Netzel Residence for Sale



The house in LaGrange, Illinois that John Van Bergen designed around 1926 for Louis Netzel is on the market again after only two years.  The house sold then for about $542,500 and was in remarkably good condition for a house of its age. 
It has suffered little from any unsympathetic alterations until now.  A few decades ago the original garage (which was incorporated into the structure) was turned into living space, and a large attached garage was added.  Care was taken to match all the materials including the brick and colored mortar.  Overall an excellent job was done and the integrity of the architecture was maintained.
In the last two years, interior alterations have been made that have been to the detriment of the building.  Despite the remarks on the sellers listing  - 
"Fully restored with preservation of architectural integrity and character...Beautiful original leaded art glass windows."  -  Most of the interior woodwork was removed along with the last re

maining built-in furniture and the beautiful leaded glass French doors that opened to the veranda.   In addition, recessed halogen lighting was installed everywhere which makes the interior of the house look more like something out of modern architectural magazine. 
Frankly, these latest changes are totally unsympathetic, and were made only to increase the marketability of this local landmark for a more general audience who would not be aware that the building has not actually been "restored" or "preserved" The interior of the building does not retain its "architectural integrity and character"!   
The sellers who had absolutely no interest in preserving great architecture, are asking $729,900 (down from $749,000).  Based on comparables in the neighborhood, this is way overpriced and the house is doomed to sit on the market for some time.  Let's hope it doesn't sit too long and become (God forbid) another teardown.
So, let the buyer beware.  Even though, if the price was more reasonable, the Netzel house would be a great opportunity for someone to restore a landmark, it is
not restored at this time

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