Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Renovations Wind Down At "The Bachelor"

855-44-FLATS advertising has been added to 1136 W. Wilson
New windows and lighting has been added along Clifton
FLATS has rebranded the former Bachelor Hotel at Wilson and Clifton as simply "The Bachelor." 

Work is winding down on the mix of studios and one-bedroom apartments that will feature in-unit laundry, brand new appliances, granite countertops, custom soft-close cabinetry, subway tile backsplash, and a glass enclosed shower.

Not many realize that this beautiful building stretches north along Clifton, back to almost the middle of the block. Along Clifton, new street level windows for retail and industrial lighting have been added.

Hard to believe all of the wonderful changes on this block since the inception of Uptown Update. Amazing.

Interesting to note that in the 1930s, this building was home to Skooglund's Cafeteria, "The Place Where Things Taste So Good." 

9 comments:

  1. GREAT progress. Any news on potential retailers/bars to take the place of Harolds or Nicks?

    Every time I pass Clifton I think about how this street would make for an excellent pedestrian walkway, open air market or foodie destination like Camden Market in London.

    https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c8/Portobello.market.london.arp.jpg/800px-Portobello.market.london.arp.jpg

    think...summer time flea, farmers market, closed off street with vendors and food.

    Maybe someday when the station overhaul is complete. Id the French market idea actually became a reality, this would compliment that nicely, eh?

    Just a thought.

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  2. Long after Skoogland's, of course, it was home to the famous (infamous?) Wooden Nickel. And Alhelp, a day labor agency. Things just might be looking up for Uptown.

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  3. This is such a charming little street. I totally agree with Jarod. A French market or farmers market idea would go nicely.

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  4. I have always envisioned the same thing on that part of Clifton. It reminds me of a street in Europe every time I see it, and I can't help but think of it's potential. It should be lined with bars and cafes with outdoor dining for people to hang before and after local shows. I'd also like to see a farmers market there with a place for local artists to show and sell their art. During the daytime, this can be a great place for students to hang out and study. Let's get this done!

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  5. In the mid 70s, I resided at the Bachelor Hotel after moving from the Wilson Club Hotel just east across Clifton. It was a World War 2 era solidly built building and consequently, was surprisingly quiet given its busy location. The ‘Bachelor Hotel’ was advertised as a men’s only sleeping rooms, that charged about 3 bucks a night at the time. Bed sheets were changed weekly and showers, toilets and baths were located down the hallway. A separate TV and reading room was reserved for hotel guests. The ‘ALPHELP’ temp labor agency was located below. Everything was within easy walking distance. It was some neighborhood in an unforgettable time.

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  6. Just a small correction: the building dates from sometime in the 1920s--early '20s I'm guessing.

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  7. I might also add, that there was a Goodwill Industries second hand shop below the Hotel that I regularly frequented, and of course, the raucously renown ‘Wooden Nickel’ located there as well. The strums of the fiddle and the banjo could occasionally be heard there on weekends echoing its musician’s Bluegrass heritage. Reminiscing that Uptown neighborhood period, I’m reminded of the opening title sequence of a legendary Hollywood film classic:

    “Look for it only books, for it is no more than a dream remembered. A Civilization gone with the wind…..”

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  8. Now, I am from the South...

    And if I hear some disparagement about "rednecks" and other Beverly Hillbily inspired tripe, expect a not so veiled insult to come back at yah.

    But...this is one of those times it can't be argued that evolution is a Very Good Thing.

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  9. If you want to go to a really great, no-joke, Southern honky tonk, recommend this one where I was a bit of a denizen decades before it became famous...

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqzM7bP6aRY

    Great place to be in February!

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