Irving Park’s Historic Landmarked ‘Race House’ Returns: 3945 N. Tripp
This 5-bedroom Victorian Italianate single family home at 3945 N. Tripp in Old Irving Park came on the market in March 2019.
But if it looks familiar, that’s because we chattered about it several times between 2007 and 2014 when it was on, and off, the market.
See the 2014 chatter here.
If you recall, this is a special house.
Built for Stephen Race, one of the members of the founding family of Irving Park, in 1874, the house was designated a Chicago landmark in 1988.
According to Wikipedia, the house originally cost $12,000 to build in 1873.
It’s on a smaller than standard Chicago lot measuring 50×75 but it has 2-car parking on a side drive.
It’s been fully renovated over the years and has central air alongside many of its vintage features like pocket doors, stained glass windows, arched doorways, parquet floor inlays, and 4 working gas fireplaces.
It has a chef’s kitchen with custom white cabinets, a double oven, stainless steel appliances like a FiveStar range and Bosch dishwasher, and a farmhouse sink.
There is a full english basement with its own bath and kitchen (is there a stove?) which could be an in-law suite.
It also has a unique 3000 bottle wine cellar.
The house also has the modern amenity of a large master suite in the converted attic with a large master bath with custom walk in shower and walk-in-closet.
There are also numerous skylights.
Originally listed at $850,000 in March 2019, it has been reduced to $825,000.
The listing says its 2 blocks to the Irving Park Blue line and the Metra stop.
Does it take a special kind of buyer to buy a landmarked home?
Joshua Weinberg at KellerWilliams Lincoln Park has the listing. See the pictures and the floor plan here.
3945 N. Tripp: 5 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, 5800 square feet
- Sold in November 1997 for $285,000
- Sold in January 2002 for $639,500
- Sold in November 2014 for $759,000
- Originally listed in March 2019 for $850,000
- Reduced
- Currently listed for $825,000
- Taxes now $12,046 (they were $9371 in 2014) (they were $3881 in June 2011)
- Central Air
- 4 fireplaces (gas)
- 2-car parking on side drive
- Bedroom #1: 30×18 (third floor)
- Bedroom #2: 16×15 (second floor)
- Bedroom #3: 17×14 (second floor)
- Bedroom #4: 17×10 (second floor)
- Bedroom #5: 13×11 (second floor)
- Library: 22×12 (main floor)
- Family room: 40×14 (lower level)
- Utility room: 13×100 (lower level) (is this also the second kitchen?)
But if it looks familiar, that’s because we chattered about it several times between 2007 and 2014 when it was on, and off, the market.
Looks like we’ve chatted all there is to chat about this one. I think it goes under Icarus’ Axiom that postulates: The buyer who can afford this, doesn’t want to live here and the buyer who wants to live here cannot afford this.
“Looks like we’ve chatted all there is to chat about this one.”
It did finally sell.
At the current price, it’s cheaper than many townhomes or 3-bedroom condos in other neighborhoods. And Old Irving Park is still very popular.