EDGEWATER — An uninhabited single-story Edgewater home is ready to be demolished and replaced with a sleek, modern design, if the architect can acquire the property.
"It's an open building, and it's full of animals, and full of mold. ... And it's just been sitting like that for years, and it's getting worse," said Peter Nicholas, designer and architect with Nicholas Design Collaborative. "Once I gain ownership ... it's all designed, it's all approved, it's ready to go."
The property at 5945 N. Magnolia Ave. is overgrown with weeds and grass, and has been found in violation of city building codes 18 times since 2006, many centering on maintaining the property in a safe manner. The city has been working since 2012 to take over the property so it can be sold to a developer, property records show.
Nicholas, who designed the Periscope House at 5833 N. Magnolia Ave., said he's already drawn plans for a new $1.35 million, 3,850-square-foot design he's calling "Edgebox," and has secured a demolition permit for the property. The house is represented by Coldwell Banker agent Mary Lou Scinto Allen.
He's been showing up at court as the house moves through the city's problem buildings process, where other neighbors are showing support for his new designs.
Nicholas said after he secures his building permits, he's ready to start looking for a buyer who can tweak his original plans to put his or her personal touches on the three-story home.
Nicholas said he would have preserved the home if he could, as he did with the Periscope House, which had a usable frame.
"I don't want to just buy properties and rip them down," Nicholas said. "I'm really sensitive to saving things that are worth saving. The one for Edgebox, that's not worth saving. Periscope House was worth saving."
Far North Side neighbors been receptive to his buildings so far, including a condo building at North Broadway and Catalpa Avenue, as well as another home in West Ridge.
He said his homes both complement and push creative boundaries in the neighborhood, which features a number of classic Chicago-style single-family homes, flats and apartment buildings.
Designing the homes ahead of time, then finding a proper buyer, has helped to streamline the entire process, while also making sure the home matches the buyer, he said.
"My attitude is, be respectful of what is there, but to try to design something like it was designed in the '30s, that doesn't make sense. If everyone did that we wouldn't move forward as a culture," Nicholas said. "So I design things that are more responsive to our current times, while being respectful of the past."
Nicholas, a Rogers Park resident, said he's formed lasting friendships with some of his clients, including the Periscope House's owners.
He hopes Edgebox will be another unique but fitting home in the neighborhood.
Check out pictures below of Edgebox and the Periscope House.
The front of Edgebox. [Provided/Nicholas Design Collaborative]
The back of Edgebox, showing a large back yard and seating area. [Provided/Nicholas Design Collaborative]
How Edgebox would look among its neighbors on Magnolia. [Provided/Nicholas Design Collaborative]
Edgebox's foyer. [Provided/Nicholas Design Collaborative]
Living room and part of the kitchen at Edgebox. [Provided/Nicholas Design Collaborative]
Master bedroom at Edgebox. [Provided/Nicholas Design Collaborative]
Edgebox's rooftop deck. [Provided/Nicholas Design Collaborative]
The home at 5833 N. Magnolia Ave., also known as the Periscope House. [Provided/Bruce Van Inwegen]
Inside the Periscope House. [Provided/Bruce Van Inwegen]
A private outdoor patio at the Periscope House. [Provided/Bruce Van Inwegen]
Periscope House's back. [Provided/Bruce Van Inwegen]
Two-car garage at the Periscope House. [Provided/Bruce Van Inwegen]
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