Back to the future by Dan Schuyler

Rezmar nods to past, builds for future with Mansions on Prairie

Back to the Future might have been a popular science fiction movie, but the title aptly describes the time-warp phenomenon occurring just south of 18th Street, in the South Loop’s Prairie Avenue Historic District. That’s where Rezmar Development Group, www.rezmar.com, recently opened a model for the Mansions on Prairie Avenue, a masterful blend of the 19th century Beaux Arts tradition and a vast array of high-tech modern conveniences.

The Commonwealth at Historic Prairie Avenue is the third and final phase of Rezmar’s Historic Homes of Prairie Avenue development. The first two phases, which included condos and townhouses, sold rapidly and were completed in 2001. In addition to the Mansions, Phase III includes 20 traditional townhomes. Only three of these units, priced in the half-million dollar range, remain unsold.

With the introduction of the Mansions, Rezmar clearly saved the best for last. Seventeen of them will line the east side of Prairie Avenue, where more than a century ago one could find the elegant homes of Chicago’s elite, the Pullmans, Fields, Armours and others. Though many of the historic Victorian age homes are gone, several remain, including the 29-room chateauesque Coleman-Ames mansion that stands watch at the southeast corner of 18th and Prairie. The lovely historic Chicago Women’s Park and Gardens, across the street from the Mansions, assures buyers a tranquil view in perpetuity.

Designed by architects Pappageorge Haymes, the Mansions will take the form of three rowhome buildings, two with six mansions each, and the third with five. There are three models to choose from (the Adler, Baldwin and Claridge), and while the outer façades and the locations of the models are fixed, buyers have virtual carte blanche in customizing the interiors.

The Mansions range from 4,600 to 5,800 square feet, and are base priced from $1.4 million to $1.9 million. All are built on five levels, accessible by stairway or elevator. Each mansion is protected in front with wrought iron fencing, and a red brick private drive provides access to heated two-car garages in the rear.

The historic location and scale of the homes presented distinct architectural challenges, according to Pappageorge Haymes spokesman Jeff Renterghem.

“Since we did not intend to replicate the much larger homes of a century ago, a very strong attempt was made to allow the Mansions to have the look of attached single-family homes as opposed to a rowhouse or townhouse appearance,” Renterghem says. “The materials and colors of the facades vary, and the corners are recessed, thereby creating a separation effect and making each mansion distinctive.”

The architects performed a similar balancing act inside the homes, according to Renterghem.

“With respect to the interior, we played off lessons learned from the Gold Coast mansions and the old Victorian townhomes,” Renterghem says. “Those older homes had lots of small rooms with specific functions. Now there is more of a demand for an open-space look. Our challenge was to design a vertical living environment with a sense of spaciousness, but still maintain a defined space quality with rooms that don’t appear to bleed into each other.”

John Robert Wiltgen designed the interior of the model mansion, adding approximately $1 million dollars in custom appointments and furnishings. Rezmar is including 200 hours of design time with John Robert Wiltgen Design, valued at $30,000, as part of the purchase price.

“Countless hours of meetings and discussions went into creating the model,” Wiltgen says. “Rezmar is very custom-oriented, and they retained us because they are eager to give their buyers exactly what they want.”

A tour of the model mansion reflects the talent, time and effort that went into its creation. Hardwood floors, handcrafted cabinetry, chandeliers and many other reminders of the past are expertly mixed with marble tile, glass, mirrors, granite countertops, recessed lighting, stainless appliances, and state-of-the-art electronics, including a touch screen from which residents can control all of the home’s electrical and mechanical components.

The lower level “English basement” consists of a large family room, the garage, and the mechanical room. The living room, dining room and spacious ultra-modern kitchen with sitting area and deck are found on the first floor. The second floor is the master suite, containing a large bedroom and sitting area, two walk-in closets, and an oversized spa-like bath. The third floor is occupied by three bedrooms, two baths, a walk-in closet and laundry facilities. The top-floor penthouse is a media room, complete with wet bar, wine closet, built-in plasma television and a deck with lake views.

“Although we are providing custom design services for each individual buyer, the base purchase price of the mansions includes many features and specifications which normally would be considered custom or extra items,” says Rezmar Vice President of Sales Ron Smith. “Among these are portions of the tile work and flooring, the marble and granite countertops, a 400-amp electrical panel, three furnaces and four-zone heating, water pressure and recirculation pumps, a state-of-the-art security system, and extensive prewiring for cable, telephone, audio and computer components.”

While the Mansions are a year away from completion, seven of the 17 have been sold already. Sales Manager Rosalind Edwards points to a number of factors contributing to buyers’ interest in the project.

“Purchasing a new home in an historic district gives one a very secure feeling about the permanence of the neighborhood,” Edwards says. “The revitalization of the South Loop area and the convenience of the location are also contributing factors. The lakefront and museum campus are within easy walking distance. The major expressways and the downtown area are only minutes away, and the flourishing South Loop area continues to attract more and more upscale residential neighborhoods, shops and restaurants.”