The Thompson House
Standing in the shadow of the grandiose Richardsonian Romanesque style Thompson House, it is impossible to feel anything short of awe. This exquisite structure, designed in the 19th Century by Cobb & Frost for attorney John Howland Thompson, evokes a time of true craftsmanship with an architectural masterpiece built of solid red rocks that is unparalleled in today’s market.
Lovingly and painstakingly restored, this nationally registered Historic Landmark is one of the most iconic homes in Chicago’s highly sought after Gold Coast neighborhood. Its enviable location provides gorgeous views of Washington square, making it just steps away from Lake Michigan and a short walk to the heart of Chicago and The Magnificent Mile.
Inside this timeless home you will be met with exceptional quality of craftsmanship and the efficiency of 21st Century technology: beautiful custom millwork, marble floors, stained glass doors and windows, rich wood paneling, and Santos Mahogany hardwood floors are complemented by an all-new Control 4 system, integrated audio and speaker systems, HVAC smart control, and complete smart home capabilities.
The magnificent entryway welcomes you to The Parlor – a palatial room paneled in mahogany, adorned with hand carved capital columns, set with Turkish Botticino marble flooring, and crowned by an oversized hand carved marble fireplace. Proceed through the Great Room which features a crystal chandelier, silk wall coverings, and hand-carved wood and onyx fireplace. Finally, step into the Formal Dining room and Breakfast Room offering a handsome setting for meals overlooking a walled courtyard with fountains and fireplace.
Take the elevator or ascend the curved wood mahogany staircase adorned with a custom stained glass dome and arrive at the second level library, with its impressive detailed arch, luxurious master suite, and stately office. The third level features three sprawling bedrooms and a well-appointed lounge room, providing a quiet and private getaway for family or guests. Retreat to the lower level for your source of entertainment or relaxation as it is fitted with a commercial sized bar, wine cellar and luxurious spa. The tranquility of the spa is enhanced with such features as a rain shower, sauna, steam room, and a Jacuzzi featuring an artisanal waterfall cascading over a delicate Italian mosaic wall.
Experience true gentility and sophistication and own a piece of Chicago history with a property that was built to enchant for centuries.
13,400 GSqFt, 6 Bedrooms, 6.5 Bathrooms, 3 Cars Garage. Offered for $19.5 million.
MAIN HOUSE AND COUCH HOUSE IMPROVEMENTS:
EXTERIOR
- Great care was taken to preserve, and replicate to original specifications all masonry, copper work, roof, windows, and coach house stable door.
ROOF
MASONRY
- Complete remediation, suit, pollution, and salt remediation
- Distressed / faded stone carvings were replicated
- Tuck-pointed with period materials in original raised bead joint
- Stairs including cheeks were quarried and carved to original
COPPER
- All copper cornices, rakes, orientation, gutters etc. have been replaced in original detail
WINDOWS
- All windows made of pine wood have been replaced per original design made from Honduras Mahogany
- All weights balanced per unit, fitted with nickel hardware
- Original leaded glass windows have been preserved
- Insulated Low E glass
SKYLIGHT
- Original horizontal skylight has been refitted to meet standards and longevity with Gabled Nano-Gel skylight protecting “true” stained glass dome fitted with LED lights for evening ambience
COURT YARD
- Original garden courtyard was removed to accommodate additional mechanical room space with elevated courtyard off the kitchen and coach house
ORNAMENTAL FENCE
- New custom powder coated aluminum fencing
PARKWAY
- New raised boxed planters, ornamental top rails, decorative aluminum planters, new maple trees, fully irrigated
INFRASTRUCTURE
ELECTRICAL (new)
- New 480 3P 400 amp service
- Floor to floor panel distribution
- LED can lighting
- Lutron controls
PLUMBING (new)
- New underground
- New water service w/ booster and recirculating heat
- New water lines
HVAC (new)
- New Lennox forced air A/C
- New Buderus Radiant heat systems
- All four floors, and rooms are individually zoned including garage, courtyard, and exterior stairs
INSULATION
- ECO spray foam insulation, with sound attenuation
IRRIGATION (new)
- All exterior green space is irrigated
- LED lighting
SECURITY (complete alarm system)
- Exterior cameras on each elevation, and access points
- Electronic gate lock with smart talk
- Motion sensors
- Door sensors
- Glass break sensors
LOW VOLTAGE/ CONTROLS
- Control 4 system
- Integrated audio/speaker systems
- Complete smart home capability
- Remote/integrated window blinds
- HVAC smart control
INTERIOR
- The existing interior was complexly gutted and finished to the highest level of craftsmanship
PLUMBING FIXTURES/AMENITIES
- Franke, Grohe, Grohe Odus, Rohl, THG, Hydrology, Stone Forest -Polished Nickel Finish, Polished Brass, Polished Brass Vessels, all handles are crystal, polished nickel, polished brass
- Amerec Steam controls
- Insta-heat water facuets
- Aquatic air laundry sinks
- Myson polished nickel towel warmers
- Toto Newcrest Toilets, with bidet, and heated seats; remote flush system
- Personal wand showers, with rain heads (all)
- Master bath shower has steam system
LOWER LEVEL SPA
- Monserat marble walls
- Art blown glass ceiling
- Dianna Royal marble floors
- Flamed slate flooring in steam and sauna
- Sauna suite with audio
- Steam suite with audio, with personal shower, rain head and cool water foot spray, Calcutta ceiling and walls
- Spa suite with audio-commercial stainless steel spa vessel finished in Sicis glass mosaic tile with waterfall, Monserat marble walls, Murano glass mural with integrated water fall, rain head, and Grohe Odus control, and water TV monitor.
- Spa shower with Grohe Odus system
- Spa dressing rooms
- Laundry room
- Massage Zen lounge
- Powder room
LOWER LEVEL BAR
- In wall wine display cabinet
- Galley bar with sink, wine chiller, dishwasher, trash compactor
- Upper Glass cabinets, lower paneled cabinets, with hideaway – integrated alarm
LOWER LEVAL MEDIA ROOM
- Honduras Mahogany paneled walls with two way bronze mirrored windows
- Hand carved Italian Botticino marble fireplace
- Diana Royal marble flooring throughout entire lower level with solid bronze inlay
- 84” Planar 4k TV monitor with 4 screen viewing, and surround sound systems
- Klipsh, Leon speakers
1ST FLOOR MAIN LEVEL
- Turkish Botticino marble flooring, with Giallo Siena borders, and Rosa Laventa diamonds
- Honduras Mahogany paneled walls
- High end wall coverings on ceilings and walls
- Hand carved capital columns
- Custom stained glass foyer window and doors with insulated glass base
- Hand Carved Rosa Alicante Marble fireplace from Italy
- Hand built Honduras Mahogany custom stair case duplicating original balusters
- Custom kitchen cabinetry made from Honduras Mahogany with burl inlay, under cabinet lighting, Quartz counters and island tops
- Sub Zero, Miele, Viking, Thermador appliances
- Hunter Douglas electronic binds
GREAT ROOM
- Turkish Botticino marble flooring, with Giallo Siena borders, and Rosa Laventa diamonds
- Silk wall coverings
- Hand carved Honduras Mahogany fireplace surround with flanking in wall cabinetry
- Pakistan book matched hand carved marble fireplace
- Art screen TV monitor
LIGHTING
- Aculux LED can lights throughout
- Schoenbeck chandeliers with Swarovski crystal
- Shoenbeck lighting
- Crystal Rama lighting
- Lutron controls
GRANITE & MARBLE
- Iceberg Quartz
- White Onyx
- Yellow Onyx
- Verdent Onyx
- White Galaxy
- Colonial Gold
- Chios
- Maroon Cohiba
- Persian Gohare
- Madre Pearl
- Capolombo
- Statuaretto White
- Turkish Botticino
- Giallo Siena
- White Thassos
- Tanzania
- Dianna Royal
- Italian Botticino
- Monserat
- Calcutta
- Hand blown stained glass
- Sicis
- Murano Glass
- Brown suede
WOOD FLOORING
- All wood flooring is Santos Mahogany
MILLWORK
- All paneled, carved, beam, doors, trim made from solid Honduras Mahogany
ELEVATOR
- Waupaca traction elevator, interior finished in Honduras Mahogany paneled walls, bronze mirror, and custom marble inlayed floor.
GARAGE
- Heated terrazzo floor with mother of pearl inlay
- Honduras mahogany raised panel doors, w/Lift master lifts
- Additional Sub-Zero appliances and sink
ENTRY
- Original mosaic granite inlay floor refurbished
- Original decorative clay tiles from England were restored, and remade from original source
- Original Sgrafitto was removed and reinstalled with original-period material, embossed design
