Nestled among tree-lined streets, the time-honored mansions of yore retain their elegant presence in this historic south side Chicago neighborhood. While many of the older Kenwood homes that have been restored have been designated historical landmark buildings, a number have also been converted into condominium units with all the modern amenities including granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances and heated marble bathroom floors. And, new residential developments are tastefully integrating with the early 20th century architectural styles of their long-established neighbors.

Kenwood neighborhood has one of the best collections of residential architecture in the city. Designs range from classic asymmetrical rooflines of the Queen Anne style, to Frank Lloyd Wright’s modern edifices from the Prairie School. You’ll even catch a glimpse of stately Georgian hybrids, known as Colonial Revival. And we’ve always been big fans of the ornate archways characterized by the school of Italianate and reminiscent of Italian villas—not surprisingly, Kenwood has got that, too.

While you’re in the neighborhood take a walking tour down to the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition Headquarters (930 E 50th St, 773-373-3366) that’s housed in a landmark building constructed in 1924. Or get a glimpse of Malcolm X’s buddy, Louis Farrakhan’s home (4855 S Woodlawn Ave), massive in size for a city pad, and ornate in architectural design. Drexel Square Park (between 51st Street and 39th Street) is a pedestrian-friendly walkway in the middle of the unusually quiet Drexel Boulevard. You’ll be awestruck by the structures before you, especially when you lay your eyes on the oldest surviving fountain in the city that dates back to the Victorian era—a time that gave rise to many artistic styles due to economic prosperity brought on by the industrial revolution.

The many South Kenwood Mansions, between Dorchester and Ellis avenues (as far south as Hyde Park Boulevard and as far north as 47th Street) will take your breath away. Their monsterous size and sprawling grounds edged by flawless landscaping reminds us of the wealth and ingenuity that prospered in Kenwood at the beginning of America’s modern times.

Today, the average sales price for a three-bedroom single-family detached home in Kenwood is about $500,000. For four to five bedrooms, you’ll be looking to pay in the neighborhood of $638,000 on average, with the low end around $285,000 and the high end at $1.4 million. For the mansions with six or more bedrooms, the average sales price is $1,460,000, with many of them valued at 2.5 to 3 million dollars.

But let’s face it—most of us don’t need that much space. In that case, a condominium might be more our style. The average sales price for one-bedroom attached housing, or condo, around here is $132,000 (the low end is under $100,000 and the high end is $340,000). A two-bedroom costs around $209,000 on average, reaching close to $400,000 for rehabbed units and upgraded amenities.