Award Winning Design
It features a Three Stage Design that integrates a modern Bauhaus interior -suspended in a Breathable 360-Degree eco-cell system of fresh-air, thermal and acoustic insulation - supported by a fully restored Victorian exterior. Non load-bearing interior walls enable the ultimate in personal taste and life-cycle flexibility within the solid outer shell capable of supporting upward expansion. Design Elements That Make A Winner
Multi-Disciplinary Team
The design was created by notable 20th Century Architect Harry Paine Shaxted. known for his contribution to modernism and the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, who lead a multi-disciplinary team including the construction experience of The City Living Group, Inc., the land holding expertise of Sidley & Austin, and the financial acumen of LaSalle Bank.
Strategic Vision
Their vision was to create an Urban Smart Home in a premier location with single family home features, comforts and privacy optimized for space, flow, convenience and cost. Affordable urban luxury.
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Location
The team focused on the Lincoln Park/DePaul neighborhood in the RANCH Triangle as offering the ideal balance between loop proximity, garden district serenity, and a true community of walk-to quality schools, restaurants, theaters and shopping.
Lot
A corner wide-body site with a long axis on Chicago's only orchard parkway - one-way, apple-treed Wisconsin Street - overlooking the Bissell Micropark was selected for its natural setting. The site is bathed with light-three sides with a north exposure so the dominant interior lighting is brilliant and non-UV. A rare valet style parking apron and parkway-facing garage provide private rather than chair or chair free access. See Site & Floorplan.
Optimized Space
The team optimized the site under a fee simple land ownership package which maximized the interior-exterior habitat and minimized the total cost-of-ownership through maintenance, insurance and taxes. The historic Sheldon House standing on the site was gutted to its solid brick, limestone and oak core and reborn as the first detached, two-unit condominium in Illinois. 919 West Wisconsin, the larger of the two fee simple, side-by-side RT-4 townhomes, became the sponsor's residence and underwent a 360-degree update for today's market. See Details .
Sanctuary For All Seasons
The garden setting is brought inside 919 West Wisconsin through high windows and ceilings to provide a year-round palette for living. The design provides triple ADA access to an intelligent, discrete public & private, flowing floorplan of non-loadbearing interior walls over a full finished family basement with a legacy wallkout. The interior is a sanctuary, equipped with piano-load hardwood floors, solid-core doors, a cook's Architect II stainless kitchen, directional lighting and sophisticated appointments of marbles, beveled glass and crystal chandeliers.
Holistic Living
This sanctuary extends back outside through glass walls on both the first and second level to a private outdoor oasis of decks, professionally designed garden & patio, grape arbor and year-round greenhouse. More than 25% of gross square footage is dedicated to landscaped green space and green roof appointed with child-safe ironwork, grow lighting, electric, water an drainage. A dramatic bridge and spiral stair vertically connects the levels to complete the holistic circle of indoor/outdoor living.
Practicum
919 West Wisconsin was designed by and for busy professionals. The kitchen is connected via a coat/mudroom over at-grade walks to the parking, bike, pet and utility areas. The laundry features dual gas/electric connections for full-size side-by-side or stacked equipment, a separate wash tub, and outside air intake and exhaust. The private direct-to-street garage and parking space are enhanced by a heated task area and huge storage loft. The lower level is finished in High-Tech style with exposed oak beams, sealed stonework, a FEMA Form34 flood prevention system and extra appliance outlets. Finally, the entire residence and garage are protected by an ADT Commercial system.
