Posts Tagged Chicago firehouse converted to luxury home

Former Chicago firehouse for sale (more)

Jun 7

Posted by Admin in Fire Department History | 2 Comments

At a Plan Commission meeting June 15, officials will introduce a resolution to sell 102-year-old firehouse in Rogers Park at 1721 W. Greenleaf Ave. to Jim Andrews and Dean Vance, a long-time neighborhood couple who have sought to renovate the building for years.

They want to transform the firehouse into a work-live space that would include rooftop solar panels, a geothermal heating and cooling system, and two greenhouses. Other features would include parking for up to 10 cars; transforming the building’s 10,000-square-foot concrete lot into a landscaped garden; restoration and retention of the firehouse’s facade; and an emphasis on maintaining as much of the architectural integrity as possible.

The two would live on the second floor, while the first floor would be used for their ad agency and therapy practice.

They attempted to buy the building during the city’s last round of bids in 2013-2014 and were among three finalists selected by community members to potentially take it over, but an error by the city required the process to be halted and restarted.

Earlier this year Ald. Joe Moore (49th) said though he had gone through a community input process to recommend the best buyer to the city, he was told he would have to choose the highest bidder instead.

In February, the city opened the Greenleaf Avenue firehouse back up to bids for the third time since it closed in 2009 and issued a request for proposals with a target selling price of $315,000.

The estimated $1,657,540 renovation could potentially triple the property’s value to about $925,280. If all goes according to plan, the pair hope to have the renovations are finished by the end of 2018.

The station, formerly home to Engine Co. No. 102, has been on the market several times since it closed in 2009 after the construction of a newer firehouse. The 6,323-square-foot building was finished in 1915 and sits on a 8,934-square-foot lot.

thanks Dan & Dennis

Tags: Chicago Fire Department firehouse, Chicago firehouse converted to luxury home, Chicago sells old firehouse, chicagoareafire.com, closed Chicago firehouse, new life for old Chicago firehouse, vacant Chicago firehouse

New use for old Chicago firehouse … for sale (more)

Oct 23

Posted by Admin in Fire Department History | 6 Comments

Former home of a Chicago Fire Insurance Patrol company is for sale.

Excerpts from DNAinfo.com:

For a cool $1.1 million, you could own a genuine Chicago firehouse. The home’s asking price has dropped $250,000 since it was first listed in June.

The building, at 3921 N. Ravenswood Ave., dates back to 1907 and has been completely renovated as a 4,500-square-foot, 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom home. The original firehouse doors remain in place, opening to the street for dramatic effect.

The firehouse housed the Chicago Fire Insurance Patrol, according to the Fire Museum of Greater Chicago. From 1871 to 1959, fire insurance companies operated patrols that salvaged furniture, machinery, and other items in burning buildings. Patrols also did maintenance work on sprinklers, roofs and doors to protect them.

There are a couple dozen firehouses still in Chicago built in the 1920s or earlier. Some in Rogers Park, Edgewater, and Wicker Park have sold in recent years, typically as single-family homes.

View from the street.

First floor interior

Excerpts from Chicagocurbed.com:

A rare and unique property just steps from the Irving Park Brown Line station has returned to the market with new photos and a big price reduction. The old firehouse, originally built in 1907, hit the market in June seeking $1.35 million, but can now be had for $1.1 million—a quarter million dollar reduction from its initial asking price.

It’s certainly got curb appeal. But behind the brick exterior and shiny red garage door lies a spacious 4,500-square-foot home with three bedrooms and three bathrooms. The attached garage space doubles as a place for entertaining. If you’ve been looking to get into the events business, this one could be a solid investment.

The listing agent mentions that the kitchen was rehabbed last year. It features some neat extras, like a two-keg home draft setup. There’s also a spacious outdoor deck area to take the entertaining outside during the warmer months.

Bedroom.

The kitchen.

Kitchen and living area.

The second floor.

Interior stairs.

thanks Dan

Tags: Chicago Fire Insurance Patrol, Chicago firehouse converted to luxury home, former Chicago fire house, former Chicago fire house for sale

New use for old Chicago firehouse … for sale

Jul 14

Posted by Admin in Fire Department History | 1 Comment

Excerpts from dnainfo.com:

There’s something undeniably cool about living in a firehouse, but it’s pretty uncommon in Chicago.

A spacious 1907 firehouse just listed for sale in Lakeview is a rare find in the city — only three converted firehouses have sold in the past five years, said realtor Laura Topp who said the building’s unique history combined with recent remodeling that highlights the home’s spacious ceilings and roomy rooms makes it well worth the $1,350,000 price tag.

The firehouse at 3921 N. Ravenswood Ave. is a little different in that it housed the fire insurance patrol, according to the Fire Museum of Greater Chicago. From 1871 to 1959, fire insurance companies operated patrols that salvaged furniture, machinery, and other items in burning buildings. Patrols also did maintenance work on sprinklers, roofs and doors to protect them.

“Patrol units responded to fires with lights and sirens along with regular fire units and, in an emergency, would man a hose line, raise ladders or render first aid to fire victims,” wrote museum director Ken Little in 2006. “This service was performed at no charge, and whether the occupants had fire insurance or not.”

Little said then that there were about 30 old firehouses still in Chicago built in the 1920s or earlier.

The insurance patrol left Ravenswood Avenue in 1933 and eventually, the firehouse became a home. The two-story home has changed hands. One owner did significant remodeling over their 20 years in the firehouse, creating a woodshop, artist studio, wine cellar and basketball court. They put it up for sale for $410,000 in 1994.

The current owners have expanded on the luxurious feeling of the open rooms, with heated floors on the ground level, a cedar coat closet and a green house room. Upstairs, the kitchen was fully remodeled last year, complete with a sparkling water faucet and custom-built quarter-sawn oak cabinetry. As developers of a sixth-barrel keg, the owners installed a two-head draft system with mini refrigerators for two sixth-barrel kegs.

thanks Dan

Tags: Chicago firehouse converted to luxury home, former Chicago fire house