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Developer of Gay Hotel in Lakeview Says He's Still Pursuing Project

By Serena Dai | January 8, 2014 12:36pm
 Parkview Developers debuted another rendering of the Out Hotel on Aug. 14 after Belmont Harbor Neighbor's board unanimously rejected a downsized plan. 
Most Recent Out Hotel Renderings
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BOYSTOWN — The developer of a proposed LGBT-focused boutique hotel still wants the project to happen despite months of silence regarding an updated design.

Ian Reisner of Parkview Developers debuted his idea for The Out Hotel Chicago last April, and since Ald. Tom Tunney (44th) rejected the design in September, Reisner's stayed quiet on the project, leaving neighbors and business owners curious about whether the development will still happen.

The project even got a shout-out in an Out Traveler magazine write-up about why Boystown is the world's best gay neighborhood in 2013.

Reisner, who already owns an Out hotel in New York, said he is still pursuing the $30 million Chicago project, but more details won't be available until at least February.

He has "not abandoned" the proposed location, 3343 N. Halsted St., he said in an email.

Local business owners supported the hotel with hopes that it would revive Boystown as an LGBT-destination.

But many neighbors opposed the 79-foot, eight-story hotel for its size, saying the bulk didn't fit the character of the neighborhood. After months of community meetings and several redesignsTunney agreed and asked Reisner for a "more cohesive" design or to look at other locations.

Reisner would not comment on whether he's focused on redesigning for 3343 N. Halsted St. or on finding a new location.