Outdoor spaces are important in a home, not only for resale value, but for enhancing your lifestyle. We’ve compiled some of the most stunning outdoor spaces built by RNDD Member, BGD&C Custom Homes, and enlisted the help of RNDD Member and top producing broker, Janet Owen of Berkshire Hathaway KoenigRubloff, to describe these amazing outdoor spaces and why more people are starting to incorporate them into their city homes.
“As more and more people are choosing to move to the city when they become empty nesters, and more and more young families are choosing to stay in the city, outdoor spaces are now a “must have” and seem to be on everyone’s “wish list.” From the smallest balcony to the most expansive lawn, large enough for a game of croquet, these al fresco spaces are being lovingly transformed into charming and idyllic areas for living!”
– Janet Owen
Lincoln Park Venetian Home
“A few years ago, I had the pleasure of handling the re-sale of this breathtaking villa nestled behind the gates on Burling Street. It sold for the highest recorded resale of a single-family residence in the multiple listing service and the outdoor spaces certainly had a lot to do with breaking records! From the sports court and children’s play area, to the garage rooftop kitchen herb garden, the spaces had several areas in which to dine both formally (the stunning pergola above the stone dining table) or informally (the loggia just off the family room and kitchen). An inviting seating area surround a full-sized brick wood burning fireplace as well as an enchanting small court with a bubbling fountain off the atrium home office. The formal gardens featured an antique wishing well and three ornamental obelisks which also served as a light source over the indoor swimming pool below. There is even a rooftop terrace with one of the most outstanding views of the skyline imaginable. Truly outdoor living at its absolute best!” – Janet Owen
Hardscape by BGD&C.
Landscape design by Hoerr Schaudt Landscape Architects with install by Mariani.
Photo by Wayne Cable.
Lincoln Park Tuscan Home
“This magnificent residence is thoughtfully designed in a C-shape with the interior of the ‘C’ encompassing a lovely, shady loggia and an outdoor kitchen and barbeque area. There is also lots of open lawn for the young children to run and play all day. This beautiful residence also has the most stunning rooftop outdoor living room in the city! With another outdoor kitchen, an imported tiled swimming pool and an incredible unobstructed view of the Chicago skyline. I’ve been fortunate enough to attend the family’s annual Summer movie night where a large screen and several chaise lounges (and even a popcorn maker!) create the perfect place to watch a movie. An unsurpassed outdoor living room for the family and their friends to thoroughly enjoy!” – Janet Owen
Hardscape by BGD&C.
Landscape design by Scott Byron & Co.
Photos by Tony Soluri.
Lincoln Park Mediterranean Home
“One of BGD&C’s more recent residences, the owners, also with small children, wanted to scale back the size of their residence in order to accommodate more space for outdoor living. Their collaboration with BGD&C accomplished that goal perfectly! A series of 10’ double doors access the elegant wide stone terrace, which is truly an outdoor extension to the family great room. With retractable European awnings to shade the sun if desired, this terrace is truly a wonderful place to dine alfresco. A favorite past time is watching their sons play soccer with friends or even building snowmen during the winter months. The owners have European backgrounds and truly make living outdoors a priority and dining outdoors is an event. To be a guest in their home is pure heaven. There is a formal landscaped garden, with seating around a wishing well and a family millstone decoratively placed at one end of the garden. Tucked just near the back of the home is a kitchen garden for these avid chefs and a grilling area. With almost two thirds of their wide lot devoted to exterior spaces, this lovely home is unlike any other and gives a truly different perspective to outdoor living!” – Janet Owen
Hardscape by BGD&C.
Landscape design by Scott Byron & Co.
Photo by Tony Soluri.
About Janet Owen
Janet Owen has been the top producer for the last twenty consecutive years and is in the top one half of 1% in the entire city of Chicago every year. Her approach to sales is upscale, energetic, effective and results driven. She has chosen to sell as an individual broker rather than form a team in order to give her clients and their homes the individual service and attention they deserve. Owen specializes in the Gold Coast, Lincoln Park, DePaul and Michigan Avenue/Streeterville neighborhoods, and she has sold over $600 million in residential single family homes, condominiums and cooperatives. Owen has also recently broken two Chicago real estate records. She sold the highest Lincoln Park single family home ever recorded in the MLS with an asking price of $16.9 Million (breaking her own record of $8.5 Million) and sold the highest Gold Coast single family home since 2008 with an asking price of $7.85 Million (breaking her own record of $6.8 Million). http://janetowen.koenigrubloff.com/
About BGD&C Custom Homes
Founded in 1986, BGD&C is a full-service design/build firm specializing in well-crafted homes within Chicago’s Lincoln Park and Gold Coast neighborhoods. With over three decades of architectural design and construction expertise in both new and renovated residential properties, BGD&C has earned a reputation for its exceptional quality and unparalleled service. Headquartered in the iconic John Hancock Building, BGD&C’s focus is ‘distinctly Chicago’ and its historical love of architecture. Each project offers the opportunity to create a unique home that is as singular and remarkable as its clientele. As stewards of quality and craftsmanship, BGD&C produces homes with passion and precision. http://bgdchomes.com/
