Al Capone's South Side 2-Flat Sells For Double The Asking Price

CHICAGO (PARK MANOR) -- A brownstone once owned by Chicago mob boss Al “Scarface” Capone has sold for more than double its original asking price. The Park Manor home was on the brink of foreclosure when it went back on the market in February with a price tag of $109,900. The Chicago Tribune reported the home sold for $226,000 on April 5. The building received dozens of offers from interested buyers, according to listing agent Ryan Smith of Re/Max Properties.

Capone purchased the 1905 classic brownstone two-flat in the heart of Park Manor 1923. Capone's wife and mother were listed as the owners of the building. When the gangster's brother Frank was gunned down by coppers, Frank's funeral was held in the parlor.

The gangster lived in the Prairie Avenue two-flat along with his wife, mother, sister and boy Sonny throughout the Roaring 20s. Both flats feature such vintage touches as l large octagon style living rooms, a full basement, and a rare brick garage, with tons of wood trim, molding and a full basement. Capone’s relatives lived in the two-flat until the 1950s.

Stories about a secret passageway from the basement to the garage are unfounded. Lavishly furnished in Capone’s day, Curbed Chicago reports that both units are very much a fixer upper. The brownstone needs to be modernized for the 21st century.

It’s not known what the new owner plans to do with the Prairie Avenue house, but we hope it doesn’t get torn down. Scarface’s house was rejected twice for landmark status by the Commission on Chicago Landmarks and the Illinois Historic Sites Advisory Council. Capone died of syphilis in Florida after getting out of the big house in 1947.