A planned 12-story hotel at 1528 N Wells Street in Old Town is once again progressing, as indicated by a recent demolition permit issued for the site’s remaining structure. The permit, granted at the beginning of this month, lists National Wrecking Company as the contractor and will involve the removal of a three-story building at 1520 N Wells Street. The replacement hotel, which received its initial foundation permit in 2022, will add 203 rooms along the Wells Street commercial corridor.
Existing structure at 1520 N Wells Street via Google Maps
The Duke of Wells. Rendering by Pappageorge Haymes
The Duke of Wells. Rendering by Pappageorge Haymes
The Duke of Wells. Rendering by Pappageorge Haymes
Condor Partners is the developer, while Pappageorge Haymes is the architect. The 151-foot structure, to be named ‘The Duke of Wells’, will be designed with multiple terraced setbacks throughout. The facade will complement the surrounding architecture, featuring red and dark gray brick and eight-foot loft-inspired windows. As indicated on the developer’s website, Summer Thornton is responsible for the interior design, which will blend classically-inspired elements with modern finishes.
The Duke of Wells lobby lounge. Drawing by Summer Thornton
The Duke of Wells guest room. Drawing by Summer Thornton
The Duke of Wells. Rendering by Pappageorge Haymes
The Duke of Wells lobby check-in area. Drawing by Summer Thornton
The Duke of Wells rooftop lounge. Drawing by Summer Thornton
The amenities, classified by the developer as 4.5 stars, will include a rooftop lounge and terrace, a spa and fitness center, and a yet-to-be-named restaurant. Parking will consist of a three-story rear garage, which will be obscured by a pair of three-story single-family homes.
The Duke of Wells. Rendering by Pappageorge Haymes
Rear single-family homes behind The Duke of Wells. Rendering by Pappageorge Haymes
The Duke of Wells. Rendering by Pappageorge Haymes
Bus stops for Routes 9, 22, 36, 37, 72, 73, 151, and 156 are all accessible within a 10-minute walk. The nearest CTA Brown Line service can be found at the Sedgwick station, which serves both the Brown and Purple Lines, and is an eight-minute walk to the west. Additionally, the Red Line’s Clark/Division station is a 12-minute walk south.
McHugh Construction will serve as the general contractor, as indicated in the 2022 permit. Currently, an anticipated groundbreaking or completion date is not yet known.
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Man you’d think within the 6 year it took for this to break ground that PH would have learned how to design a building for the 21st century. I guess you really can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
Looks much better than another 20 story glass box that doesn’t fit the neighborhood.
Does it really fit, though? I mean just because this features flat pack brick veneer doesn’t mean it fits the neighborhood. It’s nothing close to Italianate nor is it Chicago School nor is it Victorian. I’d rather something modern-and-gorgeous stick out here and define a new standard than some mediocre-but-brick pastiche paint the neighborhood in bland mediocrity. It just lowers the bar architecturally. I mean look no further than the redesign of 5400 N. Ashland Ave in Andersonville if you want an example of something than can fit in without being cheap-looking. And that features affordable housing, I doubt they had more budget than an actual boutique hotel in Old Town.
I have to agree. The design does nothing for the neighborhood and I have a feeling will look worse than the renderings. The building that’s being torn down has so much character and beauty and being replaced with something that has little to no beauty or character.
I agree as well. They couldn’t even bother to spend a little money to get more realistic renderings, my guess being so they can get away with using cheap materials.
The interiors, however, are shockingly nice.
They are singularly awful. Too much frilly nonsense for a mid-2020’s vintage new-build hotel.
Well taste is subjective and i agree it’s noisy, but I did appreciate the neoclassical elements like fountains and skylights. It should be noted that the interior designer they chose was ranked as one of the top 50 in the world.
I wouldn’t go so far to say frilly. In my opinion it is a nice difference for the often bland and little ornamentation of 21st century interior designs. Honestly wish the building was as grand as the interior.
You can say that again. The interiors are shockingly nice.
another dud from papageorge haymes
The interiors are shocking, yes. Liberace’s grandmother in Milwaukee would love them. Along with the stupid hotel name. Sounds like a 1973 disco, where they have a weekly Liberace night.
The name is very stupid and random. What do dukes have to do with old town? It just further encapsulates the lack of thought put into accentuating old towns history
Looks like a do over is in order. The facade is too unembellished and needs some depth and character and, well, the interiors are ridiculous. Liberace’s grandmother in Milwaukee, indeed. I’d love to get my hands on this project.
Tearing down a beautiful brownstone to build a too tall building that needed a zone variance. “Old Town”. What a shame.