Holy Smoke! An Ultra-Cool ‘Batcave’ in Chicago Just Hit the Market for $2.5 Million
When you come across a house that’s been fashioned by a duo of creative geniuses and has been given a spiffy nickname of the Batcave, you have an inkling that it’s going to showcase an innovative mix of stylish living space rife with some intriguing details. And this particularly eye-catching structure in Chicago that’s now on the market for $2.5 million certainly is not one to disappoint.
Converted from a 1920s bow truss warehouse into a live-work space around 2014 by interior designer and American Dream Builders reality TV show winner Lukas Machnik and his artist partner Lonney White, the modern residence oozes sex appeal from the start. Think a striking industrial-esque brick facade that offers just a hint of the unexpected lusciousness that’s yet to come.
More from Robb Report
Found in Chicago’s historic McKinley Park neighborhood, just southwest of the Loop, the gated dwelling features three bedrooms and five baths in 7,400 square feet of curated, monochromatic living space boasting an artist studio, private office spaces, and an open floor plan geared largely toward entertaining. And if the place looks familiar, that might be because it’s been featured in the TV show The Chi and also has been used in photoshoots for Vogue x Virgil Abloh and GQ + CB2 collabs. The home even went viral recently on Instagram, receiving over 16 million views!
RELATED: This $5.2 Million Illinois Mansion Starred in ‘Home Alone’
Introducing it all is a frosted-glass front door that opens into a barrel-ceilinged banquet room clad in black venetian plaster. Down its center is a long, white oak table that’s been stained black, while built-in cabinetry sports steel doors and countertops. Directly off the foyer are several offices, as well as a meeting area, a wet bar-equipped lounge, a powder room, and a side entrance to the driveway.
From there, a chic great room accommodates the living, dining, and kitchen areas. The dining room connects to a streamlined kitchen, which is outfitted with a spacious waterfall-edge island topped with flamed granite, two sinks with matte black faucets, concealed appliances, and a fully equipped caterer’s kitchen tucked around the corner.
RELATED: This Chicago Home Had a Cameo in ‘The Bear.’ Now It Can Be Yours for $2.2 Million
A 16-foot painting done by one of the owners hangs in the living room, which has a 40-foot expanse of NanaWall folding glass doors spilling out to an al fresco lounge and dining space with a fire pit and a hedge-lined yard hosting a gazebo beyond. Back inside, a huge set of double doors slide open to reveal a showroom-style garage that not only can be used to display a vehicle but also doubles as an event space, along with an adjacent studio workspace.
Upstairs is a screening room that overlooks the bottom level and a guest bedroom with access to a full bath, plus a primary suite flaunting a seating area, a walk-in closet, and a huge bath featuring a custom floating Corian sink with two faucets, a seamless shower, and a deep soaking tub. Per Eugene Fu of Christie’s International Real Estate, who shares the listing with Catherine Caravette of CRE Advising, the future superhero owner also has the power to acquire all the furnishings and artwork at an additional cost. POW!
Click here for more photos of the Batcave.
Best of Robb Report
Sign up for Robb Report's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.