In Lincolnwood, suburban chic succeeds ratty old Purple Hotel

The District 1860 residential and retail complex now dominates the old Purple Hotel property on the northwest corner of Touhy and Lincoln avenues in Lincolnwood. (Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times)

A lot of people around Chicago still remember the old Purple Hotel in Lincolnwood, which stood for decades at Touhy and Lincoln avenues.

For some, the memories go back to when it was a swanky Hyatt House hosting the social affairs of north suburban families, and the entertainment might have come from Roberta Flack or Barry Manilow.