Home Feature - 1308 N Astor, Chicago

by Phil Jacobs

Chicago--By the end of the 19^th Century, the Gold Coast was the enclave of Chicago’s social and economic elite.

 The barons of industry and captains of commerce built their mansions here in the shadow of the opulent castle of Potter and Bertha Palmer, so lavish that a French visitor once described it as both “sumptuous and abominable.” The grandiose imitation Rhenish castle with turrets and towers took an army of imported Italian craftsmen three years to build, and was easily the most expensive home in Chicago.

 Palmer had already reshaped the downtown area when he decided to drain a swamp, fill it in, build a house and invite his friends to follow him to this new community of pampered privilege along Lake Michigan.

Among the area’s mansions that now bring upwards of 15 million dollars are the magnificent row houses designed by distinguished architects of the day like John Wellborn Root, David Adler and the young upstart, Frank Lloyd Wright. But it was Root, in 1887, who designed 1308-1312 North Astor Street, three private residences that are still private homes today. He occupied the center home at 1310, until he died four year later. His widow and her sister Harriet Monroe, founder of Poetry Magazine, lived in the home for several years thereafter.

 The four-story, ornate sandstone and red brick Queen Anne at 1308, was originally built for J.L. Houghteling, a local businessman. Today, the home is owned by Andrew Lidgus, a local artist, sculptor and pianist who has just finished renovating the structure, except for the facade which, because of its national historic registry status, cannot be altered, according to local architect, Paul Florian.

“All of the homes on the street are listed on the national registry,” Florian said. “What that means, of Course, is that the exteriors cannot be altered. The structure can be repaired, but there are strict guidelines regulating what can and cannot be done to the historic facade.”

A heavy wrought iron fence and gate guard the entry where Lidgus has planted a colorful selection of annuals among stones for visitors to enjoy while they wait to be summoned.

Inside, a quaint vestibule allows guests to enter the grand foyer with its limestone fireplace and elegant molded walls. The new recessed lighting cans in the ceiling, like all the lights in the home, are controlled by a master digital switch to provide any mood Lidgus wants in any room of the home.

“If you want a romantic ambiance as you enter, you don’t want the lights coming on at 100 percent,” Lidgus said. “With this new system you can control the amount of light in any room from a single digital pad near the front door. You can also program the system to turn all the lights in the house on or off at the touch of a single button.”

The graceful staircase leading upstairs from the foyer was added during the recent full-scale renovation that took 7 months to complete.

“In everything I’ve undertaken here, I think it’s important to note that every effort has been made to maintain the integrity of Root’s original work, to stay true, as much as possible, to the distinguished architect’s intent,” Lidgus said. The new elevator was one of the exceptions. Now, the family can ride from the 1000 bottle marbled-floored wine cellar in the basement to the master suite and spa on the 4^th floor. The unique flooring in the foyer is a combination of oak, purple-heart and Maple.

Just beyond the foyer is an area with a wet bar and custom cabinetry, for entertaining. The room also features a coat closet and one of the homes four-and a-half baths.  An adjacent room is a perfect space for an au pair, office or staff quarters.

A comfortable wood-paneled library with a marble fire place occupies the second floor along with 2 of the homes’ four bedrooms. The original leaded casement window allows light to flood the room during the day as well as having a window seat to rest and view the activity on the street.

         The living room with a marble fireplace, dining room and kitchen are located on the 3^rd floor. Just off the kitchen that features a six-burner Wolf range with a grille, granite countertops, an under-the-counter microwave drawer and a large refrigerator/freezer encased in elegant cherry cabinetry, is a large outdoor terrace with flower boxes and a Wolf stainless steel grille.

The private master suite on the 4^th floor includes the bedroom with a granite fireplace, a paneled, walk-through closet and a large bathroom covered with stone tiles from Mexico. The shower area has both standard spray nozzles and two rainfall fixtures in the ceiling and a terrace off the bath allows the home owners a private outdoor area, a restful place of solitude to enjoy a sip of wine or perhaps to share mutually the thoughts of the day.

About the owner: Andrew J. Lidgus

 Job:  Artist and sculptor and noted pianist. His art work hangs in numerous galleries as well as private homes and corporate offices. His commissions include the Holy Name Cathedral, The National Realtor’s Association, Northwestern University, the University of Chicago, Associated News Media in London and Reyes Aquilera & Co. Madrid, Spain among others. He has a Bachelor of Fine Art Degree from Loyola University of Chicago and a Bachelor of Music degree with a major in piano performance.  He has played or audiences throughout the U.S. and in Europe.  In 2000, an exhibition of his artwork premiered in London.

Phil Jacobs can be reached at pjacobs837@yahoo.com