WIN: Art Deco Lawson House Reopens After Comprehensive Renovation

Lawson House YMCA Building, 1934, 30 W. Chicago Avenue, Perkins, Chatten & Hammond. Photo Credit: Eric Allix Rogers

“More than 400 affordable micro apartments are now open in the Gold Coast after a two-year renovation of the former Lawson House YMCA.

“The 24-story art deco building, 30 W. Chicago Ave., was once the largest single-room-occupancy building in the city, with 583 apartments. It has been transformed into 406 micro apartments for low-income renters. The $128 million project in the heart of the Gold Coast includes amenities, on-site social services and a ground-floor retail space for lease.

“Part of the 19th floor roof is being converted into a rooftop terrace to be used as a program space for social service organizations as well as common shared space for residents, developers have said.

“Andy Muentes, one of those residents, moved to Chicago in 2019 and became homeless after his relationship ended, he said. Muentes lived at Pacific Garden Mission until he was given a room at the Lawson House, he said. At the time, Lawson House was single-room occupancy without private bathrooms or kitchens.

“‘I was really looking forward to coming back here. … I didn’t know what to expect, but as soon as I got here … there’s no other way to put it other than fantastic,’ he said.

“The Lawson House first operated as a full-service hotel with social services to help people through the Great Depression before shifting to housing after World War II.

“The building was sold to developer Peter Holsten in 2014 for $1 with an agreement to keep the building as affordable housing for at least 50 years. The renovation was completed by Holsten Real Estate Development Corporation and Holsten Human Capital Development.” (Mercado, Block Club Chicago, 4/2/24)

Read the full story at Block Club Chicago

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