1936 W. Greenleaf Avenue

1936 W. Greenleaf Avenue, C.S. Lowe, 1919.

1936 W. Greenleaf Avenue, Jeanette Syprzak 1989.

This house was part of the 1989 Annual Fall House Tour.

Circa - 1870-1879 - original owner - unknown.

The Syprzak House, a very attractive Italianate architecture house has maintained an enormous amount of its original features. The overhanging hip roof is supported by ornate brackets. The front porch was rebuilt from the railing down to match the upper portion which is still the original. The handsome bay windows, just to the right of the porch, are original and feature Moorish roped columns. All of the other windows were replaced in 1986.

The foyer opens onto a beautiful walnut-carved staircase, lighted by the brass and electric fixtures which hang from the second floor. To the right of the foyer there are two parlors. The main parlor contains the original marble fireplace mantle and French doors that lead into the sun room (formerly a screened sun porch). This area was remodeled with trim to match the main parlor. The larger parlor is being used as a music room and has a small dining room just off the left of it.

All of the flooring is oak, but was installed over the original pine. Sitting on top of these floors are the original cast-iron ornate radiators which were sandblasted, painted and placed in their initial position. The entire kitchen was remodeled. In place of the pantry now stands a new bathroom.

Four bedrooms and one bathroom comprise the second floor. In the most northerly of all the rooms, you can find an old thread cabinet. Jeanette Syprzak did quite a lot of the designing and actual remodeling herself. She has surely made this dwelling express her feelings for old houses.

The two-level deck was added in 1987. This overlooks a beautiful garden whose landscaped retaining walls in the yard were made from the old concrete floor of the demolished original garage. Jeanette purchased the house in April of 1986.

Chicago Landmarks Historic Resources Survey

Architect:

Historic Name:

Community: Rogers Park (01)

Address: 1936 W. Greenleaf Avenue

Constructed: Started in

Classification: Building

Style: Italianate

Type: Single-Family Residence

Color Code: Orange

Landmark? N

National Register? N

Major Tenant:

Building Details: Italianate

Pin: 1131204014

Photos

RPWRHS photo S013-0999 shows the Jeanette Syprzak home at 1936 W. Greenleaf Avenue in 1989.