Windy City Media Group Frontpage News

THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

home search facebook twitter join
Gay News Sponsor Windy City Times 2023-12-13
DOWNLOAD ISSUE
Donate

Sponsor
Sponsor
Sponsor

  WINDY CITY TIMES

Gold Coast B&B: A nugget in the heart of the city
by Andrew Davis, Windy City Times
2011-03-09

This article shared 863 times since Wed Mar 9, 2011
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email

      More Photos


If you think that bed-and-breakfasts are tucked away in rustic areas in the scenic countryside, think again.

There's one in the heart of one of Chicago's toniest neighborhoods. The four-room Gold Coast Guest House Bed & Breakfast, 113 W. Elm, has been around for almost two decades.

However, the spot is very easy to miss if you are not looking for it. Owner Sally Baker told Windy City Times that she doesn't have a sign in front of the B&B to protect the guests' privacy.

Walking through Gold Coast Guest House is quite an experience, revealing a place that has dozens of charming details—such as a backyard garden complete with statues that is framed by a 20-foot-tall window wall.

Baker gave WCT a tour of the inn, which she said tends to attract everyone from students to European visitors. The downstairs room, she said, is advantages because of the close access to the quaint living area ( which has a computer for guests to use ) and because there's an extra bathroom right down the hall. "A B&B should have a bathroom as good as the one you have at home," she said. "I have extra-deep tubs and I make good the showers are installed high for tall people. There's a rain-shower head and even a curved shower rod to give people more room." Each room also features different photos and books in addition to the standard items like TVs and cabinets.

Baker added that she tries to keep things simple. For example, there is breakfast, held at a table overlooking the living area and garden. "I try to keep it simple," she said. "A lot of people come and go out for dinner, so they're not interested in the big breakfast." Then, with a laugh, she said, "And I'm not that particularly interested." However, there is a nice selection of more healthful items, such as oatmeal, bagels and fruits. ( Also, those who are really into health and fitness can purchase a day pass to the Gold Coast Multiplex, located about a block away. )

Speaking of the garden, it is Baker's pride and joy. ( She even added fodder to the second-floor feeder while talking. ) "The garden was two levels when I bought it," she said. "I did plant some more ivy and even [ added ] some trees. I just try to keep it kind of wild and green. It was all green space but I thought it needed some sitting space so I added some chairs. A good view of the city doesn't necessarily mean high-rises."

As for the building itself, Baker said that she purchased it from a gay couple in 1994. "I think they bought in the '50s or '60s," she said. "They had a friend who was an architect; he did the window wall. The plumbing was in place for four bathrooms, but now there are five. And the spiral [ staircase ] was in place.

"I loved the location, and I loved the way it opened into the garden. I thought it'd be a fantastic bed-and-breakfast." However, she doubted if similar businesses would open in that neighborhood, citing real-estate prices.

When asked about hosting civil unions or weddings, Baker said that she doesn't do either, mainly because of space and privacy issues. "We get asked all the time if we'd do a wedding ceremony here. I say no," Baker said. "How can we have the guests here trying to get to their rooms? It's the guests' place." However, Baker—who regularly visits her lesbian niece, her partner and their children—added that same-sex couples are just as welcome as opposite-sex ones.

When asked what she liked most about what she does, Baker quickly responded: "I like helping people discover what a fantastic city Chicago is. I think the city is amazing: You have the lakefront, festivals and the museums, and it's quite walkable." However, she was also quick to say what she likes least ( albeit with a laugh ) : "It has to be cleaning and laundry."

A real-estate mogul of sorts, Baker also has three condos ( two studios and a one-bedroom ) for sale nearby at 1140 N. LaSalle.

Rates at the Gold Coast Guest House B&B are $129-$229 per night; amenities include free local calls, free wi-fi and a computer for the guests' use. See www.bbchicago.com .


This article shared 863 times since Wed Mar 9, 2011
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email

Out and Aging
Presented By

  ARTICLES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Gay News

Brad Lippitz, Real-estate expert talks twists, love and politics 2019-06-26
- Like many people's lives, Brad Lippitz's has taken some intriguing twists and turns. In this case, it was a switch from law to (ultimately) real estate that changed his life. Lippitz, a luxury real-estate broker at ...


Gay News

Chicago Architecture Center rolls out events for summer and fall 2019 2019-05-24
- CHICAGO (May 22, 2019) —The Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) is the city's exciting new cultural attraction which is both a hub and gateway to everything architecture in Chicago. The CAC offers an authentic first stop for ...


Gay News

Restored Frederick C. Robie House house opens to public March 29 2019-03-26
- CHICAGO, IL (March 26, 2019) — The Frank Lloyd Wright Trust announced the reopening of the Frederick C. Robie House on March 29, concluding the final phase of a comprehensive restoration at a total cost of ...


Gay News

Legacy Walk passes first round of landmark status voting 2019-03-10
- The Chicago Landmarks Commission unanimously voted March 7 to confer historic landmark status on the Legacy Walk in Lake View. The commision will vote again on the matter in April. After the April vote, the recommendation ...


Gay News

Landmarks Commision set to vote on Legacy Walk designation 2019-03-06
- The Chicago Landmarks Commission will meet on March 7 and discuss whether or not to confer historic landmark status on the Legacy Walk in Lake View. "It's unbelievable that this is happening," said Victor Salvo, executive ...


Gay News

Boystown stretch on the market 2019-03-01
- A stretch of Boystown that encompasses 3501-19 N. Halsted St.—which includes legendary LGBT nightspot Little Jim's Tavern—is on the market for $7.5 million, according to the commercial real-estate site CREXi. ...


Gay News

Dream Town has 'Be You' campaign 2018-09-26
- Real-estate brokerage firm Dream Town Realty has a brand campaign for 2018, "Be You." The new campaign is inspired by the Oscar Wilde quote "Be yourself—everyone else is already taken." The new ad campaign will come ...


Gay News

Open House Chicago: Exploring historical sites for free 2018-09-26
- Ever wondered what it looks like inside the Ukrainian National Museum or downtown architecture gems like the Railway Exchange Building or the Civic Opera Building? On Oct. 13-14, people can take a peek inside these historical ...


Gay News

Architect to discuss local projects Oct. 2 2018-09-19
- Mark Sexton—co-founder of the firm that designed the Millennium Park's Crown Fountain (2004) in collaboration with artist Jaume Plensa—will tell the story behind the fountain and other projects in the ...


Gay News

Renslow building back up for sale 2018-09-12
- A Chicago building once housing the Man's Country bathhouse is back up for sale, according to reports. Developers had originally planned to turn the building into a condominium complex, but the property has been put back ...


Gay News

Leading architecture space re-opens as the Chicago Architecture Center 2018-09-08
- Walking into the new architecture center downtown can at first be overwhelming. A futuristic map of the world with tall buildings and what the future of Chicago might look like grabs one's attention—with a deep blue ...


Gay News

Dream Town starts 'Be You' campaign 2018-08-15
- Real-estate brokerage firm Dream Town Realty has unveiled a new brand campaign for 2018, titled "Be You." The new campaign is inspired by the Oscar Wilde quote "Be yourself—everyone else is already taken." The new ad ...


Gay News

REAL ESTATE The Hampdens--Aiming for luxury living in Lincoln Park 2018-08-08
- Nestled on a quiet side street off of Diversey Parkway, The Hampdens of East Lincoln Park (The Hampdens) will soon be home to 45 multi-bedroom residences. The two boutique-style, six-story buildings, Hampden 53 and Hampden 73, ...


Gay News

Jackhammer, Leather 64TEN proprietors search for new building owner 2018-06-27
- Two prominent North Side LGBT businesses have just under a month to find a new owner for the building they've long called home, or their businesses are in danger of closing. The building at Clark Street ...


Gay News

Village of Homewood gets creative in reaching out 2018-04-26
- The Village of Homewood has launched a new marketing campaign that asks Chicago to "Think Homewood" if they are considering a move. The campaign focuses efforts on commuters and residents on the near south, west and ...


 


Copyright © 2024 Windy City Media Group. All rights reserved.
Reprint by permission only. PDFs for back issues are downloadable from
our online archives.

Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, and
photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and no
responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials.

All rights to letters, art and photos sent to Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago
Gay and Lesbian News and Feature Publication) will be treated
as unconditionally assigned for publication purposes and as such,
subject to editing and comment. The opinions expressed by the
columnists, cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are
their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature Publication).

The appearance of a name, image or photo of a person or group in
Nightspots (Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times
(a Chicago Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature
Publication) does not indicate the sexual orientation of such
individuals or groups. While we encourage readers to support the
advertisers who make this newspaper possible, Nightspots (Chicago
GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay, Lesbian
News and Feature Publication) cannot accept responsibility for
any advertising claims or promotions.

 
 

TRENDINGBREAKINGPHOTOS







Sponsor


 



Donate


About WCMG      Contact Us      Online Front  Page      Windy City  Times      Nightspots
Identity      BLACKlines      En La Vida      Archives      Advanced Search     
Windy City Queercast      Queercast Archives     
Press  Releases      Join WCMG  Email List      Email Blast      Blogs     
Upcoming Events      Todays Events      Ongoing Events      Bar Guide      Community Groups      In Memoriam     
Privacy Policy     

Windy City Media Group publishes Windy City Times,
The Bi-Weekly Voice of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans Community.
5315 N. Clark St. #192, Chicago, IL 60640-2113 • PH (773) 871-7610 • FAX (773) 871-7609.