Tunney Rejects Boystown Hotel, Suggests Looking at New Locations

The OUT Chicago Urban Resort planned in the heart of Boystown may not be getting the green-light any time soon after Ald. Tom Tunney (44th) reportedly put the kibosh on the current proposal.

The $30 million LGBT hotel has faced controversy in the past, first receiving praise from North Halsted business owners, and then being unanimously shut down by Belmont Harbor Neighbors. Following that, neighborhood group Triangle Neighbors voiced their support for the hotel.

But now Tunney’s communications director says the alderman doesn’t think the hotel’s design fits the neighborhood, and Parkview Developers Principal Ian Reisner should head back to the drawing board, according to DNAinfo Chicago.

"The alderman would like them to look at other locations in the neighborhood and change the design to be more cohesive," Duffy told DNAinfo.

Reisner and architects Koo and Associates came back with new designs in August after BHN voted against the 8-story hotel at 3343 N. Halsted St. They shored  a more rounded black exterior, more windows and even another version in the original white color.

In addition, Reisner has said multiple times in the past that moving the project to another location in Boystown isn’t an option. He insists that he’s contacted the owner of every viable piece of property on Halsted, and the space above Mini Bar is the only location that will work.