Viceroy Hotel Key Fob

Here's one of my new favorite pieces, which I recently acquired at auction. It is a room key fob from the Viceroy Hotel. Built in 1926 and located at the southwest corner of Kenmore and Lawrence, the Viceroy was designed by architects Huszagh and Hill, who also left their stamp on the neighborhood with the beautiful Aragon Ballroom and the New Lawrence Hotel, kitty corner from the Viceroy.

The thumbnail image is of the Viceroy in 1926. To see the full size version, go here.

Today the Viceroy is known as the Lorali, a retirement and care facility. A few years ago, the building owners stripped away much of the elaborate terra cotta. I'm not sure if they sold the pieces or threw them away.

Huszagh & Hill New Lawrence Hotel for Sale

The Lawrence House, located on the northeast corner of Kenmore and Lawrence, is for sale. Originally an upscale apartment hotel, it was designed by Ralph Huszagh and Boyd Hill, and built in 1928. The architectural team is also responsible for the Aragon Ballroom.

The New Lawrence Hotel was an art deco dream and had an indoor swimming pool, exercise room, rooftop garden, and all the modern conveniences of the day. Known as the Lawrence House today, the majority of its tenants are 55 or older, although it is not officially a senior building.

The pricetag is $19 million. Full details can be found at Crain's Chicago.