Boystown May get 100-Room ‘Straight-Friendly’ Hotel

Owners of THE OUT NYC hotel in New York City are planning to open a new hotel, including retail spaces and a restaurant, in the heart of Boystown, organizers with the Triangle Neighbors Association confirm.

Parkview Developers, the group behind the new hotel, say they’re interested in constructing the 6-story development on the 3300 block of North Halsted Street. The more than 100-room design would incorporate Minibar on the ground floor, and be built with access into Sidetrack, Redeye reports.

That’s combined with plans for a glass-enclosed courtyard, restaurant, retail store “bOUTique” and a spa. The entire concept for the project is centered on being “straight-friendly,” meaning everything will cater to the LGBT community.

Developers with the project plan to present their vision on Thursday at 7 p.m. in the 19th district Police Station.

"Our master plan identifies we need more hotels in the area, so if the space could work with the right kind of anchor tenants, height and zoning, we’re on board."

Rumblings that OUT NYC hotel developer Ian Reisner was planning a hotel concept for Boystown have been ongoing for more than a year, with Reisner telling Patch in February there was no deal.

“There has not been any finalization or confirmation surrounding a deal in Boystown and therefore we are unable to share any information at this time,” said OUT NYC representative Bryan Hansen in February. “…For the time being, we appreciate your patience and look forward to hopefully sending you good news in the near future.”

But now that development plans for potential hotel are off the ground, it could mean big things for Lake View. A study of the community has long identified itseriously lacks hotels, a part of the reason why the Ricketts Family now plan to open one near Wrigley Field.

One was also planned in the Addison Park on Clark development, but the developer behind that project recently announced the hotel deal fell through.

Officials with Ald. Tom Tunney’s office say a hotel in Boystown, however, might be just what the community needs.

“I actually followed up and saw the product, and it’s great,” said Chief of Staff Bennett Lawson. “It’s very boutique. Our master plan identifies we need more hotels in the area, so if the space could work with the right kind of anchor tenants, height and zoning, we’re on board.”

Check with Patch later this week for more details on the hotel concept from Thursday’s meeting.  

Follow Us on Facebook!