Chicago real estate, living and neighborhood perspective

Exploring 5100 Hyde Park’s History


© Sherwin Sucaldito

Having just listed a spacious vintage condo in this association (photos and virtual tour), I am overwhelmed by the amount of history not only in this building but the surrounding Hyde Park neighborhood.  Horatio Wilson was commission in 1909 to design the site, one of the first luxury apartments in the area.  Wilson himself would not be a stranger to luxury apartment housing, having designed the Raymond Apartments on Lake Shore Drive & Walton in the Gold Coast neighborhood.  The Raymond Apartments was not only the first luxury apartments along Lake Shore Drive, but would serve as model that other buildings would follow.

The design of 5100 Hyde Park reflects Wilson preference in the Arts & Crafts style.  Floor plans for each unit were developed, with homeowners, and staff in mind.  A front public area encompassing the living and dining room was planned.  The private area which included bedrooms and private baths and the service area which included maid’s quarters, kitchen and pantries.  The basement was developed to house butlers and other staff.

With the first patrons moving into the building in 1910, there have been significant changes done to the unit.  The maid’s quarters currently has been transformed into a child’s room / nursery space with its own private bath.  Kitchen, pantry and storage area has been significantly transformed to showcase a new kitchen with modern amenities, dry bar, pass through pantry as well as a breakfast nook area that comfortably seats two for coffee and brunch.  There are many vintage features that have been well preserved through the years.

The first residents of 5100 Hyde Park have included several prominent figures in Chicago which may have been partly due to the Chicago Beach Hotel, one of the most popular resorts in the Midwest at the time.

The immediate area has seen some changes since then, including the extension and build of South Lake Shore Drive with its current configuration completed in the mid 1960’s.  In addition to easy access to lakefront access, University of Chicago and Metra are located within walking distance.  The Museum of Science and Industry is just several blocks to the south and the parks lined along South Lake Shore Drive.

Read more about the Hyde Park neighborhood on Wiki.

Sherwin is a REALTOR® in the Chicago & Suburban area with @properties. Questions can be forwarded to Sherwin Sucaldito

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”Exploring 5100 Hyde Park’s History” by Sherwin Sucaldito is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at Realty Evolved

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