Photograph courtesy Margaret Killough
Address: 949 Lenox Pl., North Avondale
Listing Price: $1,199,000
Built in 1915, this North Avondale home blends timeless charm with subtle (but necessary) modern pleasures. The property has a whopping seven bedrooms, five bathrooms, and a detached two-car garage. Within the last 20 years, major renovations have refreshed much of the structure while preserving the original beauty of the woodwork and design.
The exterior was all professionally tuckpointed, a process that refurbishes the mortar between bricks, creating a cleaner look and improving structural integrity. The update is especially noticeable on the bright mortar of the wraparound porch.
Countless unique details appear throughout the inside, such as the wooden fish carved into the staircase and the opulent handcrafted chandelier that once glimmered in a Chicago train station circa 1910. Also of note is the red and gold hand-painted wallpaper throughout—a recreation of wall coverings at Mark Twain’s Connecticut home.
Photograph courtesy Margaret Killough
The centerpiece of the estate is its grand staircase, made entirely of tiger oak, created with a specialized sawing technique that makes a distinctive pattern resembling tiger stripes. The process creates lumber that’s less prone to warping over time— which explains why the staircase is in pristine condition more than 100 years later.
Though this home is a well-preserved piece of architectural history, renovations over the years infuse it with luxuries. The vibrant blue kitchen is fully equipped with a state-of-the-art fridge, stacked ovens, and a TV mounted above the microwave. Modern touches continue in the owner’s suite, where the bathroom features white Italian marble, a fireplace, a freestanding soaking tub, and a Bluetooth light therapy shower enclosure, which promotes mental and physical well-being. The third-floor bathroom also doubles as a sauna room—a 21st century amenity that found a comfortable place in a home from a century earlier.
Photograph courtesy Margaret Killough
Facebook Comments