Five Houses on Avers District

The Five Houses on Avers District is a row of five residential buildings along South Avers Avenue featuring Romanesque Revival architecture. The structures retain their original design details from when they were built in the 1890s.

A Czech immigrant named Jan Kralovec developed the five properties between 1892 and 1894 after a streetcar line was extended along Cermak Road. The location benefited from this improved transportation link, which made the area attractive for residential development.

The houses show how successful businesspeople in late 1800s Chicago wanted to live and what architectural styles they preferred. They reflect the tastes of a rising class that settled in newly developed neighborhoods south of the city.

The houses sit in a row along South Avers Avenue and are visible from the street, making them easy to locate. The district is best explored on foot and offers a walk through a quiet residential street.

Each of the five houses was built for different owners from various backgrounds, including lumber company executives and building contractors. This mix of owners and professions shows how the district attracted successful people from different trades.

Location: Chicago

GPS coordinates: 41.85350,-87.72133

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:43