1456 Park Place

At last! An E townhome finally hitting the market in the heart of the University of Chicago campus nestled between 55th and 56th St. on a quiet hidden street just a block from the Hyde Park Shopping Center with the Trader Joes, Walgreens, Ace Hardware and wonderful restaurants and independent shops. For over 30 years, the current owner has welcomed generations of students into this house to learn how to play piano on her Steinway in the lower level family room. The home has been lovingly maintained over the many years, and has much of the original mid-century details still untouched. However, central AC was added to the main and upper floors and all of the windows were replaced with easy to operate double paned windows which make this home completely liveable all year around. The great thing about these I.M. Pei houses is that the main and upper levels were finished in genuine oak flooring including the stairs going up and down to the lower level. These stairs have been carpeted for many years, so they should uncover to be revealed as beautiful as when they were installed in 1961. The original mid-century wood kitchen cabinets gleam. The stainless steel appliances and granite countertops are much newer including the brand new dishwasher (2026). A big sliding glass door leads out to the balcony overlooking the landscaped back yard and the private footpath separating this row of houses from the row that faces 55th St. There is also a storage shed. The living room has another sliding glass door leading to a small balcony. Just to the east are two gardens with mature trees that the entire block of townhomes shares and enjoys. One of them is a wide open quiet space with seating and the other hosts a livelier combination of playground equipment and tables and seating for picnics and get-togethers. The separate dining room is also is lit by the glass door that looks out to the back yard. Upstairs are 3 bedrooms and a full bath. The primary bedroom spans the entire width of the house and has a full wall of windows. The lower level has the big family room with floor to ceiling windows looking out to the garden and a door for easy access to the back patio and garden. It has a carpet covering the floor to balance the sound of the grand piano. The utility room has a full size washer (2026) and dryer (2025), a boiler for the hot water baseboard heat, a hot water heater and an electrical box that is poised for replacement. Many owners of this model of house have installed a shower stall to open into the powder room on the other side of the wall to create a full bathroom. In the front of the lower level is the 4th bedroom with a full length window looking out to the front yard. There is a deep walk-in storage space fitted with shelves above the front entrance of the house which also houses the air handler for the central A/C. A smaller storage closet is under the stairs on the lower level. Out front there is plentiful parking. While none is assigned, the owner has never lacked for a space. This is the location everyone has been waiting for. While having easy access to retail and transportation, it's also amazingly quiet and peaceful protected from major roads and even foot traffic. It's an easy walk or roll to the buildings of the University of Chicago, both Lab Schools, and the 57th St. sandy beach on the lake. It's in the Ray School district as well which is an easy walk away. Take your bike to the lakefront path. It's a 19 minute commute on the Metra to the Loop and it is estimated to take 17 minutes to drive. There are commuter buses nearby as well. The restaurants and bookstores of 57th St are right outside your door and the Trader Joes/Walgreens/Ace Hardware and restaurants of the Hyde Park Shopping Center are a block to the north. A lovely home in a terrific location. Walk Score says it's a walkers' and bikers' paradise with good transit options.