For Sale: My Dad’s Historic Hyde Park / Kenwood Home of 50 years. $920,000
All good things must come to an end. Dad is selling my childhood home and HIS home of the past 50 years. Located in the historic Hyde Park/ Kenwood neighborhood, it’s a mere mile from the University of Chicago. Daily as a young teen my friends and I made the five minute walk to Lake Michigan, and during teen years and beyond, rode the 15 minute express bus downtown. Dad is excited to begin a new chapter in life. I however welcome your condolences. If you have memories of this home, PLEASE email them to me!
The lot is a “triple” which is huge for urban Chicago, and has a two car garage. There are 7 bedrooms, 3 full and 3 partial baths.
More information here.
Here are a few exterior shots from this past week. Granted, the garden will look much more beautiful in just a few weeks.
Dad's Kenwood home, Winter 2010
A driveway wraps around to a 2 car brick garage behind the house
Quite Kenwood Ave, where I grew up playing with the neighbors.
Currently a slate patio, this side yard was once our kiddy playground
This yard was often filled with our friends and neighbors.
How these trees have grown since my childhood.
It is an extroidinary home in an extraordinary neighborhood. Hyde Park / Kenwood has been the home to many recognized names including Muhammad Ali, Louis Farrakhan, Barak Obama, Michelle Obama, Saul Bellow, Amelia Earhart, Jesse Jackson and Dr. Alfred Klinger.
I’ve always admired this quiet, tree lined street, at the end of which stand two Frank Lloyd Wright homes. Across the street from those is the large Kenwood Park (formerly known as Farmer’s Field) where we walked our dogs everyday.
What a grand old house. Even a wrap around porch! And, funny coincidence- my mom is a broker at Urban Search!
Adrian
Janet, Cece and Al, What a wonderful house and so many memories! My favorite memory is Al’s very generous offer to host our rehearsal dinner at his house on July 1, 2005. What a kind and meaningful gesture to me and Tom. Good luck to you, Al, in your new home.
Love, Susan & Tom
I did not spend more than a weekend at the Klinger house in Chicago, and that was over 20 years ago as well. I do not remember the exact layout, or colors. I only remember taking a long journey car ride in Janet’s little blue dodge colt from RIT to S. Kenwood. This was very exciting for me, having never been to Chicago before. My family was different, they would never even think to suggest I bring a college friend home to LI for a Thanksgiving get together. I was touched to be invited and curious about Janet’s family who she talked about so fondly. There was a dog to be met, too! Perhaps I had see a picture of it, nonetheless, I was blown away by it’s size, and grand old beauty. There were pedestal sinks and hardwoods, rooms hidden behind rooms and feeling of comfortable, well-used homey-ness. Memories can be tactile, memories can be ethereal, our brain can play around with them and stretch them all directions. In this case, I don’t really go to the details, just that I have a warm and poignant feeling when I re-visit 3815 S. Kenwood.
I will NEVER forget the first time I came to this house. I”d never seen anything so big and so grand and so lived in. Books, art, books, art – everywhere. I think I was there for a photo shoot. Janet and I in our very early twenties – she just got a new lens that she was trying out and I, a willing subject. It is a good memory – a good time in our young lives – on the third floor of that beautiful house.
Adrian, I had no idea! That truly IS a coincidence.
Laura, I remember that Thanksgiving well. I believe you had the opportunity to meet our great friend Sergio too. He’s still very much a “part of the family”, and done so well for himself.
Irma, I still have some favorite photos from that fun “studio” session. You were such an energetic generous model. I will always remember the joy we had exploring light, smooching your face and body behind glass, twirling in the setting sun as it streamed through the balcony windows. To think, that was the first of perhaps 30 sessions we’ve done together over the years. The Cannon Beach session, and Ellis’ as groovy 60′s rock star are two other never-to-be-forgotten sessions with you. Hugs Irmy baby. I’m so glad you’re now on the West coast too. Perhaps an Amtrak visit is in order. How’ your May? I’ll email…
I am a nephew to Al and cousins to Janet and Cece and I remember spending many holidays with them in this house. Love it and will always remember the great times we had there with the family.
I will remember Al’s and Kit’s house for two reasons: It was while visiting the Klinger’s with their daughter, Lily, three months into my relationship with Lily, that I first became aware I was in love with her. The second was when Lily and I rented the third floor from Al and Kit while we saved up money for a downpayment on a house. Living on the third floor allowed me to grow closer to the family, to stay up late and hear Al’s wonderful stories of his life growing up in Chicago,a s well as the many years he spent inthe house raising his children; of meeting Shasta and Eliza (their dogs), and exploring the lovely neighborhood of Hyde Park. Memories I will treasure for the rest of my life.
My condolences Janet! What a warm a wonderful home. I remember sleepovers their in middle school, house parties, Camp Martin Johnson parties, walking to Shoesmith, Lake Michigan, Karyn, Lizzy, Maggie and good times. . And for some reason I remember eating fritos and hot sauce! LOL!!! Anyway, just thinking about those days puts a huge smile on my face. Great, great memories. Best to you, Janet.
Hi Janet! I’m visiting here Chicago and coincidently drove by your childhood home yesterday and noticed it was for sale. I love to drive or walk around Hyde Park and reminisce. That big beautiful home that you and your family grew up in must hold memories for many. I remember Cece’s room way up in the top; I think it was the converted attic and maybe you shared with her? Or your room was nearby. I’m sure her window was the A frame shown in the picture in the very front top. Cece introduced me to Jimi Hendrix’s Electric Ladyland album up in that room and I still love that album and think of your home whenever I hear it.
Where’s your dad going? Tell him Hello from Cece’s old friend – I think he knew me as BJ – and that I wish him the best in his new venture!
Take care!
Kimberley
Hello Janet I, too, have wonderful memories of that warm, beautiful home — many visits with Lily, once involving reciting from Joyce’s Ulysses in the kitchen (!) and of the lovely wedding shower your family hosted for me and Eric, and of course Lily’s wedding reception.
Please give my best to CeCe and your dad. Best of luck all around. take care –mnm
Hello Mary,
Thank you for taking the time to share your memories of the Kenwood house. It was so sweet to hear from you. Lily is still very much alive in our hearts, especially around significant days and rituals she shared in. I miss her. You meant so much to her which makes hearing from you now all the more meaningful.
Happy holidays, and warm hugs to you.
Hi Janet,
I once cooked a vegetarian spaghetti dinner in your mom’s kitchen in this house trying to impress the youngest daughter. I remember the fresh strawberries your mom grew in the front yard (she had a fit when she saw me picking them). I fell in the front yard and had to get 12 stitches, but your dad was there to make it all better. I heard Elton Johns Yellow Brick Road “ALBUM” in this house. I had my first kiss on the porch of this house. This house is a HOME! I will always remember.