Coach Houses

Chicago has more alleys than ANY other American city, almost 2,000 miles! Here, they’ve always been used for vehicle storage, electrical lines, and service entrances, backyard shops, light business AND ADDITIONAL HOUSING. Carriage houses and rooms for rent over garages were common until 1957 when the City, fearing rampant growth and too much density, outlawed backyard coach houses.

For years, the loss of quality, affordable city living drove the youth and the less affluent to the suburbs and out-of-state. Most coach houses fell into disrepair and were demolished and removed. Chicago shrank.

The rules have changed!

People love vibrant cities, living near great food; beautiful, mature neighborhoods; entertainment, and the lakefront. In December of 2020, the City of Chicago woke up to these opportunities again, enacting the ” Additional Dwelling Unit (ADU) Ordinance” (read it here: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/additional-dwelling-units-ordinance/home.html ), which has allowed Additional Dwelling Units (ADU’s) for certain residential test zones all over the City, starting May 1st, 2021. This ordinance means that owners of single family houses can again build a rental apartment, home office, in-law home, gym, hobby space or game room over a rear garage. What an opportunity to increase the value of one’s property, with the potential to make rental income! What an opportunity to young people, older people on smaller incomes, families who wish to take care of grandparents and any renter that wants to share our city!

What makes a great coach house?

As an investment property, they’ve got to be economical to build and maintain, but attractive and enjoyable to use. A great design for most owners will be something straightforward and adaptable for a variety of uses. Your future backyard rental apartment may be the next homeowner’s great work space or vice versa.

Both home owner and coach house resident should be able to enjoy sunlight and privacy. The owner’s (or neighbor’s) yard shouldn’t get too shady and a renter should have the opportunity for ample interior daylighting, fresh air and a secure alley-side entrance. With some attention, a coach house can be provided an appropriately sloped roof and ample windows (with much more natural lighting than a standard apartment building) for any neighborhood orientation to capture direct & indirect sunlight and reduce the impact of it’s shadow.

The coach house should function well, whether it’s completed “raw” (shell and core) or “finished” with wood floors, great tile, architectural lighting and built-in millwork. Thoughtful kitchen and bath layouts, space for sleeping, dressing, bonus lofts, numerous storage opportunities and an in-unit stackable washer/dryer make for happy, long-term tenants or in-laws. A variety of furniture arrangements should be possible in any design.

We can offer you a range of project options for any of our models from a minimal “DIY” vanilla box that you can finish and paint to custom designs for built-in kitchens, shelving, thoughtful millwork options, custom finishes and architectural lighting which can maximize the use of space AND feel extraordinarily open. We strive to provide you with the most cost-effective, adaptable, attractive ADU architecture you’ll enjoy using.

Here are some of our 600+ s.f. free-standing coach house models, built over a standard 2-car alley-side garage:

(shown with suggested furnishings)

THE HOME OFFICE

A main floor open office space with room for a small meeting table and large desk; a kitchenette with a cooktop, sink, undercounter refrigerator, base and wall cabinets with ample storage & counter room for a copy machine and work area; up to 230 l.f. of shelving / closed cabinet storage; modest bath with toilet, lavatory & shower; private loft office or storage room. This model is also convertible to contain up to 2 queen-sized beds.

THE RENTAL

The functionally “densest” residence shown with a sleeping loft & optional murphy bed on the main living floor; kitchen with space for a full size refrigerator, 6 burner range, undercounter dishwasher, large kitchen sink, wall and base cabinets; bar seating option; naturally-lit bath with toilet, lavatory with 2 undercounter drawers, walk-in shower; in-unit washer/dryer & over 35 s.f. of closet storage.

THE GAMEROOM

Furnished to entertain, with large game room on the main floor with video gaming loft; full kitchen with bar seating & storage; bath with toilet, lavatory, tub or large walk-in shower; spaces for built-in storage; washer/dryer option at garage level. This model can be converted to alternately contain a private sleeping loft with a queen-sized murphy bed at the main living floor for multiple roommates.

THE HOBBIEST / STORE ROOM

Open space with a minimum of durable finishes (shown with OSB / plywood – lined walls and floor) for use as a home shop / art space / storage area; base cabinets for supplies storage in niche with large work surface countertop, available for a cooktop, sink, undercounter refrigerator; modest bath with toilet, lavatory and walk-in shower; loft space available for storage or additional work space. Convertible to contain up to 2 queen-sized beds.

THE GUEST HOUSE

A residence containing a large living / dining area with storage shelving; full kitchen with standard size refrigerator, 6-burner range, large sink and optional dishwasher and bar seating; combined dressing / bath contains wardrobe closet, washer / dryer adjacent to toilet, lavatory with 2 undercounter drawers and walk-in shower; sleeping loft with optional additional clothes storage.

All coach house standard designs will meet or exceed the Chicago Building Code and include:

• A well-designed, simple wood frame which any competent builder can erect and which can be adapted for a variety of room configurations and be modified, should an existing 2 car garage foundation and walls be suitable to reuse to save you money
• Solid reinforced concrete foundations extending below the frost line to prevent “heaving”
• Wood-framed construction above grade
• International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)-compliant insulated walls, residential floors and roof
• Fiberglass clad wood, manually-operated windows located strategically for summer cross-ventilation in your preferred locations
• A minimum 100 Amp electrical service and water and waste hookups to your existing services
• Tankless or standard water heater with optional gas service connection to your existing service
• A minimum15,000 BTU forced air heating & cooling system
• A choice of fire-retardant, durable exterior finishes, including “Hardie” lapped or vertical sidings, metal sidings or stucco walls and shingled or standing seam metal roofing
• Automatic operating garage doors with integral overhead light & exterior path lights
• Ground level steel entry doors and all stained or painted interior doors & frames
• A fully-equipped bath including a toilet, overhead exhaust, wall or floor-mounted lavatory, a shower with factory-built shower pan
• Hook-ups for all kitchen appliances to be installed by the Contractor
• Switched overhead lighting and power with a ceiling box for fans and client’s choice of architectural lighting
• Customer’s choice of primed and painted exterior and interior flooring, tile, cabinet and counter finishes

Optional upgrades can include:

• Fixed or operable skylights, glazed walls, exterior sliding doors or additional windows
• Rear yard attached decks or projecting bay windows/seats from the living floor of the coach house
• Covered walkways connecting the coach house and the main house
• Mechanical equipment upgrades for more, varied conditioned spaces
• A fireplace, Custom built-in seating or millwork for increased storage or additional murphy bed(s)
• Alley-side gates & address identification
• Electric vehicle charging stations in the garage and active rooftop solar panels
• Available trade discounts for finished materials, kitchen and bath fixtures, appliances & custom architectural lighting, and furnishings

Prices start at:

If you’re interested in an Additional Dwelling Unit, talk with us. A conversation and a site evaluation of your property is free if you wish to discuss your site’s potential.

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