Vintage elegance Luxurious Wyndham apartments have star-studded past
Long before the majestic Wyndham Apartments, 5240 N. Sheridan in Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood, was renovated and converted to rental residences, the historic building was a haven for Hollywood movie stars in the Roaring 1920s, historians say.
The 218-unit Wyndham was designed by architects Huszagh & Hill and originally built as a luxury apartment hotel in 1929 in the exclusive Edgewater Beach neighborhood, which was a posh residential district during that era, said Stuart Handler, chief executive officer of TLC Management Co., the building manager.
Movie people worked at the nearby Essanay Film Studio at 1333 W. Argyle. Gloria Swanson, Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford and Charlie Chaplin lived in the Edgewater area before they moved to Hollywood. Many of the large homes on nearby Castlewood Terrace in the Margate Park neighborhood were built by film stars of the 1920s.
Maybe all that glitter attracted Hollywood film producer Michael Todd to the Wyndham. Todd was rumored to have purchased the apartment building for his wife, movie star Elizabeth Taylor, as a birthday gift in the 1950s.
Taylor selected Unit 1220 as her personal residence at 13-story Wyndham. However, it is likely that the star never actually resided in the glamorous two-bedroom penthouse overlooking Lake Michigan, however the posh Saddle & Cycle Club located at 900 W.Foster across the street would have been an attraction to Taylor, an equestrian.
"The genuine tradition of a Chicago lifestyle and vintage elegance is awaiting residents at The Wyndham," said building manager Pam Andrus of TLC Management.
The Wyndham was converted to rental apartments from hotel use in the 1970s. Many of residences have been renovated, and the work is ongoing, Andrus said. The apartments feature panoramic views of Lake Michigan and the city along with modern conveniences and contemporary upgrades such as wireless Internet.
Highlights include architectural motifs such as brick and stone bays, an elegant lobby, a 13th-floor state-of-the-art fitness center and a rooftop sundeck.
"Residents also enjoy the convenience of the CTA's No. 147 express bus to Michigan Avenue shopping at the Wyndham's front door," Andrus said.
One-bedroom, one-bath units range in size from 575 to 800 square feet and lease for $840 to $1,150 per month; spacious two-bedroom, one-bath floor plans are 1,000 square feet and rent for $1,430 to $1,550.
Heat, water and cooking gas is included in the rent. In addition, TLC Management currently is offering a spring rental incentive of one month's free rent and no security deposit, Andrus said. Residents have the option to pay their rent online.
TLC Management charges a nonrefundable $250 application fee and a nonrefundable pet fee of $250. Cats and dogs weighing up to 40 pounds are allowed.
Residents also enjoy assigned parking, electronic entry system, a package receiving room, bicycle storage room, a 24-hour laundry center with Wi-Fi and a valet dry cleaning service.
Select apartments at the Wyndham feature refinished original custom woodwork, including French doors, mirrored vanities and glass and wood kitchen cabinet doors, hardwood flooring and wall-to-wall carpeting.
The 1.5-mile-square Edgewater neighborhood is anchored by the lakefront and the Bryn Mawr Avenue Commercial District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
More than two dozen new restaurants and more than 20 antique dealers have moved into the neighborhood in the last few years, and there also have been a steady influx of children and families to the area.
Edgewater also has great transportation. "The Wyndham's lakefront location provides ideal transportation via the CTA Rapid Transit at the Berwyn station less than a half-block away. It's a 20-minute ride to downtown Chicago," said Handler. "The Outer Drive is just minutes away."
Another special feature of the Wyndham is its close proximity to Foster Beach, providing access to a beach within a five-minute walk.
To lease an apartment at the Wyndham, visit the rental office at 5240 N. Sheridan from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call 773-561-1400, or visit www.wyndham@ chicagorentals.com.
