Crib Chatter

This 3-bedroom cape cod single family home at 4838 N. Seeley in Lincoln Square just came on the market.

If it looks familiar, that’s because we chattered about it back in 2011 when it was a “cottage.”

8 years ago, many of you thought it should be torn down and that no one would want to live in it as it needed work.

Homedelete argued in 2011:

“Besides being north of lawrence, this cottage is old. 1800’s old. who knows what’s behind those walls. is it worth even renovating? If it were a 2000 sq victorian, or in a great part of town – maybe. But here? for $366,000? There’s no basement to even finish. 1,300 sq ft of finished space is small for a SFH these days. That’s seems on the smaller side of a 2/2 condo too. There’s just not enough of a market for a $366,000 cottage like this. Heck if you want to live up near lawrence, go 24 blocks west and get this for $359,000.”

See our chatter here.

However, the vintage house remains and has been updated since the last sale.

If you recall, it was built in 1884 (though the new listing says 1900) and is on a standard 25×125 lot with a 2-car garage.

There are oak hardwood floors throughout.

The kitchen now has dark custom Italian cabinets with a glass backsplash, quartz counter tops, a custom dishwasher and refrigerator and a stainless steel stove.

One bedroom is on the main level with two on the second floor, which have barn doors.

There’s one full bath on the main level and a second one in the master bedroom on the second floor with modern vanities. The second floor bathroom has a full body spray shower.

The master bedroom also has walk-out roof access.

The house has the features that buyers look for including central air, a second floor laundry and the 2-car garage.

The backyard is landscaped and has a wood deck.

It even has a white picket fence.

In the 2011 chatter, JJJ thought it would sell for $290,000 and someone would live in it for years. Instead, it sold for $346,000, but someone has lived in it for 8 years.

It’s come back on the market for 80.6% more, or $625,000.

Will they get the premium?

Joshua Hecker at Redfin has the listing. See the pictures and the floor plan here.

4838 N. Seeley: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, was 1280 square feet in 2011 and is now 1560 square feet

• Sold in October 1997 for $148,000
• Was listed in February 2011 for $389,900
• Sold in November 2011 for $346,000
• Currently listed at $625,000
• Taxes are now $8326 (they were $5660 in 2011)
• Central Air
• 2-car garage
• Bedroom #1: 12×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 13×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 10×8 (main floor)
• Living room: 22×14
• Dining room: 14×11
• Kitchen: 12×9

This 2-bedroom penthouse at 1437 W. Diversey in Lakeview came on the market in June 2019.

Built in 2009, it has 5 units and garage parking.

This single-floor unit is unique as it seems to take up the entire penthouse floor.

It has floor-to-ceiling windows, with automatic window shades, along with contemporary finishes including a concrete accent wall in the master bedroom and the living room.

There appears to be hardwood floors throughout.

The kitchen has dark modern cabinets, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

The master suite has a walk-in closet and a master bathroom with dual vanities and a steam shower with rainfall head.

The second bedroom has access to the second full bath.

It has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and garage parking is included.

The listing says the whole home is wired for sound, including the 2 huge decks which stretch the length of the unit in both the front and the back of the property and total 1300 square feet.

The decks are private and have natural gas lines.

For those who love outdoor space, is this property a unique option compared to the normal rooftop deck on most penthouses?

Leigh Marcus at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #PH4: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1950 square feet

• Sold in June 2019 for $600,000
• Currently listed for $725,000
• Assessments of $200 a month (includes exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $13,315
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• 1300 square feet of decks
• Garage parking included
• Bedroom #1: 15×13
• Bedroom #2: 15×11
• Laundry room: 6×3
• Deck: 37×20
• Deck #2: 37×18

This 3-bedroom penthouse at 2919 N. Burling in Lakeview came on the market in March 2018.

If this building looks familiar, it’s because we chattered about it, and this very unit, back in 2015. You can see our chatter here.

If you remember, it was built in 1998 and has 9 units. In 2015, I couldn’t tell if it has an elevator (consensus last time was “no”) and this listing doesn’t list one either.

This unit has 11 foot ceilings and skylights along with a marble fireplace.

The listing says the unit has a chef’s kitchen, with white cabinets and white subway tiles along with stainless steel appliances, including a double oven.

It also has a trash compactor and built-in beverage center.

There’s a master suite with 2 walk-in closets and a spa-like master bath with a double vanity.

Do you like outdoor space?

It has 3 private outdoor spaces including a front terrace, a large back terrace and a private roof deck with skyline views.

The unit has the other features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and one garage space is included.

Originally listed in March 2018 for $999,000, it has been reduced numerous times and is now listed at $899,900.

That’s below the 2016 selling price of $900,000.

It’s also just $14,900 above the 2014 sales price of $885,000.

It’s been a number of years since I was cribbing on properties that were listed under the prior sales price.

Are price increases starting to stall out in Chicago?

Michael Decker at Compass has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #J: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, no square footage listed (but in 2015 it had 2800 square feet)

• Sold in March 1999 for $555,000
• Sold in July 2001 for $755,000
• Sold in February 2014 for $885,000
• Sold in May 2016 for $900,000
• Originally listed in March 2018 for $999,000
• Reduced numerous times
• Currently listed at $899,900
• Assessments are now $422 a month (they were $367 a month in December 2015) (includes exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger)
• Taxes are now $15,991 (they were $11,051 in 2015)
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 17×16
• Bedroom #2: 16×10
• Bedroom #3: 13×12
• Family room: 14×12
• Laundry room: 11×10

Crain’s Dennis Rodkin got to tour the new 4-bedroom duplex penthouse apartment at Old Town Park at 1140 N. Wells in Old Town.

This is the development at Wells and Division which will be 3 towers.

The penthouse is in the first tower. It’s 32-stories with city views. The second tower will be just south of it at 39 stories.

The unit is 4,185 square feet with outdoor space totaling an extra 3,540 square feet.

The first level is the living space with the second floor, which is the penthouse floor, as your own personal rooftop pool, complete with a hot tub, an outdoor shower, and grilling area.

The apartment is furnished with furniture, linens and even dishes.

It includes 3-car parking.

From Crain’s:

“We expect to rent it to a CEO or professional athlete,” Santos said. It’s not certain yet whether a renter will be required to sign a one-year lease or if renting by the month will be allowed. Duncan Wlodorczak, chief of staff for Onni Group and the firm’s only designated spokesman on the property, was not available for comment.

Inside is a sleek design by Onni’s in-house interiors person, Joy Huynh of Toronto, who used a light-toned palette of wood, stone and metal finishes, a handsome set of cantilevered stone steps with a glass stair rail. At one end of the main living space on the 31st floor, the bar and media space are on a slightly raised mezzanine that gives them the intimacy of a library in a suburban mansion. Concealed behind the kitchen, which has a vast quartz-topped island, is a second kitchen for caterers or prep work.

This apartment is now, apparently, the most expensive on the Chicago market.

According to Rodkin, there is a 4-bedroom unit on the market for $37,500 at the Waldorf-Astoria in the Gold Coast.

The apartment buildings continue to be built.

The prices, and apartments, continue to get more extravagant.

Is this penthouse a sign of the top?

And will the apartment market crash or will there be a soft landing?

This $45,000-a-month rental comes with its own outdoor pool, as it should [Crain’s Chicago Business, by Dennis Rodkin, June 17, 2019]

You can see the Old Town Park website here.

This new construction 3-bedroom condo at 4432 N. Western Avenue in Lincoln Square came on the market in May 2019.

This building was constructed in 2019 and has 7 units.

There appears to be 2 buildings side-by-side on Western Avenue with these same layouts. Both buildings overlook Wells Park.

This is an elevator building with some units having panoramic views of the park from oversized balconies.

The kitchen has white cabinets, with quartz counter tops, Subzero and Wolf appliances and a wine refrigerator.

The master suite has heated floors in the bathroom along with a rain head and steam shower.

There are hardwood floors throughout with a concrete subfloor between the units.

Heated garage parking is included.

The listing says this unit is in the Waters School District.

It is just 2 blocks to the Western Brown Line El stop as well as the shops and restaurants of Lincoln Square.

Listed at $675,000, is there demand for “new” in Lincoln Square?

Brian Connolly at @Properties has the listing. It says there is agent interest in the property. You can see the pictures here.

Unit #2: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1750 square feet

• New construction
• Listed in May 2019 for $675,000
• Currently still listed at $675,000
• Assessments of $275 a month (includes scavenger)
• Taxes are “new”
• Heated garage parking is included
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 14×19
• Bedroom #2: 11×11
• Bedroom #3: 10×10

This 3-bedroom mid-century modern single family home at 5428 N. Virginia in Budlong Woods just came on the market.

I don’t have a picture for it yet but I wanted to cover it immediately as it might not last on the market for very long.

Built in 1951, it is on a larger than average Chicago lot measuring 122×50 and has a 1-car garage as well as a driveway.

The listing says the house is “custom.”

Take a look at that front door.

It has the floor plan and features that were common in the 1950s including large windows and a sliding door in the back of the house that overlooks the backyard.

The house has remote controlled skylights in the kitchen which is a chef’s kitchen with modern cabinets, a 48″ six-burner gas stove with dual electric ovens and dual warming drawers as well as other features like a Bosch coffee center.

There are hardwood floors on the main floor.

2 of the 3 bedrooms are upstairs with the third in the lower level.

There are heated floors in both bathrooms.

The backyard is landscaped and appears to be fenced in.

It has a partially covered patio with a built-in pizza oven, barbeque grill and fire pit table all outfitted with a gas line.

There are also exterior speakers and landscape lighting.

This house backs up onto a public park which abuts the Chicago River which has trails and a playground.

The listing indicates that there have only been 2 owners of this house since it was built.

Is this a hidden gem on the north side?

Nancy Huetteman at Redfin has the listing. See the pictures here.

Or go see it in person this weekend at the Open Houses on Saturday, June 15 from 11-1 pm and June 16 from 12-2 pm.

5428 N. Virginia: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1695 square feet

• Sold in February 2012 for $330,000
• Currently listed at $549,000
• Taxes of $6943
• Attached 1-car garage
• Central Air
• Gas fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 13×15 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 13×16 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 12×18 (lower level)
• Laundry room: 6×9 (lower level)

This 3-bedroom vintage single family home at 306 W. Concord in Old Town came on the market in September 2018.

Built in 1896 on a smaller than average 24×94 lot, it has a 2 car garage.

The listing said the house was “totally renovated” in 2006/2007.

Additionally, a great room and master suite were added on to the back of the house which expanded the square footage to 2500 square feet.

The kitchen has white cabinets, black counter tops, white subway tile, a farmhouse sink and luxury stainless steel appliances.

There’s a separate breakfast room and an office, with French doors, on the main level.

All three bedrooms are on the lower level including the master suite which has a spa bathroom.

There’s a deck on top of the 2-car garage but because of the addition, there’s no backyard.

The house has central air.

It also literally has a white picket fence on the front of the property.

Originally listed in September 2018 for $1.35 million, it has been reduced to $1.295 million.

This is just $45,000 above the 2016 sales price.

Is this house a good starter home in a popular neighborhood?

Emily Sachs Wong at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

306 W. Concord: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2500 square feet

• Sold in July 1996 for $290,000
• Sold in December 2005 for $643,000
• Sold in April 2016 for $1.25 million
• Originally listed in September 2018 for $1.35 million
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $1.295 million
• Taxes of $20,402
• Central Air
• 2-car garage
• Bedroom #1: 16×13 (lower level)
• Bedroom #2: 12×10 (lower level)
• Bedroom #3: 11×7 (lower level)
• Living room: 12×11 (main level)
• Office: 10×9 (main level)
• Kitchen: 12×9 (main level)
• Family room: 17×15 (main level)

This 2-bedroom at 444 W. Fullerton Parkway in East Lincoln Park just came on the market.

Built in 1972, it has 180 units, garage parking, a doorman and an outdoor swimming pool.

This unit has been renovated.

It has hardwood floors and recessed LED lighting.

The listing says there’s a “brand new kitchen” with white cabinets, stone counter tops, a subway tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances.

It has 1.5 baths with granite counter tops.

This is a high floor, southwest corner unit which the listing says is “preferred.”

It has dead-on south views of the downtown skyline.

The unit has central air but there’s no in-unit laundry. It’s coin laundry in the building.

It does, however, include a deeded garage parking space.

If you love city views, is this a dream home?

Darrell Scott at Compass has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #1808: 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, 1100 square feet

• Sold in November 1997 for $145,666 (per Zillow)
• Sold in June 2000 for $257,000 (per Zillow)
• Sold in July 2011 for $277,500
• Currently listed at $369,000
• Assessments of $1119 a month (includes heat, a/c, gas, doorman, cable, Internet, pool, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $7220
• Central Air
• No washer/dryer in the unit. There’s coin laundry in the building.
• Garage parking included
• Bedroom #1: 16×10
• Bedroom #2: 13×10
• Living room: 17×14
• Dining room: 19×11
• Kitchen: 11×7

This 3-bedroom in 56 W. Huron in River North came on the market in November 2018.

This is a boutique new construction building with 11 units and a parking garage.

It doesn’t appear to have any amenities or a doorman.

All the units are 3-bedrooms.

Designed by Studio Dwell, each unit has in-unit elevator access and floor-to-ceiling windows.

They each have a large private terrace.

The kitchens have quartz counter tops, Ernestomeda cabinetry and Gaggenau appliances.

There are European white oak floors throughout.

All three bedrooms are en suite with Grohe and Toto.

It has central air and washer/dryer in the unit.

Developers have been building condos with more bedrooms due to demand from families.

Are these bigger, new construction units still what’s hot in River North?

Ryan Preuett at Jameson Sotheby’s has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #2: 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 2190 square feet

• New construction
• Currently listed at $1.295 million
• Assessments of $513 a month (includes exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes are “new”
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Parking
• Bedroom #1: 14×13
• Bedroom #2: 12×11
• Bedroom #3: 12×11

This 2-bedroom in the Tiara at 6145 N. Sheridan in Edgewater came on the market in March 2019 (sorry- I don’t have a picture of this building).

The Tiara was built in 1970 along Lake Michigan and has just 50 units.

It’s a full amenity building with an outdoor pool, exercise room and 24-hour doormen. It also has an attached rental parking garage.

The listing says this unit is the only one in the building with a built-in fireplace.

It also says it was “fully remodeled” with an upgraded open kitchen with new stainless steel appliances. It has white cabinets and a black and white tiled floor which is now popular in design magazines.

The unit has a balcony which the listing says faces the lake.

The listing says the building has installed new windows, there’s been balcony work, a new roof and tuck pointing.

It has wall unit cooling, but no in-unit washer/dryer. There’s coin laundry in the building along with leased parking.

This building has two addresses, both 6145 and 6147, if you’re looking for units.

Originally listed at $279,900, it has been reduced to $274,500 for 1600 square feet.

Are high rises right on the lake in Edgewater a deal?

Ioannis Floros at Fulton Grace has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #30A: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1600 square feet

• Sold in August 2002 for $190,000
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in May 2018
• Bank owned
• Sold in January 2019 for $177,000
• Originally listed in March 2019 for $279,900
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $274,500
• Assessments of $993 a month (includes doorman, cable, pool, exterior maintenance, scavenger and snow removal)
• Taxes of $3117
• Wall unit cooling
• No in-unit washer/dryer (coin laundry in the building)
• Bedroom #1: 18×15
• Bedroom #2: 13×12
• Balcony: 15×5