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$1,865,000
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Property Description
Classic Buurma Brothers home in the heart of River Forest. This exceptional five-bedroom, 3.5-bath residence boasts a prime location and has been beautifully restored, expanded, and updated by its long-time owners. Blending timeless elegance with thoughtful modern updates, it offers the perfect balance of luxury and comfort. With 5,100 square feet of finished living space, 838 William Street offers a family four floors of unique living space. From a gourmet kitchen to an intimate sitting room, to a large, completely remodeled third floor studio, there is plenty of space to entertain and find quiet moments. Built in 1925, this home has distinctive Arts and Crafts and Prairie Style features throughout the house. Leaded-glass doors throughout the house have been meticulously restored and expanded, offering beautiful backgrounds to many rooms. Wood moldings have been painstakingly restored to their original beauty to provide warmth throughout the house. A large foyer sits in the middle of the first floor. Connected to the foyer is a large living room with a wood-burning fireplace that been restored to its original style. And the dining room, which seats 12 people, has also been restored to its Art Deco origins. A small butler's pantry connects the dining room with the kitchen. The gourmet kitchen is spacious and filled with light. It's many high-end features include custom Amish cabinetry with uplighting, granite counter tops and Italian-tile backsplashes, European appliances, six-burner gas stove top, and an island large enough to seat four adults. Access to the backyard is just off of the kitchen as is access to a sitting room with floor to ceiling Amish bookshelves and television bay. The second floor has been expanded to contain four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and two additional rooms that can be used for many purposes. The primary bedroom has its own bathroom and two walk-in closets. A sitting room is attached to the primary bedroom and can be made private by closing the leaded glass doors. Three additional bedrooms and two bathrooms provide plenty of space for a family, and a room over the porte cochere can be used as an office or playroom. The third-floor walkup attic has been converted into a 600 square foot studio that can be used as a bedroom for siblings, playroom, or office. The studio is carpeted with its own climate control and is wired for cable. Finally, the finished deep-pour basement provides space for a variety of uses office, family room, or exercise room. The home sits on a third of an acre and has been completely landscaped with an in-ground sprinkler system and uplighting throughout the property. A flood control system was installed in 2016.
Full Property Details
Full Property Details for 838 William St
General
- Sold For: $1,865,000
- Taxes: $30,500 (2023)
- Status: Closed
- Type: Single Family
- Source: MRED
- MLS ID: 12488837
- Added to Site: 101 day(s) ago
Interior
- Interior Features: Dry Bar
- Fireplace: Yes
- Fireplace(s): Living Room, Basement, Wood-Burning, Attached Fireplace Doors/Screen
- Appliances: Double Oven, Microwave, Dishwasher, Refrigerator, Freezer, Disposal, Stainless Steel Appliance(s), Wine Refrigerator, Cooktop, Range Hood
- Flooring: Hardwood
Rooms
Bathrooms
- Total Bathrooms: 4
- Full Bathrooms: 3
- Half Bathrooms: 1
- Bathroom Features: Separate Shower, Accessible Shower, Double Sink, Double Shower
Bedrooms
- Total Bedrooms: 5
Additional Information
- Equipment: Cable TV, Security System, Carbon Monoxide Detectors, Sump Pump, Lawn Sprinkler
- Other Features: Commuter Bus, Commuter Train, Interstate Access
Parking
- Garage: Yes
- Garage Spaces: 2
- Total Spaces: 2
- Parking Features: Concrete, Garage Door Opener, Garage, Yes, Garage Owned, Detached
Location
- Area: River Forest
- County: Cook
- Driving Directions: At the corner of Harlem and Chicago Avenue, head west on Chicago Ave. until you reach William Street (3 blocks west of Harlem and Chicago. Turn north on William Street. House is halfway up the block on the west side of block.
School Information
- School District: 90
- Midd School District: 90
- Elementary School: Willard Elementary School
- Middle School: Roosevelt School
- High School: Oak Park & River Forest High Sch
- Private School: Oak Park & River Forest High Sch
Community
- Assoc. Fees Include: None
Heating & Cooling
- Cooling Type: Central Air Conditioning, Zoned
- Heating Type: Natural Gas, Electric, Forced Air, Radiant, Radiator(s), Individual Controls, Zoned, Radiant Floor
Utilities
- Water: Lake Michigan
Structural Information
- Architectural Style: Prairie
- Construction: Brick
- Exterior Const.: Brick
- Basement Desc.: Finished, Full
- Foundation: Concrete Perimeter
- Roof: Tile
- Sub-Flooring: Hardwood
- Square Feet: 5,100
- Sq. Ft. Source: Landlord/Tenant/Seller
- Year Built: 1925
- Built Before 1978: Yes
- Remodeled/Updated: 2017
Lot Features
- Lot Size (Acres): 0.33
- Lot Size Range: .25 to .49 Acre
- Lot Dimensions: .33
- Fence: Yes
- Lot Features: Landscaped
- Fencing (Description): Fenced
Financial Considerations
- Parking Included: Yes
- Assessment Year: 1925
- Tax Amount: $30,500
- Tax Year: 2023
Disclosures and Reports
- Ownership: Fee Simple
- Property ID: 15014150220000
Listed by Circle One Realty
Sold by @properties Christie's International Real Estate
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Schools
Schools serving 838 William St
School Districts:River Forest School District 90, Oak Park and River Forest District 200
| Name | Grades | Distance |
|---|---|---|
Roosevelt School 7560 Oak Avenue, River Forest, IL 60305 | 5-8 | 0.3 mi |
Willard Elementary School, River Forest, IL 1250 Ashland Avenue, River Forest, IL 60305 | PK-4 | 0.7 mi |
Oak Park & River Forest High School 201 North Scoville Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60302 | 9-12 | 1.2 mi |
Disclaimer:
School attendance boundaries provided by Pitney Bowes and are for reference only. Contact the school directly to verify enrollment eligibility.
Price & Sales History for 838 William St
Date
Details
Price
Change
Source
12/08/2025
Sold
$1,865,000
-4.36%
MLS
10/06/2025
Listed
$1,950,000
—
MLS
Disclaimer: Historical sales information is derived from public records provided by the county offices. Information is not guaranteed and should be independently verified.
838 William Street, River Forest, IL 60305 (MLS# 12488837) is a Single Family property that was sold at $1,865,000 on December 08, 2025. Want to learn more about 838 William Street? Do you have questions about finding other Single Family real estate for sale in River Forest? You can browse all River Forest real estate or contact a Coldwell Banker agent to request more information.

