1930s Vintage Without the High Assessments: 4712 N. Paulina
Many of us like the elegance of the big 1920s and 1930s vintage buildings, many which are located along the lakefront.
But the high assessments keep us from buying in those buildings.
4712 N. Paulina in Ravenswood may be the solution to the high assessment problem.
The 1930s four story building evokes the grandeur of the big co-op buildings with large units sporting wood burning fireplaces but the assessments are a third of the cost.
And the building has parking too.
Unit #2N: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, sunroom, 2200 square feet
- I couldn’t find an original sales price
- Currently listed for $429,000 (parking included)
- Assessments of $496 a month
- In-unit W/D
- No central air- window units
- Coldwell Banker has the listing
This is a very elegant unit, with good design and a wonderful feel.
absolutely nice unit….the only downside is that in the event prices continue to fall in Lakeview/Lincoln Park, this unit may have to go to the upper $300k to compensate for the “you’re only living in Ravenswood” discount….and it’s far from I-90 if that matters to you.
Looks really nice to me.
I’ll add that it’s an incredible location for downtown commuters…maybe 1000 ft from the Metra station with a 13 minute trip to downtown.
Now, how have I not known this place existed?
It is absolutely gorgeous, and the assessments are really low for that type of space. Do they include heat? What do they include? Is the place condo or co-op?
And is there a cushy reserve? What percentage of the assessment goes to the reserve fund? Too many condos and co-ops keep their assessments too low and defer necessary maintenance and repair, until the place is about to fall down (like the Edgewater Beach, a few years ago).
It’s huge, too. I can’t see prices dropping below $200 a sq.ft. in that area, which would mean $440,000 for this place, so the price seems on target.
This unit last sold from the developer on 4/23/91 for $157,500 with parking. A unit like this will be had for $150/sf when the market hits bottom and wallows there for a while.
Now we’re talking. Really nice unit. Kitchen needs a bit of a facelift, but then so do I!
Window units are a bit of a downer, and I can’t tell what the heat is. I don’t see any sign of radiators in the pix.
Radiator on the left side of the red bedroom.
I prefer the kitchen to the “pergraniteel” that has been in vogue for far too long.
Just saw the radiator myself, I guess I was overcome with the burnt orange walls at the first look.
Now that’s glorious!
Also refreshing to see that the Granite Fairy didn’t throw up all over the kitchen.
What are the schools like in this area? Does anyone know?
Linda, the public schools nearby fairly well stink. If you can get your high school kid into Lane Tech, then they don’t stink so much.
But there are many top private schools to the south and north both.
Thanks, Laura. Private schools are not an option for me, so neither is Ravenswood.
Too bad, I kinda like that area.
The high schools certainly aren’t great, but there is a lot worse in CPS.
For this particular property, the HS is Amundsen — generally ranks in the 20s among Chicago’s 77 main high schools. The Amundsen district runs from the river to Ashland and mostly from Bryn Mawr to Irving Park.
The other side of Ashland is Sean — similarly in the 20s among the high schools. District runs from Irving Park north to a couple blocks past Devon, and from the Lake to Western (except for the Amundsen district).
Just to the south is Lake View high — about 10th among the 77 schools. District includes most of river to lake and Irving Park to Diversey area, plus the area between Irving Park and Montrose from Damen to Clark.
I don’t have the elementary school rankings on my computer, so I can’t comment there. The schools closest to this address are McPherson, Ravenswood, and Stockton. I think that it is actually in the Stockton district, but I’m not perfectly sure.
To clarify, ranking 1 is good — Lincoln Park high is often 1st among the main CPS high schools. For some reason the exact number of ranked schools varies by the statistic — from 56 to 89 schools for the academic rankings.
All of this is in the CPS “HS Directory” from their website.
Linda, don’t reject the place for the schools. magnet schools are an option and there are many of them on the north side. your neighborhs will all be vying for the seats along with you/your children, but that’s life in the city. ravenswood elementary is certainly a default option, if it’s the local school. check cps website and enter the address to find out the school. http://www.cps.k12.il.us
From the looks of this place it’s probably not a building with children or for children. Anyone with kids won’t be looking at interested in living here. Just imagine crayon scribble on those beautiful walls!
“Anyone with kids won’t be looking at interested in living here. Just imagine crayon scribble on those beautiful walls!”
C’mon. This might be the most ridiculous thing you’ve ever posted.
Why all the hate on granite countertops? They are very damage/scratch-resistant, and very easy to clean and keep sanitary. In other words, they are quite functional and thus do represent an ‘upgrade’ over laminate/corian/etc.
Stainless Steel appliances are more of a stylistic fad, though.
All that said, I think the kitchen in this unit looks just fine.
“Linda, don’t reject the place for the schools. magnet schools are an option and there are many of them on the north side.”
Yeah, but why take that chance when I can just live in the Ogden or Lincoln school district? Ravenswood will still be there when kids graduate.
Homedelete, I have two words for you – Magic Eraser. It works wonders for crayon marks. 😉
The knock against granite countertops? They’re ugly and comically aspirational. Yokels think that granite countertops represent “luxury” when they’re actually redolent of ticky-tack new condos and the cheap Home Depot kitchens that developers throw into tract McMansions or rehabbed older homes. In other words, not very interesting at all.
“Yeah, but why take that chance when I can just live in the Ogden or Lincoln school district?”
Where in Ogden or Lincoln can you find 2200 sq ft for $429k with parking included? That’s why. The difference in price could (almost) pay for private school.
““Anyone with kids won’t be looking at interested in living here. Just imagine crayon scribble on those beautiful walls!”
C’mon. This might be the most ridiculous thing you’ve ever posted.”
Yeah but its a pretty funny comment. I suppose you could live there with kids, heck you can live almost anywhere but retirment communities with kids, but I don’t see why you a young couple would choose this particular unit. It looks too nice and well-kept. And if my kids are anything like my sister’s kids, then pouring an entire container of pancake syrup on the carpet is par for the course.
Sabrina, did you ever know that you’re my real estate hero? You’re everything I wish I could be. You always find great, unique spaces and the best deals in the city. I’m really craving a townhouse for my next place, but I would definitely have to go check out this condo.
This site is such a great resource for buyers who are looking for a good deal on a great space, but feel overwhelmed because they don’t have a lot of “dealbreaker” demands that help them focus their search. For instance, I’m open to any ‘hood within walking distance to a red or brown line stop that’s north of Bronzeville. I’d like deeded parking, but I’d rent parking for the right deal. I’d like a fixer upper, but it’s not a must. I like vintage spaces, but I’d be happy with something new for the right price, and I don’t care about school districts.
This site regularly shows me properties that makes me think, “Now that’s not something I would have found on my own because it doesn’t have X, Y, or Z, but it has something else that really makes up for it.” You’d make a great agent.
I’m in wholehearted agreement with Danny.
has anyone seen the new photos for this unit? the new renovations are stunning.