(Above) Rendering by architectural firm HOK of three hotels, part of one project, planned for 501 North Clark Street. This is a view looking southeast toward the corner of Clark and Grand.

August 4, 2009 – A project currently seeking zoning approval could bring three modestly-sized hotels to the River North neighborhood of downtown Chicago.

Located on North Clark Street between Grand and Illinois Streets, the hotels would comprise an 18-story Aloft, 18-story Hyatt Place, and a 17-story Fairfield Inn & Suites.

Aloft is a new hotel brand of W Hotels, itself a brand of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. The first Aloft opened in 2008. Like the other two hotels, it serves mainly business travelers.

621 hotel rooms would be added to the neighborhood, on a 48,519 square foot site 200 feet in height – and it’s that height which requires the developer, Friedman Properties Ltd., to seek zoning approval.

Robert Lopatin, Chief Operating Officer and Director of Development for Friedman, says the project needs approval as a mandatory planned development because the proposed height exceeds the threshold of 180 feet for non-residential buildings in the downtown mixed-use zoning district.

“We are always optimistic and expect the Chicago hotel market to improve especially for limited service hotels,” says Lopatin. He anticipates the project to start next summer and be completed in 2012.

(Above) Closer view of corner of Clark and Grand. Click on image to view larger version.