All but one* of our rental homes and apartments are located in the oldest and most historic neighborhood in Champaign called The Sesquicentennial Neighborhood. This is why the street signs in the neighborhood all say ‘First Neighborhood’. It is within a five minutes walking distance of downtown Champaign; Spalding Park with tennis courts, swimming pool, and Skateboard Park; and West Side Park where many of the large citywide festivals are held.
1919 bi-plane shot (note wing strut) looking west one sees the Big Four Passenger Depot on Randolph and much of the rest of the neighborhood. Note the smog in the air from the coal burning train engines.
We started purchasing and renovating properties in this neighborhood in 1989. We have been active daily in the neighborhood ever since. We are not absentee landlords. Most of our staff lives in the neighborhood. Our office is also located in the neighborhood allowing you to pay your rent with only a short walk.
When we purchase a property, the first thing that we do is survey it. Then usually we build fencing. Thus most, but not all, of our properties have fully fenced yards. As this is the oldest neighborhood in Champaign, most of the homes were built before electricity, running water, sewers or natural gas were available. Thus most of the homes have single story shed roof additions on the back. These additions almost always date from the first decade of the 20th century and were built for the new water and sewer lines and the electrical service. It is for this reason that bathrooms and kitchens are almost universally at the rear of the homes.
Mr. Markstahler also owns RDI which is considered to be one of the best renovations and remodeling firms in the area since its start in 1984. For all renovations to his rental properties he uses RDI for the work.
General Map of Champaign, IL 61820, US
Columbia
Avenue
Originally named Grand Prairie this street carries the name of
an early Champaign settler, developer and public official. It was platted
as part of Curtis F. Columbia’s second addition to Champaign. On
the Bowman Map of 1858 homes have already been built.
Property Address & Description
Rental Status
Sq. Ft.
Bedrooms
Bathrooms
A.C.
Type of Heat
Basement
Garage
Lease Amount
6 1/2 E. Columbia* (loft)
This wonderful two-bedroom apartment is our only property that is not in the Sesquicentennial Neighborhood. It is over Escobar’s Restaurant and Lounge. When we purchased the building in 2000 this apartment had not been used since the 1960s. We took on this major renovation and update in 2006. Under layers of old vinyl we found original maple floors which we refinished. This is now a very sharp two-bedroom apartment with arts and crafts stylings, a black and chrome bath and a sharp kitchen. In 2007 we renovated the first floor into Escobar’s. Between the apartment and the restaurant are two layers of soundproof drywall install on sound channel.
Photo | Floorplan | Map
Available
1,100
two
one
yes
forced air
no
no
108 W. Columbia (1)
This 1884 American four-square is on the Sesquicentennial Neighborhood Association’s historic walking tour. You will note the historic marker out front. In the early 1920s the interior of the home was remodeled from a Victorian to Arts and Crafts. When we purchased it for a number of years it had housed an Insurance Agency. We converted it back to a single home. We kept the one-story addition on the rear as our office. The home is replete on the first floor with dark woodwork and hardwood floors. On the second floor are three-bedrooms and the full bath.
Photo & Floorplan | Map | Historic Marker
Leased
1,592
three
one
yes
hot water
no tenant access
no
West Maple Street
This street was platted as part of Curtis F. Columbia’s third
addition to Champaign. While appearing on the Bowman Map of 1858, no
homes were built along Maple Street until the mid 1860s.
Property Address & Description
Rental Status
Sq. Ft.
Bedrooms
Bathrooms
A.C.
Type of Heat
Basement
Garage
Lease Amount
206 W. Maple
This two story three bedroom home was built just before WWI with an addition added to the front in the 1920s. It is built upon a lot that was carved out of a much larger property (the next property in this list). We purchased the property in 1998 and spent most of that year renovating it. After a number of tenants, we again remodeled parts of the home in the fall of 2008 giving it a new kitchen and refinishing hardwood floors.
Photo & Floorplan | Map
Leased
1,528
four
one and 1/2
yes
forced air
yes
not available
for tenant use
208 W. Maple A
This one story two unit home has an interesting history. The front home was originally a two room farmstead home built in the 1870s. It has had several additions since then – two of which were in such bad condition that we removed them when we purchased the home in 2000. This original farm home had a barn behind it. When the son of the family who owned the home during the Great Depression married, the barn was remodeled as a home for the new couple. This property has a fenced backyard that is over 200 feet deep. In 2000, we did a complete gut and renovation of these two homes with the front being a two bedroom and the barn apartment being a one bedroom. Both got new kitchens and baths and mostly have hardwood floors.
Photo & Floorplan | Map
Available
1,114
two
one
yes
forced air
yes unit 1 only
no
208 W. Maple B
Photo & Floorplan | Map
Leased
530
one
one
yes
forced air
no
no
212 W. Maple
This home was originally built in the first decade of the 20th Century just before WWI. Prior to our purchase of it in 2005 the home had been in the hands of a slum landlord for two decades. This Arts and Crafts home had been badly abused. We spent nine months renovating and bringing it back. It is now a classic two bedroom home. It comes with a new kitchen and tiled bath.
Photo | Floorplan | Map
Leased
1,136
two
one
yes
forced air
yes
no
303 W. Maple
This three-bedroom one and a half story home originally was located about 100 ft farther east on the corner of Maple and State. It was built in 1881. It was moved in 1990 to make room for the current home at 703 N. State which was built by a prominent gambler in the community. During the Great Depression the owners of 303 W. Maple lived on the second floor and turned the first floor into a small grocery store to help them survive the times. In 1995 we purchased the boarded up home and completely renovated it. Periodically since, we have renewed our original work of 1995.
Photo & Floorplan | Map
Leased
1,370
three
one
yes
forced air
yes
no
304 W. Maple (3)
This two-bedroom home was purchased in 1993. This home had been remodeled a number of times since its original construction in 1901. As a rental it had been so poorly treated that we had to gut it entirely before starting renovations. Directly east of it was another house which burnt in 1994. We purchased the vacant lot and added it to 304 W. Maple for a nice yard. Since 1994 we have periodically renewed our original remodeling work.
Photo & Floorplan | Map
Leased
1,251
three
one
yes
forced air
yes (3)
no
306 W. Maple A
We purchased this property in 1995 from a bankruptcy. It has three rentals on it. In the rear is a smaller single family one story home. It is a one bedroom. In front is a two-story duplex of two townhouses. We do not know the origins of either of these homes. The lot was filled and the homes were moved onto the site from some other location in Champaign in the 1970s. We renovated the rear property 306 C first in 1995 and most recently again in 2008. The two duplex were renovated in 1996 and have been periodically updated since as we have changed tenants.
Photo & Floorplan | Map
Leased
814
two
one
yes
forced air
no
no
306 W. Maple B
Photo & Floorplan | Map
Leased
814
two
one
yes
forced air
no
no
306 W. Maple C
Photo & Floorplan | Map
Leased
641
one
one
yes
forced air
no
no
308 W. Maple
This one and a half story home was purchased in 1991. It was originally built in 1898 and was literally a wreck at the time of our purchase. We spent a year renovating it into a smaller three bedroom home. Originally Mr. Markstahler moved into this home and lived there for two years. Since its original renovation it has been periodically updated since as we have changed tenants. This home has a large deck and two full baths.
Photo & Floorplan | Map
Leased
1,185
three
two
yes
forced air
yes
no
309 W. Maple
This one and a half story home was purchased in 1992. It was built as a rental property behind 310 W. Vine by the family that lived there. It was built in 1904. Since its construction it has always been a rental property. In 1992 we completely gutted and then renovated the home changing the floor plan on the first floor and installing a new kitchen and bath. It is now a two bedroom home. Also in 1992 we purchased the large vacant lot to the east of it and gave it a large fenced yard. In 2000 we platted it separately from 310 Vine and it now is a stand alone property.
After our tenant of 18 years retired to a nursing home we are currently involved with a whole house updating of the home including – new flooring, new doors and a new deck and side door entry onto the deck.
Photo & Floorplan | Map
Available
968
two
one
no
forced air
no
no
406 W. Maple
This is a relatively new home. It was built in the 1950s and then rehabbed by a later owner in the early 1980s. We purchased it from a bankruptcy in 1996. At that time we rehabbed it both inside and out. It is a small but nice three bedroom ranch. Since then we have done periodic updates.
Floorplan | Map
Leased
1,036
three
one
no
forced air
no
yes 1 car attached
Looking north up Randolph in1910 at the intersection of Randolph and Church.
Randolph Street
Was in the first filed plat for the town that would become Champaign.
It is in the Clark, Farnham and White Addition. Clark and Farnham
were surveyors and engineers for the new Illinois Central Railroad
that brought the city into existence. J.B. White was a real estate
investor from the east coast who came here at the beginning. He later
moved to the little town of Chicago – then population of 3,000
and helped found the Chicago Mercantile Exchange as well becoming
a prominent early real estate developer. Until the 1880s Randolph
stopped at Maple Street.
Property Address & Description
Rental Status
Sq. Ft.
Bedrooms
Bathrooms
A.C.
Type of Heat
Basement
Garage
Lease Amount
701 N. Randolph
This late 19th Century home was built by an early Champaign pioneer and Civil War veteran. This home is on the Sesquicentennial Neighborhood Association’s historic walking tour. You will note the historic marker on the corner as well as the one directly south across Vine St. This large Victorian was divided into a two flat when we purchased it. We converted it back to a four-bedroom single family two years ago. It has classic Victorian woodwork, hardwood floors, pocket doors and two full baths.
Photo | Floorplan | Map | Historic Marker
Leased
2,077
four
two
yes
forced air
yes
yes 1 car detached
704 N. Randolph
This one and a half story home was purchased in 1992. It was built as a rental property behind 310 W. Vine by the family that lived there. It was built in 1904. Since its construction it has always been a rental property. In 1992 we completely gutted and then renovated the home changing the floor plan on the first floor and installing a new kitchen and bath. It is now a two bedroom home. Since then we have done periodic updates. Also in 1992 we purchased the large vacant lot to the east of it and gave it a large fenced yard. In 2000 we platted it separately from 310 Vine and it now is a stand alone property.
Photo & Floorplan | Map | Historic Marker
Leased
2,607
four
two and 1/2
yes
steam
no tenant access
no
801 N. Randolph A
Like so many in the neighborhood this home started out as four rooms and grew over the 19th Century to become a fourteen room home. At one time it was a boarding house for the adjacent railroad as both the Wabash and Big Four passenger depots were directly across the street from it. We purchased it in the 1994 it was a derelict. We demolished a terrible addition on the north side. This home was literally stripped back to its framing which we discovered was all oak. We re-worked the interior layout creating a two flat. It is now two units each with their own separate entrances, separate fenced yards, high efficient furnaces and central air. Everything is super insulated with new windows. Both units are three bedrooms with hardwood floors in the common living areas. The second floor unit has an electric fireplace.
Photo & Floorplan | Map
Leased
1,019
three
one
yes
forced air
no tenant access
no
801 N. Randolph B
Photo & Floorplan | Map
The Big Four Passenger Depot on the east side of Randolph just north of Maple - its baggage depot still stands further north on Randolph on the west side now used by the school district.
Leased
1,149
three
one
yes
forced air
no tenant access
no
State Street
Was in the first filed plat for the town that would become Champaign.
It is in the Clark, Farnham and White Addition. Clark and Farnham
were surveyors and engineers for the new Illinois Central Railroad
that brought the city into existence. J.B. White was a real estate
investor from the east coast who came here just before the town’s
beginning. He later moved to the little town of Chicago – then
population of 3,000 and became a prominent early real estate developer
as well as helped found the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Until the
1880s Randolph stopped at Maple Street.
Property Address & Description
Rental Status
Sq. Ft.
Bedrooms
Bathrooms
A.C.
Type of Heat
Basement
Garage
Lease Amount
605 N. State
This bungalow style home was built in 1924. For a several decades it was the home of a prominent house painter. In fact when his daughter married he built the house immediately to the north which resembles 605 for her and her new husband. We purchased both this home and 605 ½ together from an absentee slum landlord in Chicago in 2000. Both homes were badly beat up and in extreme disrepair. We did major renovations to both homes in 2000. Periodically since then we have continued to add improvements – central air, new heat plants, wind barrier wrap, new siding and a new roof on 605 ½. Both homes have hardwood floors and are both three bedrooms with one full bath. Both homes also have two car garages.
Photo & Floorplan | Map
Leased
1,030
three
one
yes
forced air
yes
yes 2 car detached
605 1/2 N. State
Photo | Floorplan | Map
Leased
926
three
one
yes
forced air
yes
yes 2 car detached
West Vine Street
This street was platted as part of Curtis F. Columbia’s third
addition to Champaign. While appearing on the Bowman Map of 1858 no
homes were built along Vine Street until the early 1860s.
Property Address & Description
Rental Status
Sq. Ft.
Bedrooms
Bathrooms
A.C.
Type of Heat
Basement
Garage
Lease Amount
304 W. Vine
This two bedroom one and a half story home was built in 1917. We purchased it in 2006. For a number of years it was a typical rental home where the landlord took money out but never put any money back into the property. We did incremental improvements in the property in 2006 and again in 2008. Long term we would like to do a large renovation.
Photo | Map
Leased
1,090
two
one
yes
forced air
no tenant access
no
305 W. Vine
This two bedroom one and a half story home was built in 1870. Early it was the home of a prominent local gunsmith who had his shop in downtown Champaign. We purchased it in 1992 and did an extensive renovation that year. Since then we have updated it periodically as tenants change.
Photo & Floorplan | Map
Leased
1,002
two
one
yes
forced air
no
no
305 1/2 W. Vine
This home is our only ‘new one’. The original home that was on this site was poor all of the way down to its footings. We purchased the home in 1993 and demolished it. In 1994-5 we constructed a modern two-story four-bedroom home
Photo & Floorplan | Map
Leased
1,822
four
one and 1/2
yes
forced air
no
yes 1 car detached
306 W. Vine
This one story two-bedroom home started its life as a very small two room home in 1883. Subsequently it has had two additions to it. We purchased the home in 2001 and gutted it and then did a complete renovation including building a new two and a half car garage in the rear yard, new bath and kitchen. Subsequently we have do periodic updates as tenants have changed.
Photo & Floorplan | Map
Leased
995
two
one
yes
forced air
no
yes 2 1/2 car detached
309 W. Vine
This stately three-bedroom was built in 1915. When we purchased it in 1993, it has been badly abused with very substandard additions added to its front and rear and with junk cars parked in the backyard. After demolishing the additions to reveal the original lines of the home we completely renovated it. Since then we have done periodic updates as tenants have changed. It has a large fence backyard with deck. Mostly it has hardwood floors. The full bath is upstairs with the bedrooms.
Photo & Floorplan | Map
Leased
1,419
three
one
yes
forced air
yes
no
311 W. Vine (4)
This nice two-bedroom cottage was built in 1922 with a later addition. We purchased the property in 2003. We did a substantial remodel of the entire home. We down sized it from a three to a two bedroom home with a new kitchen and updated bath. It has a fenced yard with a separate large storage shed great for a workshop.
Photo & Floorplan | Map
Available
998
two
one
yes
forced air
yes
no
NOTES:
1. office for Markstahler Properties and RDI in rear with separate entrance
3. one finished room in basement not included in square footage
4. Separate building in rear for shop or additional storage