We Love The Historic Rowhouses on Bissell: 2137 N. Bissell in Lincoln Park
Many of you have sent me tips over the years about various rowhouses north of Armitage on Bissell (usually those on the El side of the street that seemed like “deals”.)
There’s something about this row of vintage rowhouses that we love.
This 3-bedroom end unit rowhouse at 2137 N. Bissell in Lincoln Park came on the market in August 2012.
It is NOT on the El side of the street.
It also has a unique interior open floor plan with a massive skylight.
Built in 1876 on a 25×125 lot, it has a 1-car garage and a second parking space.
It also has an extensive deck system, including off the master bedroom.
The listing says the rowhouse has a Beverly Hammel custom gourmet kitchen with Wolf and SubZero appliances.
This rowhouse originally tried to sell in late 2008 but the listing was withdrawn just 2 months later (but remember what was going on in the economy at that time).
It was recently re-listed for $300,o00 less.
Is this rowhouse now priced to sell?
Julie Harron at Baird & Warner has the listing. See the pictures here.
2137 N. Bissell: 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, no square footage listed, 1 car garage plus second space
- Sold in February 1991 for $425,000
- Sold in April 1993 for $450,000
- Sold in August 2002 for $790,000
- Originally listed in October 2008 for $1.65 million
- Withdrawn in December 2008
- Re-listed in August 2012 for $1.35 million
- Currently still listed at $1.35 million
- Taxes of $18,307
- Central Air
- Bedroom #1: 21×21 (third floor)
- Bedroom #2: 15×12 (third floor)
- Bedroom #3: 13×13 (main level)
- Den: 16×10 (third level)
Should we just change the name of this site to lincoln park chatter? it would make it less confusing
” has a Beverly Hammel custom gourmet”
wasnt that a chick in the 80’s olympics or something?
if there ever a reason for a floorplan this one is a huge candidate for the poster child
i really like this place although that wood in the kitchen is pretty ugly, and i dont think it is original.
Seems more like a glorified two bed + guest bedroom. But wow is it a cool place.
Not sure how I feel about that window where the original entrance was – the facades of rowhomes always look incomplete to me without the staircase, but maybe that’s just b/c it’s right next to one with it. I don’t understand what’s going on with the interior or the deck at all – as Groove mentioned a floorplan would be a great idea.
Wtf? What a mishmash.
I don’t get the removal of the staircase in front either. It’s part of the charm of these old homes.
I don’t like when people renovate a vintage rowhouse and take all the vintage out of it.
Furthermore, this is already a small home, so losing that floor space on the second floor due to the atrium doesn’t seem like a bright idea.
1939 N Bissel recently sold for $1,705K and seems like a much better deal. I know not apples to apples, but the comparison makes me think the subject property is overpriced by at least $150K.
http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1939-N-Bissell-St-Chicago-IL-60614/80813658_zpid/
“due to the atrium doesn’t seem like a bright idea.”
Ha!
I can understand when people say that the vintage charm was taken away from this place – but you can’t deny it is still a badass home in an amazing location…
How do you preserve the vintage without preserving the small rooms? I’ve seen these Bissell buildings, and they had small apartments with small rooms. When you gut-hab them — and there are perfectly good reasons to do so — even if you do a good job, you are bound to get at best “vintage” (i.e., hokey faux vintage that looks dated in 15 years). Not saying it can’t be done right; just saying it isn’t.
See what Bob Vila did some 20 years ago….
http://www.bobvila.com/sections/tv-shows/projects/35-two-family-greystone/episodes/435-house-and-neighborhood-tour/videos/1176252978001-chicago-neighborhood-tour
http://www.bobvila.com/sections/tv-shows/projects/35-two-family-greystone/episodes/435-house-and-neighborhood-tour/videos/1176252980001-touring-a-converted-two-flat-in-chicago
“Dan #2 (September 25, 2012, 3:50 pm)
I don’t like when people renovate a vintage rowhouse and take all the vintage out of it.”
Me too, but I think we all need to start building a bridge and get over it given the trends. In ELP I keep seeing historic houses being completely — and I mean COMPLETELY — gutted, save the facade, to build a dream manse with nothing but the facade to masquerade it. A little Potemkin village, if you will.
But, hey, it’s others’ money. But this tug-o-war extends well beyond residential: por ejemplo, the continued cries of “AUGH! [local business] FOLDED and it’s being replaced by [SUBURBAN DEMON]! If I wanted SUBURBAN STORES in MY NEIGHBORHOOD, I’d live in the SUBURBS~!!!!!” — quoth the intrepid urbanist that never bought clothes from a boutique, meat from a local butcher, coffee on the regular from the upstart, and instead went to the brands!that!matter!
The same applies here in residential. Just look at the Burling thread. “NO SECOND BATH HOW COULD I POSSIBLY?!” or the more delicate dismissal: “Rental-grade.”
It takes a certain buyer to genuinely appreciate vintage and historic character over modern convenience; much like it takes a certain person to genuinely shop ONLY local over the modern, cost-effective conveniences that proliferate throughout the city.
Speaking of which, have the Dawes or Wrigley homes in ELP sold? Or are they still languishing while the tawdry moderne nu-construction replica-homes on the West Side selling? At least the Roakham terra-cotta home on Oakdale finally sold.
Anyway, my point is that this is de rigeur, darling, and expect far more of it. Everyone wants to save a facade; only an ever-shrinking market can “deal with” the so-called horrors of the interior.
I think this is an awesome home even if the vintageness is lost on most of the interior. The front facade is a killer though! A huge window looking into your staircase where your front door should be? “Entry on the main level” Sure doesn’t look like it! Lastly, new baths, yes, but for $1.35M you couldn’t find a way to put a second sink in the master bathroom?!? I’m looking at $500k houses and I expect two sinks…or at least the ability to put a second one in when I redo the bathroom. Ugh!
“benjamon9 (September 25, 2012, 8:15 pm)
I think this is an awesome home even if the vintageness is lost on most of the interior. The front facade is a killer though! A huge window looking into your staircase where your front door should be? “Entry on the main level” Sure doesn’t look like it! Lastly, new baths, yes, but for $1.35M you couldn’t find a way to put a second sink in the master bathroom?!? I’m looking at $500k houses and I expect two sinks…or at least the ability to put a second one in when I redo the bathroom. Ugh!”
Thanks for confirming my treatise/internet-vomit above, Benji. 🙂
So the people that bought in 2002 for 790k are the ones that renovated it? Seems like alot to spend on something you are totally going to gut and spend another few hundred thousand on. It for sure is very “light ans bright” tho, I’ll give them that!
” has a Beverly Hammel custom gourmet”
“wasn’t that a chick in the 80?s olympics or something?”
I didn’t know who you were talking about then I realized you mean Dorothy Hamill(sp?) an ice skater in the Olympics during the 70’s. Was famous not only for that but the “wedge” haircut. My Mom thought I would look adorable in that cut…….I’m afraid she was wrong : (
I lived right by these homes. Walking down that block of Bissell is like a time warp. Love it.
FINALLY a CC property that isn’t a total waste of time reading about!
I really can’t find any fault in the original place, the renovation or any of the improvements made. The front entrance and addition of the window to brighten the stairway is simply genius. The entry walk is fantastic and should really light the fire under the asses of the small group of buyers who would appreciate the work that went into this reno. The dbl height living room/atrium is beyond WOW…love the master bedrm (?) overlook and accompanying light.
Kitchen is obviously designed by a pro and that multi level deck….has to qualify as one of the best outdoor spaces ever on CC.
VERY beautiful property regardless of the loss of some of the vintage features. I sense the designer/contractor/owners were attempting a mission/FLW influnced prarie style, but they seem to have gotten lost in the process. Great attempt though….IF that was the look they were going for.
I don’t get why some ppl get all twisted about having an original (somewhat on this place) facade combined with the (these days almost required…cost reasons) modernization of the interiors. If one were to painstakingly restore the place to what it was like when it was newly built and keep every vintage element, the price would certainly reflect that decision and would make this home priced, at the very least, double of what it is now.
The ONLY improvement that I would have suggested would have been the addition of a full length/width rooftop deck accessible by the existing outdoor space if permitting were allowed and if it were designed by a qualified deck specialist. The possibilities are endless if it were to be executed by a creative architect and landscape designer..
Fantastic space like this would easily fetch $7 – 12 mil in NYC, depending on the location…In Chicago this seems to be a realistic price…no?
hey scooby was that a gha gha ghooooost?!!!!!
come on only one vote for the shaggy impression?
really one one extra pity vote?
sold jan 15 for $1,167,500
Thanks for resurrecting, much more interesting place than a high rise condo.