BJB Shares Snapshots of What Chateau, Abbott Hotels May Look Like

While construction just began at both the Chateau and Abbott hotels in Lake View, new building manager BJB Properties released photos of what the updated units could look like.

Just more than two years ago a very similar story unfolded at Lake View’s Bel Air Hotel, a single-room occupancy building at 424 W. Diversey Parkway. BJB purchased the 250-unit structure, transforming it into market-rate housing.

Now a spokesperson with the property management team says residents can expect a similar gut-rehab transformation at both the Abbott and Chateau. BJB purchased the two roughly 10 months ago.

“BJB Properties manages the renovations of buildings providing a clean, safe, affordable alternative for senior citizens, students and those with moderate incomes transforming previously blighted, single-room occupancy buildings into positive neighborhood assets,” BJB wrote in a statement.

“Previous building owners have taken advantage of lower-income people and charged unwarranted rent for apartments which were by most standards uninhabitable,” they continued. “Some properties have had as many as 130 code violations. The company is rehabbing all the buildings they manage to create a better living environment for residents and their neighbors.”

The statement comes after local organizations like the Lakeview Action Coalition rallied against BJB’s move to purchase the buildings, saying they were eliminating low-income housing.

BJB, on the other hand, says the rehabbed apartments will not be luxury, but for people with average incomes. They add that they’re working with non-profit organizations like Catholic Charities and Thresholds to assist with former residents’ transitions and housing needs.

Neighbors and local business owners have also sounded off on the Chateau's eviction, saying they feel the area feels safer since BJB purchased the building.

Flip through the photo gallery to see the inside of the former Bel Air Hotel, in addition to what each of the buildings once looked like inside.