671 N State

Disguised behind this neutral paint remains a historic red brick Italianate style home dating back to 1876 - just 5 years after the Great Chicago Fire!!!

I’ve been meaning to write about this building for a while, and now that it has hit the market For Sale I feel the time-crunch. (Anyone see the bulldozer headed this way yet?)

Presently a commercial dwelling, this home is one of the few remaining structures representing the architectual elements that dominated this Near North Side shortly after the Great Chicago Fire.⁣ While the architect is unknown we do know it was originally built for a Dr. Joseph Warren Freer, and that it is considered architecturally significant by the Chicago Historic Resources Survey. **

Dr. Joseph Freer moved to Illinois at the ripe age of 20 and he and his family became one of the first settlers of Will County. He decided to study medicine after losing a young wife in 1844 and graduated from Rush Medical College in 1849 (known today as Rush University Medical Center). Later he’d go on to become Founder of the Illinois Charitable Eye and Ear Infirmary, with three other prominent North Side neighbors — or, as we say, North Siders.

In 1869, Dr. Freer was elected President of Rush Medical College. Additionally, he was part of the medical staffs at Mercy Hospital and Cook County Hospital. And just two short years later, rather suddenly, Rush Medical College was destroyed in the Great Fire.

Overnight one-third of the city was burned down to ashes, and a nearly equal proportion of the population— about 100,000 Chicagoans —were homeless. Physicians and students were at an instant loss of housing and space to work and study. This impacted Dr. Freer significantly and research suggests that the home was built with the intention of sharing it with other physicians and families, either as a living quarters, work space, or perhaps both.

Once 671 North State St was completed the first aspiring physician to move-in was Dr. Frank H. Davis. He was an editor of medical publications and books, the Chicago Medical Examiner among others. But really, it is Dr. Davis’s father who is even more noteworthy. His father, Dr. Nathan Smith Davis, was one of the original Founders of the American Medical Association and the Chicago Medical College. You know the Chicago Medical College, it is highly acclaimed — today we call it Northwestern University School of Medicine.

I find it important to acknowledge the impact on society of those who lived behind these walls once, and their neighbors who helped rebuild Chicago to what we know it as today. Dr. Freer and his family continued to rent out this premises, and provide refuge to the community, until 1906.

Let’s focus on the exterior details now — because a cornice like this commands attention!! This bold metal cornice is likely a replacement for what was possibly a wooden cornice. The cornice is also a big clue to the Italianate style influence, which is often identified by big, projecting cornices paired with heavy brackets. … ✔️, ✔️. The brick parapet wall just above this cornice is probably not original either. It is more likely that there were windows at the top, and what we see today has is the repaired, renovated and forgotten about version of the roof. Instead, I like to imagine this mansion paired with a mansard roof (aka a French-roof), you know, with dormer windows that would bring in natural light, air, and allow for literal head space ultimately making an attic more livable. Although typical homes of the 1880s were only two-stories, let’s not forget that Dr. Freer commissioned this building with work/live space specifically in mind. Decorative stone lintels frame the windows while leaflike motifs force me to squint and take notice. I know it was originally red because it is built of pressed red bricks made of red clay. Ugh, I wish it was still red — Fire Engine Red.

Upon completion there was likely an impressive wood porch too, significantly altering the way we view it from the curb today. I suspect that a porch was lost when State Street was widened in the late 1800s. (Keep in mind these streets were filthy with dirt, mud, horses and huge horse droppings … no one just walked straight inside from outside. The porch was designed out of necessity) In 1871, at a meeting of residents between the North Division and the town of Lakeview, the Committee on Local Improvements and Abatement of Nuisances made the recommendation to widen State Street from Chicago Avenue to at least Division Street. Year later State Street was also widened south of Chicago Ave, where this property sits. Aside from the roof, the paint, and a missing front porch, this building appears to have few exterior alterations.

Curious what the price is for this little piece of Chicago history? The property was listed For Sale for only $1,600,000. That’s about $465 per Sq Ft. And, considering that a new construction Single Family Home on a standard size lot starts around $1 million, $1.6 million sounds like a steal to me! What do you think?

Listed For Sale as a live/work building, and marketed as prefect for a professional/medical/dental office occupant —- isn’t that fitting?!

I’m not sure what the highest and best use for this property is today — but I really hope it survives!!

** The city is offering Residential and Commercial Landmark Incentives to the purchaser. (Like, reducing the property tax rate for 12 years if rehabilitated as a commercial property, or a Federal income tax credit equal to 20% of the construction costs for rehabilitating this property to an income-producing status. Preservation easements may be available, as well as the ability to waive all building permit fees. This address may be eligible for a Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF). If you or anyone you know would like more information on this property, please contact me **