Highland Park Home Remodeling

This deep history is evident with Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1901 Willits House standing prominently on Sheridan Road, a testament to the era’s innovative spirit. The National Register further lists local homes by esteemed architects like David Adler, Howard Van Doren Shaw, and Robert Seyfarth, contributing to a diverse and often historically significant housing stock.

Later in the 20th century, particularly through the mid-century, Highland Park saw the development of more modern and ranch-style homes, often with open floor plans and larger windows. The Fort Sheridan Historic District, for example, uniquely repurposed 1890s officers' quarters into one-of-a-kind residences, presenting a distinct set of considerations for remodeling, from preserving historical integrity to adapting layouts for contemporary living. Neighborhoods like Ravinia, which maintained its own village identity until 1899, and Braeside, each with their own UP-N Metra stations, often feature a mix of these architectural styles, with homes reflecting various construction periods and original designs. The walk-to-town lifestyle, anchored by Downtown’s Central Avenue shops and Metra stop, is a key draw, and many homes are designed to take advantage of this proximity. While some areas, particularly along the lakefront and in older sections, feature narrower lots and established landscaping, other subdivisions offer more generous footprints, allowing for potential additions and expanded outdoor living spaces.

Whole-home remodeling in Highland Park requires careful consideration of original framing and meticulous planning around older plumbing and electrical systems, especially in homes from the early 20th century or those designed by architects like Frank Lloyd Wright. The unique repurposing of 1890s officers' quarters in the Fort Sheridan Historic District presents distinct challenges for adapting layouts while preserving historical integrity. For homes in Ravinia or Braeside, which feature a mix of architectural styles, whole-home remodels must account for various construction periods and original designs when opening up spaces. Given the City's active replacement of lead service lines through 2028, a whole-home project involving kitchen or primary bath renovations offers a timely opportunity to check and update service lines. Properties with narrower lots along the lakefront or in older sections require strategic interior reconfigurations, while those in subdivisions with more generous footprints allow for potential additions and expanded outdoor living spaces.

Whole-home remodeling projects in Highland Park, especially those involving structural changes, reconfigurations of plumbing or electrical systems, or expansions, require comprehensive permitting. GS Construction & Remodeling manages all necessary applications, from initial plan submission to coordinating all required inspections, ensuring every phase of your project complies with city regulations.