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Chicago’s Serbian American Museum Seeks a Buyer for its 1905 Building

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The museum hopes to find a buyer that would preserve the historic mansion

After calling East Lakeview its home for 64 years, Chicago’s Serbian American Museum is looking to sell its 11,400-square-foot digs amidst dwindling attendance and the relocation of many of its members. Designed by prominent Chicago architect Frederick Wainwright Perkins, the historic 1905 American Foursquare-style mansion features a number of original touches. Listed "as is," the building could also use some fixing up while the coach house is in need of "extensive repairs."

Though some of the mansion-turned-museum appears to be used for administrative purposes, several of its eight bedrooms feature ethnic artwork and artifacts as well as exhibits highlighting notable Serbs such as tennis great Novak Djokovic and inventor Nikola Tesla. Aspiring caped crime-fighting vigilantes can appreciate the property’s unique lower level. The funky cavern-like performance venue and cocktail bar was "literally modeled after a cave" per the museum’s website.

According to the Chicago Tribune, the museum’s board hopes the property’s $3,850,000 asking price will help finance a new facility that would ideally offer easier parking and better access to the expressway than the current East Lakeview location. Wishing to preserve the 111-year old building, the organization has reportedly declined any offers that involved razing the historic structure.