A bit of history: 5432 N. Winthrop
Credit: Jeremy Bressman
To the casual passerby, this dual townhouse building may not seem especially remarkable. This couldn’t be further from the truth, as the symmetrical brick structure holds a special place in Edgewater’s history. In 1886, developer John Lewis Cochran purchased land in the immediate area, which was at the time part of the town of Lake View. Cochran began developing and advertising a subdivision he called “Edgewater.” Sidewalks, sewer systems and streetlights were all notably modern features of the community, and were impressive for the era. Opulent mansions sprung up along Sheridan Rd.’s prime lakefront property, while more modest homes were erected to the west. Multi-unit buildings and apartments were to follow, as Edgewater became more accessible and desirable with the extension of the L and addition of a station at Bryn Mawr.
Architect J. Lymen Silsbee penned many of Edgewater’s early structures for Cochran, though 5432 N. Wintrop’s architect is unknown. It was built in 1892, which makes it one of the oldest structures in the community. 5432 was one of the first multi-unit brick buildings in an area, and is the only remaining town home that was part of the original Edgewater development. According to the Edgewater Historical Society, there were only six homes in the 5400 block of Winthrop Ave in 1900. This provides real perspective, given the rapid development of the area shortly after. It’s also a stark contrast to the many buildings and homes of various eras lining the street today. 5432 remained a rental building for many years, and was later converted to condominiums. The next time you’re walking down Winthrop Ave., stop for a closer look at this handsome old building with its sun-themed second floor windows and detailed brick ornamentation.
