Question of the Week: Dream Chicago Homes

This week we asked: If you could live in any building in Chicago, where would you choose? Here are the dream Chicago homes of the CAC volunteer community.

Judith Kaufman, Class of 2010 – Vista Tower

“In the new Vista Tower, in the highest of the three levels, there’s an apartment that has access to (sliding glass doors, maybe) to the roof deck of the medium hight section of Vista.  It’s a big area – the entire top of the middle section.  I’d like to live in that apartment.  I’d put a pool and a patio and a garden on the roof section. Sounds ideal!”

Marcia Matavulj, Class of 2008 – Carbide and Carbon Building

Leigh Gates, Exhibit Host – Marina City

“I would like to live (just briefly!) in Marina Towers, Bertrand Goldberg’s iconic buildings on the Chicago River (on the river-side, of course). The views up and down the river would be fascinating and ever-changing. The wedge-shaped apartments might be challenging but novel. And there would be parking!”

Polly Kawalek, Class of 2019 – Cafe Brauer

“I’ve known my answer to this question since 1975. Cafe Brauer in Lincoln Park.  Perfect loft. Big terraces on the second floor. Fabulous pond out front. And great neighbors.

Who can resist a seal bark?”

Susan Tennant, Class of 2015 – Former Montogomery Ward Building

“I love where I live!!!

My husband and I purchased a unit at 600 West/ 900 North Kingsbury In 2001…the former M. Ward Catalog building. We purchased pre construction and moved in 18 years ago.

Our home is on the 8th floor and faces N/W. We have a 500 square feet terrace.

Beautiful sunsets, river view…”

Nancy Schwab, Class of 2011 and Exhibit Host – Driehaus Museum

“I would love to live in the Driehaus Museum, also known as the Nickerson Mansion or the Marble Palace. The minute you walk in the front door you can imagine you have been transported to the 1890s.”

Carol Patterson, Exhibit Host – Charles Dawes Gates House

“I think I would choose the Charles Gates Dawes House. Marvelous first floor architecture from 1894.”

John Perrecone, Education Guide – Arthur Heurtley House

“I always wanted to live in the Arthur Heurtley House in Oak Park. It was designed by FLW and constructed in 1902.  Years ago, I was a CAC tour guide in Oak Park and we stopped at this house and it always intrigued me!!.  It sits on a large lawn on a quaint turn of the century (1900) street.  It has a great Richardsonian Romanesque arch for the main door but you must pass around a small wall to get to it (classic Wright entrance).  And, the main living is on the second floor so you have to enter low and then explode into the living space above where light and living among the trees abounds.  Finally, the brick is done in different string course of  colors and materials so it looks like the house resembles what you might see in the local quarries where limestone and rock come from.  This house is a gem and it must be a great place to live.”

Bill Cordier, Guest Services Volunteer and Exhibit Host – Chicago Bridgehouse

“I would repurpose one of the Chicago River’s bridgehouses as an ultimate micro bachelor pad.”

Dave Utech, Class of 2003 – 199 E Lake Shore Drive

“Benjamin Marshall’s 199 E Lake Shore Drive, with terrace and internal elevator so I don’t need to use the stairs.  Location is perfect, and I could keep a garden on the terrace.”

Jaime Villalobos, Class of 2016 – John Hancock Center

“One of the most iconic buildings in our skyline.”

Charles Gurian, Class of 2017 – 1500 North Lake Shore Drive

“Sentimentally, it would be Robie House. But FLW’s houses were generally unlivable, so it’s out. If money were no object, either 1500 N LSD or one of the older buildings along East LSD, for the sheer size and views.”

Rhea Vytlacil, Exhibit Host – Second Presbyterian Church

“My choice for a personal residence would be Second Presbyterian Church. It has green space, beautiful architecture, romance, solitude, dark and light atmosphere, a good but somewhat busy location, history and it suits me.”

Jonelle Niffenegger, Class of 2003 – Carl Street Studios

“I would want to live in Edgar Miller’s Carl Street Studios. I saw it for the first time during the 2019 Open House Chicago, and particularly loved the hand-crafted artwork and the one-of-a-kind mosaics made from random pieces of tile. There is something interesting around every corner.”

Joan Johns, Class of 2008 – Art Institute of Chicago

“I could easily curl up for the night in The Bedroom at the Art Institute of Chicago.”

Leanne Star, Class of 2011 – River Cottages

“Without hesitation, my dream Chicago home would be a unit in River Cottages—learning about RC is one reason I became a docent. I suspect that a bunch of other docents will ask for the same, so it might get crowded in there!”

Bobbi Pinkert, Class of 1999 – The Powhatan

“I would like to live in the Powhatan. I love the art deco lobby, swimming pool. Great views of the lake and a ballroom with its own catering kitchen that rivals anything Fred Astaire could dance in.”

Jan Elson, Class of 2008 – Lincoln Park Zoo

“For the short term I would like to live with the great apes at the Lincoln Park Zoo because I find them endlessly fascinating. So send me to their house.

For the long term, give me a place not too far from Lake Michigan, in the city I love, where temps can be easily controlled and fresh air is easily available and where I have a walkable neighborhood outside my door. Hmmm, that sounds like where I live right now.”

Lori Nelson, Docent Trainee – Carbide and Carbon Building

“For me, the top of Carbide and Carbon would be ideal!”

This Post Has One Comment

  1. Edmund

    Jonelle, I love your wish to live in the Carl Street Studios. Edgar Miller is one of my particular interests, for one thing. For another, because at the time our son worked at Burton Place pub and was good friends with a couple who lived in one of the Carl Street units, we got to celebrate my wife’s 70th birthday in a courtyard and his friends’ unit. Absolutely smashing tilework, woodwork and design – all very idiosyncratic, all jaw-dropping. Great choice on your part!

    Joan Johns, it would be fabulous to see you gogh into the bedroom.

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