Beverly’s landmarked 1894 ‘French House’ returns with price cut

An attractive and historically significant five-bedroom home in Chicago’s Beverly neighborhood is back on the market this week with a new, lower price. Known as the French House, the 4,000-square-foot colonial revival home at 9203 S. Pleasant Avenue was built by architect William Augusto Otis for William M. R. French in 1894. Born in New Hampshire in 1843, French served as the first director of the Art Institute of Chicago.

According to the listing notes, many of the home’s historical features including the detailed frieze above the living room hearth and carvings adorning the front porch were the work of Mr. French’s students at the institute. While the kitchen and bathrooms have been renovated since the 19th century, much of the home is still original.

Occupying a large, well-landscaped lot—French was first a landscape architect before turning to the world of fine art—the property includes a detached two car garage, shed, and brick patio. The home listed in November of last year for $785,000 and was removed in January. It returns with a reduced price of $699,999.

• 9203 S. Pleasant Ave, Chicago IL [Redfin]
• Landmarked home of first Chicago Art Institute director asks $785K [Curbed Chicago]
• Previous Beverly coverage [Curbed Chicago]