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This corner landmark building was built in 1898 by the Schlitz family at a cost of $4,500. The architect was Charles Strandel and the builder was Nicholas Osterlund. It is a commercial building with two residential apartments above. In 2007 the new owners, The GreenSky Company, received the Good Neighbor Award from the Chicago Association of Realtors for a Commercial renovation. GreenSky is owned by Thom Greene and Nadeen Kieren of the Lakewood Balmoral neighborhood.

Because of its distinctive turret, the building is a landmark on Ashland Avenue. The restoration of the turret was an important part of the renovation done by GreenSky. The two story salmon colored brick building has interesting architectural details on both sides that face the street. The first floor storefront has a corner entrance just under the turret. At the second floor level there are two decorative metal bay windows and a continuous metal cornice in addition to the turret. On the west façade facing Ashland Avenue there are two windows set together with classical brick pilasters and limestone capitals. There is also a unique brick pattern on this side of the building.

The colors used by Restoration Architect Thom Greene of Greene and Proppe Design have accentuated the form of the turret and bay windows. All have decorative panels below the windows. On the sides of the turret windows close to the brick wall is a raised leaf pattern. The roofing of the turret is a metal “tile like” material which has been painted in metallic gold.

The entrance to the second floor apartment is through a small door/stairway on Ashland. The staircase has its original newel post at the top and some original turned spindles. There is a small hallway and then the front door opens into what was once the dining room. This is a light and bright room. Towards the front of the building through an unusual archway is the living room where the turret windows invite lots of light. Just off the living room is a small bedroom with windows facing Ashland Avenue.

From the dining room you will look into the master bedroom and then walk down the hallway to see the bathroom and then the custom 1970s kitchen. There is a back door which opens onto a back staircase that leads to the side yard.

You are welcome to stop in the GreenSky shop owned by Nadeen. Nadeen learned from the previous owner that this shop once housed an apron sweat shop complete with holes in the floor for the large spools of thread in the basement to reach the first floor.