Kenwood Project 14 photos
The Kenwood Project is a 2,500 square foot, framed, single family home built in 1888 and located in Chicago's historic Hyde Park neighborhood. This project was an investment property requiring a gut renovation designed for a short-term, profitable resale.
When we began demo for this renovation, we found that the electrical wiring was actually pulled through the original piping used for gas lamps. Throughout the house, remnants of gas lamps were found. During demolition, we also found that the building itself was starting to bow towards the load bearing walls – we had anticipated leveling the floors from above; however, we ultimately had to reinforce the structure from below in the basement and chose to dig out the basement and pour new concrete footings for the load bearing walls. We capitalized on this work by finishing the basement to use as recreational space.
Similar to many homes in Hyde Park, Kenwood was originally designed with strong Victorian characteristics including large, symmetrical windows providing natural light, decorated moldings, custom millwork, a steep servants’ staircase, and smaller rooms which allowed its inhabitants to meander through the floors rather than simply walking from the front to the back of the building. The Hyde Park neighborhood takes pride in its historic originality and we were challenged to balance renovation vs. restoration – maintaining historic ambiance while creating modern amenities.
When we began demo for this renovation, we found that the electrical wiring was actually pulled through the original piping used for gas lamps. Throughout the house, remnants of gas lamps were found. During demolition, we also found that the building itself was starting to bow towards the load bearing walls – we had anticipated leveling the floors from above; however, we ultimately had to reinforce the structure from below in the basement and chose to dig out the basement and pour new concrete footings for the load bearing walls. We capitalized on this work by finishing the basement to use as recreational space.
Similar to many homes in Hyde Park, Kenwood was originally designed with strong Victorian characteristics including large, symmetrical windows providing natural light, decorated moldings, custom millwork, a steep servants’ staircase, and smaller rooms which allowed its inhabitants to meander through the floors rather than simply walking from the front to the back of the building. The Hyde Park neighborhood takes pride in its historic originality and we were challenged to balance renovation vs. restoration – maintaining historic ambiance while creating modern amenities.
