“A renovation permit has been issued for the residential conversion of a former hotel at 601 W. Diversey in Lincoln Park. Planned by Validus Capital, the vacant hotel building stands at the southwest corner of W. Diversey Pkwy and N. Lehmann Ct and has been dormant for years.

“Designed by SPACE Architects + Planners and New York-based Lopergolo + Bartling Architects, the adaptive reuse and conversion will see the construction of 40 new apartments within the existing structure as well as a small retail space. There will be zero parking spaces as the adjacent parking lot is not included in the project and 40 bike parking spaces will be provided for residents.

“The Zoning Board of Appeals approved variations for the project including a variation to reduce the number of required off street parking spaces from forty to zero, a variation to reduce the required 10′ x 25′ loading spaces from one to zero, and a special use to allow residential below the second floor.” (Kugler, Urbanize Chicago, 2/4/26)

Preservation Chicago had been advocating for the preservation of 601 W. Diversey for over a decade through multiple proposals for demolition and replacement. We applaud the developer, Validus Capital, for adding 40 new residential units to Lincoln Park through the adaptive reuse of a historic building.

Preservation Chicago support the easing of zoning regulations to make the reuse of historic buildings easier and more attractive to developers. This redevelopment requires a zoning variation which required time, cost and risk. Developers often build to the existing zoning envelope and thresholds so that their developments are “as of right” and therefore not subject to zoning related complications.

Read the full story at Urbanize Chicago

• Reno permit issued for residential conversion at 601 W. Diversey, The former hotel will be converted into 40 apartments, Lukas Kugler, Urbanize Chicago, 2/4/26
• Zoning Approved For Residential Conversion Of 601 W Diversey Parkway In Lincoln Park, Ian Achong, Chicago YIMBY, 5/12/25
• ZBA approves variances for development at 601 W. Diversey; The building will be converted into 40 apartments, Lukas Kugler, Urbanize Chicago, 4/25/25
• Residential conversion planned for former hotel at 601 W. Diversey; The building will be converted into 40 apartments, Lukas Kugler, Urbanize Chicago, 4/7/25