Dream Town Listing for Keck House Featured on NBC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) September 8, 2009 -- Chicago, IL – A home built by famous Chicago-area architects Keck + Keck is up for sale and was featured this week on LX.TV's "Open House." The Mid-Century Modern residence is listed by Chicago real estate company Dream Town Realty. The spot originally aired Sunday, August 30 at 11pm on local NBC Channel 5 and can now be viewed on the program's website or on www.DreamTown.com.

The home on West Catalpa was commissioned by Keck + Keck in 1946. It is a prime example of Mid-Century Modern architecture and contains a number of original Keck trademarks. The recent appearance on LX.TV's "Open House Chicago" is its latest media showing, following features in trade publications and online home programs. In the LX.TV spot, the current homeowner gives viewers a full tour of the residence, pointing out signature Keck traits as well as updated aspects of the living space.

The segment has a running time of just under 4 minutes. Watch the clip at http://www.dreamtown.com/properties/2939-w-catalpa.html.

"Keck + Keck's residential designs were ahead of their time when introduced to mainstream America at the Chicago World's Fair in the early 1930s," said owner Avi Ron, also a co-founder of Dream Town Realty. "This home is a later adaptation of their extreme all-glass designs. I tried to continue that thread, though, with a large glass-enclosed sunroom addition."

The Kecks' ideas for glass-wall houses supported by steel framing employed pioneering skyscraper construction methods, but on a much smaller level, for an affordable new way to build tomorrow's Dream Homes. Between 1935 and 1979, the firm completed hundreds of residential projects, many concentrated in Chicago's North Shore suburbs.

Keck designs are not as common within the city limits of Chicago, which makes the West Catalpa property a rarity. It is located on 4 city lots in Budlong Woods, a tree-lined neighborhood on the far northwest side.

Telltale signs of Catalpa's Keck + Keck origin include:

- Flat Roof
- Passive Solar Design
- Indirect Lighting
- Radiant Heated Floors
- Screened Thermopane Window Vents
- Extension of Home to Outdoors through Window Walls
- Built-in Storage Spaces

"The home also incorporates subtle 'ease of living' features. Another customary characteristic of Keck Houses," Ron explained. "Clever convenience aspects like closets built into walls and wood storage for the fireplace that can be accessed from a service area in the back."

The "Open House" episode takes viewers around the 4,000 sq. ft. home and into the large landscaped backyard. Learn about the property's blend of historic attributes and modern upgrades. Most of the renovations were done by the homeowner himself, who heads up Dream Town Builders and Remodeling.

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