Welcome to the William H. Preston House, a 1908 architectural treasure designated as a historical landmark by The Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest, and lovingly updated for modern living. Located in the heart of downtown Oak Park-just steps from the L train, the farmers' market, the recreation center, and some of the area's best schools-this home blends timeless craftsmanship with 21st-century amenities. This estate-sized residence reflects Craftsman/early-Prairie influence, with a broad front porch perfect for morning coffee or evening entertaining. A rich Farrow & Ball exterior palette carries inside, where the entry hall showcases original millwork, a carved staircase, and leaded glass windows that cast shimmering light across hardwood floors. The bright living room features oak bookcases, millwork accents, and a bank of leaded-glass windows. Beyond its period elegance, it doubles as a 7.1 channel home theater with audiophile-grade speakers integrated into the coffered ceiling, hidden AV rack, and multi-zone audio extending across all three levels and into the backyard. The dining room is ideal for entertaining, encircled by oak moldings and anchored by a magnificent built-in sideboard with leaded-glass doors. A salvaged Craftsman light fixture and adjacent butler's nook with oak bar add character. Off the kitchen, a sun-filled multipurpose room offers backyard views and flexible use as family room, breakfast nook, or playroom. The updated kitchen balances historic and modern, with original glass-front cabinetry, updated counters, and marble tile backsplash. A half bath with period fixtures completes the main level. Upstairs, the quartersawn oak staircase leads to four generous bedrooms, a bonus room/office, and a remodeled full bath. Each bedroom has hardwood floors, high ceilings, large windows, and ample closets. The bath blends vintage style with modern upgrades: marble basketweave floor, subway wainscot, double pedestal sinks, and exposed thermostatic shower. A rear multipurpose room with wall-to-wall windows is ideal as an office or artist's studio. The third floor is a fully renovated retreat with primary suite, office (or sixth bedroom), laundry, hardwood floors, and custom Amish cabinetry. The primary bedroom features treetop views and built-in cabinetry. Dual walk-in closets with custom storage lead to a spa bath with clawfoot tub, frameless glass shower, rain-head, and stone-topped double vanity. Matching cabinetry continues into the office, offering both function and beauty. Hidden knee-wall storage adds practicality. The basement includes a laundry room with chute, workshop/storage, gym, bathroom, and a family room with a second home theater setup. A walkout provides direct access to the outdoor kitchen, creating seamless indoor-outdoor entertaining. Modern updates include multi-zone heating and cooling, new plumbing, updated electrical panels, spray-foam insulation, and a new roof and gutters (2024). Outdoors, the professionally landscaped backyard is a private oasis with mature trees, multiple gathering spaces, and a bespoke outdoor kitchen featuring a built-in sink with hot/cold water, refrigerator, three-tap kegerator, and natural-gas grill with side burner. The William H. Preston House is a rare Oak Park offering: a historic landmark with unmatched character, expanded by thoughtful renovations and every modern convenience.
Contingent
$1,200,000
229 S Ridgeland Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302
6beds
3,466sqft
Single Family Residence
Built in 1908
7,350 Square Feet Lot
$-- Zestimate®
$346/sqft
$-- HOA
What's special
Four generous bedroomsBank of leaded-glass windowsOriginal glass-front cabinetryOak moldingsMillwork accentsQuartersawn oak staircaseCarved staircase
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- on Zillow |
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Zillow last checked:
Listed by:
Daniel Maloy 312-593-7777,
D.B. Maloy & Company
Source: MRED as distributed by MLS GRID,MLS#: 12641825
Facts & features
Interior
Bedrooms & bathrooms
- Bedrooms: 6
- Bathrooms: 4
- Full bathrooms: 2
- 1/2 bathrooms: 2
Rooms
- Room types: Sun Room, Bedroom 5, Bedroom 6
Primary bedroom
- Features: Flooring (Hardwood), Bathroom (Full)
- Level: Third
- Area: 192 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 16X12
Bedroom 2
- Features: Flooring (Hardwood)
- Level: Second
- Area: 192 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 16X12
Bedroom 3
- Features: Flooring (Hardwood)
- Level: Second
- Area: 154 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 14X11
Bedroom 4
- Features: Flooring (Hardwood)
- Level: Second
- Area: 143 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 13X11
Bedroom 5
- Level: Second
- Area: 140 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 14X10
Bedroom 6
- Level: Third
- Area: 128 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 16X8
Dining room
- Features: Flooring (Hardwood)
- Level: Main
- Area: 180 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 15X12
Family room
- Level: Main
- Area: 190 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 19X10
Kitchen
- Features: Kitchen (Eating Area-Table Space, Updated Kitchen), Flooring (Hardwood)
- Level: Main
- Area: 160 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 16X10
Laundry
- Level: Second
- Area: 9 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 3X3
Living room
- Features: Flooring (Hardwood)
- Level: Main
- Area: 286 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 22X13
Sun room
- Features: Flooring (Hardwood)
- Level: Main
- Area: 140 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 10X14
Heating
- Natural Gas, Forced Air, Radiator(s)
Cooling
- Central Air
Appliances
- Included: Range, Microwave, Dishwasher, Refrigerator, Washer, Dryer
- Laundry: Upper Level, In Unit, Laundry Closet, Multiple Locations
Features
- Walk-In Closet(s), Bookcases, Historic/Period Mlwk, Separate Dining Room, Workshop
- Flooring: Hardwood
- Basement: Partially Finished,Exterior Entry,Full
- Attic: Finished,Full,Interior Stair
Interior area
- Total structure area: 4,631
- Total interior livable area: 3,466 sqft
Property
Parking
- Total spaces: 2
- Parking features: Brick Driveway, Off Alley, Garage Door Opener, Yes, Detached, Garage
- Garage spaces: 2
- Has uncovered spaces: Yes
Accessibility
- Accessibility features: No Disability Access
Features
- Stories: 3
- Patio & porch: Deck, Patio, Porch
- Exterior features: Outdoor Grill
Lot
- Size: 7,350 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 42X175
Details
- Additional structures: Workshop, Outdoor Kitchen
- Parcel number: 16074110190000
- Special conditions: None
Construction
Type & style
- Home type: SingleFamily
- Architectural style: Prairie
- Property subtype: Single Family Residence
Materials
- Frame
Condition
- New construction: No
- Year built: 1908
- Major remodel year: 2016
Utilities & green energy
- Electric: Circuit Breakers
- Sewer: Public Sewer
- Water: Lake Michigan
Community & HOA
HOA
- Services included: None
Location
- Region: Oak Park
Financial & listing details
- Price per square foot: $346/sqft
- Tax assessed value: $550,000
- Annual tax amount: $16,849
- Ownership: Fee Simple
Estimated market value
Not available
Estimated sales range
Not available
Not available
Price history
| Date | Event | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 11/3/2025 | Listing removed | $1,200,000$346/sqft |
Source: | ||
| 10/23/2025 | Listed for sale | $1,200,000$346/sqft |
Source: | ||
| 10/11/2025 | Contingent | $1,200,000$346/sqft |
Source: | ||
| 10/2/2025 | Listed for sale | $1,200,000+110.9%$346/sqft |
Source: | ||
| 4/7/2011 | Listing removed | $569,000+3.5%$164/sqft |
Source: Visual Tour #07489672 Report a problem | ||
| 5/28/2010 | Sold | $550,000-3.3%$159/sqft |
Source: | ||
| 4/8/2010 | Listed for sale | $569,000$164/sqft |
Source: Visual Tour #07489672 Report a problem | ||
Public tax history
| Year | Property taxes | Tax assessment |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | -- | $55,000 |
| 2023 | $16,849 -3% | $55,000 +13.1% |
| 2022 | $17,367 +2.4% | $48,646 |
| 2021 | $16,957 +2% | $48,646 |
| 2020 | $16,626 -3.7% | $48,646 +0.4% |
| 2019 | $17,270 -4.2% | $48,443 -7.3% |
| 2018 | $18,028 +2.1% | $52,255 |
| 2017 | $17,655 +9.3% | $52,255 +22.6% |
| 2016 | $16,155 +12% | $42,635 |
| 2015 | $14,429 +7.5% | $42,635 |
| 2014 | $13,426 -9% | $42,635 -11.1% |
| 2013 | $14,748 -0.3% | $47,948 |
| 2012 | $14,788 +2.7% | $47,948 |
| 2011 | $14,395 +12% | $47,948 -6.6% |
| 2010 | $12,857 +8.6% | $51,341 |
| 2009 | $11,840 +8.5% | $51,341 -7% |
| 2008 | $10,915 -9.3% | $55,205 +2.1% |
| 2007 | $12,035 +3.6% | $54,052 |
| 2006 | $11,616 +2% | $54,052 |
| 2005 | $11,387 +16.3% | $54,052 +36.3% |
| 2004 | $9,795 +7% | $39,649 |
| 2003 | $9,154 +3.9% | $39,649 |
| 2002 | $8,811 +27% | $39,649 +38.7% |
| 2001 | $6,935 +3.4% | $28,591 |
| 2000 | $6,706 +18.5% | $28,591 |
| 1999 | $5,661 | $28,591 |
Find assessor info on the county website
Monthly payment
Est. payment$--/mo
Payment breakdown
Explore the cost of this home by adjusting the details. Changes won't be saved.All calculations are estimates and provided by Zillow, Inc. for informational purposes only. Actual amounts may vary.
HOA fees may include property taxes on listings classified as Co-Ops. Contact the listing agent and/or owner for fee details.
Mortgage interest rates are dependent on a number of factors, including credit score, down payment, and repayment length. Interest rate data provided by Zillow Group Marketplace, Inc. as of 1/1/1970 from various mortgage lenders with which we have lead or other similar arrangements; the Estimated Payment is an average of those rates.
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Climate risks
Neighborhood: 60302
Nearby schools
GreatSchools rating
- 9/10William Beye Elementary SchoolGrades: K-5Distance: 0.5 mi
- 7/10Percy Julian Middle SchoolGrades: 6-8Distance: 0.2 mi
- 10/10Oak Park & River Forest High SchoolGrades: 9-12Distance: 0.5 mi
Schools provided by the listing agent
- Elementary: William Beye Elementary School
- Middle: Percy Julian Middle School
- High: Oak Park & River Forest High Sch
- District: 97
Source: MRED as distributed by MLS GRID. This data may not be complete. We recommend contacting the local school district to confirm school assignments for this home.
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- Illinois
- Cook County
- Oak Park
- 60302
- 229 S Ridgeland Ave





