Quirky ‘Italian villa’ style bungalow in West Ridge asks $490K

Credited for bringing the American Dream of home ownership to tens of thousands of Chicagoans in the early part of the 20th century, the ubiquitous bungalow is commonplace across the city’s North, South, and West sides.

While most Chicago bungalows adhered to popular architectural influences such as the Prairie School or Midcentury modernism, there are a number of remarkable oddballs out there.

Take for example, this unusual “Italian villa” variant in the West Ridge neighborhood. Built in 1922, the three-bedroom home sports a beige brick facade with arches supported by twisting stone columns topped by Corinthian capitals. A Spanish tile roof rounds-out the home’s Mediterranean exterior motif.

Inside, the three-bedroom structure sports hardwood floors, an ornately carved fireplace, bright rear sunroom, very red dining room, and a one-and-a-half story layout common to more traditional Chicago bungalows.

Though the photos could benefit from from proper staging and the kitchen likely won’t be featured on HGTV anytime soon, the property has solid bones and earns bonus points for standing out.

The West Ridge mini-villa first hit the market last May for just under $600,000. Since then, its asking price was reduced a total of four times. It re-listed yesterday and can currently be picked up for $490,000.

• 2721 W. Morse Avenue, Chicago IL [Keller Williams Platinum Partners]