Old Town
Chicago, Illinois
Greystone renovation, gut rehabs, and historic preservation in one of Chicago's most landmark-dense Near North Side neighborhoods. 18 years of Chicago construction experience.
Construction Services
in Old Town, Chicago
Old Town is one of Chicago's most historically layered neighborhoods — a compact Near North Side community of greystones, workers' cottages, Victorian-era frame homes, and 19th century masonry buildings that sits between Lincoln Park's premium market to the north and the Gold Coast to the east. Historic preservation is not an abstraction here; it's the operating reality of nearly every exterior renovation project in the neighborhood's Landmark districts.
32 Build has worked in Old Town and the surrounding Near North Side for years, delivering greystone gut rehabs, whole-house renovations, historic preservation work, and kitchen and bathroom remodels throughout the neighborhood. Old Town's Landmark Triangle — the Old Town Triangle District — is one of Chicago's most intact 19th century residential enclaves, and work there requires navigating both Chicago DOB permitting and the Chicago Commission on Chicago Landmarks Certificate of Appropriateness process.
Old Town's premium location commands premium renovation investment, and the neighborhood's strong home values support it. Projects here are comprehensive, finishes are high, and the combination of historic preservation requirements and modern performance standards creates the kind of technically demanding work that separates experienced contractors from the rest. We've done it in Old Town, and we can do it on your project.
Near North Side Reference:Greystone gut rehabs and historic home renovations completed throughout Old Town and adjacent Lincoln Park and Gold Coast. References available upon request.
Building in
Old Town, Chicago
Old Town occupies Chicago's Near North Side, bounded roughly by North Avenue to the south, Armitage Avenue to the north, Clark Street to the east, and Larrabee Street to the west, with the Old Town Triangle Historic District occupying the area east of Wells Street between North and Menomonee. The neighborhood's housing stock includes some of the oldest surviving residential buildings in Chicago — post-Fire workers' cottages, Victorian-era frame homes, greystones, and courtyard buildings from the 1870s through the 1920s.
The Old Town Triangle District is a Chicago Landmark District, requiring Commission on Chicago Landmarks review for exterior modifications. Renovation work throughout Old Town involves historic masonry repair, original plaster, timber framing assessment, lead paint and asbestos abatement in pre-1978 buildings, and structural conditions that predate modern code by decades.
Chicago Department of Buildings permit review follows standard residential tracks for interior work; Landmarks COA review adds 4 to 8 weeks for exterior modifications. Wells Street anchors the neighborhood's commercial identity, and Old Town's proximity to Lincoln Park, the Gold Coast, and the lakefront reinforces its position as one of Chicago's most desirable Near North Side addresses.
Did you know
Old Town is home to The Second City, the legendary comedy club and training ground that launched the careers of Bill Murray, Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, and dozens of other major figures in American comedy. The club has operated on Wells Street since 1967, and its presence — along with Old Town's historic character, walkability, and Near North Side location — has made the neighborhood one of Chicago's most culturally rich addresses for over half a century.
Notable Streets in Neighborhood
- Wells Street — Old Town's commercial heart — a celebrated stretch of restaurants, comedy clubs (Second City), and neighborhood retail that has anchored Old Town's identity for generations.
- North Avenue — Southern boundary and major east-west corridor — connects Old Town to Lincoln Park to the east and the near Northwest Side to the west with transit access.
- Sedgwick Street — Residential north-south corridor through the neighborhood — greystones and vintage frame homes on the blocks west of Wells Street typical of Old Town's character.
- Menomonee Street — A representative residential cross street in the Old Town Triangle — one of the most intact 19th century residential blocks in Chicago.
- Lincoln Avenue — Diagonal artery connecting Old Town to Lincoln Park and further north — restaurants, bars, and neighborhood destinations anchoring the northeastern edge of Old Town.
Sub-Neighborhoods We Serve
Old Town Zip Codes
Services in Old Town, Chicago
Popular Service Pages in Old Town
What Does It Cost
in Old Town, Chicago?
Transparent ranges based on recent Chicago projects. Your exact cost depends on scope, materials, and conditions.
Kitchen or bath remodel, interior systems update, or plaster and millwork restoration. Interior DOB permitting; COA required for any exterior scope.
Greystone gut rehab, whole-house renovation of a historic home, or workers' cottage renovation with Landmark-compliant exterior work. The most common scope in Old Town.
Complete gut rehabilitation of a larger greystone or historic building, including masonry restoration, full systems replacement, and Landmarks-compliant exterior renovation.
Free Estimate: Every project starts with a free on-site consultation and written estimate. No obligation, no pressure. We'll tell you exactly what your project costs before you commit.
Maintenance Plans
for Old Town Homeowners
Keep your home in peak condition year-round. Quarterly visits, seasonal checklists, and a dedicated team — starting at $99/month.
Essential
Homeowners who want quarterly preventive maintenance and a trusted team keeping an eye on the home.
Standard
Busy homeowners who want proactive maintenance plus more hands-on help during each visit.
Premium
Homeowners who want a true white-glove home maintenance and concierge experience.
Old Town
Chicago FAQ
Answers to the most common questions about working with 32 Build in Old Town, Chicago.
Still have questions? Let's talkA greystone renovation in Old Town typically runs $250,000 to $600,000+ depending on building size, existing conditions, and finish level. A full gut rehab of a greystone two-flat — both units, new systems, kitchens, baths, and finishes — runs $300,000 to $550,000. Historic masonry repair, plaster restoration, and Landmarks compliance for exterior modifications add cost above a standard renovation budget. Pre-construction assessment is essential.
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