Historic property becomes new home

There is merit in the saying, “Something old is new again,” especially considering the recent construction at 430 South Washington Street in Hinsdale, Illinois. When Steve Sobkowiak of Oakley Home Builders purchased the property in 2008, he knew there was some history in the two-story, stone house that stood there for more than a century. What he did not know was that he would come to preserve part of that history in his newest project.

“Before we started the tear down of the old home, we inspected everything from the inside out, and we found that the exterior stone was in excellent shape. It was a very interesting shade of yellow, and we thought it would be to the advantage of the community and that of the future homeowner to somehow incorporate it with our plans for the new home,” says Sobkowiak.

Before Oakley Home Builders took ownership of the property, The Hinsdalean newspaper used the home for its offices from 2005 until 2008. An image of the home became the focus of The Hinsdalean logo, and was displayed on every newspaper for several years. Dawn McKenna of Coldwell Banker in Hinsdale agrees that the home has historical and community significance.

“The stone that Oakley Home Builders chose to preserve for the construction of their new home is a rare keepsake from the past. It shows that not only is the stone still in excellent condition, but it also demonstrates that there are many ways in which builders can re-use materials for a more cost-efficient and environmentally-friendly project,” explains McKenna. “It gives the new home a unique detail that you will not find in any other property and that makes it extremely valuable.”

Sobkowiak used the stone, which still shows the original Chicago Stone Company stamping, to build a lower level wine cellar in the new, Nantucket-style home.

“We were ecstatic about preserving a special piece of history because it allowed us to make a dramatic addition to the home without compromising our commitment to “green”, eco-friendly building. The owner of this home is going to enjoy telling their family and friends about this one-of-a-kind detail,” says Sobkowiak. “Not to mention reclaimed brick from old buildings is not easily duplicated with modern materials; so old bricks carry an expensive price tag.”

Construction at 430 South Washington will be completed this summer, with tours already in progress. Check www.oakleyhomebuilders.com for open house dates.