Chicago is a city known for its diverse neighborhoods, each with its own unique identity and culture. In some parts of town, certain architectural styles play a big role in defining at least a portion of a neighborhood’s identity, and that can certainly be said for the Chicago-style bungalow.
A popular choice for home builders in the early 20th century, Chicago bungalows were designed to provide affordable housing for working-class families, and in most cases these charming single-family dwellings are one-and-a-half to two stories tall and have a low-pitched roof with a small front porch.
According to the Chicago Architecture Center, Chicago has more than 80,000 bungalows despite losing thousands to tear-downs over the years, and they still make up 1/3 of our city’s single-family housing stock. But regardless of how common they still are even to this day, Chicago-style bungalows are certainly more prevalent in certain parts of the city than others, and these neighborhoods in particular is where you’ll find a very high concentration.
Rogers Park
The Rogers Park Manor Bungalow Historic District, technically located within West Ridge, is a standout destination for fans of classic Chicago bungalow architecture. The district features 329 homes and buildings, 247 of which are authentic Chicago bungalows built during the 1920s — a period when bungalows became a popular and affordable housing option for working-class Chicagoans.
What makes Rogers Park Manor particularly notable is its architectural variety. With multiple developers and architects involved in its construction, the district’s bungalows exhibit subtle but distinct differences in size, layout, and form, lending the Rogers Park area rich and diverse character. In recognition of its historical significance, the Rogers Park Manor Bungalow Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 15, 2005.
Dunning
For our money, Dunning is one of the more underrated parts of the city to consider during a house hunt, especially if you’re a single-family home buyer. Classic Chicago-style bungalows and charming Tudor-style homes make Dunning feel like something out of a storybook, which is especially the case over the holiday season. And because the Harlem-Irving Plaza (or HIP for short) shopping center and mall is right up the street, you’ll never be too far from great shopping and plenty of restaurants.
Galewood
Chicago’s Galewood neighborhood is just south of Dunning and certainly just as appealing. Small bungalows, Tudors, and Craftsman homes line the area’s tree-lined streets, and the added bonus here is that much of the neighborhood borders Oak Park, one of Chicago’s best western suburbs. Home prices are also rather favorable in Galewood, with typical prices for a bungalow here ranging between $350,000 and $450,000.
Love the charm and character of Chicago-style bungalows? Start searching all available bungalows for sale in Chicago, or contact our local Chicago real estate experts with Fulton Grace directly for all your home buying & selling needs!
Portage Park
Portage Park is not only one of Chicago’s largest public green spaces but also a highly sought-after northwest side neighborhood. Easy access to the CTA Blue Line, Metra, and 90/94 expressway make getting to and from downtown Chicago relatively easy from Portage Park compared to many northwest side neighborhoods, and along with vintage condos, bungalows are what’s most common here from a housing standpoint. And because Portage Park’s Six Corners area has finally been revitalized, popularity and demand here has really increased in recent years, making now an excellent time to buy.
Hermosa
Meaning “beautiful” in Spanish, Hermosa is one of Chicago’s distinct bungalow districts that has plenty of appeal and upside. Residential development for this part of the city started back in the late 1800s, and with the construction of railroads, it wasn’t long before the area we now know as Hermosa began attracting many Polish and German immigrants who worked in the many nearby factories around that time. Today, the Hermosa neighborhood remains a melting pot of cultures and ethnicities, making it a vibrant and diverse community to call home. And it’s also the ideal place if you’re looking for an affordable bungalow-style home in an up-and-coming location just beyond Chicago’s bustling and increasingly popular Logan Square neighborhood.
South Shore
The South Shore Bungalow Historic District is a landmark residential area in Chicago, comprising 229 classic bungalows constructed between 1911 and 1930. Situated approximately one mile west of Lake Michigan and one mile south of Jackson Park, the district developed earlier than most areas within Chicago’s bungalow belt, with nearly half of its homes built before 1920. Bounded by 75th and 79th Streets and Jeffrey and Yates Avenues, the district features 318 primary structures crafted by more than 35 different builders, blending rare 1910s stucco homes with later brick designs.
Mayfair
Originally part of the town of Montrose in Jefferson Township, North Mayfair was annexed to Chicago in 1889 and quickly developed into a thriving residential community. Streetcar lines along major avenues connected the area to the city center, attracting a diverse population, including a significant number of Czech settlers drawn by the Bohemian National Cemetery and the Bohemian Home for the Aged. The neighborhood’s bungalows, though restrained in style, were well-built and thoughtfully designed. Unlike many Chicago bungalow neighborhoods, North Mayfair developed within a narrowly defined architectural framework, resulting in visually cohesive streetscapes that remain consistent to this day.
Irving Park
The Irving Park area remained largely undeveloped until the early twentieth century, when the expansion of streetcar lines along Milwaukee Avenue and Irving Park Road spurred residential growth. The construction of O.A. Thorp Public School in 1916 served as a catalyst for development, with real estate developer Albert J. Schorsch & Company building over 600 bungalows in the area during the late 1910s and early 1920s, shaping the neighborhood’s distinctive residential character.