Touring a Home in Chicago's Top Suburb (Glen Ellyn)

Some homes are nice on paper, and then some homes stop you the second you walk in. This one absolutely does that.

At 639 North Park in downtown Glen Ellyn, you get a beautifully reimagined 1921 Tudor with over 4,700 square feet of living space, a walkout basement, a finished attic space above the garage, and one of the most desirable locations in the western suburbs. It sits in the Lake Ellyn neighborhood, just steps from the lake itself and close to Glenbard West, which is consistently recognized as one of the top high schools in Illinois.

What makes this home special is not just the size or the address. It is the way old character and modern updates come together without fighting each other. You still get the charm, the architectural detail, the warmth, and the personality that people love in classic Tudors. At the same time, the home has been redesigned in all the right places for how people actually live now.

A location that checks the boxes

If you know Glen Ellyn, you already know why this area gets so much attention. If you are newer to the western suburbs, here is why this location stands out.

• Lake Ellyn is right nearby, giving the neighborhood that classic Glen Ellyn feel people are always chasing.
• Downtown Glen Ellyn is close, roughly a four minute drive or under a twenty minute walk.
• The Metra is in town, which makes commuting into Chicago much easier.
• Glenbard West is nearby, a major draw for many buyers.
• District 41 schools include Forest Glen Elementary and Hadley Middle School.

And then there is the lifestyle side of it. Downtown Glen Ellyn has the kind of restaurant scene and community energy that gives a suburb real staying power. Spots like Fire and Wine, A Toda Madre, Maize and Mash, MK Steakhouse, and Blackberry Market help make the area feel active and connected. This is one of those places where people genuinely use their downtown, not just talk about it.

There is also a sense of local pride here that you can feel. This particular home was even featured on the 2025 Glen Ellyn House Walk, which says a lot. Homes do not end up on that tour by accident.

The kitchen is the heart of the home, and it delivers

The tour begins where it should, in the kitchen.

This is the kind of renovation that instantly tells you someone had a real vision. The home may date back to 1921, but the kitchen feels completely current while still fitting the architecture around it. The cabinetry uses a two tone look that adds depth without feeling trendy for the sake of it. The backsplash runs all the way up, which gives the room a polished and custom feel. Gold accents warm everything up. And the overall footprint is generous enough that this space really can handle daily life and entertaining at the same time.

That matters, because the layout opens naturally toward the dining area and one of the main living spaces. It is not a kitchen that feels boxed in or separated from the action. It feels connected, social, and functional.

In homes at this price point, buyers often want a little extra support space off the kitchen, and this home has a great one. Instead of a basic pass through pantry, there is a moody flex area with green tile, built in storage, and a beverage fridge. It works beautifully as a bar setup, but it could just as easily be a coffee station, serving area, or seasonal storage zone for platters and entertaining pieces.

That flexibility is one of the strongest themes throughout the house. Nothing feels one dimensional.

Classic character without the usual compromises

One of the biggest reasons people fall in love with older homes is the detail. New construction can offer convenience, but it often struggles to create soul. This Tudor keeps the details that matter.

You see it in the woodwork, the hardware, the proportions, and the general flow of the rooms. There is real craftsmanship here. You can tell this home was not stripped of its identity during renovation. It was refreshed, not erased.

The formal family room is a great example. It has abundant windows, a wood burning fireplace, and a warm, inviting feel that would be just as good for quiet evenings as it would be for hosting during the holidays. On a sunny day, this room would be flooded with natural light. Even in gloomy weather, it still reads as bright and comfortable.

That balance is hard to get right in older homes. Some feel too chopped up. Others lose their original personality after heavy remodeling. Here, the home keeps the best of both worlds.

Upstairs: four bedrooms and a much appreciated laundry room

The second floor has four bedrooms, and before even getting to those, there is one feature that deserves its own applause: second floor laundry.

Anyone familiar with older homes in the suburbs knows basement laundry is common. Functional, sure. Convenient, not really. Having the laundry upstairs, near the bedrooms where it is actually needed, is one of those quality of life upgrades that makes a home feel far more livable.

From there, the primary suite becomes the clear highlight.

The primary suite feels calm, bright, and thoughtfully updated

The primary bedroom has hardwood floors, clean light finishes, and a layout that feels comfortable without wasting space. Storage is another strong point here, which is not always the case in homes from this era.

There are two closet areas, including a large walk in closet and an additional space that could serve as linen storage or be converted into even more wardrobe space with the right built ins. That kind of adaptability matters, especially in older homes where closet concerns are often one of the first objections buyers bring up.

The primary bath is where the renovation work really shines. It carries the same elevated design language as the kitchen, with tile extending upward for a more tailored look, warm finishes, and a dual vanity. Heated floors add comfort, especially during a cold Midwest winter. The shower is oversized and includes both rainfall and handheld fixtures, while the soaking tub rounds out the spa feel.

Even the ceiling detail and shape changes in the bathroom stand out. This was not a quick cosmetic update. The craftsmanship is obvious.

The additional bedrooms are spacious and practical

The other three bedrooms upstairs continue the same theme of old home charm with better than expected functionality.

Hardwood flooring carries throughout, and the rooms are all a solid size. Closet space, again, is stronger than what many buyers expect in a 1920s home. Some closets have built ins, others are deeper than usual, and the overall storage plan has been handled far better than in many comparable properties in downtown Glen Ellyn.

There is also another full bathroom on this level, finished with attractive tile work and a bathtub. It feels cohesive with the rest of the home rather than like an afterthought.

And beyond the traditional bedrooms, there is additional flex space that could work as a nursery, guest room, office, or whatever else makes sense for the next owner.

The walkout basement does not feel like a basement

This is one of the most impressive lower levels you will find in a home like this.

Walkout basements are a huge advantage because they change the experience of the space completely. Instead of feeling dark, closed off, or secondary, this lower level feels integrated into the rest of the house. Large windows bring in natural light, and because it opens directly to the backyard, it never gets that closed in basement feeling.

The flooring is durable and attractive, and the layout gives you several ways to use the space.

• A media or game room
• An in law arrangement
• Guest quarters
• A hangout area for entertaining
• A second family room

There is also a wet bar with another beverage fridge, making the lower level especially well suited for hosting. Add a table for cards, games, or casual dinners, and the room starts to feel more like an extension of the main living area than a separate zone.

A full bath and fifth bedroom add real flexibility

The lower level includes a full bathroom that is finished at a very high level. The herringbone flooring stands out right away, and the same pattern continues into the walk in shower, creating a custom, cohesive look. Like the primary bath upstairs, this one also has heated floors, which is a luxury touch that makes a cold day much more bearable.

There is also a fifth bedroom on this level with good ceiling height and natural light from a window. That gives the home more options for long term guests, extended family, or anyone needing privacy away from the upper bedrooms.

Bonus features that make the lower level even better

This part of the house keeps going.

You also get:

• A wine cellar tucked neatly into one of the home's smaller spaces
• Additional storage
• A gym or flex room with ceiling height that can handle more than just a treadmill and free weights
• 400 amp electrical service through two panels, which is a strong upgrade for an older home
• A radon mitigation system

All of those details matter because they show the home is not just pretty. It has substance behind the scenes too.

A practical mudroom and smart circulation

One thing this home does really well is movement. You can get to the basement from two different points, which makes the floor plan feel more natural. There is also a mudroom area near the front side connection, another feature many buyers hope to find in older homes but often do not.

That is part of what makes this property so appealing. It offers the charming exterior and established neighborhood people want, but inside, it solves many of the practical issues that usually come with homes from this era.

The outdoor entertaining space is a major plus

Step out from the walkout basement and you land on a large concrete patio built for entertaining. This is not a tiny afterthought of a sitting area. It is a substantial outdoor space that can genuinely handle family gatherings, guests, or a quiet evening outside.

The exterior improvements continue the polished feel of the home, including updated stucco and clean hardscaping that carries through the yard and toward the garage.

For anyone who values indoor outdoor flow, the setup here is strong. The walkout basement connects directly to the patio, which means entertaining can spill outside easily without forcing everyone through the main floor.

The oversized garage comes with a surprise

The two car garage is oversized, and that alone is valuable. But this one adds even more.

It has strong ceiling height, plus heating and cooling, making it more versatile than a standard garage. And above it sits a finished attic space that opens up all kinds of possibilities.

This bonus room could work as:

• A home office
• A guest retreat
• A workout room
• A playroom
• Creative studio space
• Storage with far more style than usual

There is even a half bath up there, which makes the space much easier to use independently from the main house.

That is the kind of feature that can quietly become one of the most useful areas on the property. For anyone working from home or needing separation from the rest of the household, this setup is a real advantage.

Why this home stands out in Glen Ellyn

Plenty of homes in desirable suburbs have one or two standout qualities. This one stacks them.

• Architectural character from a true 1921 Tudor
• Modern renovation quality in the kitchen, baths, and throughout the home
• Excellent location near Lake Ellyn and downtown Glen Ellyn
• Five bedrooms total including one in the walkout basement
• Strong entertaining spaces indoors and outdoors
• Unexpected flexibility from the lower level and finished garage attic
• Practical upgrades like upstairs laundry, better closet space, heated floors, and updated electrical

That combination is hard to find. It is especially hard to find in a home that still feels warm and distinctive rather than overly polished and generic.

At the time this home was highlighted, it was listed just under $2.15 million. In a market like Glen Ellyn, where buyers care deeply about location, schools, architecture, and walkability, that positions it as a very specific type of opportunity. Not a cookie cutter luxury house. Not just a pretty old home. Something much rarer than either of those.

Final thoughts

This home is a great reminder of why Glen Ellyn continues to draw so much interest from buyers relocating from Chicago, moving within the suburbs, or simply looking for more character without sacrificing convenience.

You get a house with history, but it lives like something much newer. You get proximity to downtown, schools, restaurants, and the Metra, but you still get that neighborhood feel near Lake Ellyn that people are constantly searching for. And you get flexibility in almost every part of the home, which is one of the biggest factors in long term livability.

There are beautiful homes, and then there are homes that feel considered from top to bottom. This one clearly falls into the second category.

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