Built on Beer
[Francis J. Dewes House (1896) Cudell & Hercz, architects /Image & Artwork: designslinger]
When German immigrant and brewer Francis Dewes asked architects Adoplh Cudell and Arthur Hercz to build him a house worthy of his status as one of the city's premiere beer makers, they gave him a Baroque Rococo extravaganza unlike any other ever seen on Chicago's residential streets.
[Francis Dewes Mansion, 503 W.Wrightwood, Chicago /Images & Artwork: designslinger]
Hercz came to Chicago in 1893 from Vienna to participate in the World Columbian
Exposition, and perhaps it's those Viennese roots that gave the mansion its almost pastry like decoration. Master carvers from Europe sculpted inside and out, a Belgian artist created stained glass windows and a French muralist lived in the house for two years while completing work on his paintings.
[Dewes Mansion details /Images & Artwork: designslinger]
Dewes sold the house in 1921 to the Swedish Engineers Society who meticulously
maintained the house until they vacated in the early 70s. The building was subsequently divided into apartments but was restored and turned back into a single family home a few years ago. Unfortunately the current owner, a real estate developer, has been in the headlines lately with several million dollars worth of property going into foreclosure. No signs yet though that the caryatids flanking the front entry are about to have a new custodian.
See more sculptural figures holding up things in our posting: Parisian Caryatids
Posted by designslinger at 6/17/2010 2:00 AM 
Categories: Architecture, History, Preservation
Tags: Cudell and Hercz Chicago mansions Francis J. Dewes
Categories: Architecture, History, Preservation
Tags: Cudell and Hercz Chicago mansions Francis J. Dewes
I physically flinched when I read that this mansion at one point had been divided into apartments! Keep up the good work guys--I always look forward to your postings.
Thanks for the compliment, and for being so supportive.
I knew the owner of this wonderful mansion in the late 70's - I had hoped to find pictures of the interior but cannot - I remember the wonderful two story stained glass window with stairs winding on either side to a landing, the beautiful african mahoganey wood in the library and the wonderful doors that closed between rooms, the 4 legged tub with 24 carat gold feet - the beautiful ballroom with floor to ceiling mirrors and marble pillars - the original Thomas Edison light bulb in the dining room - and soooooooooooo much more! And I believe the story went that there was a tunnel underground to his brothers home (much smaller) next door - and that the original iron front gates were missing because they had been donated to the war effort - I am glad I was able to see it in its glory -still with a lot of original furnishings - How disappointing that it has been divided - I thought it was an historical landmark and was to be maintained in its original condition. - In fact, I remember that approval had to be gotten from the Chicago Historical Society to make repairs or improvements at one time - Very sad!
We love getting responses from people who share some personal connection to the buildings we post about. Thanks so much for taking the time to write and for visiting. Unfortunately, the vast majority of landmark law covers only the exterior of a building and often only the most public portions of the structure. Landmark laws are still a very contentious issue between those who advocate for protecting and preserving our built heritage and those who believe individual property rights are guaranteed by the Constitution and trump any attempt by any governmental agency to make these designations. As a result interior spaces are almost never landmarked. There are exceptions, but as a rule it's hands off! Apparently the interior of this house survived fairly intact, even after being divided into apartments, because of the years that the Swedish Engineers occupied the building. From the research we could find, it seems that the current owner not only turned the space back into a single family home, but has spent time and money refurbishing and restoring the interior in an attempt to bring it back to as much of its original condition as possible. Wouldn't it be amazing if you could take another tour after all these years to compare the house today, with the last time you were there?!
I lived at 443 W. Wrightwood back in the late '70s and have very fond memories of this house which, at the time, was a private residence. The owner used to throw a lot of parties, one of which was attended by the Village People. The house really gave the neighborhood a lot of distinction.
What a thought, the Village People and this Baroque fantasy. Thanks so much for writing. We love hearing about personal relationships to the buildings we post about. It adds so much to the story.