Classic Buurma Brothers home in the heart of River Forest. This exceptional five-bedroom, 3.5-bath residence boasts a prime location and has been beautifully restored, expanded, and updated by its long-time owners. Blending timeless elegance with thoughtful modern updates, it offers the perfect balance of luxury and comfort. With 5,100 square feet of finished living space, 838 William Street offers a family four floors of unique living space. From a gourmet kitchen to an intimate sitting room, to a large, completely remodeled third floor studio, there is plenty of space to entertain and find quiet moments. Built in 1925, this home has distinctive Arts and Crafts and Prairie Style features throughout the house. Leaded-glass doors throughout the house have been meticulously restored and expanded, offering beautiful backgrounds to many rooms. Wood moldings have been painstakingly restored to their original beauty to provide warmth throughout the house. A large foyer sits in the middle of the first floor. Connected to the foyer is a large living room with a wood-burning fireplace that been restored to its original style. And the dining room, which seats 12 people, has also been restored to its Art Deco origins. A small butler's pantry connects the dining room with the kitchen. The gourmet kitchen is spacious and filled with light. It's many high-end features include custom Amish cabinetry with uplighting, granite counter tops and Italian-tile backsplashes, European appliances, six-burner gas stove top, and an island large enough to seat four adults. Access to the backyard is just off of the kitchen as is access to a sitting room with floor to ceiling Amish bookshelves and television bay. The second floor has been expanded to contain four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and two additional rooms that can be used for many purposes. The primary bedroom has its own bathroom and two walk-in closets. A sitting room is attached to the primary bedroom and can be made private by closing the leaded glass doors. Three additional bedrooms and two bathrooms provide plenty of space for a family, and a room over the porte cochere can be used as an office or playroom. The third-floor walkup attic has been converted into a 600 square foot studio that can be used as a bedroom for siblings, playroom, or office. The studio is carpeted with its own climate control and is wired for cable. Finally, the finished deep-pour basement provides space for a variety of uses office, family room, or exercise room. The home sits on a third of an acre and has been completely landscaped with an in-ground sprinkler system and uplighting throughout the property. A flood control system was installed in 2016.
Closed
$1,865,000
838 William St, River Forest, IL 60305
5beds
5,100sqft
Single Family Residence
Built in 1925
0.33 Acres Lot
$1,921,600 Zestimate®
$366/sqft
$6,508 Estimated rent
Home value
$1,921,600
$1.73M - $2.13M
$6,508/mo
Zestimate® history
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List your homeWhat's special
Wood-burning fireplacePrime locationEuropean appliancesGourmet kitchenArt deco originsIntimate sitting roomCustom amish cabinetry
Zillow last checked:
Listing updated:
Listing courtesy of:
Ryan Cherney (630)862-5181,
Circle One Realty
Bought with:
Elizabeth August
@properties Christie's International Real Estate
Source: MRED as distributed by MLS GRID,MLS#: 12488837
Facts & features
Interior
Bedrooms & bathrooms
- Bedrooms: 5
- Bathrooms: 4
- Full bathrooms: 3
- 1/2 bathrooms: 1
Primary bedroom
- Features: Flooring (Hardwood), Window Treatments (Blinds), Bathroom (Full)
- Level: Second
- Area: 234 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 18X13
Bedroom 2
- Features: Flooring (Hardwood), Window Treatments (Blinds)
- Level: Second
- Area: 144 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 12X12
Bedroom 3
- Features: Flooring (Hardwood), Window Treatments (Blinds)
- Level: Second
- Area: 168 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 14X12
Bedroom 4
- Features: Flooring (Hardwood), Window Treatments (Blinds)
- Level: Second
- Area: 182 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 14X13
Bedroom 5
- Features: Flooring (Carpet), Window Treatments (Curtains/Drapes)
- Level: Third
- Area: 450 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 25X18
Dining room
- Features: Flooring (Hardwood)
- Level: Main
- Area: 270 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 18X15
Family room
- Features: Flooring (Hardwood), Window Treatments (Blinds)
- Level: Main
- Area: 180 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 15X12
Kitchen
- Features: Kitchen (Eating Area-Breakfast Bar, Island, Pantry-Butler), Flooring (Hardwood), Window Treatments (Blinds)
- Level: Main
- Area: 306 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 18X17
Laundry
- Features: Flooring (Other), Window Treatments (Blinds)
- Level: Basement
- Area: 270 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 18X15
Living room
- Features: Flooring (Hardwood)
- Level: Main
- Area: 575 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 25X23
Office
- Features: Flooring (Carpet), Window Treatments (Blinds)
- Level: Basement
- Area: 240 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 16X15
Other
- Features: Flooring (Carpet), Window Treatments (Blinds)
- Level: Basement
- Area: 575 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 25X23
Sitting room
- Features: Flooring (Hardwood), Window Treatments (Blinds)
- Level: Second
- Area: 120 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 12X10
Sun room
- Features: Flooring (Hardwood), Window Treatments (Blinds)
- Level: Second
- Area: 143 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 13X11
Heating
- Natural Gas, Electric, Forced Air, Radiant, Radiator(s), Indv Controls, Zoned, Radiant Floor
Cooling
- Central Air, Zoned
Appliances
- Included: Double Oven, Microwave, Dishwasher, Refrigerator, Freezer, Disposal, Stainless Steel Appliance(s), Wine Refrigerator, Cooktop, Range Hood
Features
- Dry Bar
- Flooring: Hardwood
- Basement: Finished,Full
- Attic: Finished,Interior Stair
- Number of fireplaces: 2
- Fireplace features: Wood Burning, Attached Fireplace Doors/Screen, Living Room, Basement
Interior area
- Total structure area: 0
- Total interior livable area: 5,100 sqft
Property
Parking
- Total spaces: 2
- Parking features: Concrete, Garage Door Opener, Garage, Yes, Garage Owned, Detached
- Garage spaces: 2
- Has uncovered spaces: Yes
Accessibility
- Accessibility features: No Disability Access
Features
- Stories: 3
- Patio & porch: Patio
- Fencing: Fenced
Lot
- Size: 0.33 Acres
- Features: Landscaped
Details
- Parcel number: 15014150220000
- Special conditions: None
- Other equipment: TV-Cable, Sump Pump, Sprinkler-Lawn
Construction
Type & style
- Home type: SingleFamily
- Architectural style: Prairie
- Property subtype: Single Family Residence
Materials
- Brick
- Foundation: Concrete Perimeter
- Roof: Tile
Condition
- New construction: No
- Year built: 1925
- Major remodel year: 2017
Utilities & green energy
- Electric: Circuit Breakers, Service - 400 Amp or Greater
- Sewer: Public Sewer
- Water: Lake Michigan
Community & neighborhood
Security
- Security features: Security System, Carbon Monoxide Detector(s)
Community
- Community features: Park, Tennis Court(s), Curbs, Sidewalks, Street Lights, Street Paved
Location
- Region: River Forest
HOA & financial
HOA
- Services included: None
Other
Other facts
- Listing terms: Conventional
- Ownership: Fee Simple
Price history
| Date | Event | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 12/8/2025 | Sold | $1,865,000-4.4%$366/sqft |
Source:  MRED as distributed by MLS GRID #12488837 Report a problem | ||
| 10/13/2025 | Contingent | $1,950,000$382/sqft |
Source: MRED as distributed by MLS GRID #12488837 Report a problem | ||
| 10/6/2025 | Listed for sale | $1,950,000+62.5%$382/sqft |
Source: MRED as distributed by MLS GRID #12488837 Report a problem | ||
| 5/31/2007 | Sold | $1,200,000+14.3%$235/sqft |
Source: Public Record Report a problem | ||
| 12/5/2006 | Sold | $1,050,000+2.9%$206/sqft |
Source: Public Record Report a problem | ||
| 6/29/2005 | Sold | $1,020,000+25.2%$200/sqft |
Source: Public Record Report a problem | ||
| 11/1/2001 | Sold | $815,000$160/sqft |
Source: Public Record Report a problem | ||
Public tax history
| Year | Property taxes | Tax assessment |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | -- | $115,000 |
| 2023 | $30,575 +43.8% | $115,000 +66.1% |
| 2022 | $21,257 +3.7% | $69,247 |
| 2021 | $20,499 +2% | $69,247 |
| 2020 | $20,099 -10.8% | $69,247 -8.9% |
| 2019 | $22,523 +5.6% | $75,983 |
| 2018 | $21,321 +0.3% | $75,983 |
| 2017 | $21,262 -2.5% | $75,983 +8.1% |
| 2016 | $21,800 +2% | $70,262 |
| 2015 | $21,376 +9.1% | $70,262 |
| 2014 | $19,596 -14.7% | $70,262 -16.4% |
| 2013 | $22,961 -4.7% | $84,007 |
| 2012 | $24,092 +2.4% | $84,007 |
| 2011 | $23,525 -1.1% | $84,007 -10.2% |
| 2010 | $23,780 +0% | $93,548 |
| 2009 | $23,777 +1.1% | $93,548 -5% |
| 2008 | $23,509 +34.5% | $98,472 +38% |
| 2007 | $17,476 +6% | $71,363 |
| 2006 | $16,492 -5.7% | $71,363 -10.1% |
| 2005 | $17,498 +15.4% | $79,384 +16.3% |
| 2004 | $15,160 +4.5% | $68,269 |
| 2003 | $14,501 -0.4% | $68,269 -5.5% |
| 2002 | $14,560 +32.2% | $72,274 +56.6% |
| 2001 | $11,017 +1% | $46,140 -4.9% |
| 2000 | $10,907 +12.6% | $48,520 |
| 1999 | $9,686 | $48,520 |
Find assessor info on the county website
Neighborhood: 60305
Nearby schools
GreatSchools rating
- 9/10Roosevelt SchoolGrades: 5-8Distance: 0.3 mi
- 10/10Oak Park & River Forest High SchoolGrades: 9-12Distance: 1.2 mi
- 10/10Willard Elementary SchoolGrades: PK-4Distance: 0.7 mi
Schools provided by the listing agent
- Elementary: Willard Elementary School
- Middle: Roosevelt School
- High: Oak Park & River Forest High Sch
- District: 90
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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Estimated market value
$1,921,600
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Estimated market value
$1,921,600
- Illinois
- Cook County
- River Forest
- 60305
- 838 William St
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