Chicago Real Estate News & Neighborhood Notes

 A historic mansion in Chicago's Gold Coast has re-entered the market as a private listing, with an asking price of $18.5 million, making it one of the city's most expensive homes currently available. Known as the Thompson House, this 13,400-square-foot residence at 915 N. Dearborn Street boasts over a century of Chicago history. Originally constructed in 1888 by the architects behind the Chicago Opera House, the mansion has long been recognized as an architectural landmark. It served as the office for the Scottish Rite Cathedral from 1938 until 2006 and was officially designated a historic landmark in 2003.

The current owner, Jimmy Dremonas, founder of the Pete’s Fresh Market grocery chain, first listed the mansion for sale in 2018 at $21.9 million. After failing to sell, the property was temporarily taken off the market. Portions of the estate, including the carriage house, were later offered for rent, initially at $2,000 per month, which eventually increased to $4,000 per month. The mansion returned to the market in 2019 with a reduced price of $19.5 million but was withdrawn again in 2020.

Now listed at $18.5 million—or about $1,380 per square foot—the private listing ranks as the second most expensive publicly listed home in Chicago. The sale includes the mansion, an attached three-car garage, and a one-bedroom carriage house next door. Dremonas originally acquired the property in 2009 for just over $3 million and subsequently embarked on a significant renovation project aimed at preserving its historic charm while modernizing its amenities. This renovation, estimated to have cost around $7 million, restored many of the mansion’s original features and updated it for contemporary living.

Cook County tax assessments valued the property as high as $6.5 million in 2019, but more recent assessments have lowered that figure to $4.8 million, with the latest tax bill totaling just over $100,300.

With its rich history, stunning architecture, and prime location in one of Chicago’s most prestigious neighborhoods, the Thompson House presents a unique opportunity for buyers looking to acquire a piece of the city’s storied past combined with modern luxury.

Take a look At some of the beautiful Gold Coast Mansions on the market. 

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