Our three-flat Victorian Greystone is an elegant, historic building; our family jewel! This is not a motel or hotel; it is our Chicago home and a family member is present in the building virtually 365 days a year. We sincerely want you to enjoy the Wrigleyville experience, but it must be understood that we are seeking guests who act responsibly to avoid damage to our building and its contents. We also want guests who do not create unreasonable noise for ourselves and neighbors. If you feel that there is even the slightest chance that any member of your party will behave inappropriately, please seek other accommodations. You will be held contractually responsible if anyone in your party causes disturbance or damages.
We offer a complimentary Chicago Residential Parking Permit for street parking during your entire stay. If you want garage parking during your stay it is available for $25 per car per day.
Check-in is 3 p.m. Check-out is 11 a.m. If you are attending an afternoon Cubs game on the day of check-in please let us know so we may make special parking arrangements for you. You may not be able to enter your flat until 3:00 p.m. if we’re still cleaning the flat from a morning checkout.
Each flat has three bedrooms, a well-furnished kitchen, a large living room, a large parlor, and one bath (tub with shower). Specific bedroom and bed details are in the table below:
| Name of Flat | Floor | Queen Beds | Double Beds | Single Beds | Air Bed | Sleeps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Line Flat | 1st | 2 | 1 | - | - | 6 |
| Brown Line Flat | 2nd | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5-6 |
The Red Line Flat occupancy is limited to six people. We have an extra air mattress for one additional person that is available upon request for the Brown Line Flat. Under no conditions shall occupancy for either flat exceed six persons.
If you’re visiting Chicago and have friends in the city, we don’t want them in the flat unless you have our written permission and the total number of persons sleeping in the flat does not exceed six persons.
Both kitchens have a microwave oven, toaster, coffeemaker, stove, dishwasher, and full-sized refrigerator. Kitchens are completely furnished with bowls, cups, juice glasses, silverware, paper towels, soap, and a complete set of pots and pans. We ask that you keep the kitchen tidy and start the dishwasher prior to leaving. Our housekeeper will unload the dishwasher when she comes to clean the flat.
Each flat has a single bath, including lavatory, toilet, and tub with shower and hair dryer. Towels and washcloths are located on the drying racks in each bedroom and should be carried to the bath each time they are used. If you use towels to remove makeup, please bring your own towel or understand that we will charge $15 to replace a makeup-stained towel. Soft-soap is furnished along with shampoo, but otherwise you will have to bring your own toiletries.
Smoking is not permitted inside the building, or on its porches, hallways, front patio or rear deck. Smoking is permitted only on the front (public) sidewalk. If, upon your departure, we determine that smoking has taken place in the flat, or on its porches, hallways, or rear deck, this will result in the forfeiture of your entire damage deposit.
Free Wireless Internet is available to our guests. The password will be emailed to you prior to check-in.
There is a small fenced-in patio in front of the flat, as well as a large rear deck off of the second floor rear porch. Both the patio and the deck are available for all guests. The deck has patio furniture and a large propane grill, as well as cooking utensils for use of all guests. Please clean the tables, grill, and utensils after use. No smoking is permitted either on the front patio or rear deck.
1036 West Roscoe is our family home. Tara Salyards lives on the third floor of our Greystone and permanently resides in Chicago. Her father, Don, shares his time between our Minnesota and Chicago homes. For questions or more information you may call Tara Salyards at (312) 532-9459 or Don Salyards at (507) 429-9000. We must talk to you in person before we can book any reservations. We will want to know the number of people in your party, their ages (we don’t rent to people under 25 years old if not accompanied by parents), their relationships (family, friends, etc.), and the reason you’re visiting Chicago (Shopping, Cubs, Theater, Wedding, Graduation, etc.)
Our terminology is as follows:
We always have a telephone conversation with our guests prior to making reservations. On the reservation date she will email you a two page vacation rental contract which you must sign and return to us within 24 hours. You may scan a PDF of the signed document and email it back to her (tara.salyards@gmail.com) or fax it to us at: (507) 452-0939.
If your check-in date is more than thirty days from the reservation date, a reservation deposit equal to the first night’s stay is required via credit card to hold the flat. The balance due date occurs thirty days prior to the check-in date, On the balance due date your credit card will automatically be charged for the balance of the amount due. About a week before the arrival date we will automatically authorize a $500 damage deposit to your credit card. After your damage deposit has authorized on your credit card we will email you the lock box codes and deadbolt codes that you will need for check-in. Remember, the damage deposit is not applied toward rent but will be refunded in full to your credit card within three (3) days of departure, provided there are no damages or violations of house rules.
During our telephone conversation we will ask for your credit card number, expiration date, and the three digit code on the back of your card. For security reasons, please, never email any credit card information to us. All charges to your credit card will appear on your statement as “Chicago City Properties, LLC”. All lodging is subject to an 15.4% Illinois and Chicago occupation tax. There are no other fees.
All cancellation requests must be made in writing. If you cancel before the balance due date, we will refund your reservation deposit, less a $50 cancellation fee. No refunds will be issued for cancellations occurring after the balance due date on the signed vacation rental contract. If you are concerned about family emergencies or unforeseen circumstances, please insure your trip. Web sites such as insuremytrip.com will assist you.
When you sign our vacation rental contract you agree to reimburse Chicago City Properties, LLC for the cost of replacement or repair for missing/damaged items or smoking penalties, regardless of which persons in your party are responsible for such damages or penalties. Each flat undergoes a complete inspection by our housekeeping staff after every stay. If there are any deductions for missing/damaged items or property damage you will receive a detailed report via phone or email, usually within 24 hours.
Directions to our Victorian Greystone flat via surface roads or from both Chicago Airports (O’Hare or Midway) will be emailed to you upon request.
The front and back door for each flat are secured by keyless deadbolt locks with push-button entry codes. Access to the rear gate and the rear (ground level) porch door require a “gate” key, which is kept inside red and brown-colored lockboxes located outside the front and rear gates. Red line flat guests receive the code for red lockboxes and brown lockboxes are coded for guests staying in the brown line flat. The combination to the door codes and “gate” key lockboxes will be emailed to you about a week before you are due to arrive at the flat. Before you depart, please place your gate key back in the same lockbox for the next guest. Iron gates should remain closed and locked at all times.
The thermostat controls heat in the winter and central air-conditioning in the summer. Make sure you set the controls on cool or heat and set the temperature to your comfort level. If the fan is set to “auto” it will run only when needed.
The rear steps lead to a basement laundry facility. High efficiency soap is provided in the cabinet free of charge and no soap should be used. Each flat has an iron and ironing board near the kitchen.
Safe, speedy public transportation is provided by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), which operates busses and elevated trains (the “EL”). The flat is only four blocks from the Belmont EL station on the red line, four blocks from the Addison EL station on the red line, and five blocks from the Southport EL station on the brown line. If you choose to travel on CTA busses or trains, your best travel value will be to get a 3 day ($14) or 7 day ($23) CTA pass for each person in your party. These can be purchased from machines at Midway and O’Hare airports and at most subway stations. Once your first ride is taken, you get unlimited bus and subway (EL) transportation for the next 72 or 168 hours. We ride the EL and busses everywhere in Chicago!
When you make your reservation you will be assigned to either the Red Line flat or the Brown Line flat. Both flats are essentially identical in size and amenities. We reserve the right to switch you to the other flat (at no extra charge to you) if doing so frees up room nights for new reservations or if your designated flat requires emergency repairs. If, for some reason our entire building is suddenly uninhabitable due to weather damage or utility outages, your deposit will be refunded in full and we will make every effort to find you suitable accommodations at nearby vacation rental properties or hotels.
Wrigleyville is one of Chicago’s safest places. The neighborhood is primarily occupied by people between 25 and 40 years old who work in the Loop and enjoy the many eating, drinking, cultural, and entertainment venues. It is safe to walk the neighborhood, even at late hours after dark, as there are almost always others walking the streets enjoying the Wrigleyville nightlife.
Where can we find maps and directions?
We have street maps, issues of Chicago Magazine, CTA maps, and numerous other publications in the living room at the Flat. Be sure to check the drawers in the living room for CTA maps. These publications will acquaint you with the neighborhood and its many attractions. We encourage you to use these resources during your stay, but please leave them in the flat when departing so the next guests may use them.
How far is the Flat from Lake Michigan and how to we get to the Lake?
The total distance from the Flat to the lake is approximately one mile. There is a wonderful jogging, walking trail all along Lake Michigan. If you walk out the front door of the flat and turn left, you are heading east down Roscoe Street toward Lake Michigan. Continue on Roscoe Street all the way to the lake (Roscoe street takes a slight right hand jog where it crosses Broadway Street). It is important to stay on Roscoe Street because only Roscoe Street has a pedestrian underpass beneath Lake Shore drive, which borders Lake Michigan. Enjoy majestic Greystones and other beautiful residential housing as you walk down Roscoe Street!
How do we get downtown to the loop?
The loop is approximately 4 miles from the Flat. The easiest way to get to the loop is to walk south along Sheffield Street, four blocks to Belmont Avenue. The Red Line “EL” station is at Sheffield Street and Belmont Avenue. Get on the Platform for “The Loop” and take a Red line train downtown. It takes approximately 15 minutes to get to the heart of the loop from the Belmont EL station. You may also take a cab to the loop, but it will cost you about $30 and will take more time than the EL.
How Safe and Reliable are the CTA Busses and Elevated “EL” Trains?
They are very safe and reliable. Everyone in our family uses CTA extensively in Chicago. We seldom use our car in the city. If you ever have a question about which way to go or what station you should use, simply ask another commuter. You’ll be surprised how friendly those city people are! You may encounter “characters” on trains and busses from time to time. They might act a bit strange or may ask you for money, but if you politely refuse they will move along without bothering you again. Keep in mind that begging is a profession in all major cities. Full-time beggars routinely earn up to $200 a day in Chicago and their clever sob stories are never true!
Where are the best restaurants and shops in Wrigleyville?