Two New Hotels Planned for Northalsted District
Chicago's Northalsted neighborhood is set for two new hotel developments, including a boutique gay luxury hotel planned by Tryst Hospitality. The projects signal continued investment and growth in the prominent LGBTQ+ nightlife and entertainment district.
- The Tryst Chicago is a proposed five-story, 21-room boutique hotel at 3350-3352 N. Halsted St., the former site of D.S. Tequila, which closed in November 2023. Tryst Hospitality, the developer, has a portfolio of LGBTQ+-focused properties in destinations like Puerto Vallarta and San Juan. - The second project, named the Backbeat Hotel, is a 50-room boutique hotel planned for 3255 N. Halsted St., the former site of Yoshi's Café. This project has been approved by the Chicago City Council and is slated to open in 2028. - Both hotels are targeting a high-end, luxury experience with significant amenities. Plans for the Tryst hotel include a restaurant, a nightclub, and an enclosed rooftop pool and bar. The Backbeat Hotel will also feature a rooftop pool, a full-service restaurant, and a luxury lounge. - The developer for the Backbeat Hotel is Allan O'Brien, who owns the nearby fashion store Men's Room Chicago, indicating investment from local business owners. The Tryst Chicago project is part of a broader expansion for Tryst Hospitality, which is also planning hotels in Fire Island, Provincetown, and Rio de Janeiro. - The Tryst hotel development will involve demolishing the existing building that housed D.S. Tequila and also contained apartments on its upper floors. An entity led by Tryst's CEO, Tristan Schukraft, purchased the property for $3.1 million. - These projects represent a move towards more integrated hospitality in the neighborhood, aiming to have visitors stay within Northalsted rather than just visiting for the nightlife. This follows a strong tourism trend for the city, which saw a record 11.9 million hotel room nights booked last year.
