A 3-Bedroom Duplex Penthouse with a Big Terrace in the Gold Coast: 33 E. Bellevue
This 3-bedroom duplex up penthouse in 33 E. Bellevue in the Gold Coast came on the market in May 2020.
Built in 1910, this Beaux Arts building has 11 units and an attached parking garage.
It appears the building has an elevator but no other amenities.
The 3 bedrooms are all on the main level including the primary suite with 2 walk-in-closets and a new primary bath.
There’s also a family room on the main level.
The kitchen, dining room and living room are all on the second floor.
The eat-in kitchen has white cabinets and stainless steel appliances.
It has two fireplaces and built-in cabinets.
The penthouse has two outdoor spaces including a large front facing terrace measuring 54×10.
The unit has space pac cooling, laundry in the unit and 1 garage space, which is included in the price.
This building is in just minutes from the Gold Coast’s popular restaurants and shopping areas.
Originally listed in May 2020 for $2.475 million, it has been reduced to $2.245 million.
The east side penthouse is also currently on the market. It’s a 3/3 with 3094 square feet and is listed for $2.995 million.
See that listing here.
Does this penthouse have it all for buyers looking in a boutique building?
Julie Harron at Jameson Sotheby’s has the listing. See the pictures here (no floor plan)
Unit PH-W7: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 3500 square feet, duplex, penthouse
- Sold in November 1994 for $850,000
- Sold in September 1996 for $1.125 million
- Sold in June 2008 for $1.95 million
- Originally listed in May 2020 for $2.475 million
- Reduced
- Currently listed for $2.245 million
- Assessments of $2378 a month (includes heat, gas, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
- Taxes of $47,488
- Space pac cooling
- Laundry in the unit
- 1 garage parking space included
- 2 fireplaces
- Bedroom #1: 17×16 (main floor)
- Bedroom #2: 14×11 (main floor)
- Bedroom #3: 12×11 (main floor)
- Kitchen: 17×14 (second floor)
- Living room: 19×19 (second floor)
- Dining room: 19×16 (second floor)
- Family room: 18×12 (main floor)
- Foyer: 11×7 (second floor)
- Laundry room: 8×6 (main floor)
- Terrace: 54×10 (main floor)
- Balcony
This isn’t part of the original building, is it? Looks like it was added later judging from interior photos. Weird place.
Agree with Dan – Layout is weird
Kitchen is awesome. Finishes look appropriate for this price point
MBath is huge but poorly laid out.
A floor plan would really help to understand this place but its probably why its been on the market since May.
“This isn’t part of the original building, is it? Looks like it was added later judging from interior photos. Weird place.”
It DOES look like it was added later, right?
I couldn’t tell for sure but it doesn’t have the same vintage finishes as the other units on the lower levels.
I feel like it’s harder to sell condos in these boutique buildings that have NO amenities to the younger buyers who now WANT amenities.
I think about the amenities they are putting in buildings like the St Regis, One Chicago or Tribune Tower. We’re back to the 1970s when the buildings also put in a lot of amenities like pools, basketball courts etc.
I don’t see the appeal of one of these condos over some of the nearby rowhouses listed for similar prices. The advantage of a shared building is normally security, but it doesn’t appear that this building has a doorperson.
“I don’t see the appeal of one of these condos over some of the nearby rowhouses listed for similar prices. The advantage of a shared building is normally security, but it doesn’t appear that this building has a doorperson.”
First of all, I doubt there is a 3600 square foot rowhouse at that price in this neighborhood.
Second– you don’t feel more secure on the 6th/7th floor of a building with a locked front door (and where someone breaking in would presumably be noticed by one of your 12 neighbors), vs. a rowhouse where someone could gain access at ground level by getting over a back fence??
Also, the views, amount of space on 2 levels (more like a suburban house type layout rather than a cramped 4 story townhouse) makes this totally different.
THis is a beautiful building, and will appear to a very different buyer than a rowhouse or a newer highrise. I agree that there are some oddities to it, but I think it will sell for not too much less than the ask.
“I don’t see the appeal of one of these condos over some of the nearby rowhouses listed for similar prices.”
I’m with you Jenny.
Maybe simply that they don’t have to do any outside maintenance in the condo. They don’t have to make repairs, hire a gardener or anything.
I see JAH’s points, but lack of amenities really bothers me. No guest parking, it sounds like anyway. No doorperson. No gym.
I realize all this helps keep down the HOA and some people like that. But these things are worth it to me even if it’s an extra few hundred a month. Wouldn’t want to go out in the cold to a gym, and wouldn’t want to have to worry about where my guests can park (plus most people own two cars and this comes with one garage space – no word on whether others are available to rent).
“I realize all this helps keep down the HOA and some people like that. But these things are worth it to me even if it’s an extra few hundred a month.”
HOAs are higher in smaller buildings. Less units to spread the costs.
If you want amenities, move into a building with at least 200 units- if not 300+. Or, just be incredibly rich because amenities in smaller buildings will really cost you.
For anyone interested in the history of this building–including some famous original occupants–as well as details of the 1990’s restoration– I found this article: https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1992-12-27-9204270617-story.html
Cool. Thanks JAH.
What a fantastic article. It was cut up into 31 apartments in 1955. They restored the original floor plan and as much of the vintage features as they could.
While we all guessed that the top floors were added after the original construction, this article indicates it was added in 1914.
Wow.
Also, interesting how some things never change. From the article:
“Most of the residences in the area were single-family, freestanding structures or row homes, but a concern for security and a desire for big, comfortable spaces on one level were beginning to make apartments attractive to the wealthy and fashionable, she said.”
Also, it’s interesting how much has changed in Chicago since the early 1990s.
The Gold Coast was not great.
The article says this building sat vacant from 1986 until 1992. And that it nearly fell down when they built the Meridien hotel next door as it was allegedly damaged during construction.
Unit #3W, which is also on the market, has some pictures of the courtyard that is described in the Tribune article.
I wonder if that’s the same fountain that is talked about? I can’t believe that could be it though. It looks too small.
3W has the original crown molding and that wood paneled bedroom. Wow.
https://www.redfin.com/IL/Chicago/33-E-Bellevue-Pl-60611/unit-3W/home/14122591