July 2, 2019
When taking a stroll through almost any Chicago neighborhood, you’ll see them. Sitting in a row, they are as distinct, and distinguishable as the city skyline itself: the bungalow. Often red-bricked with modest porches, these homes stand as relics that represent the growth of this city.
Over 100 years ago, the bungalow was created to help provide the American Dream to the rapidly growing city at the time. As second-generation immigrants worked their way into the middle class, they started to crave home ownership outside of the densely populated neighborhood that they had grown up in. The bungalow was initially designed to fit a standard lot, and it’s square, stocky frame was designed to withstand the winds and heavy snows that Chicago is known for. Most importantly, there was room on the lot for a private yard, which had become a huge selling point, and still is today.
More than 80,000 original bungalow homes decorate the city today, and modern home buyers are still captivated by these vintage homes for many of the same reasons that they were popularized at the start of the century. Our Chicago real estate photographer’s love bringing life to the sturdy brick exteriors and the charming yards that are instant eye-catchers. The Chicago bungalow is also distinguished by the copious amounts of windows that line its rectangular shape. This was a design element originally intended to connect the family inside with the outdoors. These homes also feature one and a half stories, and often a full basement, which is a real estate gold mine.
The bungalow has regained its spark with renewed interest as home buyers look to own their own space within city limits. The Chicago Bungalow Association has been working to restore, further modernize, and offer assistance for maintaining these vintage homes which offers an exciting potential for community to those interested in purchasing one of these historical homes.