By Leslie Clark Lewis, Class of 2009
Photos by the author
For years, I walked by the dilapidated Mark Twain Hotel at the corner of Clark and Division and thought, “What a lovely old Art Deco building – why isn’t anyone taking care of it?”
Well, somebody did. The hotel, designed by architect Harry Glube and completed in 1932, recently underwent a $54.3 million renovation and has reopened as one of the city’s largest single room occupancy (SRO) affordable housing developments. The project was spearheaded by the NHP Foundation.
The good news is that the exterior cream color brick and white terra cotta Art Deco decorative trim have been cleaned and, in some cases, replaced. The building looks fantastic.
The even better news is that the 50 building residents who had to move during renovation have returned to the building, and that people from the CHA wait list will lease the rest of the units. There are 148 apartments in all, each with kitchenette and private bath.
Guess I’m not the only one who thought the old building has value. The hotel was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2017 and has been recommended for Chicago Landmark designation by Preservation Chicago. Now thanks to the city and the NHP Foundation, the Art Deco Mark Twain again shines as a neighborhood gem.
To read the Chicago Tribune’s article about the project’s background, CLICK HERE.
And to watch ABC Chicago’s coverage of the grand re-opening and view an apartment unit, CLICK HERE.
Notice something in your neighborhood that’s of interest to docents and volunteers ? le**************@co*****.net“>Contact Leslie – and we’ll share it on The Bridge.
Thank you Leslie for the information and the links. I too have been enjoying watching this building emerge from its dirty and dilapidated state into this really beautiful building.
What a great treasure. If I’m ever on the red line again, I’m going to make a special stop so. Can see it. Thanks
Gorgeous restoration.
I recall the MT from the early 1970s. Terrible condition.
The building and its corner location remind me of the Belmont–Sheffield Trust and Savings Bank Building at (strangely enough) the corner of Belmont and Sheffield in Lakeview. That 6-story building, from roughly the same period, is a Chicago Landmark and is, I believe, on the National Register.
Thanks, Leslie. I love identifying and bringing attention to buildings outside our normal locations.
It’s been nice to see this building get cleaned up! I will admit to missing the Popeye’s Chicken that used to be on the ground floor on Clark – I used to stop there about twice a year. 😉