“Magical” 6-Bedroom Lakeview SFH with Extra Wide Lush Lot: 830 W. Wolfram
This 6-bedroom vintage house at 830 W. Wolfram in Lakeview came on the market in July 2021.
Built in 1885, it’s on an extra wide 43×125 lot and has an extra large 2.5 garage.
This house has some of its vintage features but has also been expanded and renovated.
It has 3 fireplaces, crown moldings, ceiling medallions, pocket doors and stained glass windows.
The first floor has a full and half bath along with the main living areas and kitchen.
The “designer” kitchen has gray cabinets, an island, a breakfast area with built-ins, a beamed ceiling and “chef grade appliances” including Subzero, Miele, Bosch, Waterworks and ILVE.
The house has the preferred layout for families with 5 of the 6 bedrooms are on the second floor, including the primary suite which has a bathroom with a soaking tub, a separate shower and marble finishes.
The second floor has vaulted ceilings and skylights along with lofted areas as well as the laundry room and a second full bath.
The lower level sports the recreation room, the 6th bedroom, a workout room/utility room, a full bath and an extra kitchen with white cabinets and appliances.
The listing says you can use the lower level as an in-law suite or for live-in help.
The house has a wrap-around porch and two terraces, including one on top of the garage.
It has central air.
The house is located near the shops and restaurants of Central and East Lakeview and is near various bus lines and the Diversey Brown line El stop.
This is a rare chance to own this property as it hasn’t changed hands since 1992.
Listed at $2.495 million, is this an ideal family home?
Brad Lippitz at Compass has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.
830 W. Wolfram: 6 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, 5749 square feet, single family home
- Sold in January 1988 for $265,000
- Sold in April 1988 for $395,000
- Sold in September 1992 for $860,000
- Originally listed in July 2021 for $2.495 million
- Currently still listed at $2.495 million
- Taxes of $26,199
- 2.5 car garage
- Oversize lot measuring 43 x 125
- Central Air
- 3 fireplaces
- Skylights
- Wrap around porch
- 2 terraces
- Bedroom #1: 18×15 (second floor)
- Bedroom #2: 11×15 (second floor)
- Bedroom #3: 12×17 (second floor)
- Bedroom #4: 12×17 (second floor)
- Bedroom #5: 10×13 (second floor)
- Bedroom #6: 9×16 (lower level)
- Living room: 13×17 (main level)
- Dining room: 13×17 (main level)
- Family room: 16×15 (main level)
- Kitchen: 27×19 (main level)
- Mudroom: 7×11 (main level)
- Laundry: 10×10 (second level)
- Recreation room: 12×49 (lower level)
- Utility room: 22×18 (lower level)
- Second kitchen: 10×11 (lower level)
- Wrap-around deck: 8×20 (main level)
- Terrace: 17×28 (main level)
- Terrace over garage: 24×21
Other than paining over the wood trim, the house design and execution is well done.
I think the ask is off by at least $250k
I love the kitchen. Those floor tiles!
Fantastic.
The addition on the back feels like it’s part of the original house.
I hate what they’ve done to it. So many better options at this price point, whether vintage or not.
The main floor layout is less than ideal and perhaps a deal breaker for a buyer in this range.
While I love the redone kitchen and eating area — it’s too isolated from the rest of the house — it should connect to a family room.
The “family room” is two rooms away and is basically a hallway, barely separated enough from the front living room to call it a separate room. Both living and family rooms are too small and prominently placed to be anything other than formal sitting spaces.
They’ve built out a second family room in the basement, but it is also quite narrow and the basement isn’t a particularly nice living space.
Kitchen is great. Like the ‘balcony’ and the pocket doors. The lofts in the 2 bedrooms are nice. MBR is nice, tho I don’t love the open “closet” thing.
But this seems to be priced based mainly on the 1.75 lot and the kitchen.
Basement is underutilized, there’s no actual office (yes, you can use a bedroom), the laundry room is bigger than the bath shared by 4 bedrooms (yes, that’s why there is a shower in the kitchen–but you have to walk thru the kitchen, dining room, & down the hall to get back to the stairs to the laundry).
“They’ve built out a second family room in the basement, but it is also quite narrow and the basement isn’t a particularly nice living space.”
Your kids are down there playing video games with their friends. What more do they need?
Lol.
Vintage lovers will be completely prepared for this layout because that’s how vintage rolls. Buyers who want an open floorplan with no pocket doors, moldings etc. have plenty of new build single family homes they can buy all over Lakeview and LP.
This is a unique historic home that will need a lover of historic homes.
“because that’s how vintage rolls.”
With painted trim (which I don’t mind) and for $2.5?
“With painted trim (which I don’t mind) and for $2.5?”
I LOVE the painted trim. All that dark wood is too dark. And I’m a vintage lover so, yes, hooray! Painted trim, extra wide lot, lovely kitchen, 5 bedrooms on the same floor? Sign me up.
Great family home.
I can see why the current owners spent nearly 30 years there.
“because that’s how vintage rolls.”
Also, again, if you’re a vintage lover, you don’t WANT the new construction, open floor plan. Those are a dime a dozen and you can buy one every day of the week. We all know what they are (and why I don’t really cover them on Cribchatter because if you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all.)
This is a great street, as well. Tree lined. Many vintage homes. Quiet yet within walking distance of Trader Joe’s.
Agree with Sabrina. If you want a family room attached to the kitchen, by something new. I actually despise those open floor plans, but if that’s how you roll…don’t look for vintage.
I agree with others the price is a bit too high for this one.
“Your kids are down there playing video games with their friends. What more do they need? Lol”
Well Sabrina, most people like to have a designated family room to spend relaxed time with the family. You know — movie watching, board games, building forts with the little kids.
I suppose these things can all be done in the basement….but what multimillionaire couple is going settle on spending their evening quality time with their kids in that unfortunate basement?
The family is not going to pile into the formal 10 x 13 living room or hallway “family room”.
Yes for trying up a cool $2.5 million and paying the city of Chicago over $2k/month in rent for the real estate taxes you too can be a secluded rich person who is a prisoner in your own home after dark in the warmer months. At least half the taverns nearby have closed so there will be less urination on lawns in the wee hours.
Also Sabrina forgot to mention this property’s proximity to Burger King. I liked KFC better but its hard to argue with their $1 value menu and Whopper Wednesdays right, Sabrina?
Sabrina must’ve been a real Durkin’s regular and really bummed out it didn’t make it. I bet she does karaoke at Harrigan’s these days instead.
Practical considerations are of no concern for the distinguished buyer of this place that will surely “snap it up”?
“The family is not going to pile into the formal 10 x 13 living room or hallway “family room”.”
Apparently, the one that lives there did just fine for 30 years KK.
Lol.
Again, there are vintage lovers and there are those who are not.
You CLEARLY fall into the “are not” category. And that’s fine. Chicago has a lot of choices in housing. You can get fantastic vintage or fantastic new builds.
But vintage seems more rare these days, especially one on a larger lot like this.
“Also Sabrina forgot to mention this property’s proximity to Burger King. I liked KFC better but its hard to argue with their $1 value menu and Whopper Wednesdays right, Sabrina?”
Huh?
Are you going to slam the houses in Lincoln Park that are near the Domino’s Pizza next, Bob?
Or what about those near the Dairy Queen?
How gauche.
Lol.
Yeah- Dunkin Donuts, Burger King, McDonald’s, Taco Bell are all city living, Bob. Odds are you’re going to live near one or many of them, no matter what neighborhood you’re in. Even in the Gold Coast. Oh my!
Oh, and by the way, as you said, the Dunkin isn’t there anymore. It’s the nice Dom’s Market (which I recommend checking out). It has several outdoor seating areas if you don’t want to be indoors right now. New coffee shop on the opposite corner too (other one DID shut down.)
No I said Durkins isn’t there anymore (well doesn’t appear to be reopening…yet). Still bars nearby.
I have no idea what they are doing with the shopping plaza where Dunkin used to be. My only experience with that place is it had the worst bathroom I have ever used in my entire life–never set foot in there after that. Amazed how they were able to stay open for so long with those sanitary conditions.
Just to clarify the terrible bathroom was Dunkin Donuts not to be confused with Durkins bar across the street which was pretty well run but did not survive the pandemic.
“I have no idea what they are doing with the shopping plaza where Dunkin used to be.”
It’s the Dom’s Market.
Things have changed!
I’m not feeling too well so there may not be a new crib tomorrow.
“Again, there are vintage lovers and there are those who are not.
You CLEARLY fall into the “are not” category. And that’s fine. Chicago has a lot of choices in housing. You can get fantastic vintage or fantastic new builds.”
Good grief. This is not a vintage. This is a refurbished and very edited home with additions that happens to have some vintage character. Price tag reflects that. Clearly many of the updates, including the layout of the beautiful kitchen — were not original. If it were me, I’d have cut into the current dining room and rearranged the kitchen to include a moderate sized family room. Current pass through “family room” would better serve as the dining room.
“This is not a vintage.”
Huh?
Lol.
Built in 1885 with stained glass windows, moldings, pocket doors, 11 foot ceilings on the first floor isn’t vintage?
Okay KK.
Yeah- there was a home addition on the back which is where you get that great kitchen and primary suite from. Good for them for bringing the home into this era with the type of kitchen/breakfast area and mudroom that home buyers want today.
And I’m sure they worked extensively with their builder to figure out the best renovation while still keeping the character, and heart, of the home intact.
That’s the whole point of living in vintage. You LOVE it. You want that pocket door. You want the historical windows (yes, they are ALL custom on that first floor). You want the side porch.
It’s a lovely vintage home.
If you don’t want vintage, don’t buy vintage. As I’ve said, it’s very easy in Chicago to buy brand new.
But you’re going to pay over $2 million for a new build on an extra large lot anywhere in Lakeview as well.
Many of you are complaining about the price. But you’ll pay more for the extra land in this prime neighborhood.
Subject property has some vestiges of vintage but bot what id consider vintage, vintage inspired is probably the correct term.
this is vintage – https://www.redfin.com/IL/Chicago/4247-N-Hazel-St-60613/home/13393362
would take it over the subject property and pocket $200k
“this is vintage”
nice place but there’s a lot of non-vintage touches in there as well. That kitchen and those bathrooms are vintage ’80’s. Cant really pick and choose.
“would take it over the subject property and pocket $200k”
and how much of that will go towards renovating the outdated kitchen and bathrooms to the level of the subject property?
“how much of that will go towards renovating the outdated kitchen and bathrooms to the level of the subject property?”
All of it, plus some. And you’d still be living in Uptown.
“nice place but there’s a lot of non-vintage touches in there as well. That kitchen and those bathrooms are vintage ’80’s. Cant really pick and choose.”
Having a bathroom from the early 1900’s isnt ideal, but get your point. Would trade the SP kitchen and bath for the space, yard and rest of house finishes
Sabrina — you’re talking in circles, I can’t even follow. It’s like you argue just for the sake of arguing. You went on and on about not liking my comment about the lack of a family room in close proximity to the kitchen “that’s how vintage rolls”. But then dropped the below a few comments later:
“Good for them for bringing the home into this era with the type of kitchen/breakfast area and mudroom that home buyers want today.”
Words are like numbers, they mean what she wants them to mean at a moment in time
“Subject property has some vestiges of vintage but bot what id consider vintage, vintage inspired is probably the correct term.”
If it was built in 1885, it’s vintage.
It’s got pocket doors, for heavens sake.
“would take it over the subject property and pocket $200k”
You can’t compare these two homes. They are in completely different neighborhoods. A buyer looking in Lakeview isn’t going to look in Uptown.
“You can’t compare these two homes. They are in completely different neighborhoods. A buyer looking in Lakeview isn’t going to look in Uptown”
Please explain the difference between a vintage buyer of a $2.5MM home in LV and a $2.3MM buyer in Uptown?
Yeah the address wont probably impress Chad and Trixie.
Cant be the schools because they’re all awesome
Crime doesnt exist in Chicago
“Cant be the schools because they’re all awesome”
Uptown location more convenient for a number of private schools…
“If it was built in 1885, it’s vintage.”
Built in 1890, so its vintage:
https://www.redfin.com/IL/Chicago/626-W-Arlington-Pl-60614/unit-1/home/13367163
right?
1883=Vintage:
https://www.redfin.com/IL/Chicago/2046-N-Clifton-Ave-60614/home/13351479
Its only vintage if built in 1885
Those other years are something other than vintage
“1885”
Just a number.
“Built in 1890, so its vintage:”
Yep. I call everything built pre-1940s as “vintage.”
Nothing was built after the depression (for the most part) so everything after that is “mid-century” in the late 1940s and 50s and then it will just be 1970s, 80s, 90s etc.
But as those of you know who have been posting here for 14 years, I always point out if the vintage features have survived through the years or not.
In the case of this house on Wolfram, they mostly have. Hooray!
But sometimes they’ve been striped out over the years, or due to property damage (fire, neglect, the finishes are stolen) so they just gut the interiors completely. Like an HGTV renovation.
“Please explain the difference between a vintage buyer of a $2.5MM home in LV and a $2.3MM buyer in Uptown?”
Am I walking to Dom’s Market in Uptown?
Is there a dog park just down the street?
Maybe they are fans of Andy’s Thai Kitchen?
Maybe they want to take the Brown Line to work?
Maybe they like independent movies and are excited to be able to walk to the Landmark?
Maybe they want to be able to walk to Trader Joe’s (which real estate data has shown can lead to higher home prices).
Maybe they want to live closer to Lincoln Park and the Zoo.
Maybe they want to live near a hospital.
Maybe a parent, or grandparent, is in the assisted living on Fullerton?
Maybe they teach or work at DePaul.
I could go on and on.
But most buyers decide on a neighborhood first. And then they look there.
Someone buying in Lakeview isn’t also going to be looking in Uptown. Nor is someone looking in North Center suddenly going to be looking in Kenwood. Doesn’t matter if it’s the same price.
A buyer in the Gold Coast doesn’t also decide to go look in the South Loop.
It’s 2 miles away and your acting like it’s in Wisconsin
If the prime motivator for a home purchase is vintage, 2mi is nothing. If the criteria is I want a pre 1940 vintage inspired home located in LV, yeah they’d pick the Wolfram home, but that wasn’t the criteria
It’s like saying I want a Lustron home, but it has to be in LV. Limited options are going to dictate location
“It’s 2 miles away and your acting like it’s in Wisconsin”
Would be better if it were in Wisconsin, unless you’re saying downtown Racine or something.
“Would be better if it were in Wisconsin, unless you’re saying downtown Racine or something.”
Everything is better in Wisconsin
“If the prime motivator for a home purchase is vintage, 2mi is nothing.”
Location, location, location.
It doesn’t get any more basic than that.
Reduced. 10% cut.
Now $2.25m.
Forgot to add:
… consistent with the first comment above, from our man in Muncie.
Closed at $2,175,000 in October