19 Oct a pre-fire chicago wood frame cottage threatened by sale offering a “unique homesite opportunity”

driving down orchard street today i discovered an amazingly intact 19th century clapboard workers cottage surrounded by several monstrous mcmansions so ridiculously huge and devoid of character i felt equally nauseous and claustrophobic. only by focusing on the well-preserved architectural characteristics of the warm and inviting pre-fire 1860’s era cottage (which is located dangerously close to the 1871 great chicago fire “burnt district,” so research is needed to confirm the date of erection), did i feel a bit of respite – that is until i saw the giant billboard planted firmly on the southeast corner of the lot.

the bowen group, who likely is offering the lot – house included – for sale, deliberately avoids acknowledging the existence of this important cottage, which is one of only a few cottages from that era still standing in the entire neighborhood. the sign proudly boasts a “unique homesite opportunity” with an “extra wide” and “extra deep” lot, encouraging and/or extending an invite to build yet another drab and lackluster edifice reflecting one’s wealth on the site. after reviewing the images time and again, i’m still in disbelief.