This Post includes
Apartment Hotels,
SRO's
and Bed &
Breakfasts
Some Perspectives:
Apartment Hotel
The Reasons & Benefits
Residential hotels gave Chicago's 'residents of modest means' an access and social interaction with some of the wealthiest residents of the city Until 1930, people with
comfortable incomes might move to Chicago and never live anywhere except in a
hotel. A room or suite of rooms in a palatial hotel (for the rich) or a
middle-priced hotel (for those of middle income) were luxurious, conveniently
located, and cheaper than maintaining a private house in the city.
Where did the Residential Hotel Come from?
High profile high rise buildings in North Side (and lake shore) neighborhoods make up a big segment of Chicago’s most visible housing stock. These days they tend to make headlines by being transformed from dingy and unsafe low-rent units into trendy micro apartments but where did these very small living spaces come from originally? Until the advent of the passenger elevator, nearly all multi-unit housing in the US was considered undesirable and low class. However, once residents no longer needed to hike up the stairs, the idea of living high above street level rapidly changed from a burden to a feature.
1924 advertisement - unknown source
The
new luxury apartment buildings constructed after 1880 allowed for all of the
traditional trappings of wealth (people to answer the door, make deliveries,
clean and prepare meals) to be efficiently combined the newest technology
(electricity, central heat and cooling, telephones) that was difficult to
install in existing grand homes. Sharing
the services of doorman, cooking and cleaning staff, even made the expected
luxury service more economical, especially for owners of residences in multiple
cities or countries who often left a household closed for much of the year. The
new residential apartment buildings allowed people to live in the maximum
amount of luxury they could afford – varying in size and scope. Some of the new
residential high rises contained the full range of rooms found in an individual
home.
In the 1920’s new residential towers were constructed which matched the
ornate exterior of their predecessors and kept up appearances with a well-staffed
ground floor with ornate lobby and amenities, but had much smaller
apartments above. Mid-priced residential hotels were ideal havens for young
single workers of both genders who either lived in cities far from their
families or simply wished for residential independence. Per Paul Groth’s Living
Downtown, “the working women in the better hotels were predominantly teachers,
buyers in department stores, executives in other businesses, writers,
librarians, private secretaries, social workers, or women politicians.” Living
in a hotel freed them from the duties of maintaining their own household.
The Politics of Place: A History of Zoning
in Chicago
The 'Intensive'
Apartment Hotel
below are some excerpts
rendering - Art Institute of Chicago via Explore Chicago
The Utilization of Space
The Murphy Bed
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. -
Finding the Right Apartment
in 1927
Hotel
Advertisements
X marks residential Hotel in Lake View
Wellington Arms/Melrose/Belmont
.jpg)
.jpg)
X marks residential Hotel in Lake View
The largest concentration of apartment hotels
appears to be on Surf Street, Pine Grove Avenue.
Diversey Parkway, and Broadway
The Lessing
Apartment-Hotel
& Lessing Annex
Lessing Apartments
northeast
and across the street
Lessing Annex Apartment
southeast
located on both sides of Surf Street/(Evanston Avenue) Broadway
1910 postcards - Chuckman Collection
Lessing Annex above
Lessing Annex below
The Lessing/Greenbriar was built in 1901
the Lessing Annex/Commodore was built a year later
1923 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map
*new names vs old names on map*
2018 Google Earth view below
view is east/south along Broadway
In Brief
The Lessing Apartments was marketed to an upscale clientele and had 86 apartments, some of them with as many with eight rooms each. Architect Edmund R. Krause broke the huge six story complex into a series of projecting units with deep, but narrow, courts between them to provide light and ventilation. The roman-brick façade was organized into the classic three-part design of the Chicago School and is minimally decorated although there is a nifty oculus [eye-like design] centered at the top of each projecting bay. - Windy City
Postcard of the Lessing Annex/Commodore
along with a postcard view of the
Lessing/GreenBrier below
both postcards - Ebay
view of the Commodore (Lessing Annex) Apartments
from the GreenBrier (Lessing Apartments)
and below with the view of the
former Surf Ridge Apartments to the left of this photo
And in 1944
1986
postcard below - Chicago Ancestors
matchbooks - Ebay
This 1923 Sanborn Fire Map 
The Pine Grove
1950
zoomed view below
.png)
Fountian in the West Lobby
The Main Lobby #1
Jacobean Ceiling with English Renassance Paneling
the Directoire Dining Room
The Main Lobby #2
1927 photo - Chicago and The Midwest/Newberry Library
1928 photo - Chicago and The Midwest/Newberry Library
the then and the now view
1927 postcard - Chuckman Collection
a vintage teapot - Ebay
images - Ebay
images - Ebay
photo - Ebay
100% cotton cloth guest towel
Home of Angelo Genna
images from Ebay
1930's plate 
photo - 'After the Pop'
Wine stewards, salad waiters, maitre d' with great escargot and Duckling A L'Orange and a list of 200 wines
A Renovated Again
1976 ad - Chicago Tribune
photos - Suntimes via Chicago History Museum
Ron Tee 
.jpg)
reverse side
matchbook - part of my collection
1950
zoomed view below
also once
main lobby
2016 photo - Garry Albrecht
main lobby
2016 photo - Garry Albrecht
2016 photo - Day's Inn
breakfast area next to a mini gym
photo - Day's Inn
Website Photos
The Belmont Ave Hotel 
above photo - Jeff Z via Yelp
below photo - Richad Dixon
Gang History
photos - Lake View Patch
2014
2015
photo - Allan via Flickr
zoomed below
zoomed below
1950 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map
photos - Tripadvisor
1950 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map
zoomed below
Notice of a New Hotel on Broadway
in 1926
photo - Groupon
photo - Time Out Chicago
photo below - Chicago Architecture Fountain
was the largest luxury apartment buildings
in the city at one time and once owned by the largest land owners in Lake View at the time, the Lehmann Family
Sold again and
with smaller apartments in mind
in 1942
Same Owner but New Purpose
advertisements
1985
Luxury Living
for over $1.2k per Month
in 1986
and
next to the Lessing Annex/Commodore
were/are ....
The Surfridge Apartment-Hotel
currently the
Some Excitement
in 1929
photo below - Surf Hotel
The Surf
Apartment Hotel
currently called
(enlarge with link)
a 1918 advertisement below
a 1929 ad
matchbooks - Ebay
1934 ads below - Chicagoan Magazine
highlights
both the Surf Apartment Hotel
both the Surf Apartment Hotel
and
Pine Grove Apartment Hotel
Apartment Hotel
2828 N Pine Grove Avenue
2828 N Pine Grove Avenue
currently called
2828 N Pine Grove
rehabbed in 2011
2009 view - Google Maps
2018 photo - Jackie Jones via Pictures of Chicago-Facebook
zoomed below
zoomed below
1923
zoomed below
a penthouse restaurant 1946 view - Chuckman Collection
both 2017 photos by Scott Cummings
photos - Open Chicago
photo - Celia: Her City
2018 photo - gregrobertssktepmt via Instagram 
2018 photo - Chris Cullen Photography
When the Water Tower.jpg)
.jpg)
1927 zoomed photo - Chicago and Midwest/Newberry Library
.jpg)
.jpg)
Grant Awarded to Rehab
2018 photo - Jackie Jones via Pictures of Chicago-Facebook
below photo - Chris Cullen
Respectful of its Nieghbors
in 1923
Sheridan/Surf
Apartment-Hotel
from a 1922 advertisement
The Surf Shore
Apartment-Hotel
currently called
426 W Surf
photo - Apartments.com
.jpg)
a 2018 Google view below
Chesterfield
Apartment-Hotel
553 W Oakdale Avenue
1950 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map
rotated view
.jpg)
a 1922 notice
Wellington Arms
Apartment-Hotel
currently called
The Cambridge
Apartment-Hotel
postcard - Calumet 412
1923 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map
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 north on Pine Grove Avenue
Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps
1894
with a 'house on roof'
The construction of the Lincoln Plaza
was delayed for years due to a death
A Charles R Childs Postcard - Ebay
view north on Pine Grove Avenue
a penthouse restaurant 1946 view - Chuckman Collection
photo - Chicago Bar Project
Apartments to Condo's
in 1979
photo - Connecting the Windy City
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 below - Joanne Nemerovisk
Interior Views
both photos - Celia: Her City
fell into the parking lot
in 2013
ABC Witness News video
photo - Architecture Chicago Plus Blog
photos - CBS Chicago local
photo - Chicago Tribune
photo above - DNAinfo
photo below - Huffington Post
zoomed view below
before the Apartment-Hotel
it was the Rienzi Cafe
.jpg)
postcard above - Ebay
zoomed below
Some Drama
ABC Witness News video
photo - ABC 7 Chicago
photo below - Huffington Post
The Rienzi
Apartment-Hotel
from cafe/beer garden to a hotel
The Rienza began as a beer garden cafe by the turn of the 20th century and then developed to a hotel by the mid 1920's
postcard - Chuckman Collection
The Rienza Company owned land on northeast corner of
Evanston Avenue (Broadway) and Diversey Parkway
Hotel was Constructed
by 1923
postcard - Chuckman Collection
business card - Ebay
matchbook - Ebay
Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps 1923
X marks the spot
it was the Rienzi Cafe
northeast corner of Diversey & Evanston Aveune (Broadway)
with a beer garden
Seasonal Views:
postcards - Chuckman Collection
A Chicago Daily Tribune
Advertisements below
1903 advertisment above
1904 advertisement below
1905 advertisement below
1914 advertisement below
Prohibition
began in 1919
postcards - Chicago History in Postcards
.jpg)
a beer garden postcard below - Chuckman Collection
The Rienzi Cafe
was Sold
but the property remained in the company's hands
The Rendez-ous Cafe was one of many owners during the roaring 1920's most with dubious historical accounts
1923 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map
in 1923
photo - Made in Chicago Muesum
A Mob Story
at Rendez-vous Cafe
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 Rendez-vous. The Green Mill, located in Uptown, was sponsored by the infamous Al Capone while the New Rende-zous was under the control of his rival Bugs Moran. Both establishments were very popular.
A narrative of that drama during the roaring 1920's was made into a movie starring Frank Sinatra in 1957.
The Corner's
Evolution
The corner of Broadway and Diversey where the Riezni Cafe once stood was replaced by the Curtiss Candy building by 1929
with the Rienzi Hotel at the far right edge of photo
A Re-development of the Corner
once again in 1982
to be later called Lincoln Park Plaza
with this latest development all trace of the corner, the cafes & hotel were gone only the name remained but only temporary
The Evolution of this Corner
Continues as of 2018
still a planned development
not realized as of 2023
This planned development was planned before Walgreens moved directly across the street on Broadway
photos - 44th ward development page
2021 Google view below
zoomed below
.jpg)
postcard - Ebay
a 1926 view below
.jpg)
The Chicagoan 1929
and below
The Chicagoan 1930
1931 - Chicago Magazine
upside down view
inside flap
.jpg)
.jpg)
matchbooks - Ebay
and
one of their dining rooms
both images - Ebay
The Montfield Hotel
3146 N Sheffield Avenue
This article mentions 200 residents of a six story building with a 120 units
(an apartment-hotel)
currently called
postcard - Chicago History in Postcards
That Area
in 1869
According to the article below the Young Family apparently purchased the land by the 1850's decades before the extention of Lincoln Park northward and the construction of Sheridan Road as well as Lake Shore Drive. Miss Ellen Young sold the property in 1916 to Mrs Alice Barrett who sold it to McLennan Construction for the sole purpose for the construction of the Hotel Belmont.
Property Vacant for Decades
A Planned Development
in 1923
Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps
1923
kk
1924 photo - Chicago History Museum via Explore Chicago Collection with the General Sheridan monument in the forefront, The Hotel Belmont to the left,
and the Lochby Apartments to the right
The Lochby Apts were once the home of Mayor Big Bill Thompson
Architectural Form
1924 photos
.png)
exterior terra cotta detailing
along with the Lochby Apartments to the right across
from Belmont Avenue
view west on Belmont / west of inner Lake Shore Drive
1936 photo - UIC via Explore Chicago Collection
1927 advertisement
photo below - Chicago History Museum
1930 ad - Chicagoan
1931 ad - Chicagoan
postcard - Chicago History in Postcards
of the English Cocktail Lounge
photos - Yo Chicago & Chuckman Collection
photos - Yo Chicago & Chuckman Collection
advertisements from early 20th century magazine
called the Chicagoan
1931 ad - Chicagoan
1931 ad below
text zoomed below
a vintage teapot - Ebay
photo - Ebay
It measures approx. 27" long by 17" wide
images & text - Ebay
The Black Hawks Girls
patronized the hotel
in 1947
photos - Ebay
1933 advertisements
from the Chicagoan
‘The Belmont [Hotel] was the home of Angelo "Bloody
Angelo" Genna (February 3, 1898 - May 26, 1925) 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.’
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.’
- via David M Laz /Original
Chicago-Facebook
A Showroom
in 1935
1932 advertisement
from the Chicagoan
Hotel Matchbooks
matchbook - Chuckman Collection
The Cove
within the
Belmont Hotel
Bar Menu as of 1943 - Chuckman Collection
image - Chuckman Collection
photos - James Hiller
.jpg)
reverse side
matchbook - Ebay
.jpg)
a 1942 advertisement
Hotel Remodeling
in 1954
The Mansion House
within the hotel
1961 ad - Ebay
.jpg)
within the Hotel Belmont
photo - Ebay
Tango opened in 1973 in the Belmont hotel, a very
attractively designed double-room large place which combined a very good and
creative blend of contemporary seafood and " nouvelle" cuisine and
high quality entertainment. The art on the walls, parts of his own collection,
and some occasional famous entertainers such as "Bricktop", a
spectacular singer who had a great early career in Paris contributed to some of
our memorable dinners in the 70s. The restaurant later on had financial and
lease problems and had to close abruptly in 1986.
Wine stewards, salad waiters, maitre d' with great escargot and Duckling A L'Orange and a list of 200 wines
A Renovated Again
a 1974 advertisement below
1975 ad - Chicago Tribune
Harold Washington
Campaigning at the Belmont
in 1983
Transition
in 1995
A Then and Now View
a view from the penthouse
then in 1929 and now
negative - Chicago History Musuem
photo - Yo Chicago
the hotel sold candy??
1929 full page ad - Ebay
listings below - 1929 Patent Office
The
Montfield
Hotel
once located at
3146 N Sheffield Avenue
(the hotel sign lower right)
Alan Halfen via Forgotten Chicago-Facebook 1950's
photo below - 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. Apparently the former hotel and then later the entire upper floors were converted to rental apartments by 1984. The building was sold again to another developer and the upper floors were converted into loft condos in 2005, which were listed with the address of 3150 N Sheffield
current views
by Zillow
The Rex
Hotel
once located at
3118-28 N Ashland Avenue
photo - Ron Tee via
Chicagoland Before We Were Born History Group
via Chicagoland Before We Were Born History Group
1950 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map below of the general area that included Belmont Theater and Burley Public School
zoomed below
that included a bowling area and billards
The Diversey Arms
Apartment-Hotel
currently called
postcard - Chicago History in Postcards
business card - Ebay
.jpg)
1925 photo - Calumet412
and below
a 1951 east view on Diversey Parkway
west of Broadway
via Gregg Russell/Forgotten Chicago
Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps
Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps1923
one year before the building construction
1958 photo below - Chicago Past Collection
also once known as
The Day's Inn
referred to as
'Rock 'en Roll Days 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 Here
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 Day's Inn website as of 2016
2016 photo - Garry Albrecht
2016 photo - Garry Albrecht
photo - Day's Inn
the suite welcome booklet
2016 photo - Garry Albrecht
currently called
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.
The Palis Brompton
Hostelry
*a hostelry is a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers*
currently called
both across the street from
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish
A Modern 21st Century Hotel
This hotel was part of the Wrigley Field renovations
edited map - Chicago Tribune
edited map - Chicago Tribune
illustration - Curbed Chicago
illustrations - Hotel Zachary website
Interior Views
Construction Photos
photos - buildingupchicagodotcom
An advertisement from the magazine called Gay Chicago (1970's?) highlighted the single rooms to rent that had locations
photo - Lake View Patch
The Vanishing
SRO's in Lake View
Single Room Occupancy Apartments
once known as Apartment-Hotels
across the landscape of our neighborhood.
These former 'apartment hotels' were most often neglected buildings. 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. while a very few are still affordable to the working poor & transient.
in 2011
in 2013
photos - Lake View Patch 2013
Belleaire Hotel
built in 1925 according to Sanborn Fire Map
... and then a slight name change to
.jpg)
The Belair Hotel
postcards - Chicago History in Postcards
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.
Many of these 'apartment hotels' were grand in style and amenities while many others were more simpler in design and luxuriates.
.jpg)
matchbook - Ebay
Kitchenettes were the rage
in Chicago in 1930's
Sheffield House Hotel
the former Carlos Hotel
once the home of the Cubs when in town
currently called
3834 Sheffield
photo - Lake View Patch
The Sheffield House was 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.
- Greg Stewert via Original Chicago-Facebook
The Abbott Hotel
referred as a
Abbott Hotel is located across the street to Mt. Carmel Parish and school with its' vintage marquee now just a memory
photo below - Connecting the Windy City
1950 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map
zoomed below
Abbott Hotel - 2012
Richard Harold via Pinterest
below photo - Richad Dixon
photo below - Jeff Z via Yelp
A School Proximity in 1982
Initially called
The Broadway-Sheridan
postcard - Ebay
postcard - Ebay
The complex of buildings
struggled to survive in 1933
An Artist View
via Flickr
in 1934
unknown source & date photo
The Protest
about the Loss of Another SRO
in 2014
photos - Lake View Patch
the final days
in 2014
residents before the transition
a protester in favor residents tenant rights
photo above - DNAinfo
photo below - Ebay
The name of renovated building
is now the address of it
BJB photos below
The Diplomat Hotel
currently called
This hotel was originally called the
Sheffield Hotel
photo unknown date - Ebay
in 2014
The Diplomat one had 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. - DNAinfo
photo below - Bert Haird via Flickr
In 2011 the Department of Housing and Economic
Development sought proposals for the development of the former Diplomat Hotel
into subsidized, studio supportive housing (SRH). The building was at the time
vacant and required extensive remodeling. Successful respondents were to 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. - DNAinfo
2005 photo - Wibiti.com
Formerresident Efrem Simmons homeless
once again this time from the Diplomat Hotel
a transitional photo - Streetwise
The Ambers Hotel
currently called
photo - Yelp
photo below - Sam Harrod via Forgotten Chicago-Facebook
BJB Photos
Lincoln-Belmont Hotel
3245 N Ashland
This hotel was closed in 2006, and then demolished
A condo building was built in its place by 2009
1950 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map
Hotel Julian
924 W Belmont Avenue
referred to as at the time as
This hotel was next to the Julian Theater
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
1950 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map
with the theater of the same name east/right on map
Parkway
operated by Heartland Alliance
built in 1927
operated by Mercy Housing
Updated details have been revealed for a new residential
expansion to an existing building at 3150 N Racine Avenue in Lake View. Located
on the southwest corner with W Belmont Avenue, the existing building is owned
and operated by Mercy Housing as supportive apartments. Developer Belray
Limited has tapped local designer Landon Bone Baker for the expansion to the
affordable housing project that will replace the adjoining parking lot with
added units. Located directly west of the existing structure, the four-story
addition will match the roofline without any ornamentation and bring an
additional 35 SRO units while completely removing all of the on-site parking.
With a total of 95 units in the end, it is unsure if Mercy will continue to offer
supportive housing for the homeless on-site, but residents will continue to
have access to laundry facilities, communal rooms and kitchen, art therapy, and
leadership programs.
3150 N. Racine Building 2024 Update
from 32nd Ward Office
Alderman Waguespack worked closely with Mercy Housing to improve and expand the existing Single Room Occupancy (SRO) residential building at 3150 N. Racine. The Alderman approved a zoning change in 2022 enabling the expansion of the building into the adjacent surface parking lot. This plan will add 16 units, for a total number of 86 permanently affordable units. Prior to the zoning approval, the Alderman arranged for a presentation by the developer to South Lakeview Neighbors, who voted to approve the project. After several attempts to secure financing, Mercy recently received a Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) award from the City. The plans include a complete interior renovation of the existing units. The scale and height of the new building will be consistent with the context and character of the existing structure and the balance of the block.
Currently owned by
BJB Properties
the former SRO's
as of 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.
From an
Apartment-Hotel
to a SRO
to a Guest Hotel:
formerly called
Hawthorne Arms Hotel
zoomed below
in 1926
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 of a building in the mid-1990's.
Flooded Hotel
in 1928
A Gang Shooting
in 1929
A Women Buyer
in 1930
112 rooms in hotel
A Bank Forgery Resident
in 1931
Bandit Shots a Clerk
in 1935
Resident Rob in Hotel
in 1949
Rob Clerks
in 1950
An Expansion 
1926 photo - Chicago History Museum
The Embassy Hotel%20(2).png)
%20(1).png)
.png)
At Auction
in 1956
Next Door
a planned development
in 2021
Across the Street
in Lincoln Park Community ...
The Commonwealth Hotel
est. 1924
when this area was still referred to as the
District of Lake View
1923 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map
zoomed
photo above - UIC via Explore Chicago Collection
1923 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map
highlighting both the Commonwealth & Embassy hotels
est. 1922
across the street from the Brewster
when this area was still referred to as the
District of Lake View
%20(2).png)
zoomed below
%20(1).png)
.png)
1923 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map
zoomed
The Bed
& Breakfast's
of Lake View:
I have walked along Halsted Street past this vintage house for the last 20 years and always thought this should be
my 'in-state' vacation get-away
The guesthouse, built in 1892, is situated in the back of the property with a beautiful seasonally-landscaped front yard where you can relax or have breakfast in the morning - their website
photo - Open House Chicago
Artwork - Misc. Work
photo below - Chicago Architecture Fountain
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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!
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