We at Uptown Update find ourselves fascinating by Uptown's "ghost signs" and always wondered about this large ad for the Donmoor Hotel. Thanks to Jazz Age Chicago, we don't have to wonder anymore about it anymore... turns out it really was one of Uptown's Finest, as its sign promises.
"The seven-story Donmoor Hotel, located at 917-925 Eastwood Avenue, was built in 1928 and contained 123 apartments of two, three, and four rooms each. It was owned by Maurice Leavitt and cost a reported $800,000 to build. Designed by architects Johnck and Ehman, the hotel featured an all-brick exterior with terra-cotta trimmings, a rough-plaster lobby, and entry windows made of specially cut art glass. All apartments included a kitchenette with refrigerator, tile-floor bathrooms, and as a extra enticement to potential renters, a brand-new radio set. 'However, the owner,' noted the Chicago Tribune, 'although having the fullest faith in the Diogenes manners of our fellow Chicagoans, will nail the sets down so should one feel in the mood to walk away with one his mood would find itself suppressed.' "
I lived at the Donmoor in 1978 for about eight months. Fascinating experience. Do you happen to know if one can get a poster/print of this ghost sign?
ReplyDeleteJeff Huber
My husband and I lived there in 1971 .We were newlyweds the happiest days of my life.We loved living there we are still happily married.
DeleteMy grandfather built and owned the Donmoor in 1928. We understand that many of the North Side Mob lived there during that time. The Bugsy Moran gang. My father used to do errands for them.
ReplyDeleteRick Leavitt
Rickie Lee Jones lived at the Donmoor with her family in the late 60’s.
ReplyDelete