Beautiful 19th Century Homes on Borrowed Time

Gingerbread Gothic home at 1944 N Sedgwick will likely be destroyed [John Morris/Chicago Patterns]
This is often evident in real estate listing descriptions that say “the value is in the land,” for properties that exceed a million dollars with the implicit understanding that the home will be razed and replaced. This is playing out heavily in North Side neighborhoods like Lake View and Lincoln Park, where blocks of mostly new construction mega-mansions dot the landscape.
While the city’s Demolition Delay Ordinance creates a delay and minor hassle for those eager to erase the city’s historic housing stock, it rarely prevents it. More successful in preventing demolition are cases where the house is in a historic district. In rare cases, outcry from neighbors may lead the local alderman to push back.
But in neighborhoods like Lincoln Park and Lake View such outcry is rare, and homes are lost to those with a lot of money.
Let’s look at four examples of homes which will likely be lost in the coming months. Because none are orange-rated on the Historic Resources Survey, these houses won’t be added to the Demolition Delay List.
1944 N. Sedgwick

1944 N Sedgwick [John Morris/Chicago Patterns]
Rare Single Family home in a fabulous neighborhood; close to the ZOO, Lincoln Park, Lake Michigan, public transportation and great Old Town and Lincoln Park restaurants. And did I mention parking? Two car detached garage. And how about this: We pay our entire mortgage with the vacation rental in the separate garden apartment. The basement is zoned for VRBO if interested in renting that out. But you don’t have to. Use it as a media or family room, an in-law suite or office/ studio. It’s completely renovated with a gleaming new kitchen, bedroom and bathroom.
The photos that accompany the listing show a home that has been well cared for. It is currently listed as “under contract,” and a “wreck and remove 2 1/2 story multiunit residence” demolition permit was applied for on February 6th. The permit is under review.

1944 N Sedgwick [John Morris/Chicago Patterns]
231 W. Scott

231 W Scott

Cook County Recorder of Deeds document showing foreclosure activity in 2008
There was little movement at 231 W. Scott after the 2009 foreclosure activity until 2016, which it shows a transfer in ownership to Kenmore Estates LLC, a developer with another project as documented by The Daily Line:
1501 W. School Street (44th Ward)- James Ronan with Kenmore Estates, LLC, was the only developer to offer a bid on the old Wrigleyville Firehouse after two rounds of bidding, according to DPD. Ronan plans to demolish the 4,071-square-foot firehouse to build a multi-unit residential building. It’s currently zoned RT 3.5, which allows for single family homes and townhouses. The city appraised the site at $1 million. Ronan bid $850,000.
A wreck and remove permit for 231 W. Scott was applied for in December of last year, and is still under review.

Ornately detailed cornice trim at 231 W Scott [John Morris/Chicago Patterns]

231 W Scott
742 W. Buckingham

742 W Buckingham
SOLD BEFORE PRINT. PERFECT EAST LAKEVIEW LOCATION. NEW CONSTRUCTION ABOUNDS! SAME OWNERS FOR YEARS. RENTS COULD GO UP – HOWEVER WITH THIS RM4.5 ZONING WITH GREAT HEIGHT RESTRICTION MAKES THIS A TEAR DOWN POTENTIAL. 32X132′ LOT – LANDLOCKED BUT CURB BUT IS A POSSIBILITY. MANY RECENT IMPROVEMENTS HAVE BEEN ACCOMPLISHED LIKE TUCKPOINTING, ROOFING, PLUMBING AND LANDSCAPING. GIVE NOTICE FOR SHOWINGS.

A fleur-de-lis atop 742 W Buckingham [John Morris/Chicago Patterns]

An oversized keystone shows the evolution of tiny bud to fully grown flower [John Morris/Chicago Patterns]
2120 N Seminary

2120 N Seminary [John Morris/Chicago Patterns]
A 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath Victorian home currently used as a rental, 2120 N. Seminary (immediately to the south) is ideal for income, or tear it down to create a fabulous side yard/garden
for 2122 with a sport court or 4-car garage. The possibilities are endless!
The property sold last year, and a demolition permit applied for a few months ago.

Rendering of the future of 2120 N. Seminary, for Pero Hess LLC

2120 N Seminary [John Morris/Chicago Patterns]
There is little chance the demolition permits will be denied for the homes featured here. Because none are Orange rated on the Historic Resources Survey, there is no review or placement on the Demolition Delay List. A more effective deterrent to the loss of architecturally significant homes is the designation of a Landmark or Landmark District.
In the meantime, visit these homes to appreciate good residential architecture before it’s lost forever.
Related Articles
References and Further Reading
- Demolitions Tracker (Chicago Cityscape)
- Suggestion for Chicago Landmark (City of Chicago)
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