Walk around older suburbs like Oak Park and River Forest or in the historic heart of Chicago’s Austin neighborhood and you’re sure to spot them. Turrets adorn many Victorian or Queen Anne-style homes in the area.
Turrets, or round towers, originally appeared on medieval castles as defense structures. Small, slit-like windows provided 360-degree views and a way to shoot arrows onto approaching enemies. Turrets for residential homes stateside became popular in the 1800s as homeowners sought to make true the sentiment that your home is your castle. In this application, the slit windows of castle turrets were replaced with large windows to allow in plenty of light.
In today’s tight housing market, there are quite a few options for those looking for a home adorned with a rounded tower. From homes built in the Victorian-era to mid-20th century homes to a 2007-edition townhome, these listings show that turrets have lasting appeal.
In Oak Park, 311 Wesley Ave. sports a three-story turret. The gray-sided home was built in 1897. Listed at $489,000, the five-bedroom, one-and-one-half bathroom home has more than 1,800 square feet of living space and has been loved long-term by a family. It has hardwood floors, a sunroom and a walk-up third floor. Property taxes are $13,077.
A two-flat on the market in Oak Park also features a turret. The Victorian home at 427 Wisconsin Ave. was built in 1883 and features original hardwood floors, molding, hardware and fireplace surrounds. The second-floor unit has three bedrooms, and the first-floor unit as two. The building is being sold “as is” and is priced at $449,900. The property tax bill is $11,050.
In the Regency Club at 196 N. Marion St., a newer townhome utilizes Old World style in the corner unit’s turret. Built in 2007, the townhome boasts 3,000 square feet of space, three bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms.
The townhome has a gas fireplace in between the living and dining rooms and a high-end kitchen with custom cabinets and Sub-Zero, Wolf and Bosch appliances. The townhome has an attached two-car garage and a roof deck. Listed at $695,000, the townhome comes with HOA fees of $235 per month, and a property tax bill of $20,008.
In River Forest, the Tudor-style home at 1044 Forest Ave. was built in 1929. The home has a castle-like exterior with a center-entrance turret topped with a peaked slate roof.
The six-bedroom, five-bathroom home has more than 4,800 square feet of living space above ground and sits on a 100-by-218-foot corner lot. The home includes French limestone flooring, a library paneled in ponderosa pine, a newly renovated gourmet kitchen and manicured grounds. Listed at $1,699,000 the home comes with a property tax bill of $26,626.
Also in River Forest, 1323 Jackson Ave. is a French Norman-style home built in 1941. The front door in the stone-faced turret welcomes visitors to the four-bedroom, 4.5-bathroom home. The 4,494-square-foot home sits on an oversized lot.
Marble-checkerboard flooring and a paneled den add classic charm to the home, while the outdoor pizza oven makes for a fun alternative to cooking inside in the summer months.
Each of the four bedrooms has an en suite bathroom. The home is listed for $1,325,000 and has a property tax bill of $23,819.
In Chicago’s Austin neighborhood, 244 N. Menard Ave. comes with a small third-floor turret that offers a bird’s eye view of the neighborhood. The single-family home has five bedrooms and three bathrooms and more than 1,900 square feet of living space.
Built in 1883, the home is being sold in “as is” condition and marketed as an investment opportunity. The home is listed for $199,900 and has a property tax bill of $2,748.
