Photos and video: The historic Chick House Hotel in downtown Rockford

Photos by Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Here’s a look inside the historic former Chick House Hotel, which is targeted for redevelopment by Urban Equity Properties.

The 168-year-old building, at the corner of State and Main streets across from the BMO Center, could become a mix of loft apartments on the upper floors with ground floor businesses under an estimated $11.7 million overhaul by UEP.

Related: Nearly $12M overhaul will turn pre-Civil War building into lofts and businesses in downtown Rockford

The building was originally called the Griggs House when it was built in 1857.

It’s one of three remaining pre-Civil War commercial buildings in downtown, according to the city. The others are the Metropolitan Hall Lofts, 404 W. State St., and Block 3 lofts at 330 E. State St.

Today, the Chick House has fallen into disrepair, with some portions of it untouched since it stopped operating as a hotel in 1951.

Here’s a look at its current condition, as well as some historic photos.

You can also take a digital walkthrough of the property HERE.

An upstairs hotel room of the former Chick House Hotel on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, at State and Elm streets in downtown Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
The entryway to an upstairs hotel room of the former Chick House Hotel on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, at State and Elm streets in downtown Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
A bathroom at the former Chick House Hotel on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, at State and Elm streets in downtown Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
An upstairs hallway in the former Chick House Hotel on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, in downtown Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

 

This undated image shows the historic Chick House Hotel at Main and Elm streets in downtown Rockford. (Photo provided by city of Rockford)
A former hotel room on the upper floor of the historic Chick House Hotel on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, in downtown Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
This undated image shows the historic Chick House Hotel at Main and Elm streets in downtown Rockford. (Photo provided by city of Rockford)

 

This undated image shows the Griggs House, as it was called before 1888, at State and Elm streets in downtown Rockford. (Photo provided by city of Rockford)
Materials from the former Scribner’s Soda Bar on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, in the basement of the former Chick House Hotel building in downtown Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Barstools at the counter of the former Scribner’s Soda Bar on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, in downtown Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
A hatch on the basement level beneath the sidewalk at the former Chick House Hotel building on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2024, in downtown Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
A staircase leading downstairs at the former Chick House Hotel building on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, in downtown Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
A bathroom with a tub on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, in the former Chick House Hotel building at State and Elm streets in downtown Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
The South Main Street facing windows of the former Scriber’s Soda Bar on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, in downtown Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
The former main entrance to the Chick House Hotel on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, in downtown Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
A sink in the upstairs of the former Chick House Hotel on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, in downtown Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
This rendering from Urban Equity Properties shows plans for the future Chick House Flats at State and Elm streets in downtown Rockford. (Image via Urban Equity Properties)

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas