Page 30 - 1430 West Berwyn Avenue - Historic Property Portfolio

History
Christian Christensen, a Danish immigrant, migrated to Chicago in 1871. He worked as a wholesale liquor distributor and bought the lot at what today is 1430 West Berwyn Avenue in 1895. In 1904, he hired architect George L. Pfeiffer to design a 2-story flat building. While living in the property, he also rented out a portion of it. He lived in the property with his wife, Emma, for 10 years before selling it. The neighboring Greystone at 1436 W. Berwyn Avenue was also designed by George L. Pfeiffer for Christian’s brother, John, in 1908.
George L. Pfeiffer, a German born and trained architect, began practicing in Chicago in 1893 as a staff architect for the German Commission at the World’s Columbian Exposition. During the
next 17 years, he designed scores of buildings in Chicago. In 1910, he moved to Miami, Florida where his practice flourished and he is regarded as a prominent historic architect. Several of his buildings are listed on the National Historic Registry.
Ronald V. Flores purchased the home 40+ years ago, which is the last time the property changed hands. Some of the home’s exterior and interior ornamentation is a reflection of Flores’ appreciation for stone work and sculpting. He is responsible for the caryatids at the top of the tower and a variety of the other non-original ornamental features including architectural fragments, statuary and light fixtures attached to the home and situated around the property.