1103 W. Albion Avenue

From HistoryWiki

1103 W. Albion Avenue, Henry Kau, 1919.

1103 W. Albion Avenue is the McKenna House. circa 1973.

Circa: 1916

Original Owner:

Present Owner: Andrew and Kathleen McKenna

Featured in the 1997 Annual Fall House Tour

Some things are fated. For about 12 years, Andrew and Kathleen McKenna had owned a condominium on Albion Avenue, West of Sheridan Road, which appeared to be shrinking as their only child, John Paul, grew. A walk Eastward toward the lake and word of mouth from a neighbor conspired to connect the McKennas with their present home at 1103 W. Albion Avenue. Having both grown up on the East Coast, the MeKennas regard themselves as "water babies" by nature and in addition to the lakefront's allure, coincidentally, their new address matched the birthday of Andrew's mother. Fate . . .

The home to which destiny led them is an eclectic, Tudor Style residence that is well-sited on the corner lot at Albion Avenue and Winthrop Avenue. Constructed circa 1916, (during World War I), out of red brick set in a Flemish rowlock pattern and topped by a green clay tile hipped roof with cross gables, there are many exterior elements that make this building a visual treat. Admire the decorative carved stone garlands (more typical of Beaux-Arts than Tudor style) with picturesque multi-pane leaded windows and a graceful arched chimney. Fireplace art-glass windows, with an abstract "angel" motif, flank the chimney and are visible only from the outside. Header and stretcher bricks create a belt course to divide the first and second floor.

Chicago's fire code is certainly met by the seven different doors into the house.

Photos

RPWRHS photo S013-0387 shows the McKenna House on 1103 W. Albion Avenue. Date given September 1973.