The J.H. Francis House: A Cinematic Legend on “Beer Baron Row.”
High Wine District Landmark: A Monumental Restoration
Available to the market for the first time in over seventy years, this residence in Peoria’s High Wine District is less a house and more a civic institution. Spanning a monumental 9,000 square feet, the structure commands over half an acre directly opposite Giant Oak Park. Its cultural provenance is distinct, having been featured in scenes from the Richard Pryor film JoJo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling, but its architectural merit stands independent of its fame.
The elevation is defined by its vertical ambition, culminating in a fourth-level covered turret deck that offers seasonal vistas of the downtown skyline. For the preservationist, the value lies in the sheer scale and the unbroken stewardship of the last seven decades. The listing price reflects the reality of the project: this is a comprehensive restoration effort for a buyer who understands the difference between cosmetic updates and structural rehabilitation.
Crucially, the property offers a strategic advantage for the serious restorer: a fully finished basement apartment with its own entrance, two bedrooms, and two baths. This provides immediate, habitable quarters on-site while the upper levels undergo the necessary restorative work. This is a solicitation for a steward with the vision to stabilize and revive one of Peoria’s most recognizable historic footprints.
🏰 Iconic Peoria Landmark | First Time Offered in 70+ Years ✨
📍 429 W High St, Peoria, IL 61606
💰 $165,000
🛏️ 8 Bedrooms | 🛁 5 Bathrooms
📐 Approx. 9,000 Sq Ft | 🌳 0.58 Acres
🗓️ Built 1900 | 🏛️ High Wine District
✨ A Once-in-a-Generation Opportunity
🏡 One of Peoria’s most recognizable historic residences
🕰️ Available to the public for the first time in over 7 decades
🌳 Directly across from Giant Oak Park
🌆 Views & Location
🗼 Seasonal downtown Peoria views from the 4th-level covered turret deck
🎓 Minutes to Bradley University & U of I College of Medicine Peoria
🏥 Near OSF & Carle Hospitals, Cancer Center, courthouses & downtown
🎬 Hollywood History
🎥 Featured in scenes from JoJo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling starring Richard Pryor
🏠 Flexible Living Options
⬇️ Finished basement designed as a private apartment with its own entrance
🍳 Kitchen, laundry, living room & family room
🛏️ 2 bedrooms | 🛁 2 bathrooms
🏡 Ideal for on-site living during restoration or future multi-use
🛠️ Restoration Opportunity
💡 Price reflects need for restorative & aesthetic improvements on upper floors
🏛️ A rare chance for a visionary buyer to return this landmark to glory
📌 Additional Information
📄 Financial qualification & NDA required for photos, details & showings
🏷️ Listed By:
Jessica Ball
RE/MAX Traders Unlimited
📞 309-363-2929
From Zillow
