Wicker Park & Bucktown

Real Estate

Vintage UK Village 2-Flat Conversion Offers Rooftop Deck, Asks $949,000

September 8, 2015 8:12am | Updated September 8, 2015 8:12am
2136 W. Thomas St. in Ukrainian Village
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UKRAINIAN VILLAGE — A former two-flat apartment building that was converted into a single-family home 15 years ago offers the "best of both worlds," according to the broker that's been brought on to sell the Landmark District dwelling for a local doctor who moved out of state.

Unlike many vintage homes that feature slanted rooftops, the flat roof at 2136 W. Thomas St. in Ukrainian Village has enough room for a rear rooftop deck, which would not be permitted if the amenity were visible from the street.

"The rooftop deck is very unique," said Realtor Greg Nagel of the home, built in 1901 and part of the Ukrainian Village Landmark District.

The four-bedroom, 4,000-square-foot home went on the market in August with an asking list price of $949,000, higher than other area vintage single-family homes, which range between $700,000-$900,000 and less than newer construction ranges of $1.3 to $1.5 million, Nagel said.

A previous owner gut rehabbed the apartment building in 2000 and added 1,200 square feet to the back of the house. The extra space added a family room, a master bedroom with a terrace overlooking the backyard and a game and recreation room leading to the rooftop deck.

Original elements such as the banister, doors, trim, built-in hutch were all preserved.

"Our older buildings were built in a period of time when people put pride in them. They were designed and decorated with so much character, before computers and structural engineers, so they were dramatically overbuilt and are rock solid." Nagel said.

The home's sellers, Leigh "Chip" Halpern, an emergency room doctor with nearby St. Mary’s Hospital and his wife, Brooke, bought the home in 2008, about eight years after after the gut rehab and conversion work was complete.

"He is selling this home that he absolutely loves as he moved out of state to support a career opportunity for Brooke," Nagel said.

Located on a quiet tree-lined street less than two blocks from Division Street, the home also features a quaint front porch, three family rooms, a dining room, a modern kitchen with a butler’s pantry and original wooden hutch, a back patio, a finished basement and a two-car garage, according to the listing.

The home's rooftop deck. [All photos unless noted by DNAinfo/Alisa Hauser]

The home's kitchen.

A spare or guest or child's bedroom.

Greg Nagel in one of the bedrooms, most recently used as a home office, with lots of natural sunlight.

Original millwork, cabinets and a built-in hutch. [Provided]

The master bedroom bathroom.

The recreation room, leading to the rooftop deck.

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