The developer of a 99-key Wicker Park hotel has scored a building permit for the project.
George Nediyakalayil is replacing the gas station he owns at 1555 North Ashland Avenue with the eight-story hotel.
The city issued a building permit this week for the first stage of the project, which covers an estimated $2.2 million in work on the basement and first floor.
Once complete, the building would have 36 covered parking spaces, according to paperwork filed with the city.
The architect listed is April Maifield of Legat Architects. The general contractor is Exemplary Builders.
The city granted a zoning change for the project last spring, DNAinfo reported.
At the time, an attorney for Nediyakalayil said it was becoming tough to operate a gas station in the hip neighborhood because so many of the new young residents don’t have cars.
A spokesman for Ald. Brian Hopkins said last year Nediyakalayil had obtained a letter of intent from Hyatt, DNAinfo reported.