Built in 1951, this modernist icon, was one of 12 individual houses designed by Bertrand Goldberg, an architect best known for his Marina City and River City projects downtown Chicago. Goldberg's inspiration was Le Corbusier's project for Dom-Ino house from 1914-15. Open floor plan modular structure pioneered by Le Corbusier is at the core of Goldberg's spectacular design. Four cylindrical columns at the corners of the building support three concrete slabs for the floors and roof. This house's dramatic suspended staircase extends the full height of the building and adds to its airy quality. Helstein House, named after Ralph and Rachel Helstein who commissioned it, was always meant to stand out. Built in a back of a large property, its geometric form, constructed out of concrete with three levels of expansive, light-filled space, was an ultimate departure from traditional American home design.Over the years the house went through some alterations but it didn't lose its original character. The home's present owners closed off the outdoor terrace designed by Goldberg and created a fabulous library/family room connected to the outside garden through oversized windows. The ground level includes a full size bathroom, laundry, storage room and added by the present sellers a 2 car garage. Goldberg's design placed the traditionally main floor living space on the second level with huge living/dining room spanning two floors on one side while three bedrooms and one full bath are on the other side of the staircase. 2022-23 renovation made this space even more flowing by opening the galley kitchen to the two story dining area. The top floor is a loft style space with a partially open bedroom, sitting room/office, large dressing/closet space area and a newly renovated bathroom. The present owners respected the original design which can be easily altered to give more privacy. This unique house sits in the back of an unusually large parcel, with big front and side yards. Next to the attached garage there is additional parking space for two cars on which one can build a second two-car garage (the city already gave the permit once) . Living among trees, hearing birds one can forget that this fabulous house is located in the heart of Hyde Park, walking distance to Lab School and UChicago but also, just 20 minutes away from downtown Chicago.
