838 William St, River Forest, IL 60305
SOLD
DEC 8, 2025

838 William St
River Forest, IL 60305

  • 5 Beds
  • 3.5 Baths
  • 5,100 sqft (on 0.33 acres)

$1,865,000

Last Sold: Dec 8, 2025
4% below list $1.95M
$366/sqft
Est. Refi. Payment $12,589/mo*
Refinance Your Home

$1,865,000

Last Sold: Dec 8, 2025
4% below list $1.95M
$366/sqft
Est. Refi. Payment $12,589/mo*
Refinance Your Home
5 Beds
3.5 Baths
5,100 sqft
(on 0.33 acres)

Local Information

  • Map ViewExplore the area around 838 William St.
  • Schools1 Preschool School2 Elementary Schools1 Middle School1 High School
  • Shop & Eat
-- mins to
Commute Destination

Description

Classic Buurma Brothers home in the heart of River Forest. This exceptional five-bedroom, 3.5-bath residence boasts a prime location and has been beautifully restored, expanded, and updated by its long-time owners. Blending timeless elegance with thoughtful modern updates, it offers the perfect balance of luxury and comfort. With 5,100 square feet of finished living space, 838 William Street offers a family four floors of unique living space. From a gourmet kitchen to an intimate sitting room, to a large, completely remodeled third floor studio, there is plenty of space to entertain and find quiet moments. Built in 1925, this home has distinctive Arts and Crafts and Prairie Style features throughout the house. Leaded-glass doors throughout the house have been meticulously restored and expanded, offering beautiful backgrounds to many rooms. Wood moldings have been painstakingly restored to their original beauty to provide warmth throughout the house. A large foyer sits in the middle of the first floor. Connected to the foyer is a large living room with a wood-burning fireplace that been restored to its original style. And the dining room, which seats 12 people, has also been restored to its Art Deco origins. A small butler's pantry connects the dining room with the kitchen. The gourmet kitchen is spacious and filled with light. It's many high-end features include custom Amish cabinetry with uplighting, granite counter tops and Italian-tile backsplashes, European appliances, six-burner gas stove top, and an island large enough to seat four adults. Access to the backyard is just off of the kitchen as is access to a sitting room with floor to ceiling Amish bookshelves and television bay. The second floor has been expanded to contain four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and two additional rooms that can be used for many purposes. The primary bedroom has its own bathroom and two walk-in closets. A sitting room is attached to the primary bedroom and can be made private by closing the leaded glass doors. Three additional bedrooms and two bathrooms provide plenty of space for a family, and a room over the porte cochere can be used as an office or playroom. The third-floor walkup attic has been converted into a 600 square foot studio that can be used as a bedroom for siblings, playroom, or office. The studio is carpeted with its own climate control and is wired for cable. Finally, the finished deep-pour basement provides space for a variety of uses office, family room, or exercise room. The home sits on a third of an acre and has been completely landscaped with an in-ground sprinkler system and uplighting throughout the property. A flood control system was installed in 2016.
838 William St, River Forest, IL 60305 is a 5 bedroom, 4 bathroom, 5,100 sqft single-family home built in 1925. It last sold for $1,865,000 on Dec 8, 2025 (4% below the $1,950,000 asking price). It is currently off market. The Trulia Estimate is $1,928,800, with a rent estimate of $6,508/month.

Home Highlights

Parking
Garage
Outdoor
Patio
A/C
Heating & Cooling
HOA
None
Price/Sqft
$366/sqft
Listed
180+ days ago

Home Details for 838 William St

Active Status

MLS Status: Closed

Interior Features

Interior Details
Basement: Finished,FullNumber of Rooms: 12Types of Rooms: Master Bedroom, Bedroom 2, Bedroom 3, Bedroom 4, Bedroom 5, Dining Room, Family Room, Kitchen, Laundry, Living Room, Office, Recreation Rm, Sitting Room, Sun Room
Beds & Baths
Number of Bedrooms: 5Number of Bathrooms: 4Number of Bathrooms (full): 3Number of Bathrooms (half): 1
Dimensions and Layout
Living Area: 5100 Square Feet
Appliances & Utilities
Appliances: Double Oven, Microwave, Dishwasher, Refrigerator, Freezer, Disposal, Stainless Steel Appliance(s), Wine Refrigerator, Cooktop, Range HoodDishwasherDisposalMicrowaveRefrigerator
Heating & Cooling
Heating: Natural Gas,Electric,Forced Air,Radiant,Radiator(s),Indv Controls,Zoned,Radiant FloorHas CoolingAir Conditioning: Central Air,ZonedHas HeatingHeating Fuel: Natural Gas
Fireplace & Spa
Number of Fireplaces: 2Fireplace: Wood Burning, Attached Fireplace Doors/Screen, Living Room, BasementHas a FireplaceNo Spa
Gas & Electric
Electric: Circuit Breakers, Service - 400 Amp or Greater
Windows, Doors, Floors & Walls
Flooring: Hardwood
Levels, Entrance, & Accessibility
Stories: 3Accessibility: No Disability AccessFloors: Hardwood
View
No View
Security
Security: Security System, Carbon Monoxide Detector(s)

Exterior Features

Exterior Home Features
Roof: TilePatio / Porch: PatioFencing: FencedFoundation: Concrete Perimeter
Parking & Garage
Number of Garage Spaces: 2Number of Covered Spaces: 2Has a GarageNo Attached GarageHas Open ParkingParking Spaces: 2Parking: Concrete,Garage Door Opener,Garage,Yes,Garage Owned,Detached
Frontage
Not on Waterfront
Water & Sewer
Sewer: Public Sewer

Property Information

Year Built
Year Built: 1925Year Renovated: 2017
Property Type / Style
Property Type: ResidentialProperty Subtype: Single Family ResidenceArchitecture: Prairie
Building
Construction Materials: BrickNot a New Construction
Property Information
Parcel Number: 15014150220000

Price & Status

Price
List Price: $1,950,000Price Per Sqft: $366/sqft
Status Change & Dates
Off Market Date: Sun Oct 12 2025Possession Timing: Close Of Escrow

Location

Direction & Address
City: River Forest
School Information
Elementary School: Willard Elementary SchoolElementary School District: 90Jr High / Middle School: Roosevelt SchoolJr High / Middle School District: 90High School: Oak Park & River Forest High SchHigh School District: 200

Community

Community Features: Park, Tennis Court(s), Curbs, Sidewalks, Street Lights, Street Paved

HOA

HOA Fee Includes: None

Lot Information

Lot Area: 0.33 acres

Listing Info

Special Conditions: None

Offer

Listing Terms: Conventional

Business

Business Information
Ownership: Fee Simple

Miscellaneous

BasementMls Number: 12488837Attic: Finished, Interior StairAttribution Contact: (630) 862-5181

Additional Information

ParkTennis Court(s)CurbsSidewalksStreet LightsStreet PavedSource Internet Consumer CommentSource Internet Entire Listing DisplayMRD Listing On IDX Display: YesMRD REMARKSINTERNET: YesSource Internet Address Display
Last check for updates: about 2 hours ago
Listed by Ryan Cherney, (630) 862-5181
Circle One Realty
Bought with: Elizabeth August, (773) 610-8000, @properties Christie's International Real Estate
Source: MRED as distributed by MLS GRID, MLS#12488837

Price History for 838 William St

DatePriceEventSource
12/08/2025$1,865,000Sold
MRED as distributed by MLS GRID #12488837
10/13/2025$1,950,000ContingentMRED as distributed by MLS GRID #12488837
10/06/2025$1,950,000Listed For SaleMRED as distributed by MLS GRID #12488837
05/31/2007$1,200,000Sold
N/A
12/05/2006$1,050,000Sold
N/A
06/29/2005$1,020,000Sold
N/A
11/01/2001$815,000Sold
N/A

Market trends in River Forest

Last updated June 2026
Buyer'sMarketSeller'sMarket
Avg. sale price
—
Sale-to-List Price
—
Price per sq ft
—
Available listings
33
4MoM
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Property Tax and Assessment

Year2024
Tax
Assessment$1,150,000
Home facts updated by county records

Comparable Sales for 838 William St

Address
Distance
Property Type
Sold Price
Sold Date
Bed
Bath
Sqft
823 Jackson Ave, River Forest, IL
0.12
Single-Family Home
$1,865,000
05/13/26
6
5.5
5,551
711 Jackson Ave, River Forest, IL
0.22
Single-Family Home
$2,000,000
05/29/26
7
4.5
5,428
547 Jackson Ave, River Forest, IL
0.38
Single-Family Home
$1,900,000
12/23/25
5
4.5
5,000
739 Jackson Ave, River Forest, IL
0.18
Single-Family Home
$1,350,000
08/12/25
4
3.5
3,300
940 Bonnie Brae Pl, River Forest, IL
0.22
Single-Family Home
$1,500,000
04/16/26
4
4
3,701
710 William St, River Forest, IL
0.20
Single-Family Home
$1,515,000
04/14/26
4
3.5
3,264

Nearby homes

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Assigned Schools

These are the assigned schools for 838 William St.
View nearby schools on GreatSchools
The GreatSchools Rating compares schools on a variety of school quality indicators including test scores, college readiness, equity and more. Learn more.

What Locals Say about River Forest

At least 104 Trulia users voted on each feature.

  • 97 % Say there are sidewalks

  • 94 % Say it's dog friendly

  • 86 % Say it's walkable to restaurants

  • 86 % Say parking is easy

  • 84 % Say there's holiday spirit

  • 82 % Say kids play outside

  • 82 % Say streets are well-lit

  • 79 % Say people would walk alone at night

  • 78 % Say it's walkable to grocery stores

  • 73 % Say it's quiet

  • 72 % Say yards are well-kept

  • 70 % Say neighbors are friendly

  • 69 % Say they plan to stay for at least 5 years

  • 64 % Say car is needed

  • 63 % Say there are community events

  • 57 % Say there's wildlife

Sourced by Trulia users. Learn more about our methodology.
  • Krist Haiman
    "It’s right next to downtown and has a lot of things to do and has public transportation everywhere, it’s well mixed too"
    0
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  • Lou Friedmann
    "Better schools than most of the state Suburban vibe without the pretence. My kids grew up here, I would do it again"
    0
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  • Nancy C. M.
    "We have dinners and block parties and pot lucks and welcome to the neighborhood get togethers. We play bunch every other week."
    2
    Flag
  • Quinncarlson
    "Close to city, great schools, great community and love being in between midway and ohare. It’s very walkable to libes, green line, metra and several grocery stores. We have lived here for 5 years now and used to live in city. Doesn’t feel like a ‘burb’."
    1
    Flag
  • Tatiana P.
    "I live near by and pass through this area every day. great family area and schools are good. "
    0
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  • Mom
    "Park events, theatre group at Austin gardens, concerts at other local parks, sporting events at two local Universities, 4th of July at Oak Park River Forest High School. Tour of Frank Lloyd Wright homes. "
    0
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  • Witt.VictoriaL
    "This has been my home since 2001. In my opinion you cannot beat the combination of walkability, access to downtown, schools, parks, neighbors....it's a special place."
    1
    Flag
  • Angela W.
    "We have great access to public transportation and my commute to downtown is 20-40, depending on traffic."
    0
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  • Suzanne D. a.
    "I’ve lived in RF for 7.5 years. Never want to leave! It’s a true community and it’s beautiful. Proximity to Oak Park and the city are key. "
    0
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  • Vanessa A.
    "Proximity to the city, excellent schools, great neighbors, beautiful architecture, family friendly activities "
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  • Lizkahlingstetson
    "Great schools, walkability to transportation, schools and retail/restaurants, engaged and friendly neighbors"
    0
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  • Tyandmeegan
    "It’s the most historically beautiful suburb there is. The people are all friendly, educated, socially involved and have a deep interest in their community."
    1
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11 rentals with air conditioning in River Forest, IL

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7 rentals with a washer/dryer in River Forest, IL

Homes for sale near 838 William St

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Off Market Homes Near 838 William St

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Based on information submitted to the MLS GRID as of 2026. All data is obtained from various sources and may not have been verified by broker or MLS GRID. Supplied Open House Information is subject to change without notice. All information should be independently reviewed and verified for accuracy. Properties may or may not be listed by the office/agent presenting the information. Click here for more information