Victorian on the Outside, Contemporary on the Inside: 2029 W. Dickens in Bucktown

For those who love the vintage look from the street but want contemporary styling, this 6-bedroom single family home at 2029 W. Dickens in Bucktown is for you.

2029-w-dickens-approved.jpg

The Victorian facade of this house has been restored but a contemporary house has been added to the back, complete with a third floor master suite with its own private terrace.

Built on an extra wide 34.5×100 lot, the house has a rare 3-car attached garage.

It looks like there is no backyard- but instead there is a bi-level deck over the garage, complete with an outdoor fireplace.

There are stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops in the contemporary kitchen open to the living area.

The master suite is on the 3rd floor with 3 bedrooms on the second floor and 2 others in the lower level.

There is also a media room in the lower level.

On the market for 2 years, the house has been reduced $405,000.

Robert John Anderson at Baird & Warner has the listing. See the pictures here.

2029 W. Dickens: 6 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, 6700 square feet, 3 car garage

  • Sold in June 2004 for $600,000
  • Originally listed in December 2008 for $2.4 million
  • Reduced
  • Currently listed for $1,995,000
  • Taxes of $11830
  • Central Air
  • Bedroom #1: 21×14 (third floor)
  • Bedroom #2: 16×18 (second floor)
  • Bedroom #3: 16×12 (second floor)
  • Bedroom #4: 13×13 (second floor)
  • Bedroom #5: 13×12 (lower level)
  • Bedroom #6: 12×11 (lower level)
  • Media room: 22×21 (lower level)
  • Second kitchen: 9×10 (lower level)

47 Responses to “Victorian on the Outside, Contemporary on the Inside: 2029 W. Dickens in Bucktown”

  1. “On the market for 2 years, the house has been reduced $405,000.”

    Extrapolating this out I’m thinking 800-900k in 2016.

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  2. Pretty sweet, and that kitchen is awesome. But what’s the market right now for $2 million homes a few blocks west of the expressway? Didn’t a couple of places recently go for less than this on Fullerton, east of Halsted? What’s $2 million buying these days in Evanston/Wilmette/W/HP?

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  3. Wow! That place is bananas. Love it.

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  4. cool house, like it

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  5. danny (lower case D) on December 3rd, 2010 at 2:27 pm

    What upgrades could possibly turn a $600K structure into a $2.4M palace?

    I can’t think of anything short of an anti-gravity bidet with a solid gold backsplash.

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  6. “What upgrades could possibly turn a $600K structure into a $2.4M palace?”

    Danny you’re right–600k in 2017.

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  7. “there is a bi-level deck over the garage, complete with an outdoor fireplace”

    The bi-level GatorDeck: For better Gator shootin’ and cookin’.

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  8. I thought I’d hate this place, but it IS nice inside… still, for that much $$ I would not live here.

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  9. Hot mess.

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  10. I’ve liked this place for a long time. Property web site below. It’s a wide but short lot, but the “terrace” (aka GD) seems to work. I haven’t seen in person.

    http://www.2029dickens.com/

    “Extrapolating this out I’m thinking 800-900k in 2016.”

    Not a chance, b/c I’d buy at over $1MM before it got to that. Maybe it’ll go higher, but I think it sells pretty easily around $1.5MM.

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  11. ““What upgrades could possibly turn a $600K structure into a $2.4M palace?””

    Quite clearly, none, other than the developers’ desire to have another $400k.

    I like the concept, but hate most of their materials choices–are there really that many diff wood tones/grains in one large kitchen/family area, or is it an illusion of the pix? The bathroom seems off somehow, too, tho I can’t quite pick out what doesn’t work for me, and that’s disregarding the ridiculous size/location of the TV.

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  12. “Not a chance, b/c I’d buy at over $1MM before it got to that. ”

    You may have to wait awhile but you might just get your wish. You’ll get a property from the bank likely in dire straights with damage. Bank’s have shown they really aren’t interested in maintaining their repossessions.

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  13. I love love love the Victorian wrapper with a modern interior (the reverse makes me want to PUKE)…

    The modern addition in the back is kind of ugly but that’s what drives up the price and makes the home the alleged 6,700 sq ft. Otherwise this would be a 1,500 sq ft home (750 per floor) with a nasty musty unfinished basement and a coat hooks for the children’s jackets as soon as you open the basement (aka every victorian house in the city with an unfinished basement).

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  14. ““Extrapolating this out I’m thinking 800-900k in 2016.”

    Not a chance, b/c I’d buy at over $1MM before it got to that.”

    Yeah, a $1mm asking price would be inviting a bidding war. Barest minimum (ie, I think it’s quite a bit more), excluding holding costs, there’s $750k in after acquisition, so cost is over $1.35 (I bet it’s more like $1.5 or $1.6).

    “Maybe it’ll go higher, but I think it sells pretty easily around $1.5MM.”

    If they want to sell it in 2011, I think they need to accept something around $1.8. $1.5 might get it done before NYE.

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  15. Okay, I admit I don’t follow the high end market much but I disagree with both of you anon & DZ. This one will be interesting to follow.

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  16. “I like the concept, but hate most of their materials choices–are there really that many diff wood tones/grains in one large kitchen/family area, or is it an illusion of the pix? The bathroom seems off somehow, too, tho I can’t quite pick out what doesn’t work for me, and that’s disregarding the ridiculous size/location of the TV.”

    I kinda see what you mean about wood but it looks much better on the 2029 web site (which isn’t to say that’s how it really is), and that inset photo on the site is still a bit odd. What’s wrong with tv size/location? You’ve got a living room with piano for the hoity toity types. I shouldn’t have my tv in the great room?

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  17. “Okay, I admit I don’t follow the high end market much but I disagree with both of you anon & DZ. This one will be interesting to follow.”

    Wow, Bob really *is* in a better mood on Fridays.

    I certainly see your perspective, Bob (put it this way–we could “afford” a $1.5mm house, but the thought of it make me a little sick–I’m glad we aren’t in the market to buy), but there are plenty of people in the SFH market who have the $400k DP and income to buy a $1.6mm house and afford the super jumbo mortgage. They aren’t necessarily concerned (rightly/wrongly) about the *likely* capital loss if they were to need to sell in 3-5 years, because they’re living their life and expect to maintain their income. Sure, it’s “economically irrational”, but so is an iPhone (on a much smaller scale) and so is having kids (on about the same scale).

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  18. “What’s wrong with tv size/location? You’ve got a living room with piano for the hoity toity types. I shouldn’t have my tv in the great room?”

    The one in the *bathroom* shown in the pic in Sabrina’s link.

    I’m all for TVs–actually probably getting a new, big one soon (again with the economic irrationality) to replace a big/smaller/bigger one that’s an awesome, functional tube tv that just takes up too much space.

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  19. “What upgrades could possibly turn a $600K structure into a $2.4M palace?”

    well if you look at the external photo (#2) you can see that they added quite a bit to the existing structure

    and for 2 million in this location? eesh, its a really cool place but not that cool. i’d have to see the rest of the house before i judge though, could just be the lack of photos

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  20. Beautiful property, but for that price I would want a nicer area in the city. I wonder what kind of offers they have been getting and im guessing the seller is kicking themselves for not accepting the ones received 2 yrs ago.

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  21. Actually I take that back after looking over the property website… this is really cool and did you guys see this? i got a chuckle out of it

    “The 650 sq.ft. garden level two-bedroom guest suite is also a legal rental.”

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  22. “The one in the *bathroom* shown in the pic in Sabrina’s link.”

    Obviously it’s for a pretty specific purpose. You disapprove? And I honestly don’t know if your complaint about tv (given its position) is that it’s too big or small.

    “could just be the lack of photos”

    Seems like a low effort list, but look at link I posted above.

    “I’m all for TVs–actually probably getting a new, big one soon (again with the economic irrationality) to replace a big/smaller/bigger one that’s an awesome, functional tube tv that just takes up too much space.”

    Friday OT: you should get a slingbox for your armada of ip* if you don’t have already.

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  23. “Obviously it’s for a pretty specific purpose. You disapprove? And I honestly don’t know if your complaint about tv (given its position) is that it’s too big or small.”

    Looks like a 32, which is, imo, too big for a bathroom and too small for the viewing distance from the tub.

    Bigger problem is the location–I don’t even care if it’s “perfectly angled” for reclining-in-tub viewing, tvs (basically) on the ceiling are stooooopid.

    “Friday OT: you should get a slingbox for your armada of ip* if you don’t have already.”

    Yeah, probably. Currently re-working wiring/layout of in-home media devices which will lead to lots more tech purchases. May as well add it to the list.

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  24. “Sure, it’s “economically irrational”, but so is an iPhone (on a much smaller scale) and so is having kids (on about the same scale).”

    Yeah but I don’t see them wanting to live in Bucktown and that close to the highway. $1MM+ goes a long way in (almost) any part of the city and I just don’t see it happening even at $1.5MM.

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  25. “What upgrades could possibly turn a $600K structure into a $2.4M palace…I can’t think of anything short of an anti-gravity bidet with a solid gold backsplash.”

    Ahahahahaha I just fell out of my chair!

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  26. “Yeah but I don’t see them wanting to live in Bucktown and that close to the highway. $1MM+ goes a long way in (almost) any part of the city and I just don’t see it happening even at $1.5MM.”

    Certainly some stuff selling in the low to mid $1MM+ range in bucktown/wicker (more in the part east of damen between north and armitage). Personal taste to some degree, but I would take this place over most if not all of those.

    I take the point generally about the highway (although HD thinks it’s ok to raise kids w/in a half block). This does not feel that close to the highway. And some of the $1.X places in bucktown/wicker that have sold are comparably close.

    “Yeah, probably. Currently re-working wiring/layout of in-home media devices which will lead to lots more tech purchases. May as well add it to the list.”

    Sonos too I think. It’s my next indulgent purchase once I’ve rationalized our music collection and figured out a home server setup.

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  27. “Yeah but I don’t see them wanting to live in Bucktown and that close to the highway. $1MM+ goes a long way in (almost) any part of the city and I just don’t see it happening even at $1.5MM.”

    I have three issues with the location: (1) attendance area school, (2) short lot/no yard, (3) church across the street (don’t like institutions/businesses as immediate neighbors–breaks down the neighborhood feel). If we were private-school-types, I wouldn’t hesitate to live in B’town, but still wouldn’t prefer this exact location.

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  28. i know it’s a 2nd dishwasher but that’s an odd placement for it, next to the refrigerator and a distance from the sink.

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  29. “If we were private-school-types, I wouldn’t hesitate to live in B’town, but still wouldn’t prefer this exact location.”

    I have a feeling the $1MM+ segment in Chicago is indeed private school types.

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  30. “I have a feeling the $1MM+ segment in Chicago is indeed private school types.”

    If you’re around the list of this place, sounds right.

    If you’re right around $1MM then plenty of CPS types too in the right districts. Obviously plenty of private school types too. Don’t have any idea of relative proportions.

    Private school can be pretty expensive even relative to a $1MM house if you have two or three kids. And that’s leaving other considerations aside.

    In my thanksgiving travels, was in airport lounge and saw my great fear of what my kid might become: a 10 y.o. or so kid in a Latin sweatshirt, with sunglasses, head stuck in his ipod (or iphone), looking every bit the spoiled brat. Of course, my toddler was on his ipod wearing the uggs(!!!) my wife had bought him over my considerable protestations.

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  31. “I have a feeling the $1MM+ segment in Chicago is indeed private school types.”

    In my experience, mixed bag.

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  32. “a 10 y.o. or so kid in a Latin sweatshirt, with sunglasses, head stuck in his ipod (or iphone), looking every bit the spoiled brat.”

    Take away the Latin sweatshirt and it could conceivably be any 10yr old. If I was rich I wouldn’t worry about spoiling my kids so much as worrying they’d fall into a Less Than Zero type of existence (doing drugs, being indifferent, being unmotivated).

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  33. I don’t understand why that generalization was made it’s a ten year old child! What did any of you do at the age of 10? If you were him you’d be listening to your ipod as well! Private school, public school does have an effect but its what is thought at home as well. Remember that ladies and gentlemen.

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  34. back to place, it is a beauty! i think a bit overpriced, but nonetheless a nice place.

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  35. “I have a feeling the $1MM+ segment in Chicago is indeed private school types.”

    We used to be (non-parochial) private school types until the tuition starts racking up with each additional kid. Elementary (grades 1-5) at the independents is running in the neighborhood of 20K with no sibling discount and not accounting for the fundraising they expect.

    May be OK for 1 or 2 kids, but it gets to be absurd with 3+. 2 million can get you a very nice place with a good public school.

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  36. there are much better options in the city for 2 million, but not 1.5.

    the thing is, this place is a lot larger space in this neighborhood than a lot of it’s 1.5mil ask competitors. it’s an easy sell for 1.5..

    i know some are a fan of the preserved victorian front, but i think they could have made it look a lot nicer…it looks kind of shabby in the front for a 2 million dollar house. the rest of the home is beautiful.

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  37. There aren’t very many red brick victorians in chicago and in generally the brick victorians are mansions not small homes like this one. And the smaller homes are usually frame. And frame makes it easier to give it the folk or gingerbread victorian look that makes victorians so recognizable. I’m sure the developer looked at the front and said “let’s do something” but in the end probably decided to leave it simple and understated just as it was originally intended. This was never meant to be a folk victorian mansion.

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  38. I think this is horrible and quite schizophrenic. The facade does not at all match the modern structure behind. The railing by stairs makes the place look like a prison. The woodwork in kitchen is a mix between a hunting hut and an alpine ski bungalow. I cannot believe city lets the designer/architect commit such an abomination of work. This can never happen in a european city with regulations. Not to be catty, but reminds me of the ways women dress in Chicago: a wool skirt with a linen shirt, or open toed shoes in winter.

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  39. Banging place! Noticed that it was agent owned. Wonder if it is his own pad or if another agent hired him to get it sold? My bet is that This place will break $1.5 before summer 2011 or come off the market.

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  40. I have seen this house. Its nice, but nothing special. You could build something that is more functional for the money. There is no shot of this thing selling at this price. $1.5m, Maybe.

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  41. It’s really interesting reading everyone’s comments about this place. There is a definite “psychological barrier” once you get over 1.5 million – but as long as people understand this is just psychological, they can get over it. Look at it this way, someone buying this house for 1.5 million (w/ 400k down) will be paying 4583/month in interest (@5%). If you buy it at 2 million (w/same down payment and interest) your monthly interest will be 6666/month. Furthermore, when you consider the person is likely in the highest tax bracket, their “true” interest payment (after mortgage interest deduction) is 2796 for 1.5 million and 4067 for 2.0 million price ( a difference of only 1271/month).

    The point is that you have to run the numbers before forming opinions on things. You may be missing out on many opportunities.

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  42. Clio- Are jumbo loans really down to 5%. Damn this is good news for the Richie Rich’s of the world. Things must be looking up for prices in Maui, Vail, and Palm Desert!

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  43. Speaking of Maui. (We love it there) I heard that the Islands have not taken much of a hit at least not on high high end oceanfront estates. Is this true? Is that due to rental income still being strong from a weaker dollar? Is it the BOB yearly holiday vacation and all of the western white house media coverage? (Yes I know that he is on another island)

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  44. I’ve also been watching this place for awhile; the idea of the moving walls and reconfiguring second floor is intriguing. The downstairs suite would be hillarious as a rental in such a place, but I’d use it for the aupair or inlaws and not feel as if they were really living with us.

    Lack of yard makes it tough as then I’d still have to walk the dog. for $2MM I’d like to get rid of that aspect of life when it’s freezing or I’m feeling lazy. This is in Pulaski so CPS is starting to become an option for the younger grades IMHO.

    Maui – jp3 when we were there last I gave a throw away e-mail address to a realtor and receive updates on various properties; I haven’t seen much of a change at all in the dream properties. Condos have moved down but not as much as you’d hope.

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  45. “Clio- Are jumbo loans really down to 5%. Damn this is good news for the Richie Rich’s of the world”

    JP3 – jumbo loans are down to 4.675% (some banks even lower).

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  46. “Speaking of Maui. (We love it there) I heard that the Islands have not taken much of a hit at least not on high high end oceanfront estates. Is this true?”

    I think that–in more than a few cases–the party marketing the high high end for sale may have changed (if you catch my drift), and have even more interest in not undercutting the potential sales prices of their other properties.

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  47. “I’ve also been watching this place for awhile; the idea of the moving walls and reconfiguring second floor is intriguing. The downstairs suite would be hillarious as a rental in such a place, but I’d use it for the aupair or inlaws and not feel as if they were really living with us.”

    The downstairs doesn’t seem nice enough as is for in-law space. Maybe in laws could just take one of the “suites” upstairs and have the extra space for entertaining or as some extra private space or something.

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