Politics & Government

Hotel Chateau Heads to Court, Faces Closure

Rodents, bugs and countless other hazards found during an inspection might be the final straw for the location with a seedy past.

Hotel Chateau in Lake View is headed to court next month after a recent building inspection revealed a countless number of violations, and officials are saying there’s a possibility it might close its doors for good.

The single room occupancy hotel at 3838 North Broadway has long been a home to social service providers’ most difficult clients, from prisoners to mental health patients, and causes problems residents, business owners and government officials.

While business owner Jack Gore could not be reached for comment, Special Projects Manager Abby Sullivan with Ald. James Cappleman’s (46th) office said it’s up to Gore whether to close Chateau’s doors.

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“There was a big inspection this week, and they were written dozens of building violation tickets,” Sullivan said. “There were fire hazards, electrical issues, rodents, bugs and tons more… I think (closing) is a strong possibility. They’re either going to end up cleaning the place up and running it right, or just shutting it down. We’ll see. It depends on how seriously the owner takes this.”

“It’s a real problem, and we’ve tried to work with the owner and the manager... We don’t see them really changing.”

Cappleman’s office released a statement today notifying residents of the Nov. 13 court date, saying due to the number of public safety concerns associated with the hotel, the case is being followed by the 19th District Court Advocacy committee. Community members are “strongly encouraged” to attend the court date as well.

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And this isn’t the first time Gore has been in legal trouble with one of his properties. He also owned the Diplomat Hotel near the corner of Belmont and Sheffield avenues, a property that went through a nearly identical issue before its closure in 2010.

"The Diplomat Hotel here on Sheffield just north of Belmont was a residence hotel, but we had a lot of issues with crime, drugs and prostitution,” said Ald. Tom Tunney’s (44th) Chief of Staff Bennett Lawson. “The building itself became unsafe to the point where the city vacated it. The owner transferred it to the city in lieu of millions in fines that he had accumulated.”

The Diplomat is now being transformed into an ultra-modern housing facility for residents at risk of homelessness.

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And according to Sullivan, many business owners and residents near Hotel Chateau may be hoping for a closure. While maintaining affordable housing on the North Side is important to the Ald. Cappleman, Sullivan says there are SRO’s that are run very well, and Hotel Chateau is not one of them.

“Some of the business owners in that area have some real concerns about keeping their businesses open and the clientele at Hotel Chateau because people are worried about visiting that area,” Sullivan said. “It’s a real problem, and we’ve tried to work with the owner and the manager. It got a little bit better, and then it got worse. We don’t see them really changing.”

Anyone interested in attending the Nov. 13 court date can RSVP and receive more information by contacting the 19th District CAPS office at 312-742-8770 or the Alderman's office at 773-878-4646. Information on the case will also be provided at the next Court Advocacy committee meeting, which will be held in the 19th District community room on Tuesday, Oct. 30, at 6 p.m.

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