Open House: Eugene and Barbara’s Indian Boundary Park Co-Op

The Rogers Park/West Ridge Historical Society hosted its annual House Walk in early May, and it was a particularly good one, highlighting notable homes surrounding Indian Boundary Park, including units in the Park Castles and Park Gables buildings. In fact, I can’t remember the last time I had a more fun and interesting afternoon. Longtime residents Eugene and Barbara opened their spectacular co-op for the tour, and I was so crazy about it that I tracked down their e-mail address (it pays to have friends on the inside) and contacted them several weeks later to inquire about featuring their home on Strange Closets. With bated breath, I waited for their response. Fortunately, they agreed! Click here for more information about the Rogers Park / West Ridge Historical Society. And click here for the West Ridge Bungalow Neighbors blog.

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After President Obama was elected, Eugene and Barbara decided to throw their own inaugural ball (black tie optional). So they decked the walls with red, white and blue bunting, placed photos of the new first family all around the house and pushed aside most of their furniture to create enough space for their 17 guests to dance and hobnob the night away. It was just one of the many soirees the couple has thrown since they bought the co-op as newlyweds 20 years ago. And there’s plenty to do in off election years too. Built as part of a planned community in 1920, Chicago’s first co-op building offers direct access to Indian Boundary Park, a fitness center and even a breathtaking indoor Moroccan-style swimming pool. Plus, every unit gets a garden plot!  Eugene and Barbara were attracted to their three bedroom, two bathroom apartment’s spacious rooms and natural light. Not to mention the living room’s dramatic lofted ceilings. Last remodeled sometime in the late 60′s or early 70′s, the apartment has the plushest wool wall-to-wall shag carpeting I’ve ever stepped upon (their grandchildren love sleeping on it, and frankly, the idea sounded tempting). And the now retro kitchen features very cool space age amenities, including a built-in can opener, wax paper dispenser and blender. Many of their neighbors live in more updated units, but I’d wager few look as stylish and lovely. Besides, Eugene and Barbara like their home very much just the way it is. Why tamper with perfection? Thanks Eugene and Barbara!

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Click here for past Open House posts.

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This piece depicts German’s blitzkrieg of London during World War II.

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Before she retired, Barbara was an English teacher in the Chicago Public Schools, and she appreciates the way this image depicts the power of reading to transport people anywhere.

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Eugene and Barbara appreciate light furniture because it makes it easier to move things around, whether it be for aesthetics or for dancing. When the sun streams through the window and hits that plush, white carpet, the entire space seems open and expansive.

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Fun Fact:

When they were thinking about making an offer on this place, Eugene spent a few hours strolling outside the building, interviewing passing residents about life in the community.

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A very cool built-in refrigerator! Pun intended.

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I’ll bet it makes a mean milkshake.

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The entry hallway.

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I took the built-in scale as a sign from the universe that I need to knock off the late night snacking. Efforts underway but prognosis uncertain.

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Barbara brought these door knob sets from her Evanston 2-flat.

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Barbara loves waking up to the blue in the master bedroom.

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The renovated master bath (adjacent to the walk-in closet pictured above).

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The room is pristine. And humid! That would be a very nice amenity during Chicago’s frigid winters. Very nice indeed.

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Built in 1920, the Park Gables was the first co-op building in Chicago.

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Eugene and Barbara by their 700 square foot garden plot.

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