The Chicago Plan Commission has given its blessing to a plan to convert the Northwest Tower Building (1608 North Milwaukee Avenue) in Bucktown into a hotel.

The developer intends to turn the 12-story building, and the neighboring Hollander Fireproof Warehouse building next door into a 120-room hotel, with ground floor retail. There will also be a roof deck added to the taller building, which should provide some epic views on a warm summer night. The smaller, five-story building will be increased in bulk with a two-story annex added to it.

The Northwest Tower building was designed by Perkins, Clatten and Hammond and built in 1928. It was the tallest building on the northwest side of the city when it was built, and has remained a neighborhood landmark ever since. Its location at one of the apexes of the North/Milwaukee/Damen intersection give it its unusual pie shape.

There have been several plans floated for converting the building into a hotel over the last decade, but none have gotten this far before. Last month, the project was given the nod from the city’s landmarks committee. It must still be approved by the full city council.