Certainly one of Chicago’s grandest Gilded Age mansions that’s replete with extraordinary historical past has hit the marketplace for $18.5 million, having spent greater than 100 years serving because the stronghold of the Scottish Ceremony.
In-built 1888, the putting property has since been renovated for contemporary residing and lavish leisure, however it nonetheless retains most of the lavish options that might not be misplaced on the set of the hit HBO Max sequence about that glittering period.
The historic property was among the many first to outline Chicago’s ritzy Gold Coast neighborhood after the Nice Chicago Fireplace. Positioned on the shores of Lake Michigan, the neighborhood is the equal of New York Metropolis’s Higher East Aspect, and is full of a few of the metropolis’s poshest mansions, row homes, and high-rise residences.
The stately Thomas Home holds its personal among the many different grand residences within the space. It was designed in 1888 by Cobb & Frost, the famend architects behind the Newberry Library and College of Chicago.
Constructed from strong pink rock, the property incorporates a lavish, six-bedroom, seven-bathroom, three-story mansion, and a further one-bedroom, one-bathroom carriage home above a three-car storage. Mixed, the 2 buildings complete 13,400 sq. foot sq. toes of residing house.
Nationally registered as a Historic Landmark, the mansion has an interesting historical past. Initially constructed for an legal professional by the identify of John H. Thompson, for over a century it was owned by the Scottish Ceremony, a fraternal group throughout the context of Freemasonry.
In 2009, James “Jimmy” Dremonas, founding father of the Pete’s Recent Market grocery chain, bought the home from the Scottish Ceremony for $3.1 million, with the objective of restoring it for his spouse and youngsters. It had not been used as a household residence for over 100 years, so there was substantial work to be executed.
It is estimated that Demonas spent round $7 million on the restoration, aimed toward preserving its historic appeal and as many authentic options as attainable. The restoration took years, and by the point it was full, the youngsters had been grown and gone, and the property appeared too spacious for 2 individuals.
Nevertheless, discovering a purchaser with lofty sufficient aspirations—and deep sufficient pockets—to take over stewardship of the house has confirmed to be one thing of a tough job.
Dremonas first listed the mansion in 2018 for $21.9 million, and it has been on and off the market ever since. At one time the carriage home alone was listed for hire at $4,000 per thirty days. Its present $18.5 million asking value comes out at about $1,380 per sq. foot.
It is extensively acknowledged that Dremonas did a spectacular job on the renovation, rigorously mixing Nineteenth-century grandeur with trendy luxurious. Among the many superbly restored authentic options are a mosaic flooring, customized millwork, hand-carved marble fireplaces from Italy, and customized stained glass.
All through the house, there are beautiful wooden components that hearken again to the unique options, together with customized beams, doorways and trim, created from strong Honduras mahogany. The staircase, additionally hand-crafted from Honduras mahogany, was impressed by the mansion’s authentic balusters.
Unobtrusive trendy options embody an elevator servicing all three ranges, state-of-the-art HVAC system, an built-in audio system, and full good residence capabilities.
The house is entered by way of a grand lobby, paneled and coffered with Honduras mahogany, and filled with hand-crafted columns, customized stained glass home windows and doorways, marble flooring imported from Turkey, and one in every of a number of hand-carved marble fireplaces.
The lobby leads to an enormous nice room with a Swarovski crystal chandelier, a hand-carved, book-matched onyx hearth from Pakistan, extra mahogany woodwork with in-wall cabinetry, silk wall coverings, and marble flooring.
The principle flooring additionally features a spacious kitchen overlooking a walled and lined courtyard with fountains, eating house, and a fire. The kitchen space is extraordinarily spacious, that includes two eating areas, high-end home equipment, a big eating and prep island, all surrounded by customized cabinetry.
The second stage is punctuated by a formidable library with extra ornate woodwork and a spectacular crystal chandelier.
As well as, the first suite is situated on the second flooring. It is highlighted by a moist bar and an expensive bathtub, and a screened in, three-season porch. An en-suite workplace or second bed room can be situated on the second flooring.
Three further bedrooms and a soothing sitting room are situated on the highest flooring.
Nevertheless it’s the decrease stage that really dazzles. Designed for leisure and leisure, it options two luxe lounge areas, a paneled, gentleman’s pub room with an ornate bar on one facet, and an in depth in-wall wine show on the opposite.
There’s additionally a lavish media space with a hand-carved Italian Botticino marble hearth and marble flooring with bronze inlay.
Then there’s the spa, which places these in most upscale well being golf equipment to disgrace. Amongst its highlights are a large sauna and jacuzzi, a “steam suite,” spa dressing rooms, a therapeutic massage room and a “zen” room. A Murano glass mural with an built-in waterfall and glass-blown ceilings add distinctive creative components to the house.
The carriage home is equally nicely appointed., with extra customized wooden paneling, vaulted ceilings, wooden floors, and an open kitchen with a big eating island and marble counter tops.
Gold Coast denizens have been driving by the Thompson Home and questioning about it for generations. Right this moment it has a considerable social media following.
“One of many first posts I’ve seen the place the proprietor did an impeccable job within the restoration and decor,” one fan wrote on Fb. “The combo of creating it applicable for modern-day whereas honoring the previous is gorgeous.”
“Positively value each penny!” one other added, whereas a 3rd remarked: “The wooden!!!! Beautiful.”
