Crib Chatter

This 2-bedroom in the Tower Residences at 680 N. Lake Shore Drive in Streeterville came on the market in September 2022.

680 N. Lake Shore Drive is a unique building.

According to Wikipedia, it was completed in 1926. it was originally called the American Furniture Mart and was the largest building in the world when finished.

It has a total of 415 units in 3 different condo associations: The Tower, The Lake and the South Residences.

The South Residences has 120 units, the Tower has 131 units, and the Lake, 264.

This is a full amenity building with a pool, exercise room and 24-hour door staff.

There is commercial space in the building as well as a shopping concourse with a coffee shop, Walgreens, a bank and other amenities. Has it all reopened after COVID?

This unit is a full floor unit in the tower with 360 degree lake and city views.

Created by Vinvi/Hamp architects, the listing says that “no expense” was spared.

It has a private elevator that opens into the resident’s vestibule which is clad in cerused oak paneling.

The kitchen has Parenti & Raffaelli custom Macassar ebony millwork, honed granite countertops, a concealed cooktop and Subzero refrigerator.

The primary suite has walls covered in Belgian linen, a Poliform closet system and a spa bath with Calacatta marble slabs and Dornbracht hardware.

The second bedroom is currently being used as a library but can be restored to a bedroom.

The listing lays out the special features including: “a full Lutron HomeWorks System, multi-media visual & audio systems, Iris lighting, computerized pocket window shades, zoned HVAC, and HEPA air purification system.”

It also has the features that buyers normally look for, including washer/dryer in the unit and garage parking, which is included.

Listed in September 2022 at $1.775 million, it was last on the market in 1998.

Is this a rare opportunity to get a home in the sky without sharing any walls with others?

Brad Lippitz and Stewart Smith at Compass have the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #2300: 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, 2575 square feet

• Sold in October 1991 for $415,000
• Sold in October 1998 for $500,000
• Originally listed in September 2022 for $1.775 million
• Currently still listed at $1.775 million
• Assessments of $1403 a month (includes heat, a/c, doorman, cable, exercise room, pool, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal, Internet)
• Taxes of $9085
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 13×16
• Bedroom #2: 9×12
• Foyer: 25×9
• Gallery: 22×9
• Living room: 24×17
• Dining room: 24×14
• Kitchen: 15×8
• Laundry room: 8×6

This 2-bedroom in the Clinton Street Lofts at 226 N. Clinton on the Near West Side came on the market in October 2022.

This building was converted into loft condos in 1998. It has 176 units and attached garage parking.

There is no 24/7 door staff, but it does have evening front desk, on-site management, an exercise room, a bike room, extra storage and a courtyard garden.

This loft has authentic loft features including a 13 foot timber beam ceiling and exposed brick walls.

The bedrooms are fully enclosed in a split floor plan and both have arched windows.

The listing says the diagonal hardwood floors have recently been refinished.

The loft also has a renovated kitchen with new stainless steel appliances, white and gray cabinets, an island with waterfall edge, and quartz counter tops.

It has a gas fireplace and a balcony with city views.

The unit has 3 walk-in-closets and a lower level storage room.

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

This building is near hot Fulton Market and there continues to be construction nearby in the Near West Side, mostly in new apartments.

Originally listed in October 2022 at $475,000, it was under contract, but has now been relisted and reduced $5,000 to $470,000.

Is this a good starter property in this neighborhood?

Megan Kinnahan at @properties Christie’s has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #202: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed, loft

• Sold in August 1998 for $182,500
• Sold in September 1999 for $245,000
• Originally listed in October 2022 for $475,000
• Under contract
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $470,000 (garage parking included)
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Gas fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 13×17
• Bedroom #2: 14×13
• Living room: 11×19
• Dining room: 10×14
• Kitchen: 10×14
• WIC: 6×6
• Laundry room: 5×5
• Balcony: 4×14

This corner 3-bedroom in 1400 Museum Park at 100 E. 14th in the South Loop came on the market, originally, in October 2020.

Built in 2008, at the height of the housing bubble, 1400 Museum Park has 260 units and an attached parking garage.

The building has door staff, an indoor pool, exercise room, party room and bike storage.

This unit has wraparound floor to ceiling windows and east, north and west views including some of the Lake, Soldier Field and Willis Tower.

It has Italian tile flooring throughout, including in the bedrooms.

The kitchen is open to the living/dining room and has wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops.

The primary suite has a walk-in-closet and bathroom with both a large tub and walk-in-shower with a double vanity.

The listing says the third bedroom could be a home office or den.

It has a balcony.

The unit also has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and one car garage parking is included with a second space available for $35,000.

This building is near the shops and restaurants of the South Loop as well as Grant Park, Soldier Field, the Shedd and other museums of the Museum Campus.

Originally listed in October 2020, which was during COVID but before a vaccine was announced, for $784,000, it has been reduced multiple times over the last 2 years and is now at $699,000.

That is under the original 2008 purchase price of $714,500.

Is this a deal?

Stefanie D’Agostino at Redfin has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #2301: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1695 square feet

• Sold in July 2008 for $714,500
• Originally listed in October 2020 for $784,000
• Reduced several times
• Currently listed at $699,000
• Assessments of $1060 a month (includes heat, a/c, doorman, exercise room, pool, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $16,132
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit? (It doesn’t list it but a condo building from 2006 would have had it in the unit and there appears to be a spot for it on the floor plan.)
• One car parking included
• Second parking space available for $35,000
• Bedroom #1: 16×11
• Bedroom #2: 15×12
• Bedroom #3: 13×10
• Living/dining combo: 23×16
• Kitchen: 20×10
• Balcony: no dimensions provided

This 1-bedroom in Walton Colannade at 100 E. Walton in the Gold Coast came on the market in August 2022.

Built in 1972, the Walton Colannnade has 240 units and attached leased garage parking.

It’s a full amenity building with doorstaff, a rooftop pool, exercise room, party room, and full-time manager and assistant manager on-site.

The listing says this unit has south skyline views with “brilliant” city lights.

It has cherry hardwood floors throughout and 8 floor-to-ceiling windows with custom screen roller shades.

The kitchen is “U” shaped and has white cabinets, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

The unit has a marble bathroom with a linen closet.

It also has the features that buyers look for including central air and washer/dryer in the unit. Garage parking is available for lease in the building.

The listing says the building has no special assessment and $1.2 million in reserves and just completed tuckpointing, putting in new elevators, hallways, new circuit breakers in the condos, and refurbished the pool and sundeck.

Thinking of renting it out? The listing says you have to live in it for 18 months before doing so.

The listing agent is apparently the owner. She writes: “I own this condo. After selling my home I hurriedly bought here as a “temporary fix” until I decided where to move. 12 years later I am still living here. I have loved it. You will too.”

Originally listed in August at $235,000, it went under contract in September. But it has come back on the market again at $235,000.

This building is near Oak Street Beach, the Mag Mile, Rush Street and all the shops and restaurants of the surrounding neighborhoods.

If you want to be in the heart of the pulse of the city, and like views, is this a better deal than renting 670 square feet?

Connie Atterbury at Dream Town has the listing (and agent owned). See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #36E: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 670 square feet

• Sold in January 1993 for $65,000
• Sold in September 2006 for $258,500
• Originally listed in August 2022 for $235,000
• Under contract in September 2022
• Re-listed in December 2022 for $235,000
• Assessments of $815 a month (includes heat, a/c, doorman, exercise room, pool, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal, basic cable)
• Taxes of $3365 a month 
• Leased parking in the building
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom: 12×12
• Kitchen: 10×7
• Living room: 19×14
• Laundry: 3×4

This 2-bedroom loft in the Pencil Factory Lofts at 1800 W. Roscoe came on the market in August 2022.

The Pencil Factory Lofts were built in 1916. It was converted into 140 loft homes plus attached indoor, and outdoor, parking.

The elevator building has a dog wash and car wash station, fitness room, laundry room, roof deck, and park like BBQ area. It used to have a part-time doorstaff, but the listing doesn’t say anything about that so maybe they got rid of it.

This loft is a concrete loft with high ceilings, exposed ductwork, and some exposed brick. It has a split floorplan with the coveted southern exposure with 2 walls of industrial windows.

The listing says there is “luxury vinyl flooring” throughout.

The kitchen has had a complete gut, with new kitchen plumbing and updated electrical, and has white cabinets, new stainless steel appliances, quartz counter tops, under cabinet lighting, soft close hardware, and exterior ventilation.

It appears that only one of the bedrooms has windows. And I can’t tell if the bedrooms are enclosed or not.

The unit has the finishes buyers look for including central air, indoor parking is available for $25,000 and a laundry room with a LG ThinQ stackable washer/dryer, which is plumbed for a utility sink.

It doesn’t have private outdoor space.

This building is located near the shops and restaurants of Roscoe Village and West Lakeview, as well as being just a few blocks from the Paulina brown line stop.

Originally listed in August 2022 for $499,000, it has been reduced to $475,000.

Does this need to be staged to get the sale?

Paul Waitz at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices has the listing. See the pictures here.

• Sold in April 1993 for $153,500
• Originally listed in August 2022 for $499,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $475,000
• Assessments of $557 a month (includes exercise room, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $7343
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Indoor parking is available for $25,000 extra
• Bedroom #1: 14×11
• Bedroom #2: 12×12
• Living room/dining room combo: 20×24
• Kitchen: 12×10
• Laundry: 3×4

This 1-bedroom in The Elysees at 111 E. Chestnut in the Gold Coast came on the market in November 2022.

Built in 1972, The Elysees has 444 units and attached garage parking which is both public rental parking and deeded parking.

It is a full amenity building with doorstaff, on-site engineers and management, an on-site dry cleaners, outdoor pool, exercise room, sundeck and grills, party room, package room, bike room and conference room.

The listing says this 1000 square foot 1-bedroom unit has had a “complete renovation” complete with floor to ceiling wainscoting. It also has crown molding and hardwood floors throughout.

It is west facing with 8 floor-to-ceiling windows and overlooks the Quigley Seminary which is a city, state and federal landmark.

The kitchen is open to the living/dining room and has white cabinets with white Calacatta quartz countertops, a breakfast bar which seats 2, stainless steel appliances, a custom hood vent, a white tile backsplash and a dry bar with a wine fridge.

The bedroom has 2 closets.

The bathroom is “custom” and has Carrara marble with a walk-in-shower.

The unit has some of the features buyers look for including washer/dryer in the unit but it has wall heating/cooling and deeded garage parking is available separately but it doesn’t say how much.

The building is near Oak Street Beach, the Mag Mile, and all the shopping and restaurants of the Gold Coast and River North as well as Loyola University’s downtown campus.

The listing says “investors welcome.”

Listed at $545,000, that’s $269,000 above the 2004 sales price of $276,000.

Buyer’s love “new.”

Will the renovation sell this unit?

Ursula Gal at Republic Realty Group has the listing. See the pictures here. (sorry, no floor plan)

Unit #26J: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 1000 square feet

• Sold in November 1995 for $145,000
• Sold in January 2004 for $276,000
• Redfin says it sold in July 2017 for $302,500 but the CCRD doesn’t list this sale
• Listed in November 2022 for $545,000
• Currently still listed for $545,000
• Assessments of $577 a month (includes doorman, cable, exercise room, pool, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal, Internet)
• Taxes of $5610 but the listing says “LOW TAXES $4919.11“
• No central air but wall units
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Deeded parking available separately
• Bedroom: 16×15
• Living/dining room: 25×14
• Kitchen: 20×10
• Laundry room: 6×4

This 4-bedroom in The Pinnacle at 21 E. Huron in River North came on the market in April 2021.

The Pinnacle was built in 2005, during the housing boom. It has 213 units and attached garage parking.

Built as luxury condos, it has an outdoor pool and garden, doorstaff, exercise room, dog run and private spa.

This unit on the thirty seventh floor has three exposures, south, east and west, along with 2 private terraces.

There are 5 inch plank hardwood floors throughout.

The unit has a “new” De Giulio kitchen with leathered Quartzite counters, polished Macassar Ebony and white lacquer cabinetry, Wolf range, Subzero refrigerator and wine storage along with a hammered polished nickel professional grade hood.

Three bedrooms are en suite and the primary suite has 2 walk-in-closets.

There is a library with double doors.

The unit has the features that buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit, and there are 2 garage spaces which are additional.

This building is in the Cathedral District neighborhood of River North. It is steps from Michigan Avenue and near the Trader Joe’s and new Whole Foods, as well as the shops and restaurants of River North and Streeterville.

Listed in April 2021 for $2.1 million, it has been reduced $375,100 to $1,599,900.

This is below the original 2005 purchase price of $1.65 million, although I’m not sure what the parking costs and if it was included in the original purchase.

Is this a deal?

Cara Buffa at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices has the listing. See the pictures here (sorry, no floor plan.)

Unit #3703: 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, 3033 square feet

• Sold in February 2005 for $1.65 million
• Sold in July 2005 for $1.87 million
• Sold in June 2019 for $1.975 million
• Originally listed in April 2021 for $2.1 million
• Reduced several times
• Currently listed at $1,599,900
• Assessments of $2740 a month (includes a/c, gas, doorman, cable, exercise room, pool, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $44,959
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• 2 garage spaces are additional
• Fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 25×15
• Bedroom #2: 11×13
• Bedroom #3: 11×13
• Bedroom #4: 16×12
• Living room: 39×25
• Dining room: 15×15
• Kitchen: 13×13
• Breakfast room: 8×9
• Walk-in-closet: 9×9
• Terrace: 10×6
• Terrace: 10×6

This 2-bedroom in the Promenade at 1201 W. Adams in the West Loop came on the market in October 2022.

Built in 2000, the Promenade has 78 units and heated garage parking.

It does have doorstaff, and elevator and storage, but doesn’t appear to have other amenities.

The listing for this unit says it has been “updated.”

It has 10 foot ceilings and hardwood floors along with a formal entry with coffered ceiling.

The kitchen has been “updated” with 2-tone white and gray cabinets, quartz countertops and stainless steel appliances, including a brand new refrigerator bought in 2022.

The kitchen island seats three and there is built-in seating and storage.

The living room has a gas fireplace and a private balcony with city views.

The second bedroom has no windows but is fully enclosed and has new flooring.

The primary suite has “newer” floors and a window with skyline views, a walk-in-closet and a en suite bathroom that has been “updated” with a double vanity with quartz countertops and new tile floors.

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

This building is across the street from Skinner Park and the dog park and is near the shops and restaurants of the West Loop.

Originally listed in October 2022 at $549,900, it has been reduced $10,000 to $539,900.

This is still well above the 2019 sales price of $415,000.

Will the updated finishes seal the deal? (you can see the 2019 finishes in the Redfin listing below)

Nico Krajecki at Dream Town has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #904: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed

• Sold in October 2002 for $353,000
• Sold in September 2019 for $415,000
• Originally listed in October 2022 for $549,900
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $539,900
• Assessments of $460 a month (includes doorman, cable, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal, Internet)
• Taxes of $9055
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Heated garage parking included
• Gas fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 10×16
• Bedroom #2: 10×13
• Living room: 15×15
• Kitchen: 15×13
• Foyer: 5×14
• Walk-in-closet: 5×9
• Laundry room: 3×3
• Balcony: 13×4

This 2-bedroom penthouse at 920 W. Madison in the West Loop came on the market in September 2022.

Built in 2002, 920 W. Madison has 99 units and attached heated garage parking.

The listing calls it a “boutique elevator building.”

This unit is a southeast corner penthouse with two walls of windows.

There are hardwood floors in the living room, dining room and kitchen with “plush” carpet in the bedrooms.

It has custom window treatments.

The chef’s kitchen has new white cabinets, under cabinet lighting, designer marble backsplash, granite countertops, an undermount sink, new faucet, brand new stainless steel appliances and a peninsula which seats three.

It has a separate dining room which is open to the living room which has a fireplace.

This is a rare condo which has a second fireplace in the primary suite which also has a walk-in-closet and an en suite bathroom with dual vanity and walk-in-shower.

The second bedroom is fully enclosed and has windows.

This unit has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and heated garage parking is available for $30,000 extra.

It also has a massive private terrace which runs the length of the unit with city and skyline views. The terrace is accessible from the living/dining room and the primary suite.

This building is in the middle of the West Loop near all the shops and restaurants on Madison, Randolph and Fulton Market.

Originally listed at $719,900, this unit was under contract in September 2022 but then came back on the market. It has been reduced to $699,900.

The listing says “BUY NOW & TAKE ADVANTAGE OF RATE BUY DOWN SELLER CONCESSION.”

This is the first time I’ve seen a rate buy down offer in a Chicago listing.

Is a rate buy down concession effective to get the sale done? Or will it even matter as the rates have already dropped to 6.29% from 7.25% just a few weeks ago?

Armando Chacon at Century 21 SGR has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #1002W: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1500 square feet, penthouse

• Sold in May 2003 for $252,000
• Sold in September 2005 for $437,500
• Sold in February 2013 for $395,000
• Originally listed in September 2022 for $719,900
• Under contract
• Re-listed at $719,900
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $699,900
• Assessments of $776 a month (includes exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $11,826
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Garage parking for $30,000 extra
• 2 fireplaces
• Bedroom #1: 17×15
• Bedroom #2: 12×11
• Living room: 20×14
• Dining room: 14×10
• Kitchen: 16×10
• Terrace: 54×12

This 1-bedroom penthouse in the Westgate Lofts at 812 W. Van Buren in the West Loop came on the market in November 2022.

Built in 1910, Westgate Lofts has 46 units and attached garage parking. It was converted into condos in 1990.

It has a bike room and the listing says there are no specials and it is over 70% owner occupied.

This is a corner loft with 12 foot concrete ceilings and concrete columns along with exposed brick walls which have been painted white.

The listing says it has had a “full rehab.”

The loft has hand-scraped wide plank hardwood floors and a wood burning fireplace.

It has an “enormous chef’s kitchen” with 42″ soft-close gray cabinets, thick Carrera marble counters with a waterfall island and high end Jenn Air stainless steel appliances, a custom tile backsplash and large farmhouse sink.

The bedroom has a walk-in-closet.

There’s an updated bath with floor-to-ceiling subway tile and two entrances, including one from the bedroom.

The second floor is accessed by a spiral staircase and has an office/den which walks out onto the new Trex composite rooftop deck with water and electric and wraparound skyline views.

The loft has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and garage parking for $35,000.

This building is near the shops and restaurants of Greektown and the West Loop.

Listed at $495,000, will the rooftop deck seal the deal?

Paul Ragi at @properties Christie’s has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #6D: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 1200 square feet, loft

• Sold in June 1990 for $165,000
• Sold in June 1996 for $156,000
• Sold in June 2002 for $300,000
• Sold in April 2017 for $350,000
• Currently listed at $495,000 (plus $35,000 for parking)
• Assessments of $503 a month (includes exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal and Internet)
• Taxes of $7911
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Wood burning fireplace
• Bedroom: 13×13
• Living/dining combo: 26×15
• Kitchen: 19×12
• Walk-in-closet: 13×7
• Foyer: 8×6
• Office: 12×11 (second floor)
• Deck: 21×18 (second floor)