A vintage Andersonville home kitchen — rebuilt from the chimney out.
A complete kitchen renovation at N Magnolia Avenue in Andersonville. Vintage Chicago home, original kitchen with an unused chimney occupying critical square footage in the middle of the footprint, and the kind of layered ventilation conditions that only show themselves once walls are open. We took it down to the studs, removed the chimney structure entirely, re-engineered the venting, and rebuilt with white cabinetry, white quartz countertops, and a clean light-maximizing palette suited to a pre-war Andersonville home.
Project Details
- Project Type
- Vintage Home Kitchen Renovation
- Address
- N Magnolia Ave
- Neighborhood
- Andersonville, 60640
- Building Era
- Vintage Chicago Home (Pre-1940)
- Demo Start
- May 17, 2023
- Completion
- January 6, 2024
- Duration
- ~7 Months · Demo Through Completion
- Warranty
- 1-Year Workmanship Warranty
Scope Delivered
- Cabinetry
- Custom White / Off-White
- Countertops
- White Quartz
- Chimney
- Original Structure Fully Removed
- Ventilation
- New System Installed
- Flooring
- Replaced
- Electrical
- Permitted & Inspected
- Plumbing
- Permitted & Inspected
- Drywall
- Replaced Where Compromised
- Paint
- Custom Throughout
The Project
N Magnolia Avenue sits in the heart of Andersonville — Chicago's Clark Street neighborhood north of Foster, known for blocks of vintage two-flats, brick bungalows, Queen Anne single-family homes, and pre-war residences that have anchored the neighborhood since the early 1900s. Like many vintage Andersonville homes, this property carried beautiful architectural character on the surface and a century of accumulated kitchen problems behind the walls.
Our clients knew the kitchen needed work. What demolition revealed — and what most pre-construction walkthroughs cannot fully predict in vintage homes — was the actual scope of what needed to come out. The single biggest finding: an unused chimney structure running through the middle of the kitchen footprint, occupying square footage that should have been functional cabinet and counter space. The chimney had been decommissioned long ago and served no functional purpose — just architectural inertia from the home's original era when every room had its own coal stove. We made the decision with the clients to remove it entirely — a meaningful structural call that opened up the kitchen significantly and reclaimed real usable area.
Beyond the chimney, demolition exposed the ventilation challenges typical of vintage Chicago homes built before 1940. Original kitchen exhaust paths routed through compromised wall cavities, vent stacks running through spaces that needed to be reclaimed, and the kind of layered-in conditions from past renovations that don't show up on any drawing. We documented every condition before reconstruction began — visible in the open-wall and chimney-discovery photographs in the gallery below — and rebuilt the kitchen properly: studs out, new electrical with City of Chicago permits, new plumbing with City of Chicago permits, new HVAC venting, and modern subfloor work.
Above the structural and systems work: white cabinetry, white quartz countertops, and a clean light-maximizing palette suited to the vintage home's character without fighting it. White is the practical and aesthetic right call for most vintage Andersonville kitchens — it reflects available light in homes where original window placement wasn't designed around modern kitchen layouts, doesn't compete with the home's original architectural character, and doesn't date the way trend-color cabinets do.
The full project ran approximately seven months from May 2023 demolition through January 2024 completion — significantly longer than the 4-to-6-week timeline a typical condo kitchen takes. That is the honest math on a vintage Andersonville home renovation when chimney removal, ventilation re-engineering, and concealed-condition repairs are all in scope.
This project sits inside our Andersonville home remodeling specialty, alongside our broader Chicago kitchen renovation portfolio.
Four moves that defined the renovation.
The Chimney Discovery
The single biggest reveal during demolition: an unused chimney structure running through the middle of the kitchen footprint. Decommissioned long ago, serving no functional purpose, occupying valuable cabinet and counter square footage. We removed it entirely — a structural decision that reclaimed real usable area.
Vintage Andersonville Discoveries
Demolition exposed what is typical in pre-1940 Andersonville homes: compromised wall cavities, original kitchen exhaust routed through paths that needed re-engineering, and layered conditions from multiple past renovations. We documented every finding before reconstruction began.
Modern Systems Behind Vintage Walls
With walls open, we rebuilt every kitchen system properly. New plumbing and electrical pulled with City of Chicago permits and passed inspection. New HVAC venting installed correctly the first time. Doing it right while the walls are open costs a fraction of what it costs to fix later.
Light-Forward Finish Library
White cabinetry and white quartz countertops finish the kitchen. The right call for a vintage Andersonville home where original window placement and ceiling heights weren't designed around modern kitchen layouts. White reflects available light, doesn't compete with the home's original character.
What demolition revealed at N Magnolia Ave.
Demolition documentation from May 2023 — the original kitchen condition, the ventilation system routed through compromised paths, and the unused chimney structure we discovered running through the middle of the kitchen footprint. Every condition photographed before reconstruction began.
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What N Magnolia Ave looks like now.
Completed January 6, 2024. White custom cabinetry, white quartz countertops, modern ventilation, reclaimed kitchen footprint where the original chimney used to occupy the center of the space.
Considering a similar vintage Andersonville home renovation? Schedule a private consultation → or call (312) 544-9150
Every line item, every system.
Consolidated from the signed contract — every line item completed, every permit pulled, every inspection passed. 1-year workmanship warranty on all labor and installation.
Kitchen Build-Out & Cabinetry
- Custom white / off-white cabinet installation
- White quartz countertop fabrication and installation
- New kitchen sink, faucet, and disposal
- New appliance hookups
- New backsplash tile installation
- New under-cabinet lighting
- All cabinet hardware and trim
- Final electrical and plumbing punch list
Structural & Discovery Work
- Full kitchen demolition documented before reconstruction
- Original unused chimney structure fully removed
- Vent stack rework — original exhaust paths re-engineered
- Modern range hood ventilation installed
- Drywall replacement throughout where compromised
- Subfloor inspection and repair as needed
- All structural openings properly framed and supported
- Pre-construction site documentation of every condition
Systems, Permits & Finish
- New electrical permits pulled with City of Chicago
- Final electrical inspection passed
- New plumbing permits pulled with City of Chicago
- Final plumbing inspection passed
- New flooring installed throughout the kitchen
- Custom paint — primer plus finish coats
- Trim, baseboards, and door refinishing
- Daily jobsite protection and cleanup
Why Andersonville homeowners choose Assembly Squad
Lincoln Park — N Sheffield Renovation
Vintage greystone renovation with custom cabinetry, white quartz, designer tile, and matte black hardware.
Wicker Park — Whole House Remodel
Complete vintage Chicago home renovation including kitchen, bathrooms, structural changes, and all systems modernization.
Andersonville Home Remodeling
Complete kitchen, bathroom, and whole-home renovation throughout Andersonville 60640.
Questions about vintage Andersonville kitchen renovations
How long does a vintage Andersonville home kitchen renovation actually take?
Most condo kitchen renovations in Chicago run 4 to 6 weeks. A vintage Andersonville home kitchen renovation that includes structural changes like chimney removal, ventilation re-engineering, and electrical/plumbing modernization typically takes 6 to 9 months from demolition to completion. The N Magnolia Ave project ran from May 2023 demolition through January 2024 completion — approximately seven months. Pre-construction site visits can predict some scope, but vintage homes built before 1940 always reveal additional work once walls are open.
Can you remove a chimney during a kitchen renovation in Chicago?
Yes — if the chimney has been decommissioned and is not load-bearing for the upper floors. Many vintage Andersonville homes have unused chimneys from their original coal-stove or wood-fireplace eras that now occupy valuable square footage in modern kitchen footprints. Chimney removal in Chicago requires a building permit from the Department of Buildings, sometimes engineering review depending on the chimney's structural role, and proper closure of the resulting roof opening if the chimney extended above the roofline.
What is typical to find during demolition of a vintage Andersonville kitchen?
Common findings during demolition of pre-1940 Andersonville home kitchens: unused chimney structures, knob-and-tube electrical wiring concealed behind plaster, cast-iron plumbing stacks needing replacement, original kitchen vent stacks routed through compromised paths, balloon-frame construction with concealed fire-stop issues, and subfloor damage from decades of plumbing leaks or layered finishes. Every wall opening typically reveals at least one significant scope item that wasn't visible during the pre-construction walkthrough.
Why white cabinets and white quartz for a vintage Andersonville kitchen?
White cabinetry and white quartz countertops are the right call for most vintage Andersonville home kitchens because of how natural light works in pre-1940 Chicago housing stock. Original window placement, ceiling heights, and room proportions weren't designed around modern kitchen layouts. White reflects available light, doesn't compete with the home's original architectural character, and doesn't date the way trend-color cabinets do. White quartz specifically delivers zero maintenance — no sealing, stain resistant, handles daily cooking.
How much does a vintage home kitchen remodel cost in Andersonville?
Vintage Andersonville home kitchen renovations typically run $45,000 to $95,000+ depending on scope. Condo walk-up kitchens run lower at $35,000 to $55,000. Two-flat and vintage single-family home kitchens — especially those including chimney removal, ventilation re-engineering, and full plumbing/electrical modernization — typically land in the upper-mid range. Reach out for a free in-home consultation and we'll provide a fixed-price proposal.
Do I need a permit to remove a chimney in Chicago?
Yes — chimney removal in Chicago requires a building permit from the City of Chicago Department of Buildings. Depending on whether the chimney is structurally integrated with the building's load-bearing system, engineering review may be required. If the chimney extends above the roofline, removal includes proper roof closure with matching materials. Assembly Squad handles all permits and inspections in-house.
Is Andersonville a historic district where I need special approvals?
The core of Andersonville is NOT a designated City of Chicago landmark district. Standard Chicago permits apply — no historic review needed for interior renovations including kitchen remodels. The nearby Lakewood Balmoral Historic District (Lakewood Ave, Magnolia Ave, Wayne Ave area between Foster and Catalpa) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which affects exterior modifications and federal tax credit eligibility but does not restrict interior renovations like kitchen remodels.
Does Assembly Squad work on other Andersonville and Edgewater homes?
Yes — Andersonville, Edgewater, Lakewood Balmoral, Bowmanville, and Lincoln Square are all active service areas. We've completed kitchen, bathroom, and whole-home renovations across pre-war two-flats, vintage single-family homes, brick walk-up condos, and Queen Anne residences throughout the broader 60640 and 60660 corridor. Schedule a private consultation → or call (312) 544-9150.
Planning a vintage Andersonville home renovation?
Private consultation at your home, our Lincoln Park design studio (10 minutes from Andersonville), or via virtual session. Permitting, structural engineering, and chimney/ventilation work all handled in-house.
Book a Private Consultation 312-544-9150