Chateau in Court: New Owner Works to Fix Violations

The Chateau Hotel may be facing more than 130 building code violations like mice and bedbugs, but during Tuesday’s court appearance, the building’s new owner made it clear he’s trying to fix them.

Mary Tarullo, an organizer with the Lakeview Action Coalition, attended Chateau’s hearing. She says, although the new owner is still being fined for ongoing issues, efforts to clean up the building are moving forward.

“It went well,” Tarullo said. “It looks like the fire department went to inspect the building, and things are looking good. The owner’s complying, but they’re still in building court.”

Representatives with the 46th Ward confirmed the dangerous and hazardous conditions at Chateau were being addressed during Tuesday night's East Lake View Neighbors meeting. Forest Simons, Cappleman's assistant, said there are about 75 residents still living at the SRO, and the new owners are expecting to recieve the gut-rehab permits this week.

In addition, Tarullo said there were so many fines at Chateau Hotel that the city tried to settle with the previous owner Jack Gore, similar to when they settled at the Diplomat Hotel. When Gore declined, they moved forward in court with the new owners who are still responsible to pay the ongoing fines.

The next court date to talk about the building’s future is April 4, but at that time, most of Chateau’s residents may be gone.

The LAC announced some tenants are reaching the end of a 30-day lease termination notice they received in late January. They say eviction court summons could come as early as March 2.

That’s why the group is protesting in front of the building Thursday at 6 p.m. to demand answers from officials like Ald. James Cappleman (46th) regarding what will happen to residents. Cappleman said in the past he’s working with the Department of Family Support Services to help relocate the tenants.

It’s an almost identical method used to vacate Lake View’s Abbott Hotel at 721 W. Belmont Ave. Ald. Tom Tunney’s (44th) Chief of Staff Bennett Lawson said just a few tenants remain living at the Abbott. BJB Partners is confirmed to be the new owner of the Abbott.

The LAC also protested similar issues at Abbott Hotel.

Cappleman says he’s working with the Chateau’s new owner, who remains a mystery, to move forward at the building. The owner told the alderman he plans to raise rent to between $800 and $900 a month, compared to Chateau’s current highest rent of $575.

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