About the Residence on the Avenue’s Owners

William Harty, owner of the Residence on the Avenue
William Harty, owner of the Residence on the Avenue

Being from Chicago, I always had a vision of owning a grand 4 flat in Rogers Park. The architecture was very different from other areas in the city.

As a young man, and even now, I love the drive north from the city up Lake Shore Drive and continuing on to the historic Sheridan Road.

The building was purchased in 2003, and in 2006 we did a major rehab. After doing full time rentals, we decided to do vacation rentals in two of the condos. We felt some thing this great should be shared.

We started doing vacation rentals in 2001 with our thatched cottage in County Kerry, Ireland. Cottage Mary Rose is named after my mother. She went with me on my first trip there and has been back many times. My son Sergius has been there many times as well. I even had him help me white wash it.

Our last old treasure is the Davis House in Glen Ellyn, Il. It is a 1892 historical land mark.

One of our other passions is music. I was involved with the Guardsmen Drum and Bugle Corps for 26 years, as a marching member for 10 years and 16 as a choreographer and director. My whole family was involved in one way or another. My sister Celeste and Paul were members while sisters Claudia and Regina, followed and helped with management. My father was very active as director and my mother sewed flags and followed us every where.

My son has followed in music and was a member of the Green Thunder Percussion Ensemble and has been taking piano lessons for 15 years.

I am currently president of Ray’s Hvac, a heating and air conditioning company that my father Ray started in 1956. My mother and brother Paul work for the company as well.

My son and I have 3 dogs: Minnie Pearl, a Jack Russell/Pomeranian, Magnolia, a Fox Terrier, and Mr. Conrad, a Border Collie. Both Minnie Pearl and Mr. Conrad were rescued from visits to Ireland.

We are involved along with my sister Claudia with Young at Hearts, a senior pet rescue and adoption organization. My son also volunteers at the Animal Care League of Oak Park.

My son and I are parishioners at St. John the Baptist in Winfield, and I am also a member of the Human Rights Campaign.

– William Harty, Residence on the Avenue