Film in Style
Quietly anchoring Chicago’s historic South Shore
neighborhood, the Kenna Apartments is a three-story brick
building designed by Barry Byrne, a protégé of Frank Lloyd
Wright and one of the country’s most significant Prairie-
Style architects.
Distinctive stone carvings, interlocking brickwork, original
wood detailing, and strong interior sight lines give the
building a timeless architectural presence. Inside, three full
apartments—two furnished and one unfurnished—offer
productions exceptional flexibility, natural light, and
cinematic flow.
Mute
FIRST FLOOR – FURNISHED
Traditional • Warm • Cinematic
Overview
A fully furnished apartment with high ceilings, generous windows, and flexible living spaces ideal for dialogue-driven scenes and narrative blocking.
Key Spaces
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Living Room: Expansive layout with exposed brick fireplace, minimalist sofas, antique seating, and African decor.
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Dining Room: Formal proportions with balanced lighting and multiple shooting angles and antique furnishing.
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Kitchen: U-shaped kitchen with tongue and groove wood ceiling, saltillo tile backsplash and floor tile with high-end finishes including copper sink and recessed lighting.
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Bedrooms:
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One bedroom with classic sleigh bed and vintage furnishings.
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An additional bedroom with day bed and neutral styling.
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The third bedroom is utilized as a TV room.
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Bathrooms: Minimalist design that blends seamlessly on camera.
Best For:
Narrative interiors, family scenes, upscale residential settings
SECOND FLOOR – UNFURNISHED
Retro • Period-Friendly • Blank Canvas
Overview
An unfurnished apartment offering clearly defined rooms and period character—ideal for full production design control.
Key Spaces
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Living Room: Warm hardwood floors, excellent proportions, sconce lighting and an original fireplace with strong architectural presence, offering historic authenticity and visual weight—ideal as a natural focal point for both living space and cinematic staging.
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Dining Room: Traditional layout, includes an alcove and easily dressed.
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Kitchen: Retro-style kitchen with Saltillo tile flooring, vintage refrigerator, and white cabinetry.
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Bedrooms: Window sheers and neutral lighting for adaptable looks
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Bathroom: Period tile and fixtures with authentic character.
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Sun Porch: Natural light, architectural interest
Best For:
Period pieces, set builds, commercials, retro storytelling
THIRD FLOOR – FURNISHED
Bright • Elevated • Architectural
Overview
The brightest floor in the building, offering strong daylight, furnished rooms, and excellent visual continuity.
Key Spaces
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Living Room: Clean layout with depth and architectural framing. Modern leather sofa and chairs. African American decor.
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Dining Room: Formal and symmetrical. Includes tea pot collection and traditional with china.
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Kitchen: Camera-friendly layout with stunning marble countertops and incredible natural light, it's the perfect backdrop for your cooking scenes, interviews, or lifestyle content.
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Bedrooms:
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Antique poster-bed and complementary furnishings in one bedroom.
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Master bedroom includes adjustable queen bed, mounted tv, and wardrobe cabinet with drawers.
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The additional bedroom includes a queen bed, sitting chest and lamps on bedside tables.
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Bathroom: Period palette with strong textures; one in pink, brown and copper with original medicine cabinet and the othe in black marble tile and white furnishings.
Best For:
Day interiors, elevated residential scenes, dramatic blocking
ARCHITECTURE & FLOW
The Kenna Apartments offers rare interior circulation for filming:
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Multi-story stairwell with strong vertical sightlines
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Landings suitable for overhead and transitional shots
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Framed doorways and layered room views
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Consistent architectural character throughout
These elements allow directors and cinematographers to stage movement, reveals, and continuity shots across floors.
FEATURES & LOGISTICS
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Three full apartments available
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Night shoots permitted
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Decorative fireplaces (non-operational)
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Sun porch / library spaces
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Basement with pool table and utility areas
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Detached garages
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Backyard green space
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Easy neighborhood access and load-in potential
RATES
Rates: Available upon request
Latest News
Request Site Visit
200 US dollars
Site Visit Policy
All site visits are by appointment only and require advance payment.
Site Visit Fee
A non-refundable site visit fee of $200 is required to schedule a property walk through.
The site visit includes a guided walk through of up to 45 minutes and is intended for prospective clients evaluating the property for filming, photography, or other approved uses.
Credit Toward Booking
If a signed contract is executed within 30 days of the site visit, the site visit fee will be credited toward the total booking fee.
No credit is issued if a contract is not executed within this period.
Refund Policy
The site visit fee is non-refundable and not transferable.
The fee will only be applied as a credit toward a confirmed booking and will not be refunded in cash or other form.
Eligibility & Approval
Site visits are scheduled after review of basic project details, including:
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Intended use of the property
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Estimated crew size or number of attendees
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Proposed dates and duration
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We reserve the right to decline or limit site visits at our discretion.
Attendance Limits
Site visits are limited to a maximum of three (3) attendees unless prior written approval is granted.
Additional attendees may require an upgraded scouting fee.
Conduct & Use
Site visits are for evaluation purposes only.
Photography, video recording, measurements, or testing of equipment is not permitted unless expressly authorized in writing.
No Obligation
Completion of a site visit does not guarantee availability, approval, or acceptance of any booking request.
Historic Elegance Meets Cinematic Versatility
Designed by Byrne and Iannelli in 1918, this landmark property embodies the craftsmanship and architectural ambition of early 20th-century Chicago. The façade features a striking sculptural detail—a symbolic figure holding a replica of the building alongside a mother and child—adding visual depth and period authenticity rarely found today.
This is a location with layered history. Like many properties of its era, it reflects both the architectural achievement and the social realities of early 20th-century America. Today, it stands preserved and reimagined—offering productions a space that can support nuanced storytelling across time periods.
YouTube Series
Bricks & Buzz at DPP is an original YouTube platform produced by Dorsey Pates Properties, focused on architecture, design, and cultural preservation.
Series Focus:
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High-End Finishings & Design Decisions
In-depth discussions on premium materials, craftsmanship, and finishes that enhance long-term property value. -
National Landmark Education
Spotlighting historically significant buildings within the African American community, exploring their architectural importance, social context, and preservation. -
Built Environment & Legacy
Conversations that connect architecture, history, and economic empowerment through property ownership and stewardship.
This platform extends DPP’s mission beyond real estate—positioning the property as a space where architecture, culture, and education intersect.
Creative Media Initiatives (Coming Soon)
Podcast Studio — Coming Soon
A dedicated, in-house podcast studio is currently in development at Dorsey Pates Properties. Designed for professional audio and video recording, the studio will support:
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Interviews and panel discussions
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Creative storytelling and documentary conversations
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Community-focused programming and educational content
The studio will be available for original productions, guest creators, and select collaborative projects, further expanding the property’s role as a creative hub.
