BAPA Home Tour To Showcase 5 Homes Near Rock Island Line

CHICAGO, IL — A longtime spring tradition in the city's Beverly/Morgan Park neighborhood returns later this month. This year, the theme of the 47th annual Beverly Area Planning Association's Beverly Hills/Morgan Park Home Tour is the neighborhood's connection to commuter service and the Rock Island Line. All five homes that are part of the tour on Sunday, May 20 are within walking distance of local Metra stops.

In Beverly/Morgan Park, the Joliet-to-Chicago commuter line makes stops every four blocks with stations at 115th Street, 111th Street, 107th Street, 103rd Street, 99th Street, 95th Street and 91st Street. But while all homes on the tour this year share the common trait of being near the railroad, in themselves they showcase a variety of different styles.

Here's a description of the five homes that will be part of the tour. From BAPA:

• A stunning Colonial revival mansion that has been renovated from foundation to roof
• A deluxe Chicago bungalow beautifully updated for an active family
• A gracious Tudor Revival just steps away from the woods
• A charming Prairie-influenced hilltop Foursquare home
• A handsome stucco cottage with a garden hideaway and a connection to Rock Island Railroad history

BAPA said in a news release that the homes selected for the tour, which will be open from noon to 5 p.m. on the 20th, are picked "because of their outstanding decorating, amenities and architecture."

"Featured this year are homes where contemporary stylings enhance original architectural details and offer a range of great ideas for updating kitchens, baths, basements and even yards.

The homes also show the inextricable impact the opening of the Rock Island Railroad’s commuter service to this area made on the creation and expansion of the community we now know as Beverly Hills/Morgan Park."

All stops on the Home Tour will feature cooking and mead pairing samples, paint showcase demonstrations, experts offering home and garden advice, sponsor giveaways, tastings and more.

If You Go

Tickets to this year’s tour are $30 in advance when purchased on the BAPA website or $35 on the day of the tour. Other ticket outlets are County Fair, 10800 S. Western Ave.; Steuber Florist, 2654 W. 111th St. and RMH Design, 1806 W. 103rd St.

All homes will be open from noon until 5 p.m., but all tours are self-guided and must begin by 3 p.m.

The starting point is RMH Design, an eclectic home décor and clothing boutique, where tour-goers must check-in to receive their booklets. The booklets are required for admission into the homes.

Photo: A tudor home that will be one of five open to the public during the 2018 Beverly Hills/Morgan Park Home Tour / Photo by Rebecca Healy