A Look into the Life of a Lincoln Park Neighbor

327-335 West Belden, “Belden by the Park,” was built in 1909 and is a 15-unit condo building that sits on West Belden Avenue nestled between Clark Street and Lincoln Park West.  “This is a historic building, and it shouldn’t be lost,” John Weiss, Belden by the Park building tenant, said.  

Weiss, along with his family, has lived in a three-bedroom condo in this building for just over one-and-half years.  Weiss moved into this building from a Chicago suburb in order to reside in Lincoln Park and send his middle school son to Abraham Lincoln Elementary School, the neighborhood school.

Recently, along with many other residents of the 300 West Belden block, Weiss has attended various protests and neighborhood meetings in response to Parker’s attempted purchase of two condominium buildings on Weiss’ block. 

According to a Chicago Tribune article published on July 31, “Parker offered more than $20 million to purchase two residential buildings on Belden: $11.2 million for Belden by the Park and $9 million for the adjacent 19-unit building at 317-325 W. Belden, as told by residents of the buildings.” As of now, Parker owns six of the 15 condominiums in 327-335 West Belden.  

Along with Weiss,  331 West Belden condominium owner, Daniel Morales, feels strongly that Parker should not continue to place offers on condominiums in his building. “The home my family owns in common with our neighbors is not just ‘contiguous property,’ it is not just an obstacle to the ‘Parker Classroom of the Future.’ It is a repository of our hopes and ambitions for our lives and our children’s futures—it is our home,” Morales wrote. 

Weiss and Morales want people to understand that 327-335 West Belden is not just a piece of real estate but a home.  Weiss believes that keeping residents in these buildings is critical to maintain the safety of the surrounding people and homes.  “When you have people living here, they use the businesses and they protect the neighborhood,” Weiss said. 

   Weiss does not plan on selling his condominium in the near future.  Weiss moved into 327-335 West Belden because it was among the few three-bedroom properties in Lincoln Park that he felt was affordable. Like other residents, Weiss believes that he will never be legally evicted from his home, but feels that he will be obligated to move once his building begins to empty and fees possibly begin to rise.

Weiss would like to continue to live in his home with his family until he is ready to move.  Weiss believes that Parker is a friendly neighbor, and hopes that his good relationship with the school stays. “When we first moved in, I was glad the school was there,” Weiss said.  “They are truly a good neighbor to have.”