Historic Palatine home needs new one

Walking through this old Palatine home is like taking a step back in time.

As the original maple floors creak beneath you, there's no mistaking the historical authenticity here -- doors with leaded glass, a white Chambers stove and original light fixtures hanging from the ceiling.

Soon, though, the 1896 Victorian home will be leveled, making way for a high-rise condo building with retail shops on street level.

The home at 44 W. Wilson St. is owned by three children of the late Gertrude Covello. She lived there for about 12 years until her death in 2005. Since then it's been vacant.

Recently, a deal was struck for Northfield-based Focus Development to buy the property for $1.25 million. It's in an area known as Block 27.

Nick Covello, one of the three siblings, is offering $10,000 to anyone who wants to save the home.

"I'd like to see it moved," he said. "I'm just trying to give the old girl one more chance."

The late-Victorian home was built by Henry Knigge, whose family members were known as pioneers in the town, according to the Palatine Historical Society.

Longtime Palatine resident and junior high teacher Frank Feely lived in the house. Feely, who died in 1994, was active in the historical society, running antique shows.

Part of a movie about Palatine history was filmed in front of the house and shown to local elementary school students.

A former village councilman once suggested the house become the town's historical society, according to Palatine historians.

Councilman Brad Helms, who represents the downtown district, says he's always wanted to see this home relocated.

"I would love nothing more than to see this home moved," he said. "But it's not something you can do in a month. It takes time."

Although he's behind the effort, he said the decision ultimately lies with developers once they take over the house.

New plan for street

The home sits immediately east of the former Mia Cucina restaurant. The developers plan to build 109 condos with about 11,500 square feet of retail space on the block. The structure will be six stories along Wilson Street and five stories along the other streets.

Condo sales have already started, said Anita Olsen, director of sales and marketing for Focus. Construction for the development is expected to begin in early October.

Olsen said she's unaware of any plans to move the house.

"We always want to do the right thing," she said. "I don't see why we wouldn't want to help."

As a city of Chicago building and demolition inspector, Covello is inside old houses every day.

"This one is an architectural gem," he says. "It's like going in a time warp. Nothing has been touched."

The pocket doors are original and so are the fish-scale shingles outside.

Covello has already taken out some of the gold radiators, but says he'll put them back if anyone decides to move the house.

If the effort falls short, he'll likely remove more of the home's fixtures so they're not demolished, such as the wood staircase's newel post.

"I am not against this development, but I just want to save the house," he says. "I don't think this should be torn down. It speaks for itself."