frowned upon a woman entering a man’s bedroom. Murphy’s invention converted his bedroom into a parlor, enabling him to entertain in one living space!’ Read more from link above.
images - Hotel World 1922The Largest Concentration
of Apartment Hotels in Lake View
The largest concentration of apartment hotels
was on Surf Street and Pine Grove Avenue
The Lessing ApartmentsThe Lessing - Surf south-side of street
a 1923 Sanborn Fire Map view with name change
Surf north-side of street
some history ...above 2018 image - Google Earth
to the south of Surf Street is the Green Brier/Lessing Annex
and to the north of Surf Street is the
Commodore/Lessing Apartments,
the first building to be constructed
The Lessing Annex known currently as
Green Brier - postcard part of my collection
postcard - Ebay
and across the street on the northside of Surf Street a view of Green Brier from the first Lessing building court yard known
currently as the Commodore Apartments

2016 photos - Garry Albrecht
view of the Green Brier Apartments
and below with the view of the former Surf Ridge Apartments

currently the Green Brier Apartments
559 W Surf Street

photo - Chuckman Collection
Commodore (Lessing Annex) to the left and
Green Brier (Lessing) to the right both on Broadway/Surf
a 1923 Sanborn Fire Map view

photo above - Dream Town Realty
photo below - Garry Albrecht

News of the Lessing Apartments & Annex
in 1913
Then in 1916
Both building complexes were owned by the owner of the Fair Department Store located downtown. When Mr. Lehmann died in 1900 he was able his family inherited 10 million dollars. His family owned residences in Lake View.
In 1918





to LakeView Historical-Facebook via Ebay


The Park Lane Hotel
The Chicagoan 1933
Home of Angelo Genna
advertisement postcard from a
commercial resident of the hotel - Ebay
Remodeling the hotel in 1954



Commonwealth Hotel
image - Curbed Chicago
image - Hotel Zachary website
image - Hotel Zachary website
image - Hotel Zachary website
image - Hotel Zachary website
image - Hotel Zachary website
image - buildingupchicagodotcom
image - buildingupchicagodotcom
images - buildingupchicagodotcom

photo - Lake View Patch

below photo - Lake View Patch
Hotel Chateau
photo - Lake View Patch

photo - Jeff Z via Yelp
Not for the faint at heart
By the 1980's became more colorful for some
and not for others. The hotel was one of a trio of buildings meant for men only crowd
This former Apartment Hotel would become controversy
The Mayor steps in by 1982

View a more detailed view of this sign via Flickr
View the other neon signs of the area


photo - Lake View Patch
photo - Lake View Patch
photo - Lake View Patch
photo - Lake View Patch
photo - Lake View Patch




photos - Yelp










photo - Time Out Chicago

No Post Notes

Across the street to the south
The Lessing Apartments Annexcurrently the Green Brier Apartments
559 W Surf Street
photo - Chuckman Collection
Commodore (Lessing Annex) to the left and
Green Brier (Lessing) to the right both on Broadway/Surf
a 1923 Sanborn Fire Map view

photo above - Dream Town Realty
photo below - Garry Albrecht

News of the Lessing Apartments & Annex
in 1913
Then in 1916
Both building complexes were owned by the owner of the Fair Department Store located downtown. When Mr. Lehmann died in 1900 he was able his family inherited 10 million dollars. His family owned residences in Lake View.
In 1918
In 1942
War Time Conversion in 1944
In 1986
and across the street was ...
The Lessing Garage
postcard - Kent Bartram, a contributor to LakeView Historical-Facebook via Ebay
Surf Apartment Hotel
currently Britton Budd Apartments
501 W Surf Street


floor plans - Art Institute of Chicago
a 1918 advertisement
postcard below - Chicago Ancestors


matchbook - Ebay
1934 ad - Chicagoan Magazine
This 1923 Sanborn Fire Map also highlights
two apartment hotels

The Pine Grove Apartments Hotel
2828 N Pine Grove Avenue
rehabbed in 2011
2009 image - Google Maps
2018 photo - Jackie Jones via Pictures of Chicago-Facebook
501 W Surf Street


a 1918 advertisement
postcard below - Chicago Ancestors

matchbook - Ebay
1934 ad - Chicagoan Magazine
This 1923 Sanborn Fire Map also highlights
two apartment hotels
The Pine Grove Apartments Hotel
2828 N Pine Grove Avenue
rehabbed in 2011
2009 image - Google Maps
2018 photo - Jackie Jones via Pictures of Chicago-Facebook
that included the Brewster Apartment Hotel

a penthouse restaurant 1946 view - Chuckman Collection
photo - Open Chicago
photo - Celia: Her City
2018 photo - gregrobertssktepmt via Instagram


ABC Witness News video
photo - CBS Chicago local
photo - CBS Chicago local
photo - Chicago Tribune
photo above - DNAinfo
photo below - Huffington Post
2018 Google Earth view below
The Surfridge Apartments
Sheridan/Surf Hotel Apartments
421-425 W Surf
currently called
Reside on Surf
from a 1922 advertisement
and then across the street ...
The Surf Shore Apartments
426 W Surf

The Brewster Apartment Hotel
421-425 W Surf
currently called
Reside on Surf
from a 1922 advertisement
and then across the street ...
The Surf Shore Apartments
426 W Surf
a 2018 Google view ...
Wellington Arms Hotel
currently called 2970 Sheridan

The Brewster Apartment Hotel
photo - Wikipedia
'The rough-hewn Brewster Apartment Building dominates the area around Pine Grove and Diversey where I often shop. An early residential hi-rise built in the Romanesque style, it was touted at the time of its 1893 completion as “the world’s most perfect apartment house.”' - Celia: Her City
postcard - Chuckman Collection
View my Facebook album about this building
Originally called Lincoln Park Palace 1896
View my Facebook album about this building
Originally called Lincoln Park Palace 1896
A Charles R Childs Postcard - Ebay
both 2017 photos by Scott Cummings
Resold in 1900
This article indicates that the construction of the building took 3 years to accomplish due to the Depression of 1893

a penthouse restaurant 1946 view - Chuckman Collection

photo - Chicago Bar Project
apartments convert to condo's in 1979
photo - Connecting the Windy City
These unique apartments were commissioned by the publisher of American Contractor Magazine and completed in 1893 as the Lincoln Park Palace. Designed by Enoch Hill Turnock, the building has been featured in movies such as Child's Play, Running Scared and Hoodlum.
The Romanesque-Revival building was landmarked in 1982 and has maintained its original architectural integrity. The preserved interior features a manually-operated cage elevator and suspended glass-block walkways in a glass-roofed central atrium. - Open House Chicago
A 1979 Chicago Tribune advertisement
photo - Yo Chicago
photo - RentCafe
photo Celia: Her City
photo - Joanne Nemerovisk
photo - Open Chicago photo - Open Chicago
photo - Open Chicago
2018 photo - gregrobertssktepmt via Instagram

photo - Designslinger
2018 photo - Chris Cullen Photography
both photos - Celia: Her City
When the Water Tower Fell in 2013ABC Witness News video
photo - ABC 7 Chicago
photo - Architecture Chicago Plus Blog photo - CBS Chicago local
photo - CBS Chicago local
photo - Chicago Tribune
photo above - DNAinfo
photo below - Huffington Post
The Cambridge Apartment Hotel
The Rienzi Beer Garden & Cafe
an evolution from a Beer Garden to Residential Hotel
postcard image - Chuckman Collection
The Rienzi Beer Garden & Cafe
The beer garden may have been located on the northwest corner of Clark and Diversey Boulevard (Parkway) or the manufacturer of this postcard thought it was more market-able to list to tourists as a more recognizable street instead of Evanston Avenue (Broadway) in the late 19th century.
photo - Calumet 412
No Drinking after Midnight in 1916


photo - Calumet 412
No Drinking after Midnight in 1916
The above image is from the Riezni Cafe
photo - Chicago History in Postcards
New Building Same Location in 1922
...To a hotel of the same name by 1922
1920's postcard - Chuckman Collection
postcard - Chuckman Collection
a 1923 Sanborn Fire Map view
Business card front - Ebay
The hotel was located along Diversey Parkway east of Broadway, a half a block away from the old beer garden
matchbook image - Ebay
New Name with some Drama in 1923
It Began as a Wooded Area
From this same spot in 1860 stood the 'mustering' Civil War Camp called Camp Fry that was once referred to as the area of Wright Woods and later the subdivision of Wright Grove.
Constant Changes at this Corner
"On the second floor of the Rienzi, was a dance club that went thru a series of name changes in three decades. In 1923, a former manager of the Green Mill opened the Rendezvous. In 1928, the Rendezvous was padlocked by Federal Agents and shut down for a year. The Rendezvous reopened as the Aladdin, and then in the late 1930's became 'The Famous Door'. It became the Paddock Club in the 1940's, and then the [Curtiss Candy] building was torn down in 1982 to make way for the high rise condo" called Lincoln Park Plaza - Forgotten Chicago
A Mob Story at Rendezvous Cafe
apparently located in the Curtis Candy Building
Joe Lewis was for famous comedian of the roaring 20's who after his contract expired told the manager of the Green Mill that he was to sign a new contract with the manager of the New Rendezvous. As mentioned above the Green Mill's sponsor was the infamous Al Capone while the New Rendezous was under the control of his rival Bugs Moran. A story of drama of the roaring 1920's that came to Lake View.
The Rienzi Arcade
to be known as the Bensinger' Pool Hall decades later
images - Chuckman Collection
with different phone nbrs
A Redevelopment on the Corner in 1982
to be later called Lincoln Park Plaza
the evolution of this corner continues ...
In 2012 old plans become new again with the
re-development of Diversey-Broadway corner
In 2012 old plans become new again with the
re-development of Diversey-Broadway corner
with the Plans in 1926
The Park Lane Hotel
Matchbooks - Ebay
'This ‘beaux arts’ building was completed in 1927 and has been known over time as the Parc Lane Apartments, Sheridan-Surf Apartments and Diversey Harbor Apartments. Currently called 2850 Sheridan Apartments, this 12 story structure has a limestone base, a brick shaft and an elaborately ornamented terra cotta cornice.'
– Yo Chicago
The Barry 'Town Home' Apartments
That Corner Property Bought - 1916
A planned development 1923
view from the Lake Shore Drive expansion in 1937
with the hotel in the left
a 1936 view on the left - canopy entrance on Belmont
photo - UIC via Explore Chicago Collection
1927 advertisement
1924 blueprint advertisement
1924 photo - Chicago History Museum via Explore Chicago Collection with the General Sheridan monument in the forefront, The Belmont Hotel to the left,
and the Lockby Apartments to the right
- once the home of Mayor Big Bill Thompson
1924 photo of 'Directoire Dining Room' via Reside Living
postcard - Chicago History in Postcards
of the English Cocktail Lounge
photos - Yo Chicago & Chuckman Collection
photos - Yo Chicago & Chuckman Collection
a 1934 ad from the magazine called the Chicagoan
The Chicagoan
The Chicagoan 1931

The Chicagoan
The Chicagoan 1932
The Chicagoan
The Chicagoan
1927 postcard - Chuckman Collection
Robbery at the Belmont 1933



a vintage teapot - Ebay
images - Ebay

images - Ebay



photo - Ebay
100% cotton cloth guest towel








The Chicagoan
The Chicagoan 1933The Chicagoan 1931

The Chicagoan
The Chicagoan 1932
The Chicagoan
The Chicagoan
1927 postcard - Chuckman Collection
Robbery at the Belmont 1933



a vintage teapot - Ebay
images - Ebay

images - Ebay



photo - Ebay
100% cotton cloth guest towel
It measures approx. 27" long by 17" wide
images & text - Ebay

The Black Hawks patronized the hotel in 1947
photos - Ebay







The Chicagoan
The Chicagoan 1933
Home of Angelo Genna
‘The Belmont [Hotel] was the home of Angelo "Bloody
Angelo" Genna (February 3, 1898 - May 26, 1925) was a Chicago bootlegger
and organized crime leader during the Prohibition Era [1919-1933].
The leader of his own Sicilian crime family, he was best known for his war with the North Side Gang leader, Charles Dean O'Banion. Genna masterminded the assassination of O'Banion in November 1924. On May 26, 1925, Moran, Vincent "The Schemer" Drucci, and Hymie Weiss shot and wounded Genna numerous times during a high-speed car chase, causing Genna to crash his car into a lamp post at Hudson and Ogden Avenues. Angelo was rushed to the Evangelical Deaconess Hospital. When police asked Genna who shot him, he merely shrugged. He died shortly afterwards.’ - A contributed narrative from David M Laz via Original Chicago-Facebook
The leader of his own Sicilian crime family, he was best known for his war with the North Side Gang leader, Charles Dean O'Banion. Genna masterminded the assassination of O'Banion in November 1924. On May 26, 1925, Moran, Vincent "The Schemer" Drucci, and Hymie Weiss shot and wounded Genna numerous times during a high-speed car chase, causing Genna to crash his car into a lamp post at Hudson and Ogden Avenues. Angelo was rushed to the Evangelical Deaconess Hospital. When police asked Genna who shot him, he merely shrugged. He died shortly afterwards.’ - A contributed narrative from David M Laz via Original Chicago-Facebook
commercial resident of the hotel - Ebay
Remodeling the hotel in 1954
Matchbooks
images from Ebay 
Get Your Drink on @
The Cove-Belmont Hotel!
Bar Menu as of 1943 - Chuckman Collection
image - Chuckman Collection
a 1942 advertisement



The Cove
matchbooks front and back - Ebay
The Tango Room
1973-1986
photo - Ebay
Wine stewards, salad waiters, maitre d' with great escargot and Duckling A L'Orange and a list of 200 wines.
with Chef George Badonsky
image - Chuckman Collection
a 1942 advertisement


The Cove
matchbooks front and back - Ebay
The Tango Room
1973-1986
photo - Ebay
The Tango, an airy, romantic room in the Belmont Hotel
decorated with Andy Warhol’s Mao and art by Peter Max. It featured fresh fish all flown in from the East Coast.
photo - 'After the Pop' with article Wine stewards, salad waiters, maitre d' with great escargot and Duckling A L'Orange and a list of 200 wines.
with Chef George Badonsky
who began in Lake View with 'The Brewery' on 3100 block of Broadway in 1970 with its selection of
good beers, contemporary salads and great burgers, in a very hip and young
environment, full of greenery, it was way ahead of its time in the field of
what would be called later gastro-pubs for young and active crowds.
Renovated in 1972
A Then and Now View of the Main Lobby
a 1974 advertisement below
Reside Living and called it Belmont by Reside.
View more photos of the current look by Yo Chicago.
A Mob Story at Hotel Belmont
(February 3, 1898 - May 26, 1925) was a Chicago bootlegger and organized crime leader during the Prohibition era. The leader of his own Sicilian crime family, he was best known for his war with the North Side Gang leader, Charles Dean O'Banion. Genna masterminded the assassination of O'Banion in November 1924. On May 26, 1925, Moran, Vincent "The Schemer" Drucci, and Hymie Weiss shot and wounded Genna numerous times during a high-speed car chase, causing Genna to crash his car into a lamp post at Hudson and Ogden Avenues. Angelo was rushed to the Evangelical Deaconess Hospital. When police asked Genna who shot him, he merely shrugged. He died shortly afterwards. - David M Laz via Original Chicago-Facebook
His funeral in 1925
Alan Halfen via Forgotten Chicago-Facebook 1950's
Just beyond the famous Merry Garden Ballroom to the right
is a sign reading 'HOTEL' - the entrance on Sheffield
The hotel was located on the 4th through 6th floors of
the old Belmont-Sheffield Trust & Savings bank building on the Belmont
Avenue and Sheffield. The signage is visible in the distance - left side of
photo
photo - Chicago in Photograph
The Montfield Hotel which used to be located at 3146 North Sheffield on floors four through six struggled with vacancy until 1984, when a developer received a federal loan to convert the Montfield Hotel into 54 apartments, maintaining stores on the ground floor. The building was sold again to another developer and the upper floors were converted into loft condos in 2005, which are now listed at the address 3150 N Sheffield.
According to the article below the hotel and then later the entire upper floors were converted to apts by 1984.
The Diversey Arms Hotel
1951 view from Diversey Parkway with the
Hotel Rienzi in the far right
1923 Sanborn Fire Map of the area
1923 map zoomed of the 'filling station'
before the hotel was built in 1924
1950 Sanborn Fire Map of the hotel & Century Theater
Reorganization of Debt
The Great Depression of 1929 caused havoc to property values and the bond market as this 1932 article attests
1958 - from Chicago Past Collection
Diversey Arms Hotel located on the corner of Clark Street and Diversey Parkway is now the home of the Days Inn.
to the The Day's Inn ...
2016 photo - Day's Inn
'The Days Inn Chicago has been known by many names, like the "Rock and Roll Days Inn" and the "Chicago Boutique Hotel - Days Inn on Diversey," but its history is entirely one of a kind. Many performers have stayed at our Chicago hotel throughout the years, and few hotels can boast a guest list that includes Foo Fighters, Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Wilco, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Black Keys, to name but a few. Back in the day, bands staying at the hotel meant discolored bathtubs from hair dye, Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love…, Sheryl Crow rollerblading through the hotel lobby (not permitted), a front desk clerk doing laundry for the Goo Goo Dolls, Alanis Morissette bringing sushi to a front desk clerk, musicians sitting in the lobby playing the guitar.
Rock Performers Who Stayed There
The famous 'rockers' who have patronized the hotel are the following: Greg Allman, John Lee Hooker Jr, Radiohead, Alanis Morissette, Dave Mathews Band, Wilco,
Foo Fighters, Goo Goo Dolls, Cardigans, Smashing Pumpkins, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nirvana,Sheryl Crow, Nelly Furtado, Greg Allman, Ben Harper, and Ziggy Marley.'
- from their website as of 2016
- from their website as of 2016
main lobby
2016 photo - Garry Albrecht
main lobby
2016 photo - Garry Albrecht
2016 photo - Day's Inn
breakfast area next to mini gym
photo - Day's Inn
the suite welcome booklet
2016 photo - Garry Albrecht
main lobby
2016 photo - Garry Albrecht
2016 photo - Day's Inn
breakfast area next to mini gym
photo - Day's Inn
the suite welcome booklet
2016 photo - Garry Albrecht
The name, Hotel Versey, pays tribute to its original
namesake (The Diversey Arms), while playfully fusing in a tie to the hotel’s
V-shaped structure of its triangular city block, on the highly visible corner
of Clark Street, Broadway, and Diversey Parkway according to their website.
photos via Curbed Chicago

The Palis Brompton
aka Majestic Hotel

a this for that transaction 1924
main floor entrance area
2014photo - Majestic Hotel-Facebook
The Palis Brompton known currently as the Majestic Hotel is located on Brompton Avenue near Broadway Avenue across the street for the old Tilt Estate (Salvation Army training facility) - that is on corner Addison and Broadway Avenue.
Once located on corner of Wellington and Sheridan Road.
-post card front and back 1939 - CowCard
blueprint image - Art Institute of Chicago
The Barry Arms Hotel
635 W Barry Avenue with enlargement


with a 2015 Google View
The Lincoln Park Arms Hotel


matchbooks - Ebay
The Barry Avenue (residential) Hotel
The Lincoln Park Arms Hotel
2738 North Pine Grove Avenue
The Briar
open to the public 2018
This hotel is part of the Wrigley Field
renovations and planned development that began in 2014
edited image - Chicago Tribuneimage - Curbed Chicago
image - Hotel Zachary website
image - Hotel Zachary website
image - Hotel Zachary website
image - Hotel Zachary website
image - Hotel Zachary website
image - buildingupchicagodotcom
image - buildingupchicagodotcom
images - buildingupchicagodotcom
The Single Room Occupant Apartments
Those SRO's
An advertisement from the magazine called Gay Chicago (1970's?) highlighted the single rooms to rent that had locations across the landscape of the neighborhood. The last of the SRO's in LakeView were closed in 2013.
An advertisement from the magazine called Gay Chicago (1970's?) highlighted the single rooms to rent that had locations across the landscape of the neighborhood. The last of the SRO's in LakeView were closed in 2013.
These former 'resident hotels' were most often neglected buildings that landlord owners, in my opinion, would 'milk' from the poor or homeless on a day-to-monthly rate basis. Most if not all the mentions in the segment have been converted to market rate accommodations. Some are still affordable to the working poor.
built in 1925 according to Sanborn Fire Map

Belleaire Hotel

... and then a name change



Back of postcard reads:
Belair Hotel - 300 Rooms; each equipped with Private Bath, Single Rooms from $2.50 to $4.00. Excellent Transportation
- only 15 minutes to Down Town.
The Belair Hotel located at Diversey Parkway near Sheridan Road - Chicago History in Postcards - unknown date
Many flats or 'apartment hotels' were grand in style and amenities while many others were more simpler in design and luxuriates.
Kitchenettes were the rage in Chicago in 1930's
Matchbook - Ebay unknown date
View more photography of this former hotel via Flickr.
The new look for a former SRO/apartment hotel
The new look for a former SRO/apartment hotel


photo - Lake View Patch

The Sheffield House located at 3834 Sheffield Avenue and once known as the Hotel Carlos where the Cubs would stay in the early 20th century when in town for a game and was featured in the 1984 movie called The Natural.
July 6, 1932 - Cubs shortstop Billy Jurges is injured by a gunshot in a struggle over a handgun with showgirl Violet Valli at the Hotel Carlos ( where Jurges lived during the season). Jurges was romantically linked to Valli and he refused to press charges against her. He returned to the Cubs to play in the 1932 World Series.
July 6, 1932 - Cubs shortstop Billy Jurges is injured by a gunshot in a struggle over a handgun with showgirl Violet Valli at the Hotel Carlos ( where Jurges lived during the season). Jurges was romantically linked to Valli and he refused to press charges against her. He returned to the Cubs to play in the 1932 World Series.
- Greg Stewert via Original Chicago-Facebook
The Abbott Hotel
Abbott Hotel located on Belmont Avenue across the street to Mt. Carmel Parish and school with its' vintage marquee.
Once called the Bachelor Hotel
per this 1944-50 Sanborn Fire Map
Abbott Hotel - 2012
Pinterest contributor Richard Harold
According the Lake View Patch there was news in 2012 of Abbott's redevelopment by BJB comes after two other Lake View SRO hotels made headlines in the news. First, the Diplomat Hotel just down the street from the Abbott on Sheffield Avenue is confirmed to be breaking ground on an ultra-modern housing facility for people at risk of homelessness.
above photo - Jeff Z via Yelpbelow photo - Lake View Patch
Hotel Chateau

photo - Jeff Z via Yelp
Not for the faint at heart
By the 1980's became more colorful for some
and not for others. The hotel was one of a trio of buildings meant for men only crowd
This former Apartment Hotel would become controversy
These articles tell a tale about the colorful history of this single room hotel for rent
(click to enlarge articles)
Initially called The Broadway-Sheridan
The Chateau Hotel
postcard - Ebay
The original name of the hotel was the Broadway - Sheridan Hotel as of 1923. The owner, Albert Fuchs planned an a hotel complex that would wrap around the block with his classic style theater (Chateau Theater) to complete the 'wrap around' on Grace Street. Apparently, Mr. Fuchs did not complete the wrap-around of the area. The Fuchs family would move to California before finishing the final plan.
The complex of buildings struggled to survive by 1933

View the other neon signs of the area

The Chateau was the last remaining SRO in Lakeview, but it may not last. The building was a continuous topic in housing court and was shut down and resold. It still has 100 units of somewhat affordable rental housing according to Chicago Now. This apartment hotel had a connection with a bank robber named John Dillinger during the early years of the Great Depression. This article below tells a short tale.
The Protest about a Loss of Another SRO

photo - Lake View Patch
photo - Lake View Patch
photo - Lake View Patch
photo - Lake View Patch
photo - Lake View Patch

residents before the transition
A before and after of one of the rooms
photos - Lake View Patch
a protester in favor residents tenant rights
photo above - DNAinfo
Along with a podcast of the last SRO in Lake View
photo below - Ebay
The renovated building of the hotel is now the address of it


unknown date - image Ebay
This non-resident hotel was originally called the Sheffield Hotel located near the corner of Belmont at Sheffield Avenue
In 2011 the Department of Housing and Economic Development seeks proposals for the redevelopment of the former Diplomat Hotel into subsidized, studio supportive housing (SRO). The building is vacant and requires extensive remodeling. Successful respondents must be able to demonstrate experience in developing and managing supportive housing.
The City department will work with the successful respondent in structuring a financial package using various forms of tax credits and other financial assistance including sale of the property for $1.00. In 2014 this building is called the Buffet Place according to DNAinfo. Still many became homeless.
2005 photo - Wibiti.com
Resident Efrem Simmons homeless once again from the Diplomat Hotel
a transitional photo - Streetwise

In 2012 there were plans to transform the former Diplomat Hotel into housing for people with mental illness was officially moving forward after the City of Chicago recently sold the four-story building in Lake View to a development group for just one dollar.
the rehabbed building as of October 2013
The Diplomat used to have 99 units of affordable rental housing until it was shut down and vacated by the city in 2009 for numerous code violations. Former owner Jack Gore eventually lost the building to the city after accumulating more than $1 million in fines. The building will now be used by Thresholds social service agency and house 51 severely mentally ill people according to Chicago Now.
The Ambers Hotel
This building has been purchased by real-estate mogul Jamie Purcell. Purcell vacated it in 2012 and is converting it to high-end rental housing. This 250-unit SRO was closed in 2011 when it was purchased by real estate mogul, Jamie Purcell according to Chicago Now. This former flop-house was really crappy, shady place; lots of junkies &drug dealers hang in here. Some rooms had shared bathrooms.
Lincoln-Belmont Hotel
This hotel was closed in 2006, demolished and a condo building was built on the land by 2009.
Hotel Julian
This SRO last operated in 2005 and was replaced by a Pot Belly and Jamba Juice on street level with condos above. The Julian used to be owned by the Labunski family, who ran Cedar Realty. They also owned The Ambers Hotel, but sold both to alleged slumlord & political connected Jack Gore. The former hotel was adjacent to the Julian Theater that was also demolished in 2005 according to Chicago Now.
Bellwood Hotel

The Belmont Towers Apartments
during the 2010's
images - BJB Properties
BJB Properties bought a number for SRO's and renovated them during the 2010's. Below is their list in Lake View.
SRO to Hotel:
Best Western-Hawthorne
former Hawthorne Arms Hotel
Built in 1926
Notice of a New Hotel on Broadway
This blogger remembers in the early 1990's that his building located between a public parking garage and a grocery store was a less than colorful segment of Broadway Avenue located 1 1/2 blocks from my studio apartment building. Across the street is the Hawthorne Historical District. In 2005 Frommer's Guide called it a former flop house. This hotel chain did an excellent job rehabbing this eye sore in the mid-1990's.
Below are some articles of the buildings past.
This Hotel's Newsworthy Past:
A Gang Shooting in 1929
A Gang Shooting in 1929
and bank forgery in 1931
and yet more drama again in 1935
and once again in 1949
and once again in 1950
of Lake View
and once again in 1949
and once again in 1950
Montfield Hotel
3146 N Sheffield Avenue
Once located in former back building on Belmont/Sheffield with the main entrance off Sheffield next to the
Merry Dance Gardens. The hotel had the poor fortune to be build just before the Great Depression of 1929

view of the hotel in the distance next to Merry Gardens
photo - my personal collection
According to a Google search the hotel held 99 rooms.
3146 N Sheffield Avenue
Once located in former back building on Belmont/Sheffield with the main entrance off Sheffield next to the
Merry Dance Gardens. The hotel had the poor fortune to be build just before the Great Depression of 1929

view of the hotel in the distance next to Merry Gardens
photo - my personal collection
According to a Google search the hotel held 99 rooms.
photo below - the unoccupied Montfield Hotel
photo late 1970's? - Ebay
I have walked along Halsted Street past this vintage house for the last 20 years and always thought this as
my 'in-state' vacation get-away.
3222 N Sheffield Avenue
photo - Open House Chicago
Artwork from Misc. Work
photo - Grouponphoto - Time Out Chicago
photo - Chicago Architecture Fountain
This old 'brown stone' is located at 3222 North Sheffield Avenue. The owner of this B&B writes a simple blog about events in Lake View called Virginia's Little Guide.
Chicago Southport Suites
3452 N Sheffield Avenue
established in 2007 now closed
3452 N Sheffield Avenue
established in 2007 now closed

photo - Southport Corridor News & Events
the replacement - JoAnne Sells Chicago
According to Southport Corridor News and Events the biz closed in 2015. - advertised more as an Inn than a B&B. In 2016 the building was to be demolished for a new commercial development - with the rendering above.
Park Suite Guesthouse
1745 W Henderson Street
photos - their Facebook page
"Carefully renovated and decorated for our children's
grandparents to visit, the Park Suite Guesthouse is a two bedroom,1st floor
rental in the heart of Lakeview/Roscoe Village. Our family of five lives in the
duplex above."
No Post Notes
Important Note:
These posts are exclusively used for educational purposes. I do not wish to gain monetary profit from this blog nor should anyone else without permission for the original source - thanks!
No comments:
Post a Comment