2-Bedroom Renovated by a Top Designer in the Gold Coast: 1301 N. Dearborn
This 2-bedroom in The Whitney at 1301 N. Dearborn in the Gold Coast came on the market in January 2023.
Built in 1998, The Whitney has just 88 units and attached garage parking along with a rooftop deck.
It has 24-hour door staff, an exercise room and a live-in engineer.
The listing says this unit has been “completely renovated by one of the city’s top designers.”
It has a foyer along with a living/dining room combination.
The kitchen has white cabinets and an island with what looks like wood cabinets that seats three. The listing says it has “all new appliances” including a double door refrigerator, a Bosch dishwasher, Quartz counter tops and backsplash.
The primary bedroom has a walk-in-closet and en suite bathroom, dual sinks, a large shower and separate tub.
The second bathroom is “new.”
The unit also has a private terrace which overlooks the terraced deck at the RH across the street.
This unit has the features that buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and indoor garage parking is included.
This building is in the heart of the Gold Coast, across the street from the RH but near the shops and restaurants of the Rush Street corridor.
Buyers love new, or renovated, properties.
Will the renovations help it find a buyer quickly?
Emily Sachs Wong at @Properties Christie’s has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.
- Sold in January 1998 for $343,500
- Sold in July 2008 for $690,000
- Currently listed at $979,000
- Assessments of $1329 a month (includes doorman, cable, exercise room, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
- Taxes of $14,054
- Central Air
- Washer/dryer in the unit
- Garage parking included
- Bedroom #1: 17×13
- Bedroom #2: 12×14
- Living/dining combo: 31×15
- Kitchen: 12×12
- Terrace
If this is the work of Chicago’s top designers, Chicago is not a world class city,
The realator fat fingered the price right? Should start with a 6
Oh my, where to even start with this. This isn’t a 1ml $ property. Top Designer? Looks like the work of an interior design school flunky.
Maybe they are looking for that infamous Shark Tank premium?? (Lori from Shark Tank lives in this building)
Market’s turned boys. WAGMI
Way too much money spent on building out this unit with too few windows and no views.
503 is also for sale, and somehow quite a bit larger:
https://www.redfin.com/IL/Chicago/1301-N-Dearborn-St-60610/unit-503/home/14113253
I have to say: don’t see $300k in value in 603.
Who is the “top designer” so I know who not to hire? What did they design? Was it just the generic kitchen and bathroom? It looks similar to something I could design if I took a hodgepodge of mine and my parents furniture. Definitely not worth $300k over 503 or even my own condo.
Well, if the top designer suggested displaying the “Rumours” and “Purple Rain” vinyl, they earned their keep.
“Well, if the top designer suggested displaying the “Rumours” and “Purple Rain” vinyl, they earned their keep.”
Nothing sez audiophile like displaying your records and Bose cube speakers…
I would much rather go with unit 503 and find a designer whose work aligns with my tastes or just work on the design myself.
Yawn…
Seems like a lot to pay for such a dull unit, even with the location.
“I would much rather go with unit 503 and find a designer whose work aligns with my tastes or just work on the design myself.”
You are a rarity Jenny. 95% of buyers just want to buy it and move in. They don’t even want to paint it. That’s why they want all the window fixtures to stay, the lights, and sometimes the bookcases and mirrors. Lol.
And to put in a new kitchen, baths, update a walk-in-closet and paint? Most don’t want to do it. Could take a contractor months just to do the kitchen. Rehabs are notoriously hard in big condo buildings and many contractors have waitlists right now.
Why not just buy the unit that is already done? Can move in tomorrow.
“Way too much money spent on building out this unit with too few windows and no views.”
Question, KK. How many windows should it have? It’s not a corner unit. Each bedroom has a window.
Is it because they aren’t floor-to-ceiling? Or is it because the kitchen is in the back of the unit and is windowless?
« Question, KK. How many windows should it have? »
Enough to justify the price. Why would you buy this when there are similar quality comparably priced corner units and units with floor to ceiling windows available?
“Enough to justify the price. Why would you buy this when there are similar quality comparably priced corner units and units with floor to ceiling windows available?”
Just wondering what is wrong with the number of windows on this. But there are definitely some people who only want floor to ceiling windows.
“You are a rarity Jenny. 95% of buyers just want to buy it and move in. They don’t even want to paint it.”
This particular unit is very taste specific. The shiny gray entryway and the primary bathroom with a splotchy mirror wall is not going to appeal to the majority. It’s priced at $300,000 more than 503, which is livable even though it’s not on-trend. Within a couple years, it won’t be on-trend anymore and the buyer will either have to remodel again when they want to sell or take a hit. I was told with my bathroom remodel to expect to see gains from it for 5 years or so. After that, it’s just another outdated bathroom.
You’re right that people want highly upgraded, move-in ready places that have been remodeled in the past 2 years. They don’t want to pay for it. I was lucky to sell my dated condo in a weekend. The buyers complained about it being dated, but the agent showed them the comps for updated units and the buyers wouldn’t afford an upgraded unit. It’s was the same with a former neighbor who sold a dated townhome. “Your kitchen is old. The bathrooms are dated.” “Well, then, you can buy this other unit for $200,000 more.”
Remodeling my bathroom was stressful while it was happening, but I was able to get a very functional bathroom exactly how I wanted it. I didn’t have to pay for a flipper’s bathroom where corners were cut. I’d love to do more remodeling, but can’t stomach the expense. The bathroom needed to be remodeled. The rest of the house is functional even though the kitchen was remodeled 15-years ago (gasp!).
“Why not just buy the unit that is already done?”
because you’re paying a premium for it. you’ve been preaching this narrative that people only want to buy move in ready, maybe that’s true for first time buyers, but from personal experience and within my network of friends, we’ve all done work to our homes before moving in. Some a complete gut, others maybe paint and stain the floors.
“because you’re paying a premium for it. ”
For real!
Would I pay $100k more for 603? definitely a real consideration. $200k? doubtful. $300k? Be serious.
503 is contingent, btw.
“For real!
Would I pay $100k more for 603? definitely a real consideration. $200k? doubtful. $300k? Be serious.
503 is contingent, btw.“
Once you get North of $750, there really isn’t a good reason (and most def at $1MM) to settle.
I mean, I get it if your an unimaginative chud that thinks a grey/white pallet and a SS waterfall edge is the height of great design but what a complete disappointment spending that much and settling for shlock
Closed 800K
and 503 closed for $656k.
Half the delta of the original asks.