Historic Keith House on Prairie Avenue lists for $2.7 million

Built in 1870, this mansion was one of the first residences on the historic Prairie Avenue on the Prairie District of the South Loop. It attracted some of Chicago’s biggest tycoons, who were responsible for building the city like Marshall Field and George Pullman and eventually built massive mansions of their own.

The Keith House exterior, designed by J.R. Roberts, is hard to miss with it’s mansard roof and an elaborate exterior ornamentation. The home’s features follow a Second Empire style, which was influenced by architecture from Napoleon’s redevelopment of Paris and French Renaissance structures.

The eight-bedroom, eight-bathroom property is so large the listing agent Hadley Rue suggests it could be turned into a boutique hotel or a small condo project. The home already has special zoning that would allow for a both a business and residence, for example a small gallery on the main floor. The space now is currently used for events and there are two apartments on the second and third floors.

Taxes last year for the property were $29,252, and because of the historic nature of this home there are historic tax incentives available, according to the listing.

Located at 1900 S. Prairie Avenue, this home is asking $2,695,000.