Property transfers p. B8
May 12, 2021
Homes
Powered by the Oak Park Area Association of Realtors
Twice as nice
Two Patton & Fisher-designed homes hit the market in Oak Park By LACEY SIKORA
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Contributing Reporter
atton & Fisher was a Chicago architecture presence from 1885 through 1899. Architects Normand Patton and Reynolds Fisher designed buildings throughout the Midwest, including the Lincoln Park Zoo Headquarters and several buildings on the Illinois Institute of Technology Campus. They left their mark on Oak Park as well, designing Pilgrim Congregational Church, the now-demolished Scoville Institute and a number of single-family homes. Two of those homes recently hit the market and are good examples of the architects’ style. The John Rankin House at 245 N. Kenilworth Ave. was built in 1888. The Lawrence Muther House, just a block away at 222 Forest Ave. was built in 1883. Greer Haseman and Chris Curran of the GPS Team of @ properties are listing both houses, both of which have asking prices near or above $1 million. The home at 222 Forest Ave. is listed at $1,290,000. The sixbedroom, four-bathroom house spans over 5,300 square feet and sits on a lot that is 74-feet wide by 331-feet deep. The sellers won a historic preservation award for their restoration of the home’s front porch, which includes a second story balcony accessible from the upstairs bedrooms. The first floor features working original pocket doors and wainscoting that defines the grand staircase to the second floor. While the traditional living room and dining room boast the classic woodwork and high ceilings of a Victorian home, they also marry well with today’s styles. “Contemporary furniture and lighting work well in these rooms because of the high ceilings and sense of grand space,” Haseman said. The kitchen is new and the original butler’s pantry adds charm as a pass-through to the dining room. A newer mudroom provides storage and access to the rear yard. The original stable and tack room at the rear of the property have been reimagined as garage and storage space. At some point, a family room was added adjacent to the kitchen, and Haseman says the volume on the first floor and numerous windows allow in lots of sunlight. The library with original leaded glass windows and built-in bookcases, says Haseman, is “a great background for Zooms.” A small room tucked under the front staircase lends itself to a fun hideaway for children. Upstairs, the primary bedroom is a spacious combination of two smaller bedrooms, and includes an en suite bathroom. Four more bedrooms and a hall bathroom round out the second floor. High ceilings, leaded glass and original wooden sphere doorknobs keep the old-house charm alive. The attic space features a playroom, sixth bedroom, full bathroom and a bonus room. Haseman says that this house, like its later-built neighbor on Kenilworth share many traits. “You can see that when they designed these houses,” Haseman said. “The design elements were very consistent. These houses were meant to entertain.” See PATTON & FISHER on page B5
Photos provided
TWO-FER: Two Patton & Fisher homes, at 222 Forest Ave. (top) and 245 N. Kenilworth Ave., have just gone on the market. May 12, 2021 ■ Wednesday Journal/Forest Park Review
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