New Design for Boytown’s OUT Hotel Aims for Approval

Developers behind the proposed OUT Chicago Urban Resort in Boystown are coming back with new designs yet again after neighbors shot down the project in July.

Ian Reisner and architects at Koo and Associates introduced the renderings Thursday showing a more rounded black exterior, more windows and even another version in the original white color.

The building still retains a lot of what Reisner introduced to Belmont Harbor Neighbors last month when he revealed the smaller 8-story building over Wood, rather than over Sidetrack. The building at 3343 N. Halsted St. was once proposed to be 12 stories, then was reduced to 10, followed by another cut at neighbors’ request.

Softening the building’s harsh edges is a move Reisner and his architects made in hopes of swaying residents to back the OUT hotel. In July, Belmont Harbor Neighbors’ 5-person board unanimously decided not to recommend the resort to Ald. Tom Tunney (44th) because some thought it didn’t fit in with Lake View.

“You’re trying to fit too large of a hotel into a space that it’s not suited for, and with all do respect to the architecture firm and your views on iconic Chicago architecture, this is not going to be an icon of Chicago architecture,” BHN member John Black said at the meeting.

But Reisner disagreed, saying he's introducing a multi-million dollar development that would only increase safety in a neighborhood faced with crime.

• Follow Patch on Facebook and Twitter for More News!

“I'm bringing a major lifestyle resort to a neighborhood might increase property values,” Reisner said. “I don’t hear other people talking about bringing a major resort to a neighborhood with high crime, that has businesses that are telling me their business is down. So I’m surprised I’m not hearing anyone speak about the vibrancy a 4-star hotel would bring to the neighborhood.”