Bucktown Black Box

Sep 20

A 3-flat Deconversion in Chicago’s vibrant bucktown neighborhood keeps the city in reach for a growing family

Renewing their commitment to Chicago over more suburban options, Ben and Jesse purchased their 1890s-era 3-flat on a pretty, leafy street in Bucktown. As avid cyclists, and a one-car family, walkability and access to public transportation was important, not to mention the city lifestyle they loved.

At first, the building was not at all the draw, it stood on one of Bucktown’s infamous short lots (measuring just 24’ wide by 100’ long), and had been converted to apartments. But the tree-lined block and the location minutes from everything was intriguing.

The challenge was to deconvert the existing 3-flat into a single-family dwelling conducive to the family's aesthetic and minimalist style. The home’s smaller lot size deviates from the standard 25’ x 125’ Chicago lot, making improving the property more difficult. But the small lot led to big ideas.

“The design maximizes every inch of available space and is customized to be a playful space for our little family.”

— Jesse

A complete gut renovation of the interior opened the floor plan, resulting in an open kitchen, living, and dining room. A new 8’ deep by 18’ wide addition created an overhang at the second floor which provides shade from the harsh western exposure. Deteriorating masonry at the front elevation, which had been installed during the 1990s renovation, was removed to make way for new black masonry and decorative banding. The existing 6’ high first-floor porch that had made for an intimidating entry sequence was revised by implementing an L-shaped stair and landing which now gracefully leads to the front door.

These design moves modernized the existing building and added a modest rear addition at the basement and second floors. The Bucktown Black Box now respects the existing streetscape while providing a contrasting experience at the rear yard with a punchy cantilevered black box. Thoughtful hardscape in the backyard, designed for how the family actually uses the space, makes the most of one of the home's best assets. And, yes, all the neighbors hang out in their yard.

Ben and Jesse now bike to the park every weekend with the kids, know all the regulars at their local coffee shop, and love the sense of community they’ve found.