Kent, Sydney, House
Also known as: St. James Convent
Why it's listed
Built in 1882-1883 at 2944 South Michigan Avenue, this red brick house with terra-cotta panels and a red sandstone base was designed by John Wellborn Root of Burnham and Root. Its central dormer ends in a terra-cotta pinnacle bearing the initials of first occupant Sydney Kent. Inside, a wooden wainscot, beamed ceiling, stained glass windows and original tiled fireplaces survive. Kent sold the house in 1897 to financier John "Bet-a-million" Gates, and it later passed to M.D. Spades. By 1929 it had stood empty for several years, and Frank J. Lewis bought it and donated it to the church. It served as a Catholic Youth Organization home and, during the Depression, as a temporary shelter for 270 young men and boys. It is now a convent. The house was listed as one of the few early Root residences remaining in Chicago and as an early urban Queen Anne example, in a neighborhood that has changed considerably.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is one of the very few early residences by John Root still standing in Chicago. It is also a well-preserved model of prestige architecture from the 1880s and a very early example of true urban Queen Anne design in Chicago. It was home to three of the city's millionaire families.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 77000477, listed November 17, 1977. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 2944 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago |
|---|---|
| County | Cook County |
| Listed | November 17, 1977 |
| Reference number | 77000477 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 (specific dates 1882-1883) |
| Architect / builder | John Wellborn Root |
| Architectural style | Urban Queen Anne |
| Areas of significance | Industry, Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | In use as a convent by the Sisters of St. James Parish; the form describes its condition as excellent with few changes. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.84069, -87.62425 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 77000477.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q3506835
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.