Ruth Shriman House

Pros

• The location is great, with plenty to do.
• The staff are great, professional, and approachable.
• Residents are eager to move in.
• The building is very clean, and the staff are welcoming.
• Apartments are roomy and airy, suitable for singles or couples.
• There are incredibly nice people and very nice apartments for seniors.
• The lobby is nice and clean, with an awesome patio area for residents and friendly neighbors.
• The area is close to the lake and public transportation, and is clean, friendly, and safe.
• The building offers parking, 24-hour security, and a safe environment.

Cons

• Heartland Housing has not supplied security for five months.
• There is no one to protect residents from people entering the building.
• The intercom system has not worked for three years.
• Pipes have burst and flooded the front lobby.
• Habitat Company has been slow to respond to tenant concerns.
• Only one elevator is currently working and it may not be fixed for over two months.
• Heartland is experiencing financial problems and cannot adequately support Hollywood House and its other properties.
• HUD funds earmarked for Hollywood House have been mismanaged since 2021.
• Heartland plans to sell the building with unknown new owners.
• The city has launched a full-scale review of Hollywood House.
• This situation has been described as a horror show for the residents.
• The building has bed bug problems.
• The management is criticized as incompetent.

Review

Hollywood House sits in a coveted spot with easy access to the lake, public transit, and several comfortable amenities, and it clearly attracts a mix of residents who praise the building for its setting and for the people who live there. Several reviews highlight the strong sense of community among residents and the warmth of the staff in many areas. For some, the location is a major selling point: being right by Lake Shore Drive, near the lakefront, and within reach of public transportation makes visits and outings convenient. People describe the building as a place where seniors find friendly faces, a welcoming lobby, and a patio area that seems to invite social time among neighbors.

Yet beneath the surface of those positives lies a chorus of serious concerns about security, maintenance, and management. One review describes a "horrible" experience, detailing a lack of building security for months, with no staff available to protect residents from outside access. The intercom hasn't worked for years, and pipes have burst, flooding the front lobby. The management company is accused of slow responses to tenant concerns, and there is talk that only one elevator is functioning and may remain out of service for an extended period - an issue that is especially troubling for seniors who need to get in and out to shop, attend medical appointments, or leave the building independently. The review also raises larger questions about Heartland Housing's finances and oversight, alleging mismanagement of federal HUD funds since 2021 and mentioning a pending sale with unknown new owners. A city-level review by the Chicago Department of Housing is cited as further evidence of systemic trouble.

Other reviews navigate between praise and critique, underscoring a complex reputation. Some entries are bluntly positive: "Great staff," "Very Clean," and "the staff very professional and approachable" paint a picture of a building where people feel welcomed and well cared for. Several residents emphasize the apartments themselves - described as roomy and airy, comfortable for a young couple or a single person, and part of a senior-focused building that creates a sense of belonging among residents who are 62 and older. There are mentions of being impressed by the experience of visiting as part of a senior-centered environment, with notes about friendly receptionists and positive visits to friends' apartments.

At the same time, other voices acknowledge ongoing management challenges that temper the glow of the positive notes. One reviewer captures the tension nicely with a paired statement: "Management Sucks, but some awfully fantastic people live in this senior building." This sentiment threads through multiple accounts: staff can be friendly and professional, yet systemic issues - building maintenance, responsiveness, and safety - can dampen the experience. Cleanliness and a welcoming lobby are repeatedly highlighted, but concerns about security, elevator reliability, and essential services persist in the background. The juxtaposition of "great staff" and "management problems" appears repeatedly, suggesting that individual employees may be doing their best within a larger, sometimes frustrating administrative framework.

Beyond the core critiques, residents share practical details that influence daily life. Some reviews mention parking logistics - an on-site parking garage that charges around $100 extra per month - along with 24-hour security and a sense of safety that some residents value highly. Others bring up the sensitive topic of bed bugs, wondering whether the building has resolved infestations and whether it remains non-smoking. The bed bug issue surfaces as a point of concern for prospective residents who compare Hollywood House to other buildings with stricter pest-control protocols. The mix of safety features, parking costs, and pest-control questions further complicates the picture, showing how residents weigh trade-offs in choosing a place to live.

In sum, Hollywood House emerges as a place of strong contrasts. Its location and the presence of a friendly, professional staff in many encounters are repeatedly praised, and the building is described as clean, spacious, and sociable for a senior community. Yet persistent and, in some cases, systemic problems - security gaps, nonfunctional intercoms, delayed maintenance, flooding incidents, elevator downtime, and ongoing questions about financial management and ownership - cast a long shadow over the living experience. The testimonials reflect a community with real heart - the residents themselves and the supportive personalities among the staff - paired with significant questions about governance, infrastructure, and safety that haunt the day-to-day reality for many who call Hollywood House home or who are considering moving in. The future of the building, including potential ownership changes and city oversight, adds an extra layer of uncertainty to an otherwise appealing setting.

This part of Chicago, Illinois, offers a convenient and vibrant neighborhood with easy access to essential amenities such as pharmacies, restaurants, cafes, transportation options, hospitals, parks, theaters, and medical facilities. With several Walgreens and CVS pharmacies nearby for any medical needs, along with a variety of dining options like Murphy's Bleachers and Las Mananitas Mexican Restaurant for enjoyable meals. The neighborhood also boasts multiple Starbucks locations for a relaxing coffee break. Public transportation is readily available with CTA stops within walking distance. Nearby hospitals include Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center and Swedish Covenant Hospital Cancer Care for healthcare needs. Parks such as Hamlin Park and Wrightwood Park provide green spaces for leisurely walks or outdoor activities. Additionally, there are entertainment options like Regal Webster Place theater, offering cultural experiences. Overall, this area provides a well-rounded community suitable for senior living with its accessibility to essential services and recreational opportunities.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.1 miles)
• Walgreens (0.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.7 miles)
• Walgreens (0.9 miles)
• Walgreens (0.9 miles)
• Walgreens (1.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.3 miles)

Restaurants

• Murphy's Bleachers (0.5 miles)
• Cell Block (0.5 miles)
• Las Mananitas Mexican Restaurant (0.7 miles)
• Hydrate (0.8 miles)
• Roscoe's (0.9 miles)
• Lucky Horse Shoe Lounge (1.2 miles)
• Will's Northwoods Inn (1.3 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.5 miles)
• Starbucks (1.2 miles)
• Starbucks (1.5 miles)
• Starbucks (1.8 miles)
• Starbucks (2.3 miles)
• Starbucks (2.4 miles)
• Starbucks (4.6 miles)

Transportation

• Cta (0.6 miles)
• Cta (0.7 miles)
• CTA - Belmont (1.1 miles)
• CTA - Fullerton (2.1 miles)
• CTA Jarvis (4.2 miles)
• Cta (4.5 miles)

Hospitals

• Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center (1.3 miles)
• Swedish Covenant Hospital Cancer Care (2.7 miles)
• Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago (4.4 miles)

Parks

• Hamlin Park (1.9 miles)
• Wrightwood Park (2 miles)
• Horner Park (2.2 miles)
• Churchill Field Park (3.1 miles)
• Churchill Field Park (3.1 miles)
• Palmer Square Park (3.4 miles)
• Logan Boulevard (3.4 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Webster Place (2.4 miles)

Physicians

• Lincoln Park Dental Specialists (2.8 miles)