When you hear the term ‘Victorian’ it does not refer to any particular architectural style but to the time of Queen Victoria, whose reign over the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland lasted from 1837 to 1901. The era was defined by a mixture of overlapping styles such as Italian, Second Empire and the Shingle style. But most people associate the Victorian style with the Queen Anne style, which was popularized by the English architect Richard Norman Shaw in the 1860s and 70s. Surprisingly, this new design had nothing to do with the reign of the Queen. Anne in the early 18th century, but it quickly became the dominant residential style in the United States after being shown at the 1876 Centennial Exhibition in St. Louis. The majority of new houses built between 1880 and 1900 took on a more picturesque appearance with richly ornamented and asymmetrical facades with turrets, lace spindles and wraparound porches.

The suburb of Hinsdale may be known for its destruction, but some historic architecture still survives here, including this iconic Queen Anne with over 8,000 square feet of living space. Originally built for William Hinckley in 1886, the house sits prominently on top of a hill on an acre lot in the Robbins Park area of ​​Hinsdale. It has everything you would expect from a Queen Anne design: an elaborate wrap-around porch, corner tower, and decorative shingles. Inside you’ll find quarter-sawn oak paneling, original leaded glass windows, pocket doors, and a dining area with wood paneling and exposed beams. But it’s not a stuffy museum piece, as there have been plenty of updates to meet today’s modern needs. The two bedroom shed is perfect for guest accommodation. Plus, there’s an inground pool, hot tub, and built-in barbecue for outdoor parties.

This beautifully preserved Queen Anne in Chicago‘s Uptown neighborhood was originally built between 1893 and 1897 for paper box maker George J. Kroeck and his wife Bertha. It’s hard to believe, but the house was the first built on this block just east of Sheridan Road when Lake Michigan was right outside its door (before a landfill plan changed all that). Set on a double plot with great curb appeal, the house still has many of the original features that were first installed in the 19th century, including the magnificent front staircase with hand turned spindles, wall paintings, quarter-sawn oak paneling, -Bronze hardware and a variety of hinged pocket doors. And lovers of old houses will also appreciate that the kitchen fits perfectly into the general historic design, as do the bathrooms.

This 1885 Queen Anne was designed by the famous architectural firm Edbrooke and Burnham for Joseph and Fannie Sherman Larimer. As it is fitting that their house is backed by Larimer Park in Evanston. Random fact about Chicago: Fannie’s father, Alson Sherman, was the eighth mayor of Chicago in 1844-45. Vintage details start on the large porch with its paneled ceiling and continue inside where you’ll find beautiful hardwood floors, intricate moldings and chair rails, and transoms above the doors. But the best part? Located on one of the largest lots in town, the house offers multiple lucrative opportunities for potential buyers. The side lot can be subdivided and sold to a developer while allowing you to collect rent for the two bedroom shed as well as the one bedroom secondary house.

You would never know that this gorgeous Shingle-style home in Chicago’s Kenwood neighborhood was brought back to life by a developer in 2005. Originally built for EJ Edwards in 1883, the house was in such poor condition that it had to be rehabilitated to the nails and rebuilt backwards. Today it is a blend of vintage charm and modern comfort. Step back in time with the foyer and central hall with the original sculpted staircase, but the open floor plan and modern amenities are fine for you in 2021. There is a fully equipped gym, game room , a theater hall and a full sports field and outdoor entertainment area on the beautifully landscaped property. The attic and basement are finished, while the three-car shed includes a two-bedroom apartment.

More Italian-style than Queen Anne with its tall, narrow windows and 13-foot ceilings, this absolutely stunning home was one of the first to be built in historic Riverside in 1869. Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux produced the plan for America’s first planned suburb, but it was investors and developers who made it a reality. The architectural firm of William Le Baron Jenney realized Olmsted’s vision, eventually building seventeen residences, including one for William T. Allen, shareholder of the Riverside Improvement Company. Today, Allen’s home still has many original details, such as the grand staircase, nine marble fireplaces, crown molding, and hardwood floors. Starring in the movie Keanu Reeves-Sandra Bullock The lake house, the historic home sits on half an acre overlooking the Des Plaines River and the city’s famous Swing Bridge.