The potential demolition of a 122-year-old Hinsdale home drew comments at Tuesday night's Village of Hinsdale Board of Trustees meeting from village officials who'd rather not see it go.
Village manager Dave Cook said village staff has been encouraging the future owners of 206 N. Washington St., through conversations with their architects, to reconsider tearing down the home built in 1890 after hearing a teardown is being considered.
“We’re making progress, but they’re more concerned with the interior of the house than the exterior,” Cook said, noting that the interior is not conducive to “a big modern family.”
The current owners of the home have reached an agreement with the new buyers, The Doings reported, and the deal is expected to be final by the end of the month.
The house was on and off the market for two-and-a-half years, current owner Steven Embree told the paper.
Cook said he’s been told the buyers might consider a “deconstruct and reconstruct” project that would seek to reuse as much original material from the home's exterior as possible. Brian Hickey of Teardowns.com, which listed the home, told The Doings the same thing.
Read the full Doings story here.
Hinsdale building commissioner Rob McGinnis said the house does not have any local or national historic designation, so the village has no power to protect the home.
"Unfortunately, it looks like a goner," McGinnis said.
According to Mary Sterling's book Hinsdale's Historic Homes, the Washington street home was built in 1890 by Herman and Phebe Fox. Herman was a Civil War veteran who ran a store with his brother at the corner of Washington and Hinsdale Avenues.
The property is an example of Hinsdale’s “spectacular historic architecture,” trustee Bob Saigh said Tuesday.
“I honestly had the feeling that in this case, with 206 North Washington, the last owners may indeed not have known all the history of that home,” Saigh said, “and if that’s the case that’s really a shame.”
Village President Tom Cauley said that even though the village can't halt demolition, staff should continue to encourage the homeowners to preserve the house as much as possible.
“It would really be a shame if that house came down,” Cauley said.
Here's what Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills Patch's Facebook fans are saying:
- Jane: Love this house! Don't tear it down!
- Emily: This is so sad!
- Jaclyn: What?! Did this house used to be purple!
- Bonnie: i wish i could buy it !
- Gregg: No, No, No!
- Vicki: GRRR! Why didnt the village throw a historical status on this! Can't believe so much of Hinsdale's history is being demolished!!
- Jane: So sad!
- teardowns.com: The last time we saw this kind of push-back was when the Zook house was moved to KLM - remember that? Having lived in Hinsdale all my life and having had actually grown up in a similar home on S. Washington - I'm wondering why all the sadness? The seller is happy, the buyer is happy - why are you sad?
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IMO, this is not a new story. About 1 out of 3 houses in Hinsdale have been torn down and replaced with new. Even our Village President tore down his current home to build another. In this case, don't worry, the new house will be beautiful.....and BTW, I believe the home as it sits now replaced a farmhouse from the early 1800's - round and round we go, evolution not revolution :)
Katie Ahern Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage630)421-9751
I usually would not dignify such inaccuracy with retort.....but since you have somehow made this about me instead of the fact that I am no more than a facilitator (broker) who offers buyers and sellers of this property type an opportunity to connect for lower-cost and less hassle (nice ad eh?) I'll show some defense. Just a couple of things: 1. I have lived in Hinsdale for over 50 years, and like it so much I have never left. 2. It's terrific you are renovating an older home - I wish you enjoyment and success with the project - please share its progress - we here in Hinsdale would love to follow your experience. 3. Your passion is evident and based on your financial position as you describe it - my recommendation is to give Katie from Coldwell Banker a call and put in a back-up offer - maybe you will be able to renovate this one as well? So, if you're ever back in town please look me up....people of such great conviction are always interesting - coffee at Starbucks (or is it Barth Pharmacy or Vann's?). Which one do you remember? Brian
As for buying the place, if I won the lotto tomorrow I might do that...altho the old Chicago Motor Club building downtown is at the top of my list.
The house I grew up in at 304 S. Washington was built in the late 1800's - it's still standing and I wonder every time I go by what will happen to it when the current owners want or need to sell. I remember watching my Dad try to clear the drains as the water in the sinks and tubs backed up. The summers were hot as well, not having A/C. The windows are drafty, the basement is full of asbestos, the kitchen is misplaced and small, the electrical system is just plain dangerous...etc. etc. What will happen to my old house? Do I care.....sure. Will I tie myself to the pillars if the new buyers want to replace it...no. As for the story of 206 N. Washington, where this originated - the owner tried to sell it for over 2 1/2 years, even painted it, and did not receive a single offer - they altered their marketing strategy and sold it quickly and efficiently - they are happy (kind of, based on their purchase price they lost one million dollars). So really, if there is anything or anyone to blame it is the market itself - buyers and seller decide what to do with an asset i.e. what it's worth and how best to understand its future value (these are serious investments were talking about). As for my personal option on history - you may be right. I do spend most of my time living in the now and working for tomorrow. Maybe discussing solutions is a better use of our time? Brian Hickey infillRE, LLC
As for the house you grew up in....the place I am renovating right now has essentially been completely redone. It's been interesting since it's all knob and tube wiring and there just is no way to fish new wires through lathe walls. We have put in an entirely new HVAC including running a big duct up through two floors utilizing two well-placed closets. The duct goes into the attic and the rooms upstairs are ducted through their ceilings. Pretty much the only things we haven't replaced is the original structure itself, the plaster in the living room and the oak floors in the living room, dining room and an odd little room at the base of the main stairs. Had to completely strip the staircase but it was worth it...it's beautiful. The woman who lived in the house in the 60's and 70's stopped in (she must be in her late 80's) stopped in one day and was amazed to see the floors...she lived there 20+ years and never knew there were hardwood floors. And yes, we had asbestos...had an environmental company come in and remove most of it. The asbestos flooring and "walls" (in what used to be a garage) have been sealed. Yes, it's expensive but it's been worth it to me. If I had the funds I would buy that house on Washington. Guess I need to buy some lottery tickets. As for living for now, now is built on yesterday.
John Bohnen Member, Hinsdale Preservation Commission Managing Broker/Owner, County Line Properties