Chi-Town HGTV

As seen on HGTV! House Hunters Renovation.

This project involved the gut rehabilitation of a 3,100 square foot Victorian 3-flat located in Chicago’s Lincoln Square neighborhood, built in 1881. The scope included new HVAC, Electrical, and Plumbing systems, a new roof, new construction of a 3rd story addition, the conversion of the 2nd and 3rd floor into an owner-occupied duplex, exterior siding, and the demolition and re-construction of a rear, 3-story open porch.

As newly-married owners preparing for their first child, the intent of this project was to build a space to serve as our clients’ long-term residence while maintaining one unit as a separate rental for additional household income. While seeking a good investment property, our clients still desired a home where their family could thrive.

Early in this project, demolition showed us unforeseen structural challenges which required immediate remedy – the support joists on the 3rd floor were severed by the previous owner; the walls and roof displayed so much water damage that, when it rained, the water seeped through the wood and pooled onto the interior floors. We also found that the rear porch was structurally supporting the rear bedroom on the 3rd floor which meant that the 3rd floor bedroom was slowly breaking away from the rest of the building. Ultimately, we had to demolish the 3rd floor entirely and build it new construction. Integro intensely collaborated with the Deputy Commissioner of Chicago, the Aldermanic office, and the Chicago Zoning Board to resolve the challenges that the City Code presented for our realistic remedies.

Seeking a positive outcome, Integro was ultimately able to maximize our collaboration with the authorities to secure additional headroom on the 3rd floor which allowed our clients to optimize the layout on the 3rd floor for a more functional space with additional square footage.

The 2nd floor was designed by Susan Klimala at The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn in collaboration with HGTV which included a luxury kitchen featuring a custom peninsula island, a breakfast area sporting a hand-crafted built-in bench, and custom cabinetry.

Antique dressers were repurposed in the bathrooms to serve as new vanities boasting chrome fixtures and stone countertops. One of the original, 19th century hardwood doors was restored and installed as the front door to the duplex unit. Our final product resulted in a custom duplex that displays a subtle tribute to this building’s historic origins. Following a rigorous renovation, our clients are able to enjoy their family in a safe space which respects its historical integrity and will survive for their generations to come.