Blog

By Leslie Clark Lewis, Class of 2009

Just before the pandemic shut everything down, I spotted a Public Notice sign in the window of the Covent Hotel, a single-room-occupancy (SRO) located at 2653 N. Clark Street in Lincoln Park. My heart sank. Oh, no – a developer wants to demolish this lovely but dilapidated old building and put up, at the very least, midrise apartments.  Besides losing the building, what would happen to the residents, with so little affordable housing available? I did a little research and found that the building had been added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2017. And that it was on the radar of Preservation Chicago. Well, I thought, these initiatives might provide a little protection.

Turns out, lots of people were way ahead of me. Former 43^rd Ward alderman Michelle Smith had turned down several developers who wanted to demolish the hotel, which was built in 1915. Instead, she championed the NHP Foundation, a not-for-profit real estate organization dedicated to preserving and creating affordable housing for families and seniors. They had a $21M plan to convert the 64 single rooms to studio apartments. Work began in November of 2022 and was substantially completed in November of 2023. The rehab created 30 apartments, each with its own kitchen and bath. Other improvements included an elevator, security system, laundry, community room, outdoor space, and storefront upgrades.

There’s more good news. According to the city, the 20 residents who were moved out during renovation will be given first priority to return to the new Covent Apartments, designated as permanent supporting housing units. There will be an on-site resident service manager.

Here’s an historical footnote – and a link to today. The Covent, a movie and vaudeville palace, was once attached to the building on the east side. When it opened in 1916 with 2,684 seats, it was one of the largest venues outside of the Loop. Theater-going habits changed in the mid-20^th century; the theater was closed in 1958 and later demolished. This created a parking lot, owned by the Covent Hotel’s proprietors. As part of the hotel project, the lot was sold to a developer who will build a new mid-rise apartment building on the site.  Part of the parking lot property sale helped fund the Covent’s restoration!

Now – what can be done with the Hotel Leon, located just across the street from the Covent?

CLICK HERE for more stories on The Bridge.