Once upon a time there was a handsome bungalow on a picturesque, tree lined street that attracted the glamorous and sophisticated, where Hollywood moguls would mix with leading stars and starlets, drink, dance, smoke, deal and gossip about the latest happenings in the world of movie making. This bygone era was the Golden Jazz era when Chicago was the center of the film industry-the birthplace of Hollywood. Castlewood Terrace was the address where the who's who gathered and lived. Among them, Studs Terkel, Groucho Marx, Charlie Chaplin and Gloria Swanson. Wealthy Chicagoans who amassed fortunes building the city's north side also flocked to the Uptown neighborhood, enriching the cultural and civic landscape and architecture. The reputed oldest running jazz club in America-The Green Mill-sits just a few blocks away. Castlewood Terrace residents took pride in their fabled street, resisting high-rise development that occurred around them. Most of the houses are brick structures with spacious lots and front driveways, offering visual consistency despite the many different architectural styles from Tudor, Renaissance and Colonial Revival to Foursquare and Queen Anne. The neighborhood thrived. Then, things changed. The Great Depression, World War II, the growth of suburbs and the extension of Lake Shore Drive all cast their impact. The neighborhood's glory days were a distant memory when a renewed commitment to rehabilitation emerged. Through the 1970s and 1980s, many revitalization projects were launched in Uptown and Margate Park. Landmarks were added to the National Registry, including Castlewood Terrace. Landmark and preservation aficionados moved onto the street restoring and rehabbing the homes to their erstwhile beauty. Their efforts continue today. 819 Castlewood is no exception. Originally built in 1915 by architect Robert C. Berlin, the home's previous owners commissioned highly regarded architect and interior designer John Regas and worked alongside him in reimagining and renovating the home to the studs, meticulously integrating architectural details with modern touches for a highly refined lifestyle. The multi-year project, completed in 2013, produced a warm, sophisticated dwelling offering high ceilings, clean lines, abundant, natural light, Brazilian hardwood floors, eight-foot, solid-core doors, three, ensuite bedrooms, two powder rooms and tasteful appointments across all three levels. The chef's kitchen with custom Christiana cabinetry, a Sub-Zero refrigerator, other high-end stainless-steel appliances and full-slab granite backsplash and counters anchors the back of the home. The most unique element is the primary suite, designed as an oasis occupying the entire second level and featuring an office/study, large sleeping quarters, a walk-in closet with furniture-quality shelving and a spa-like bathroom. The home is a tech-lovers' dream, equipped with the latest bells and whistles for temperature control, window-treatment adjustment, audio-visual enjoyment and security. The exterior is equally masterful with professionally landscaped perennial gardens surrounding the home that bloom seasonally and are outfitted with soaking hoses and irrigation to minimize care. A black, wrought-iron fence encircles the property with an automatic gate guarding the Pennsylvania stone driveway that complements the hardscape. A raised terrace sits off the kitchen dining area with additional outdoor access from the kitchen, seamlessly connecting to the heated, drywalled, two-plus car garage. Urban Rooftops recently completed a new garage rooftop design with composite decking and a cedar and steel pergola with recessed and ambient lighting. An 11-foot privacy wall with juniper greenery provides lushness and tranquility. Experience this rare, rich piece of history that has been home to captains of industry and old Hollywood Royalty. Shadows seem to appear when jazz is played.
