Vintage Exterior Disguises Modern Interior: 1722 W. Wellington in Lakeview
From the street, this 2-bedroom home at 1722 W. Wellington looks like your run-of-the-mill vintage Lakeview house until you step through the front door.
The interior has been transformed with exposed beamed ceilings in the living room, a spiral staircase leading to the second floor and contemporary baths.
Catherine Brennan at Sudler Sothebys has the listing. Check out the Craigslist ad for a full-range of pictures (including the sprial staircase.)
See the listing and other pictures here.
1722 W. Wellington: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2750 square feet, 2 car garage, backyard
- Sold in May 1994 for $84,000
- Sold in February 1995 for $113,000
- Sold in July 1998 for $310,000
- Sold in June 2004 for $610,000
- Currently listed for $724,900
- Taxes of $8210
- Central Air
- Skylights
- Bedroom #1: 18×12
- Bedroom #2: 18×13
- Office: 10×13
Since they are including the basement in the square footage (house footprint is ~55×20), I want a pic or at least a description of the 700 SF basement space.
I really hate that location, and that’s quite expensive for 2 BR, but I do like the look of the place.
Also, Google earth shows an AtProperties sign in front, with a copyright on the photo of 2008. So this looks to be a re-listing.
Bathroom with tub, but no shower or toilet?
“Bathroom with tub, but no shower or toilet?”
Toilet or shower* is likely behind wall next to tub. See the 3d pic on Craigs. No guess as to the location of the other which isn’t behind that wall, tho.
*my guess is shower, based on location of the towel bar.
anon, @properties listed it 7/23/07 to 10/18/07 (88 days) at $795,000 before the listing was cancelled.
The current listing began 3/8/09.
Looks to have be redone. Why not put a real stair case instead of a spiral?
brad: probably because of space concerns. this place is quite small for a sfh. although i like the finishes and exterior, the location isn’t great and that price is pretty high. i also wonder who is in the market for a 2/2 sfh. i guess people not looking to have kids in the near future…
“Why not put a real stair case instead of a spiral”
B/c of the space consumed by a real staircase. They’d have chewed up most of their gallery.
This place has been remodeled extensively, but it blows my mind that it sold for only $84,000 just 15 years ago.
“i also wonder who is in the market for a 2/2 sfh. i guess people not looking to have kids in the near future”
Or people not looking to have kids ever (or empty nesters) who would prefer a house for lots of reasons–including not having to pretend to be nice to the neighbors.
“it blows my mind that it sold for only $84,000 just 15 years ago.”
The area directly across the street and south all the way to Wrightwood was an industrial area 15 years ago. Most of it was still industrial–but in the process of being vacated and razed–8 years ago.
Thanks for the explanation, anon (tfo). That makes sense.
Very tasteful rehab, but 2BR at that price is a deal killer.
I would think that most people who spend this much will want a home office/den of some sort, and that leaves no room for guests.
House doesn’t have a basement, listed as “partial/crawl” for basement. No way is it 2750 sq ft on 2 levels.
However I think this is a very cool house, I’d buy it.
I liked the area when it was more industrial, quite frankly. Now it is ridiculously congested & the property taxes are absurd.
The problem with the location is that if you drive, you will curse the traffic every weekend. If you use PT, you will find the buses are also slow, which makes getting to the L a hassle.
otoh, there is lots and lots to do on foot. and if you don’t need a car (at least during rush hour and Saturdays) everything you could want from the City is right there.
Nicely done…love the kitchen. But pricey for a 2/2 in this part of LV. I’d say it’ll go for low $600s
anon (tfo): my point with the “who wants this house” comment is not that _no one_ wants this house. I’m just saying the market for a 2/2 SFH has got to be smaller than for a 3-5/2 SFH. Given that, this price seems high to me.
There are plenty of nice 2/2 condos in lakeview for well under 500k. Granted those are condos and not sfh’s, I agree that sfh’s should command a premium and this place has great finishes. But is that premium really 225k+ over a similar condo? Not for me, it isn’t.
Another example of an interior rehab overkill. Yes the interior rehab is beautiful, but who is going to spend 725k on this when you’re competing with nearby 4/4’s like 1307 W Byron & 1444 W Hutchinson (both at 739k ask).
580k is my guess on this one.
1307 Byron is on a short lot (42×50) with no garage and 2 car side drive parking (ie, no room to put a garage, and probably not much of a yard to speak of), and 1444 W. Hutchinson needs quite a bit of updating. Also neither of these are “nearby” the 1700 block of Wellington.
“1444 W. Hutchinson”
2007 Taxes: $11,863.15
Insane!
It’s not just a 2/2 house, and is hardly comparable to a 2/2 condo. All of the rooms here are pretty good sized and are as follows: Formal living room, formal dining room, kitchen, family room, 2 bedrooms, and an office. To get a condo with that much space (most likely in a duplex down or up), with a similar finish quality you will be paying in the 600s at least, and even then you’re still in a condo.
“There are plenty of nice 2/2 condos in lakeview for well under 500k. Granted those are condos and not sfh’s, I agree that sfh’s should command a premium and this place has great finishes. But is that premium really 225k+ over a similar condo? Not for me, it isn’t.”
I wouldn’t consider *buying* an apartment, and never would have. So the premium is more than $225k for me, but this one’s still overpriced, especially with no basement–if for nothing else, storage and utilities.
I think Bob’s estimate is pretty good.
What owner did the rehab: the 98 purchaser, right?
This very close where I used to live. I’d hate driving around there because Ashland is just BRUTAL around here but you don’t really need to have a car. You have everything you could possibly need within like a two block radius.
“What owner did the rehab: the 98 purchaser, right?”
That’s my question, too. Did the current owner add anything to the house, except 5 years of wear-n-tear?
The current owner has given 6 mortgages in 5 years so it’s confusing. However, it appears the owner put 20% down at the time of purchase along with a $488k jumbo. However, this serial refinancer has managed to cash out a good chunk of the downpayment and now owes $417+$130 for a total of $547k, apparently to get out of the jumbo (which I would most assuredly bet had some toxicity to it – I’ll find out if anyone is interested).
Looking at the transaction history I’m gonna change my guess and revise it downward to 520k. Thats because we all know what happened here in 2004. Tardface shows up with a high LTV Countrywide loan and outbids all the legitimate money on this place back in 2004.
I bet most of the rehab was done by the 1998 owner. You’d be a fool to compete with Tardface and his funny money loan. The real comp for this thing is much lower than 725k or even 610k.
I don’t think the price is all that bad, given the location and the comps in the neighborhood. The price for all of the 2/2 townhomes right down the street are considerably higher. Given the “premium” for this being a sfh, and throw in the 2 car garage, with no HOA fees. I would spend a little more on this place if my original plan was to get a 2/2 townhome or condo in that neighborhood.
“This very close where I used to live. I’d hate driving around there because Ashland is just BRUTAL around here but you don’t really need to have a car. You have everything you could possibly need within like a two block radius.”
Finally, a post from Sonie’s I can support 100%.
btw, the name of the factory just came to me, it was the Appleton Electric Co. and it was gi-normous – at least half of a full City block, if not a full one. I remember it clearly as it knocked out the power up and down Ashland for a day when it burned down, families were setting up chairs next to it like it was July 4th.
IMO, it was yet another of Lake View’s many convenient factory burnings… arson/fire insurance scam, anyone?
I checked this place out last weekend. The interior is as nice as advertised but it feels very narrow. The kitchen is beautiful but the W/D share the same space and are partially exposed. The shower in the upstairs bath is directly behind the tub but was apparently hard to photograph due to the tight space. In terms of current owner contribution, I think she re-did the foundation and may also have done the kitchen.
I went there thinking that this could be converted to a 3BR, but as another commenter mentioned, the 2500+ sq ft. can be chalked up to the crawl space in the basement. It feels tiny.
I’m new to the area (NYC) and am still building up my Chicago RE chops, but this feels at least 100k overpriced. It deserves a premium for being in the Burley district and for the interior but its still just a small 2/2.
I wonder how the whole house as ATM strategy is working for our seller these days…toast. Its okay though BHO will save him as they are now requiring all TARP recipients to make loan mods. Our taxpayer dollars at work.
I don’t know why everyone is complaining about driving. I lived only 3 doors down from this house and thought the location was perfect. You can easily jump on Damen to go North/South and head East/West on Wellington or Belmont. Plus, there is a Jewel Walking distance; Costco and Dominick’s are just down the street near Paulina & Wrightwood. So, when you had to drive you could get around quick and where you needed to go (shopping wise) was close by.
I have lived in a number of location within Lakeview and this was my favorite by far. Nice and quiet at night, but walking distance to some nightlife if that is your thing.
The house’s finishes are awesome, but there are a lot 3B/3B townhouses in Wellington Park that typically go for around $550 – 600. My guess is it will sell in the mid to low 600 range.
I know a number of single-child city families who live in two bedroom houses.
I agree the house is overpriced, but I do think there is a market for a two bedroom house. Also it is in a very good school district.
Dan, you gotta me kidding me on ease of driving & Damen.
The Damen/Fullerton/Elston intersection may be the worst on the north side, it boggles my mind why Daley won’t pop for one of those (admittedly somewhat useless) TMA traffic cops for it.
jc: you are right that this is a bit roomier than your average 2/2 condo and there is an extra room or two included in this house. But I think you are missing my larger point.
Go down the street and you’ll find this property, an attached townhome with 1000 extra square feet and another bedroom, asking 25K less:
http://www.redfin.com/IL/Chicago/2904-N-Paulina-St-60657/home/12651822
You’ll also find a variety of condos that come close to the sq. footage of this property, but cost WAY less (not that I’m saying I like the properties more). For instance, 2855 N Damen (listed as a 3/2, but really a 2+office, listed sq. ft. of 1283, compared to this place’s 1542)
Then there’s the SFH’s in the 500-600K range on barry nearby. Not as nice, but bigger. Then there’s the multi-family properties in the area, most of which are priced between 500-700K and are all much bigger places. They’d make great conversions for people willing to do the work and stay the long haul.
Look, I like that this place is detached and a SFH and I like the finishes. But let’s face reality, here: it is WAY overpriced compared to its neighbors and for what you get. I’m with you and anon in that I wouldn’t even consider a condo, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to pay sucker prices for some nice looking cabinets and the fact that its a SFH.
In my opinion, the biggest challenge this house faces is that silly spiral staircase. The demographic that would be most interested in this small single family home in the Burley school district is young families, or couples planning to start a family. Singles and childless or older couples are not likely to be that interested in this location. However, that spiral staircase is likely to be a deal killer for little ones. Could you imagine taking a baby (and all the other stuff a baby comes with) up and down that staircase several times a day? Don’t know if they can change that staircase, but if it was my house to sell, I’d seriously explore the possibility. Its a problem if the home doesn’t work for the most likely type of buyer.
from what the oracle of google tells me – I see a single middle aged female exec as the current owner; yet the answer is incomplete and faded so take that for what’s its worth. But if the oracle is right that demo would make perfect sense for this home. Ain’t no family with babies going to live here. 9/10 couples with babies move to Naperville or Mundelein anyway. (yes I made up that stat)
“Singles and childless or older couples are not likely to be that interested in this location.”
I know a childless couple who would be interested–if it were un-reno’d. Altho the lack of a basement would be a turnoff. But for them, it’s about $300k more than they want to (as opposed to could) spend.
Of course, this is “worth” about $400k plus the cost of the updates–in other words, not more than the ’04 price. In doing that, I’m granting the land plus shell some appreciation since ’98 on account of ‘hood improvement and inflation and not depreciating the reno for a “turnkey premium”**.
**Or turkey premium, if you’re a DIYer.
Nice looking house, with great finishes
The spiral staircase is a dealkiller for me.
love the kitchen, the rest I’d leave.
I usually hate chicago cottages, but i like this one. According to the listing it’s only a 24′ wide lot – which explains narrowness – an extra foot makes a big difference.
the assessor has this at 1,982 SF above grade – i don’t know where the 1,500± SF number i saw above came from.
There is also an office (10 x 13′) on the second floor which could make a nice office, guest room or nursery. There’s also a little family room on the first floor.
If you read the listing it says “Mstr bth w/ slate flr, clawtub, spa-like shower.” So there is a shower in the master bath.
But i agree 100% that a spiral staircase is an absolute deal killer. It would hvae to be replaced.
“the assessor has this at 1,982 SF above grade – i don’t know where the 1,500± SF number i saw above came from.”
Still closer than the 2750 non-sense in the listing.
Well all … I can answer some of your questions as my wife and I did all the refurbishment except for that hidious kitchen.
We bought this when it was size was 1800 sqft; we designed and project managed the entire build … also did a hugh amount of the demo and some of the build and finish.
Unless added to since we did the refurbishent it is closer to 2200sqft … we completely demo’d approx 400 sqft as it was unsafe and rebuilt on 2 levels 800sqft.
THE SPIRAL STAIR – yes space saving and headroom issue / loss of floor space at upper level. My first son was born when we lived in the house … in fact I finished tiling the upstairs SHOWER the evening before he was born … No the stair is not a problem with a baby.
It is narrow because it is a traditional Chicago 25′ x 125′ lot.
There is a two car garage off a rear ally – in brick if it has not been torn down.
There is a toilet and shower in the bathroom upstairs … the toilet is in a seperate room in the bathroom … with it’s own handwash basin – allowing two intimate adults to not disturb each other.
There is a shower in the ground floor water closet.
Room sizes are big … and if we had stayed we had planned in the original design to do a simple dormer to the front west and create a third bedroom.
The front fence and fireplace is an addition from our orginal refurbishment/rebuild.
All is new externally down to barge board and internally down to exterior stud frame – high levels of insulation, low-E double glazed, new oak floor; complete new heating and cooling system; upgraded electrical incoming main and all new wiring with hard wired fire alarms (all in hardwall conduit).
But $725k … I could not say
My wife and I loved the house and the project
We did not want to do another 3000sqft McMansion is such a great neighbourhood … it would seem at that price that there is no diversity left in the area … the people made Lakeview great when we lived there – not the houses.
We just came from the open house and were told that there was a termite problem that the current owner fixed for a tidy sum. That may explain the multiple mortgages.
You can never really fix termites, you can only really keep them under control. If you let your termite maintenance contract lapse you’re at significant risk of reinfestation. They can live up to 20 feet underground – they never really go away – they’re just not actively eating your away your house. Early in my career I prosecuted and defended way too many homeowner termite cases that’s how I know this. Sucks to be this seller.