Cook County Clears Path for $1.5M Beverly Pike House Restoration

Cook County commissioners approved an agreement Tuesday that will unlock $1.5 million in state funding to restore Beverly’s historic Eugene S. Pike House, clearing the final bureaucratic hurdle for work on the deteriorating 19th-century landmark.

The vote enables the Eugene S. Pike House Foundation to access a previously awarded state grant and begin restoration of the Italianate villa at 10901 S. Seeley Ave., which has stood empty for years as preservationists worked to secure funding.

“This partnership represents exactly what government should do — preserve our heritage while being fiscally responsible,” said Cook County Commissioner Bill Lowry, whose 17th District includes Beverly. “The Pike House tells the story of Chicago’s growth beyond downtown.”

Built in 1874 by Eugene S. Pike, a prominent grain merchant, the two-story brick home exemplifies the architectural ambitions of Chicago’s post-fire business class. Pike made his fortune trading grain at the Chicago Board of Trade and built the house as Chicago’s affluent residents began establishing suburban enclaves along the Illinois Central Railroad line.

The county’s role centers on administering the state grant rather than contributing local tax dollars, a structure that mirrors recent Cook County budget amendments that have emphasized leveraging outside funding sources.

Foundation board member Patricia Mooney-Melvin said the group expects to begin exterior restoration work this spring, focusing first on the deteriorating roof and windows. The foundation has spent six years assembling funding from multiple sources, including private donations and historic preservation grants.

“We’re not just saving a building — we’re preserving a piece of Beverly’s identity,” Mooney-Melvin said. “This house represents the neighborhood’s transition from prairie to suburb.”

The Pike House sits in the heart of the Ridge Historic District, where 19th-century homes reflect Chicago’s rapid expansion following the 1871 fire. Many wealthy Chicagoans built summer homes in the area, drawn by higher elevation that offered relief from the city’s swampy conditions.

Beverly residents have watched the Pike House deteriorate for decades as ownership changed hands multiple times. The foundation acquired the property in 2018 with plans to convert it into a community center and museum showcasing the neighborhood’s history.

Restoration costs have climbed as inspections revealed extensive structural damage. Original estimates of $800,000 grew to $1.5 million as contractors discovered foundation problems and extensive water damage from years of deferred maintenance.

The state grant comes through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ Historic Preservation Grant Program, which has distributed $12 million statewide over the past three years. Cook County’s administrative role was necessary because the foundation lacks the legal structure to directly receive state funds.

County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said the arrangement reflects her administration’s emphasis on partnerships that benefit communities without straining county resources. The approach has become more common as Cook County commissioners seek creative funding solutions for community projects.

“We can support historic preservation without adding to property tax burdens,” Preckwinkle said in a statement. “This model could work for other preservation projects across the county.”

Beverly has experienced steady gentrification as young families seek affordable alternatives to Lincoln Park and Lakeview. Home values have risen 15 percent over the past three years, according to city data, making historic preservation both more urgent and more financially viable.

The Pike House restoration timeline extends through 2025, with exterior work scheduled for completion by winter. Interior renovation will follow, creating space for community meetings and rotating exhibits on neighborhood history.

Foundation organizers plan to staff the facility with volunteers and generate revenue through rentals for private events. Similar historic house museums in Chicago typically operate with annual budgets between $75,000 and $150,000.

The project has drawn support from the Beverly Area Planning Association, which has identified historic preservation as key to maintaining neighborhood character amid development pressure. The group helped the foundation navigate zoning requirements and coordinate with city officials.

Architectural historians note the Pike House represents a transitional period in Chicago domestic architecture, combining Italianate elements popular before the 1871 fire with Queen Anne features that emerged during reconstruction.

“It’s a textbook example of how wealthy Chicagoans lived in the 1870s,” said Tim Samuelson, Chicago’s cultural historian. “The house documents the shift from downtown living to suburban estates.”

County commissioners approved the Pike House agreement without dissent, reflecting broad support for projects that combine historic preservation with community development. The vote came during a meeting that also addressed broader county policy issues including budget amendments and infrastructure improvements.

Work begins next month with contractor selection and permit applications. Foundation officials said they expect the restored Pike House to open for limited public tours by summer 2025, with full programming starting that fall.

The foundation continues fundraising for interior restoration and ongoing operations, with a goal of raising an additional $300,000 by year-end. Major donors include the Chicago Community Trust and several Beverly-area businesses.

For Beverly residents who have watched the Pike House decline, the county approval marks a turning point in a preservation effort that seemed unlikely to succeed just five years ago.

“This house has been part of the neighborhood landscape for 150 years,” said longtime Beverly resident Margaret O’Malley. “It deserves to be here for the next 150.”