Arlington Heights Bungalow is so Rich in Curb Appeal I Had to Look Inside

A rubble slate walkway, Thurber brick walls and planter box, tidy landscaping, and charming awnings are just some of the endearing features that made me take notice of this Arlington Heights bungalow.

This 1937 vintage charmer at 4321 Pershing Avenue occupies a double-sloping lot in the heart of Arlington Heights.

The welcoming interior doesn’t let down, sustaining the charm of the exterior. A mere 1,517 square feet the two-bedroom, one-bath house offers a warm retreat to empty nesters seeking a stylish downsize.

Arlington Heights Classic

The 85-year-old house comes with many of the classic features of an older build, including hardwood floors, beamed ceilings, built-in cabinets, millwork, and metal lathe one-inch thick plaster walls and ceilings. The working gas fireplace has the original tile surround.

Beyond the living room is a large flex room, now being used as a secondary living room but could be returned to its original use as a formal dining room.

The spacious kitchen is a bit of a hodge-podge of vintage with the random update here and there. The floor looks to be a cool ’50s-era linoleum. Cabinets appear to be unaltered but are stacked to the ceiling.

Recent updates are the deep, steel, farmhouse sink, and the stacked, ruby subway tiles. Over the sink is a restaurant-style faucet, which is an easy-care wall mount. This is a very serviceable kitchen that can function beautifully until renovation.

The paneled breakfast room off the kitchen now serves as the main dining room.

A long corridor leads to the bedrooms and one bath. Stained door frames add warmth to the hall.

The bedrooms are at the back of the house with windows on two sides. The bath is bright white, tiled with a long tub. Like the kitchen, it is functional if a bit basic and offers a splendid opportunity for a glamorous do-over.

The large backyard is the happy beneficiary of the double lot. At the side, at the end of the drive is a one-car garage.

John Zimmerman with Compass has priced 4321 Pershing Avenue at $545,000.