Chicago has always had a strange and somewhat disturbing fascination with crime boss Al Capone. The fact that he personally murdered dozens and had hundreds of others mercilessly executed without a second thought does nothing to stave off the acute interest and, in some cases, obsession that we Chicagoans have for this vicious criminal. Perhaps it’s the fact that he was also very generous to the homeless and couldn’t help but feel sympathy for those in need that tugs at our heartstrings and blinds us to his brutality. Or perhaps it’s just that he’s our criminal, and therefore, we own his stories.
But not only was Chicago Al Capone’s stomping grounds during his reign of terror; it was his home. And now, almost 100 years later, one of Scarface’s original properties is up for sale on the South Side.
What seems like a quaint Park Manor flat was actually a breeding ground for Capone’s future felonies. Capone moved into 7244 South Prairie Avenue with his wife and mother in August 1923, and only a year later, he was initiated as Chicago’s leading crime boss. His family remained owners of the building until 1947, even after his death.
The six-room apartment was built in 1905 and hints at a secret tunnel hidden somewhere in this unassuming, bi-level apartment that Capone possibly used for his bootlegging business, though it may have been filled in during renovations in the 1950s. Wide-open windows flood almost every room with sunlight, and the lingering reminder of Chicago history gives the whole place a sense of charm and intrigue.
The 2,820-square-foot property is listed by Re/Max Properties for $109,900 if you’re interested in owning this small sliver of Chicago history.
All Photos by Zillow