Property History

2029 West Dickens was originally a three-flat built in 1894. Little is known about the first owners except that they probably raised goats -- as did many residents of Bucktown, hence the name -- because there was a four-stall goat shed at the back of the property where the garage now stands.

Construction began in 2005 and was completed in 2008. The front was restored to near-original condition with the addition of a new canopy, entryway and stairs. The rest of the building was completely gutted including the removal of the roof and original slab floor. The entire south wall and a large portion of the east wall were removed to enlarge the building. The interior load-bearing walls were removed and replaced with 1/2-inch thick steel posts supporting 10-inch steel I-beams to allow for an open floor plan. A complete new foundation was poured -- up to 6 feet deep in some places -- to support the steel reinforcement.

At the front of the house, the original roof line was retained and provides the cathedral ceiling in the master bedroom. The rest of the roof was raised to a high point of 14 ft. where a large skylight floods the central atrium with light.

The entire new south wall is made of glass and translucent polycarbonate panels that bathe the interior with natural light. The house incorporates energy saving elements such as radiant heat, tankless hot water heaters, low voltage lighting and a green roof garden on the terrace.