Andy DehnartThe Real World appears to be headed back to Chicago for its 30th season, assuming it get can permits. The house would be located at 1100 W. Randolph St. in Chicago’s West Loop, west of downtown.
Crain’s Chicago Business reports that an affiliate of Bunim-Murray Productions will appear “before the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals” on June 20 because they “must obtain special permits to allow for ‘a seven-bed, temporary, group living residence’ in the property.”
The application for the permit specifies a 12-week shoot; that producers will alter the property to add showers and a kitchen; and have a design that will “embody Chicago” and “be compatible with the character of the neighborhood.”
Oh, and there will be security 24-7. If you recall, Chicago was the site of protests against the show. At one point, 600-700 people protested and nine were arrested, and MTV pressed charges.
But that was 2001, and this is 13 years later. Back then, some protesters were concerned with gentrification; this new location “has become a magnet for restaurant operators, real estate investors and tech firms, including Google Inc,” Crain’s reported.