704 N Randolph St

About This Home

Now showing for an August 2026 lease. This property seldom comes up for lease as tenants on average have stayed four to seven years. This Victorian vernacular, is the home of the University of Illinois's first landscaper and later downtown Champaign businessman, Thomas Franks. The Thomas Franks' home is the first single family home placed on the City of Champaign's list of historic homes. This home has a small yard, large sitting porch, and a rear large patio. At 2,607 square feet, this is a spacious home. On the first floor are three fireplaces (originally coal burners, they are now electric). As this was originally a big Victorian, one enters into a foyer. Directly in front are the main stairs up. To the left is the living room (front parlor), next comes the family room (rear parlor), then to the east of it is yet another family room with a door out directly to the rear patio. Off of this room is the dining room, and finally the kitchen off of it (with its own door to the rear patio). Off of the second family room is a half bath. Going up the main stairs are two bedrooms. They have rear doors that open onto a small hall that accesses a shared full bath. Off of the dining room is a second stairs that goes up to the master suite. This has its own bedroom, study, & full bath. This is a three minute stroll to the heart of Downtown Champaign and a five minute drive Market Place Mall and a seven minute drive to the heart of campus. Main bus routes stops are within a block. Tenants have typically been young professionals - previous tenants were a married couple - Marine recruiter and his wife finishing her PhD, high school teachers, bank employees, restaurant managers. The current tenants are a family. appliances include - kitchen range, refrigerator, dishwasher, and side by side washer and dryer. This laundry area is off of the first floor kitchen. The house is steam radiator heat with a high efficiency boiler. The radiators are all reconditioned and original to the home. There are two central air conditioning systems - one for each floor. Tenants have access to our private tenant fitness center two blocks away at 605 N Neil. Our office and shop is also close, only a block away. For lots of additional information, to review our lease etc. visit our web site; simply type in RDI Properties. To schedule a tour email