A Vintage Lakeview 2/1 with Built-In Bookcases for $425,000: 817 W. George

This top floor 2-bedroom at 817 W. George in Lakeview came on the market in February 2024. (Apparently, I don’t have my own photo of this building.)

We have chattered about this building, and even this unit, in the past. This unit was last listed in 2010.

Back then, the chatterati loved it’s vintage features. See our 2010 chatter here.

If you recall, this unit has many of its vintage features including the original woodwork and hardwood floors.

The living room has a decorative fireplace surrounded by book shelves. There’s also a stained glass window above the door that leaves to a shared front porch.

The kitchen has white cabinets, granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances including a 6-burner Viking stove and an island with seating for 2.

It is open to the family room/dining room area that has a beamed ceiling and a built-in hutch.

There’s a private deck off the kitchen/family room.

The unit has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit but there is no parking.

This building is near the shops and restaurants of Lakeview including Dom’s Market and Trader’s Joe’s as well as the Diversey Brown Line stop and bus lines.

It sold for $325,000 the last time we cribbed about it in 2010, but has come on the market in 2024 for $425,000.

With inventory near record lows, will this be under contract this week?

Violet Jaworska at Dream Town Real Estate has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #3W: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, no square footage listed

  • Sold in July 1991 for $175,000
  • Sold in July 1996 for $186,000
  • Sold in July 2001 for $315,000
  • Sold in April 2005 for $366,500
  • Sold in August 2010 for $325,000
  • Currently listed at $425,000
  • Assessments of $436 a month (includes heat, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
  • Taxes of $6026
  • Central Air
  • Washer/dryer in the unit
  • No parking
  • Decorative fireplace
  • Bedroom #1: 11×12
  • Bedroom #2: 9×11
  • Living room: 16×16
  • Dining room: 11×17
  • Kitchen: 9×12
  • Front porch
  • Private back deck

22 Responses to “A Vintage Lakeview 2/1 with Built-In Bookcases for $425,000: 817 W. George”

  1. Awesome

    For me I’d take that the place wasnt completely Sabrina’s and deal with a 1 Ba and no parking

    If the buffet wasnt stained black/V Dark Brown, FP was working (Even Gas) and if they staged it better (Creating a Family Room in Back would be huge), They’d be getting a significant premium. Chad and Trixie with a young one could hold onto city living a bit longer

    One area of concern would be whats happening on the front porch ceilings – looks like black mold. I’d really want to know who’s responsible for mitigating

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  2. Lovely place. Tons of character.

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  3. Matt the Coffeeman on February 5th, 2024 at 8:54 am

    This may be the one place that brings the CC community together. It’s a great condo.

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  4. “front porch ceilings”

    Took me a minute–looks like flaking paint to me. Speaking of flaking paint–the Ass’n needs to get that front window over the stairs painted this year.

    From the ’10 listing: “very high-end rehab in 2002”

    We now have “bathroom has been completely remodeled in 2023; new HVAC (2yrs); newer windows (4yrs)”, but seemingly 22 yo appliances–I’d think the fridge is especailly concerning, give how damn expensive built in fridges are now.

    Aug-10 + CPI = $457k, and they’ve put $20k+ into it.

    Jul-91 + CPI = $394k, and the kitchen and baths are close to $100k nicer than they were in ’91.

    Very nice place.

    Lack of a 2d bathroom (even a half) holding it back over time. If it works for you, it’s almost a ‘deal’.

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  5. Beautiful unit, with an exceptionally sensitive kitchen design.

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  6. Nice

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  7. Floorplan in last photo says sqft is 1257 + 230 for the balconies, I think this is overexaggerated based on the dimensions of each room. I think the balconies are included in the 1257. The kitchen is TINY, there’s very little counterspace and that would be a dealbreaker for me. I would probably rent this place instead and save $400/month along with my $85K down payment and not have to worry about the 22 year old fridge. https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/609-W-Oakdale-Ave-25-Chicago-IL-60657/2052944571_zpid/

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  8. if only it had a powder room

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  9. “I would probably rent this place instead and save $400/month along with my $85K down payment and not have to worry about the 22 year old fridge.”

    Fridge and the stove are both 22 years old according to the 2010 listing.

    I knew someone who sold her condo in a downtown luxury building because the kitchen was 15 years old and all of those luxury appliances were going to need replacing soon enough and it would cost a lot of money to do it.

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  10. Chatterati has mostly liked this building throughout the years. Most of the units have much of the original woodwork and interesting built-ins.

    George is a lovely street in this location and it’s near transportation.

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  11. “I’d think the fridge is especailly concerning, give how damn expensive built in fridges are now.”

    How much to put the new custom fridge in? $15k to $20k?

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  12. It’s a little hard to be sure how wide that is from the pix, but the comparable models are mostly $10-12K (plus tax):

    https://www.abt.com/Built-In-Side-by-Side-Refrigerators/c/502.html

    Possible you don’t have to change the trim at all, but also might.

    Fridge and the range are practically 5% of the asking price.

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  13. How do people justify $10K fridges?

    Do they make your food taste that much better? /s

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  14. I went to the Open House. Great unit! Flooring is better than you’d expect (just a slight creek in places) and the walls are in perfect shape. Apparently current owner had a lot of plaster work done. Front balcony is shared with one other neighbor. Back balcony is private, and doored off from the staircase, so extra secure.

    I’m surprised this isn’t under contact yet. There were at least 6 couples that went through it in my 15 mins there.

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  15. Thanks for the update KK. I assumed there would be a lot of people interested. Maybe there are multiple offers so some negotiation ongoing.

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  16. “Do they make your food taste that much better?”

    Yes, actually. Truly amazing. Isn’t a luxury anything better than the mainstream? Cars, furniture, clothing etc. Touch of decadence and more advanced features.

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  17. “Yes, actually. Truly amazing. Isn’t a luxury anything better than the mainstream? Cars, furniture, clothing etc. Touch of decadence and more advanced features.”

    All thanks to sophisticated chips

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  18. “Do [SubZero refrigerators] make your food taste that much better?”

    “Yes, actually.”

    What’s the process for the food tasting better, exactly?

    Is it a psychosomatic effect arising from self-satisfaction?

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  19. “How do people justify $10K fridges?”

    how do people justify buying an $80k car when a much cheaper option is available for a half of the price? It’s a luxury product.

    Taste better? no, but they will keep your food fresher for longer.

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  20. Sold for $457k.

    This one was clearly over ask.

    93.4% mortgage.

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  21. 93.4% mortgage?

    Umm are these special mortgages? Some gov backed GI?

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  22. “93.4% mortgage?

    Umm are these special mortgages? Some gov backed GI?”

    If you have the credit score and pay PMI, you can put down whatever amount you want. Most likely put down 10% but after all the costs and fees it turned out the mortgage was for 93.4% instead of 90%.

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