Wilson Yard Naming Rights?

More Historical Uptown Photos

Our thanks to "Koocachoo72" from BPN for sending in these photos from Uptown's heyday. They are from the University of Minnesota Library. Enjoy.
The "Viceroy Hotel," at Lawrence and Kenmore.
Entrance to the "Uptown Broadway Building."

Corner of Broadway and Lawrence.

Lawrence and Winthrop, currently condos, "Kinetic Playground," and Chase Bank

"Cook Department Store," 4720 N Broadway, currently Borders Book Store and condos.

Under the El tracks at Broadway and Leland.

"Rublof and Wolack Building" at the corner of Wilson and Clarendon

Hope for the Wilson El Station?

This t-shirt design from the Chicago Reader Blogs made us chuckle. We just may have to wait till 2016 to see our station rehabbed.

Crazy Chicken Coming to Uptown

It appears that a new fast food restaurant, "El Pollo Loco," will be opening at Wilson and Sheridan at the site of the former Blight, I mean, "Burger King" this fall. Our thanks to "asurfc2" from BPN for finding this. This will be the second "El Pollo Loco" in Chicago. Welcome, El Pollo Loco!

Uptown Business Spotlight

Those residents who complain that there is not enough retail in Uptown have surely not been to the "Wilson Broadway Mall" at the same intersection. We've been in several times and are amazed at the things you can buy there. We came across used computer monitors, used televisions and electronics, a small booth that sells nothing but used shoes, and several booths that sell ethnic music and DVDs for every taste. You can also pick up clothing with clever sayings such as "Warning: Pimp Zone, All Violators Will Be Bitch Slapped." The ambiance is enhanced by the music that is played at high levels to add to your shopping experience. For those of you who want to check out "Uptown Update" while you are shopping, you can take a quick break and visit the "Internet Chat Room" to surf the web. We sadly noticed many empty booths in the mall and we can now add these to our "Vacant Storefront Showcase."

Uptown Fire Station Garden

Taken today at Wilson and Racine.

Bridgeview Bank Beauty

Does anyone else think the landscaping in front of Bridgeview Bank at Broadway and Lawrence looks really nice? It has really spruced up that intersection.

Uptown On The Prairie

We have been wondering whats up with this huge lot in the 4600 block of Malden. It has been empty for sometime now. A park would be nice. Anyone have info on this?

Vacant Storefront Showcase

Here are several vacant storefronts near Sheridan and Ainslie. The first one was formerly the sales center of the "Sheridan Grande" development. Contact info is on the sign.

This second series of storefronts is the ground floor retail of the "Sheridan Grande" development. We counted at least 3 possible storefronts. Interested parties should contact the number on the sign above, as "SR Commercial" is handling both properties.

Where The Grass and Retail Won't Grow

This is the view on the side and in front of the stripmall at Lawrence and Sheridan. There are also several vacant storefronts in this complex. Wouldn't a "Fed-Ex Kinkos" or a "Sprint Store" be nice in this location? We imagine that more businesses would move into this stripmall if it looked a little more inviting and a little less like "Death Valley" outside.

Uptown Historical Map, 1928

Here's another fascinating item from the "Jazz Age Chicago" website and Scott A. Newman. Our kudos to him and the research it took to piece this map together. Check it out here:

Somerset Hotel History

The Somerset Hotel at 5009 North Sheridan Road was one of several multi-story apartment hotels built in Chicago's Uptown district during the 1920s. Opened for guests in 1920, the eight-story hotel cost a reported $2 million to build. It was desinged by owner-architect Samuel N. Crowen and contained a total of 441 fully-furnished rooms arranged in 205 suites of one to four rooms each. One-room suites contained a living room, dressing room, and bath without dining facilities, while larger apartments included a sun parlor, separate bedroom, and dining room with kitchenette. All rooms were completely and luxuriously furnished. Opening-year advertisements promoted the hotel as both an "exclusive summer resort" and a year-round residential hotel. One described the hotel as "the ideal dwelling place for those desiring the homelike atmosphere and privacy of an apartment combined with all the modern conveniences of a hotel."

Continue Reading at "Jazz Age Chicago:"

Arcadia Ballroom History

Opened in 1910 as a combination dance hall and skating rink, the Arcadia Ballroom, situated along the west side of Broadway just north of Montrose Avenue, was one of the Uptown district's best known entertainment destinations. During the 1920s, the ballroom became one of the city's most popular dance establishments and stood as one of the few places in the city where white audiences regularly danced to the music of all-black jazz bands. The driving force behind the Arcadia's popularity, particularly during the late 1910s and 1920s, was sports and dance promoter Paddy Harmon, whose interests included the Dreamland Ballroom and Chicago Stadium on the near west side.

Continue Reading At "Jazz Age Chicago:"

The View From 46 Years Ago

We came across this photo on the "Chicago L. org" site from the IRM Collection courtesy of Peter Vesic. The photo was taken in the spring of 1961 on the Wilson El platform facing north.

Wilson Platform to Truman College

Here is a short video we came across on YouTube. We doubt the filmmaker will win any awards for this video and you may need a dramamine after watching it, but it does give an interesting view of the Wilson El station if you have never used it.

Rehab Roundup

We came across several rehabs in the neighborhood. The first one is at Sunnyside and Clifton. We are not sure if this rehab is for rentals or condos, perhaps someone who lives nearby has info on this. There is an interesting flag draped over the back porch on the left. We wonder who could live there.
This next rehab is at Magnolia and Sunnyside. The building has been restored to its former glory. The detail on the building is beautiful with turquoise terracotta lining the top near the roof.
This last building is on the 4600 block of Dover at Wilson. Again, we are not sure if this building is being gutted for rentals or condos. The building is enormous and used to feature a huge garden in the front lawn. That has since been removed, and an underground sprinkler system added. Workers have been seen most everyday in the building. If you have info on this building, feel free to add it in the comments.

Aldi Etching and Tags

Wilson Yard Not On Schedule?

From the looks of the Azusa building and the Wilson Yard lot, construction is behind schedule. We stopped by the site today and noticed not much has changed since our last visit.

From the Pioneer-Press:

"Last month, the City Council approved increasing Wilson Yard's TIF subsidy from $35.6 million to $43.1 million, stipulating that construction begin on the Target and residential units no later than July. Holsten attributed the increase to a 15 percent rise in construction costs and materials.Holsten told task force members and a handful of residents attending the mid-morning meeting that toxic soil removal had already begun on the site. Demolition of the old Aldi's and the Azusa Building will start in July."

Well, its July 30 and the Azusa building and old Aldi are still intact and there is no sign of construction on Target or the residential units. Hmmmmmmm. Shocking.

Name That Arch

Uptown Business Spotlight

If you have been looking for a pilates studio in the neighborhood, look no further than the "Chase Park Commons" development near Clark and Leland and the "From the Center Pilates Studio." Check out their website for more info.

Malden Garden

'Vis Vitae' Update

The "Vis Vitae" development at Clark and Leland has a website which is now almost up. Word has been spreading of "Starbucks" joining the ground floor retail of this building. When we find out what other retailers you can expect, we will let you know.

Sunshine Garden Shines On

An "Updater" sent in a nice pic of the progress made on the "Sunshine Garden" on Clarendon just south of Wilson. The garden features 15 pieces of artwork by local Uptown kids and really looks great. If you get a chance, check it out.

Signs, Signs, Everywhere A Sign

Seen near Sunnyside and Clarendon.

More Terracotta at the Riv

Is There Any Excuse For This in Uptown?

This fellow was seen sitting on a piece of cardboard behind dumpsters next to Ace Hardware on Broadway.

New 'Fat Cat' Signage

'Abstract' Graff Art

Looks like some Uptown youngsters have been experimenting in a new type of "graff art." From the looks of this giant pink paint splatter on the Lawrence side of a condo building at Malden, the artists prefer "abstract." We noticed a white plastic shell covered in pink paint on the sidewalk. Lovely.

Loiterer's Paradise, Part Two

These photos were sent in by an "Updater." The photos clearly show the loitering taking place across from the World Gym on the northside of Montrose. If you think that "Dearborn Wholesale Grocers" should be held responsible for the activity taking place in their parking lot, give them a call at 773-728-7500.

Wilson Yard Reports

Download the Wilson Yard 2005 TIF Annual Report:

Download the Wilson Yard 2006 Annual Report: