Wicker Park Reconversion

Wicker Park Landmark District, Chicago

Summary: Deconversion of an existing 3-flat to a single family home.

The Wicker Park Landmark District, bounded by Bell Avenue, Caton Street, Leavitt Street, Potomac Avenue and Chicago ‘L’ tracks is home to Chicago’s best examples of post-fire architecture dating from the 1880s and 1890s. After the Great Depression, the neighborhood fell on hard times and many of the stately mansions where chopped up into multi-unit buildings. In the late 20th century, ambitious homeowners saw the value in these richly detailed buildings and started restoring or renovating them.

We are proud to have had the opportunity to improve this beautiful red brick building which had a long story to tell as it started its life as a mansion, was likely chopped up into tenement housing, haphazardly converted to a 3-flat in the 1990s and finally deconverted back to a single family home by 34-TEN and our clients. Fortunately, through the many incarnations of this building some of the original interior and exterior details remained and we worked tirelessly to reincorporate them into this renovation.

Original fireplaces, large sliding wood pocket doors and the original staircase were integrated in a drastic renovation which resulted in a five bedroom, four and half bathroom home. A new garage frames an intimate rear yard with the existing house which can be accessed from living room/kitchen through an operable window wall. This Victorian building can continue its life as a stately home which was made possible through thoughtful design and passionate clients who cherished the building’s history.

For more great info and advice, check out our free Residential Client Guide. More information specific to deconversions can be found in our Field Note - Deconversions Demystified.