6320

This custom built two-flat was designed by architect Andrew Norman in 1907. The brick building was constructed by Oscar Peterson with a deep red face brick on the façade and Chicago common brick on the other sides. The original owner, Mrs. Brand, sold the building to Timothy Mulcahy, a police sergeant, and his wife Elizabeth. Later owners were J.H. and Alice Barkmeyer who had two children. The renters were J.P. and Lea Arnold who had one daughter.

The façade of the building exhibits Norman’s attention to detail, especially in the parapet. There are five inset sections of stone balusters across the front. Just below this decorative element is a large stone cornice. The windows on the facade are given special treatment with an elongated keystone centered above each window. The front two story bay has three individual windows which were used at this time before the use of ribbon windows. A band of limestone accents the façade just below the windows.

The front porch was originally wood and the ceiling has been retained. The iron columns and railings were probably installed in the 1950s. The original oak and glass front door opens into a redesigned foyer in this newly converted single family home designed by Carl Karlen (sitemotiv design). To do this the separate apartment doors were removed and the staircase turned toward the center of the foyer with a new handrail. The original mosaic floor tile has been restored and a new oak floor installed in the expanded space. The foyer has a coat closet along the back wall.

The entrance to the living room is framed by the original oak moldings. The living room and dining room have a decorative cornice and original oak floors and moldings around the doors and windows. In the dining room the bay is curved with two full size windows and a centered square window which now has a modern stained glass feature which a previous owner installed.

There were three bedrooms on this floor and the one just off the dining room is now an office. Across from the updated full bath is a tandem bedroom with a smaller area for a closet and dressing area and an arched passage to the sleeping area. The arch between the two spaces is probably a later addition.

The maple floored hallway leads to the DeGiulio designed kitchen. The effect is a modern space with grey speckled granite counter tops and a granite floor tile with black accent lines. This tile extends into the addition on the back of the building, which offers an eating and entertainment area. Double glass doors open out onto a cozy deck.

The staircase to the second floor has been opened at the top with the removal of walls and the installation of a handrail. Along the north wall is a newly installed long horizontal window that brings more light into what was once a dark area. A doorway opens into the entertainment area which used to be the living and dining room for the upstairs apartment.

There are three bedrooms on this floor. The hall bathroom has been updated with a walk in shower and new fixtures. At the end of the hall is the new master bedroom suite with a new red oak hardwood floor. The master bath includes new tile on the walls, a walk in shower, a new bath tub and trough sink. There is a custom closet along the back wall. This master bedroom opens onto a second floor deck through sliding double glass doors. Standing on the deck, it is hard to believe you are in the middle of the city.