Own the First Chicago Home of Al Capone — Escape Route Not Included

It was his first home in Chicago, and his mother lived there until her death, and in 2019, you could own a slice of Al Capone history for practically a song.

“I came to Chicago with $40 in my pocket,” Alphonse Gabriel Capone said once, and not long after that he began working for mobster Johnny Torrio. Not long after that, he and his family moved into the six bedroom, two apartment Park Manor home located at 7244 South Prairie Ave.

“This was the Chicago home of Al Capone and Family. Al Capone and family began to move into the place on August 8,1923,” explained listing agent Ryan Smith with Re/Max Properties. “The ownership was under Mae and Theresa Capone.”

The home was built by its original owners in 1914 for $5,000, the site myalcaponemuseum.com said. When Capone purchased it, he put it in the name of his wife, Mae, and his mother, Theresa.

In 1924, the funeral of Al Capone’s brother, Frank, was held at the home (photos courtesy myalcaponemuseum.com)

As his dubious career attracted more danger to the family — and as he got busier, Capone rarely lived in the home. It’s been rumored he had a tunnel from the home to the detached garage to facilitate a quick getaway, but if it existed, it’s long since been filled in.

He died in January 1947, and by November of that year, ownership had been transferred to his sister, Mafalda Maritote. Theresa died in the home in 1952, and Mafalda sold the home in 1953, and it has passed through a few owners hands since then.

Nowadays, the home has two spacious apartments, and while the home needs a few updates, for a list price of $109,900, you can easily afford to renovate both units.

“The building boasts character and charm throughout, hardwood floors in the entire building, tons of wood trim, wood molding, each unit offers large octagon style living rooms, full basement, rare all brick garage,” Smith said, adding that the home is perfect for someone wanting to live in one unit and rent the other out, or someone who just wanted an investment property.

“Live in one unit, rent the other out, rent them both out and collect passive income, either way, this is a win-win for any buyer,” he said.

The home is also between Skyway and Dan Ryan, and an easy walk to the Red line.