Last month we interviewed Chicago designer, Anita Lisek, from Noah Properties, identifying top luxury trends featured in such upscale homes as 1337 N. Dearborn on Chicago’s Gold Coast. This month, we’re proud to announce that very same property has won the Chicago Association of REALTORS’® “Good Neighbor Award”. This award often begins with a great house that easily breezes toward the award. However, that wasn’t exactly the case for this fascinating 2015 winner sold by Sergio & Banks’ top agent, Melissa Govedarica.
As Melissa describes it, this home’s interesting history began more than a century ago when it was first built by a successful Swedish immigrant surgeon and physician. Back then it was a 5-bedroom showplace for a busy area doctor and his family. However, as decades passed this once beautiful home became more and more run-down. Eventually, it was carved up into apartments and turned into a 3-flat. Its spiral downward didn’t stop there, but continued straight into foreclosure.
“Bringing this property back to life as a single family home again was very challenging,” explained Melissa. “It was in absolutely terrible condition. But, because of its age and distinctive exterior architecture, it was “landmarked”. That meant the developer – Noah Properties – had to adhere to strict restoration and conservation guidelines. It took three years to renovate, and when finished it received another award for preservation excellence given by the City of Chicago.”
Interior renovation meant completely gutting it and starting from scratch while maintaining exterior integrity.
“Believe it or not, this home was sold as new construction,” Melissa said. “Its interior is 97% new construction offering all the benefits of modern daily living. That includes an open floor plan, huge windows, high ceilings, a great contemporary kitchen, spacious closets, spa-like bathrooms, home theater, party room, 7 fireplaces, along with great outdoor living areas. And, the most unusual aspect of this property (and coveted by the neighbors) is its 2-car attached garage!”
Noah Properties and Sergio & Banks are enjoying citywide recognition for their joint efforts to rehab and develop outstanding new construction projects. These developments have added value to the local economy, saved historic buildings, and replaced neighborhood “blights” with beautiful homes for proud new owners.
Melissa concludes, “1337 Dearborn went from eyesore to exceptional with 7,500 square feet across four levels of living for one very happy family.” Not to mention all the positives it returned once more to a highly desirable neighborhood.
