Get a 4-Bedroom Vintage “Campus Cottage” for $995,000: 1224 E. 57th in Hyde Park

This 4-bedroom single family home at 1224 E. 57th in Hyde Park came on the market in May 2019.

Built in 1887, the listing calls it a “unique campus cottage, built around the Columbian Worlds Fair.”

It’s on an irregular 34×100 lot but doesn’t have a garage or any onsite parking.

This house has many of its vintage features including original trim (not painted), exposed brick, pocket doors, an original clawfoot tub and unique cobble stone flooring in the lower level.

The listing says the house has mostly new windows, hardwood flooring and mechanicals.

It has been electrically rewired.

There’s also an en suite master bath, which the listing says is “brand new,” which is an unusual feature in a house from this era.

The house has 3 full bathrooms, including two on the second floor and one in the basement. (See the floor plan for more info on the layout.)

The listing says the kitchen is “newer” and “modern” with wood cabinets, a farmhouse sink and white appliances.

The house doesn’t appear to have central air however.

Originally listed in May 2019 for $995,000, it was reduced to $949,000 by August 2019 before being re-listed back at $995,000 in October.

It’s still listed at $995,000.

This house is in the middle of everything in Hyde Park. It’s within steps to the University of Chicago, the Lab School, shops and restaurants.

It hasn’t changed hands in 22 years.

Why isn’t this selling?

Madelaine Gerbaulet-Vanasse at Meliora Real Estate has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

1224 E. 57th: 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2765 square feet

  • Sold in July 1995 for $150,000
  • Sold in August 1998 for $282,000
  • Originally listed in May 2019 for $995,000
  • Reduced
  • Was listed in August 2019 for $949,000
  • Raised
  • Was listed in October 2019 for $995,000
  • Currently listed at $995,000
  • Taxes of $8424
  • No central air
  • No parking/garage
  • Gas fireplace
  • Bedroom #1: 19×12 (second floor)
  • Bedroom #2: 17×11 (second floor)
  • Bedroom #3: 12×10 (second floor)
  • Bedroom #4: 10×8 (basement)
  • Living room: 16×13 (main floor)
  • Dining room: 15×13 (main floor)
  • Family room: 26×21 (basement)
  • Sunroom: 13×6 (main floor)
  • Den: 13×8 (main floor)
  • Kitchen: 21×11 (main floor)

42 Responses to “Get a 4-Bedroom Vintage “Campus Cottage” for $995,000: 1224 E. 57th in Hyde Park”

  1. No AC
    Painting over the trim and color selection
    Kitchen is something I’d expect in a $400k house, not $1MM
    No WC on the main floor
    Landscaping looks like crap

    Is the egress window legal in basement “bedroom”

    0
    0
  2. Why isn’t this selling?

    Among other things,
    1. There’s a mattress on the floor
    2. It’s land-locked with no garage
    3. People don’t pay a million to not have A/C
    4. Glass brick windows
    5. Sheets over the windows
    6. No curb appeal
    7. That bathroom window that is floor/crotch level is hilarious
    8. Red paint, green fireplace
    9. Apartment-grade kitchen
    10. The balcony bench made out of 4x4s
    11. Everything about that basement

    0
    0
  3. bahahaha yeah a million bucks in San Francisco maybe not in hyde park

    would anyone even pay this much if it was located in lincoln park? probably not, pictures make the place look really gross and dirty too

    0
    0
  4. Are they serious with that price? LOL. You can get a similar cottage on the northwest side for 400-450k and pay 3k a year less in taxes, have a garage, central AC, and probably nicer finishes throughout. Is the seller or realtor more delusional in this situation?

    0
    0
  5. So many things wrong with this place, especially at this price point. That kitchen layout is just terrible. Why not have the sink and dishwasher under the window on back wall instead of crammed in the corner? Sure, I get open shelving is “in” now but this is not how you do it.

    0
    0
  6. A million dollar house with a $300 range? On an exterior wall, and yet a micro-hood? This is the featured kitchen in the next issue of Micro-Hood Quarterly, isn’t it??

    they’re pretty clearly anchoring off of this place:

    https://www.redfin.com/IL/Chicago/1232-E-57th-St-60637/home/13944865

    which is a reasonable comp.

    Guess that everyone that buys in this immediate campus area must be coming from NY/Boston/CA, and thinks these prices are really cheap.

    [checked the buyer of the comp–spent almost a decade in London before coming to hyde park, so, yeah, $1.1m would seem like pocket change for that size house with a proper garden.]

    0
    0
  7. “would anyone even pay this much if it was located in lincoln park? ”

    The lot could be ‘worth’ $850k, depending on where exactly in LP, so maybe.

    0
    0
  8. they’re pretty clearly anchoring off of this place:
    https://www.redfin.com/IL/Chicago/1232-E-57th-St-60637/home/13944865
    which is a reasonable comp.

    Damn, that’s depressing

    0
    0
  9. On a positive note, it’s close to Nella Pizza e Pasta, the best Italian restaurant in Chicago (not counting Spiaggia).

    0
    0
  10. “This is the featured kitchen in the next issue of Micro-Hood Quarterly, isn’t it??”

    I think it might get the cover/feature story.

    When I started looking at this listing, I must confess that I thought “well, a little quirky, but lots of potential and kinda charming.” In my (university adjacent) community, I think this property would sell near the list price (even without parking). I wish Sabrina would enable us to post pics – everyone would love the fact that not only do I not have an actual hood over the stove, I don’t even have a micro-hood. Just a weird 1 by 4 foot wall opening above the stove (into the living room) and the bottom of cabinets to absorb vegetarian cooking exhaust and moisture. And oh, if you could see our “basement” (a former crawlspace under the living/dining/kitchen that the previous owner dug out – himself, about 25 years ago, to provide approx 7 foot ceilings), it would take your breath away.

    0
    0
  11. Yikes…I knew Hyde park was on the pricier side for the south side, and there are certainly some beautiful homes there….But this place is hideous. Wouldn’t want it for 500k, let alone a million.

    We don’t usually agree, but I’ll second HH that Nella is pretty dang good. They have a truffle ravioli that’s mind blowing.

    0
    0
  12. “Are they serious with that price? LOL. You can get a similar cottage on the northwest side for 400-450k and pay 3k a year less in taxes, have a garage, central AC, and probably nicer finishes throughout.”

    Um…Hyde Park is a better neighborhood than the “northwest side”? Maybe?

    Location, location, location.

    The biases against the south side on this blog are astounding. The South Side is the hottest part of the city right now and will be for the rest of 2020.

    Once this gloomy weather breaks, I’ll be covering more of what is going on. But I need some sun for the pictures.

    0
    0
  13. “The biases against the south side on this blog are astounding. The South Side is the hottest part of the city right now and will be for the rest of 2020.“

    What you call bias is personal preference and is why in general the North is valued higher than the South

    If South Side properties are priced like this, I would expect a major cooling off period. $1MM for a non AC crapshack GTFO

    0
    0
  14. “What you call bias is personal preference and is why in general the North is valued higher than the South”
    ————————
    What you call personal preference in Chicago is racism as a whole, which is why it is/was the most segregated major City in America. Whites lived on the North side, Blacks lived on the South side, and never the twain met.

    Hyde Park was one of the few White ‘hoods in the South side in the 1950s until you got to the southwest bungalow belt. Hyde park itself was iffy up until the University of Chicago made a commitment in the early 1950s to stay in Hyde Park

    0
    0
  15. “Whites lived on the North side, Blacks lived on the South side, and never the twain met.”

    But before that, the South Side was the fancy white part of town.

    And you’re forgetting about Hegewisch. Much like John Kerry forgot about Poland, you’re forgetting about the Polish.

    0
    0
  16. “What you call personal preference in Chicago is racism as a whole, which is why it is/was the most segregated major City in America. Whites lived on the North side, Blacks lived on the South side, and never the twain met.”

    Really, No whites on the Southside? I guess my family that grew up in Archer Heights, Westlawn, etc would be shocked to know they wernt Southsiders. Or is this one of your hill to die on re: Bucktown?

    While racism is a huge part of Chicago’s history (Thanks Democratic Party), groups self segregating was more due to culture and language

    0
    0
  17. “Or is this one of your hill to die on re: Bucktown?”

    All white people areas of South Side (as distinct from SW side) as of 1950, other than Hyde Park = “South Bucktown”, and therefore actually North Side.

    0
    0
  18. Paint the red walls. Gone are the days when a seller can say the buyer can choose a color they like. No one wants red and no one wants to have the job of paining over. The open shelving is not a reality for most people.

    0
    0
  19. “While racism is a huge part of Chicago’s history (Thanks Democratic Party), groups self segregating was more due to culture and language”

    This is so wrong as to be laughable. There have been dozens of studies done over the past 50 years describing, in detail, the redlining that was done in many Chicago neighborhoods expressly so that African Americans could not buy a home in certain neighborhoods.

    Chicago remains one of the most segregated cities in America, as a result.

    0
    0
  20. “Chicago remains one of the most segregated cities in America, as a result.”

    Very, very true. Majority of the hispanic population stays on the west side ( and are getting pushed further and further west ), African American population is very much on the south and parts of the west side.

    Basically if you go north of mccormick up to rogers park, and west to about as far as ashland – you’re predominantly white, with a sprinkling of asiand and other minorities. Maybe with Uptown region being an exception – but probably not for a lot longer.

    It’s getting better though, although slowly. I remember when I was in grad school, I’d do a serious double take If I saw an African American person in river north, streeterville, bucktown, west loop, Lincoln park etc etc….Simply because it wasn’t something I saw often..especially in the nightlife scene.

    Compared to LA / NYC / Miami , we’re very , very , very segregated, especially given that nearly what, 40 % of our city is African American?

    0
    0
  21. “up to rogers park, and west to about as far as ashland”

    From Ukie north, the line is really Western, or the river. Except much of Uptown, which is much more mixed.

    “what, 40 % of our city is African American?”

    Was. Now it’s about 30/32/30 (B/W/H-L) with the last 8 asian/biracial/etc.

    In 1990, it was 39/38/20, and 3% everybody else.
    In 1970, it was 33/65 and 2% everyone else. But then, H-L counted as white, so long as they weren’t ‘negro’ (yes, official census category for ’70).

    The black population of Chicago and Cook County keeps dropping.

    0
    0
  22. “This is so wrong as to be laughable. There have been dozens of studies done over the past 50 years describing, in detail, the redlining that was done in many Chicago neighborhoods expressly so that African Americans could not buy a home in certain neighborhoods.
    Chicago remains one of the most segregated cities in America, as a result.”

    You are a dolt

    I never said it was completely free of racism or that there weren’t groups/policies in place to exacerbated segregation – Dan Ryan, Bogan Broads, etc. My comment was if you are an off the boat Polack or Mexican, you’re probably going migrate to an area where you can speak the language at a minimum

    You as a repeater of leftwing talking points should feel much shame that the folks you support have made Chicago “one of the most segregated cities in America.”

    But that would take some semblance of self awareness…

    0
    0
  23. “Really, No whites on the Southside? I guess my family that grew up in Archer Heights, Westlawn, etc would be shocked to know they wernt Southsiders. ”
    ————————–
    Archer Heights and Westlawn are part of the Southwest bungalow belt in my book, which is why I mentioned whites in the southwest side.

    Gotta read for comprehension, JohnnyU, comprehension.

    0
    0
  24. Chicago is pretty segregated. However, nowadays, most of it self-imposed. I have black friends & clients who could buy ANYWHERE in Chicago income wise. Doctors, lawyers, investment bankers, etc…. I’d say 90% of the time they still buy on the south side. When they don’t go to South side, it is almost always South Loop.

    When I lived in Andersonville 20 years ago, I rarely ever saw another black person that actually lived in the neighborhood. However, I never once felt out of place or unwelcome.

    Wife and I have pondered why so many choose to move to the south side when they could live anywhere in Chicago.

    The only thing I can surmise is that many of us can’t wrap our heads around spending so much money for a shoebox condo. Culturally, we tend to favor space over amenities. For example, I get black couples who will spend $500-$700k to buy a HOUSE on southside but they will not spend that kind of money to buy a 2/2 condo on Northside.

    0
    0
  25. “Archer Heights and Westlawn are part of the Southwest bungalow belt in my book, which is why I mentioned whites in the southwest side.
    Gotta read for comprehension, JohnnyU, comprehension.”

    So your first paragraph was wrong

    Woodlawn, Back of the Yards were white in the 50’s, so wrong again. I’m guessing your definition of the Bungalow belt makes as much sense as your Bucktown def.

    0
    0
  26. “Woodlawn, Back of the Yards were white in the 50’s, so wrong again. I’m guessing your definition of the Bungalow belt makes as much sense as your Bucktown def.”
    ————————-
    Actually, less so. I like the South side, from a distance, and go with the concept. As for Bucktown, I lived there, and self-interested realtors and home buyers trying to justify the expense don’t get a vote in moving neighborhood borders. Not in Bucktown, not in Hyde Park (whatever its boundaries are), and not in Woodlawn/Back of the Yards/Archer Heights/Brozeville or anywhere else.

    And Chicago is still very segregated.

    0
    0
  27. ” For example, I get black couples who will spend $500-$700k to buy a HOUSE on southside but they will not spend that kind of money to buy a 2/2 condo on Northside.”
    ————————–
    Nothing like a real piece of land with your name on it. Ownership of an “undivided X percent share of the common elements” ain’t the same.

    0
    0
  28. Actually, less so. I like the South side, from a distance, and go with the concept. As for Bucktown, I lived there, and self-interested realtors and home buyers trying to justify the expense don’t get a vote in moving neighborhood borders. Not in Bucktown, not in Hyde Park (whatever its boundaries are), and not in Woodlawn/Back of the Yards/Archer Heights/Brozeville or anywhere else.
    And Chicago is still very segregated.

    Ok so both of your paragraphs were incorrect

    Funny how those that bemoan segregated neighborhoods, live in some of the most segregated neighborhoods

    0
    0
  29. “Hyde Park (whatever its boundaries are)”

    Pershing Road on the north, State Street on the west, Lake Michigan and the Indiana state line on the east, and 138th Street and the Calumet River on the south

    That’s Hyde Park Township, and since it came first, it is immutable, and all of that can be fairly called “Hyde Park, Chicago”. Under your theory, at least.

    0
    0
  30. “That’s Hyde Park Township, and since it came first, it is immutable, and all of that can be fairly called “Hyde Park, Chicago”. Under your theory, at least.”
    ————————–

    Township is a tax assessor’s thing, not a neighborhood thing, and yes, township definitions, per the tax assessor, are immutable.

    0
    0
  31. Who besides you says that neighborhood definitions are immutable?

    0
    0
  32. Right thinking residents of the actual neighborhoods. 🙂

    Developers, r.e. agents, and people trying to justify to themselves what they over paid for a house need not apply.

    At least you’re off the assessor township thing

    0
    0
  33. “At least you’re off the assessor township thing”

    no, that was a rhetorical device that accomplished its goal.

    The *current* residents of the “actual neighborhood” define it as Fullerton to North, Western to the River:

    https://bucktown.org/about/history/

    0
    0
  34. There was a long discussion of this a few years ago. Bootstrapping by the r.e. agents, developers, and wannabe residents doesn’t count.

    Nice try, though.

    0
    0
  35. Lol @johnc

    Guess I’ve been snoozing on this issue, but seems like you’re passionate about this issue.

    I think google, wikipedia, and every other ‘map’ you find defining bucktown disagrees with your boundary definitions.

    I’m all for calling BS on real estate agents calling things ‘west bucktown’ etc…But seems like you take it a little far.

    0
    0
  36. “seems like you take it a little far”

    Or not far enough, depending on one’s perspective.

    Funniest part is:

    johnc does NOT currently live in Bucktown. So, based on his own stated “authority”, his view is irrelevant.

    0
    0
  37. “johnc does NOT currently live in Bucktown. So, based on his own stated “authority”, his view is irrelevant.”
    —————————–
    Facts don’t change. Bootstrappers don’t count. So the authority holds, even if I never lived there.

    0
    0
  38. “the authority holds, even if I never lived there.”

    But you said the authority is the people who live there, so you discredit yourself.

    It sounds an awful lot like Dershowitz’s argument in the Senate yesterday.

    0
    0
  39. “But you said the authority is the people who live there, so you discredit yourself.”
    ——————————
    You’re using bizarre logic, son. The people who live there (there defined without regard to the developers, r.e. agents, and other boot-strappers) define the boundaries, and the rest of us have to respect that.

    Q.E.D.

    I happened to live there.

    Dershowitz did go off the deep end, didn’t he?

    0
    0
  40. This house has been reduced to $949,000.

    0
    0
  41. This place makes the little brick cottage in Logan Square that you featured, look like a gift by comparison. I can’t imagine this place selling for more than $400K, when there are so many single family houses in the same neighborhood, on better blocks, that are far better homes, listed in the $600K- $900K range.

    Here’s just one beautiful home listed for a little less, that is a palace by comparison. Needs a little work here and there, but at least you’re getting a real house. https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/5305-S-Greenwood-Ave_Chicago_IL_60615_M79669-45102?view=qv

    There are a number of other better deals available around there for less money, as well.

    0
    0
  42. Looks like it sold at the end of August for 850.

    Love that Laura posted Fritz Kaegi’s childhood home….

    0
    0

Leave a Reply