One of the first major residences on Prairie Avenue, the South Side's old Gold Coast, was the Elbridge G. Keith mansion. Keith made his fortune in dry-goods wholesaling— the family business. According to Design Slinger, architect J.W. Roberts built the ornate home in 1870 in the 'Second Empire' style. The stunning property helped attract far bigger fish to the neighborhood, like George Pullman and Marshall Field. The Mansard-roofed seven bedroom home clocks in at about 11,000-square-feet (not including the large coach house). The vintage interiors are well maintained but the kitchen looks like it could use some updating, as do some of the floors. Sited on a cul-de-sac that interrupts Prairie Ave, the 50' x 176' property borders a vacant lot with the Women's Park & Gardens just beyond. As the listing beseeches, capitalize on "one of the last opportunities to create a true historic city estate". It might also be used not just as a residence, but a "gallery, corporate flagship, or museum" thanks to the zoning. The coach house is currently rented, so those guests of yours may have to find a hotel. How much for the whole shebang? $2,195,000.
·Listing: 1900 S Prairie Ave. [Prudential Rubloff]
·Elbridge G. Keith House [Design Slinger]
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