Winnetka's Maverick House was built in 1920 for social activist and cofounder of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom Lola Maverick Lloyd. Architect and sculptor Charles Haag designed the ski lodge-like home with a medley of carved-wood built-ins and other woodwork reminiscent of furnishings and fixtures common to Haag's native Sweden. But to the Midwestern eye, they're awesomely eccentric. Thanks to the pampering stewardship of one family over the generations, the home has barely aged and was inducted into the National Registry of Historic Places in 2006.
Dennis Rodkin toured the property in 2009 and writes about its return to market in today's Deal Estate column. Listing in 2007 for $1.45M with ironclad restrictions on property alteration, the home is back for just $699,930— a multiple of 18, which is lucky in the Jewish kabbalah. That matters to the current occupant, Lloyd's granddaughter Lola Moonfrog, and could prove auspicious for all involved. The deed still comes with codified restrictions, but they are focused on preserving the yard's native plantings and preventing expansion of the home's footprint. Happily, the 20-foot wild west mural can't be destroyed. In addition to the deep, deep price chop, recent property improvements help make this five-bed offering "a much better value proposition," in the words of listing agent Howard Meyers. Fun facts: Lloyd's other major historical ties include being the granddaughter of Samuel Maverick, from whom the term derived, and being married at one point to William Bross Lloyd, cofounder of the U.S. Communist Party. Time to make a name for yourself!
·Listing: 455 Birch St, Winnetka [Hudson Company]
·Winnetka's Maverick House Back on the Market [Chicago Mag]
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