Long-time residents of idyllic communities often fight the forces that bring change to their comfortable surroundings.
The enemy might be new construction that doubles the density of an area or an architectural style that clashes with what’s familiar.
You might expect that attitude in west suburban Oak Park, a village that thrives on tradition, that’s known as a solid place for family life, that has sprawling homes and a degree of demographic diversity.
But a rather significant change in one parcel of residential property has had much of Oak Park not protesting and up in arms but, in fact, applauding.
An Oak Brook-based company that specializes in condominium conversions, IGL Real Estate, took a two-story, motel-type ’50s building that had housed 10 rental apartments and turned it into a showcase for Prairie-inspired design.
The 10 apartments were metamorphosed into five condominium units, each with two bedrooms and 2 1/2 bathrooms. The units are base priced from $279,900 to $299,900.
The exterior got more than a mere facelift: Out went the front-and-center metal stairways leading to the second level; in and on went the Frank Lloyd Wright-style multipaned windows, strong horizontal lines and wide eaves.
A third story was added, providing what the developer amusingly calls a penthouse for each unit but what truly is a large and light-filled bonus room, plus a sun deck conveniently equipped with electric and gas outlets (think grills, of course).
The thought of having a third-floor haven opening to the outdoors gets creative juices flowing: A child’s playroom? Maybe an office or guest quarters, perhaps an exercise or hobby or media room. Certainly some Oak Parkers might be open to a meditation room or a library.
Living space, in square footage, is not impressive by Oak Park standards; at most, it’s just under 2,000 square feet, including the deck. But, the use of that space is impressive. The layouts are efficient, the rooms flow nicely and there has been no skimping on closet and storage space.
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The ground-level entry–devoid of a foyer, hallway or some type of separated space–opens directly into the living room–not my favorite way of welcoming guests or entering my own home. (However, I am beginning to find that I don’t have many allies in my quest to make even a tiny foyer a must in every dwelling.)
Michelle Testoni, the engineering member of the building’s design team, said none of the visitors who’ve expressed interest in the town homes have mentioned the entryway.
The living room melds into a space that might be used for dining or simply extends the living room, as per the model. A good-sized space adjacent to the open kitchen might serve as either a dining area or a small family room.
Master bedrooms are large (19 by 12 feet) in the two end units, even larger (16 by 12 plus 19-by-7-foot sitting area) in the three center units; the second upstairs room is adequate for a bedroom, nice sized for a den or office.
The outside-access basement is another bonus: It’s here that each residence has two large storage spaces and its own heating, cooling and water equipment (rather than inside the condo as is the case in many town homes). Full-size stackable washers and dryers (standard equipment) are located on the second floor of each unit, convenient to bedrooms.
Both bathrooms are partially covered with a handsome textured ceramic tile; one has a large steam shower, the other a whirlpool tub.
The rehabbed building does have the feel and appearance of being well-constructed. Interior oak doors, in a design appropriate to the Prairie mood, are weighty.
Upon stepping out on to the sun deck, this visitor became aware of traffic and other noise for the first time. Testoni attributes that to the brick-and-concrete-block construction and the thermopane casement windows.
Interested potential buyers fit into very specific categories, according to Testoni:
“Young couples who work in the Loop,” easily attributed to both accessible public transportation (Metra, CTA’s Harlem/Lake green line, with the Oak Park Avenue stop less than three blocks away) and the Eisenhower Expressway; and empty nesters, planning to move from their multibedroom, big-yard homes but determined to stay in or near Oak Park.
Considering this village is landlocked (even the farmers market manager laments the lack of space to expand), with room for new construction practically nil, it’s no wonder that long-time residents are welcoming a structure that blends into the town’s ambiance.
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Address comments to Genevieve Buck, baiduhai, 435 N. Michigan Ave., 4th Floor, Chicago, IL. 60611. Or you may e-mail her at [email protected].
The House Hunter column returns to the New Homes section on Saturday.