A Classic City Home in The Montgomery: 500 W. Superior in River North
This 2-bedroom in The Montgomery, at 500 W. Superior, in River North has a layout that isn’t common in most newer condo units.
The Montgomery was converted into condos in 2005.
The southwest corner unit has 10 1/2 foot ceilings and a wall of windows stretching across the entire living/dining space.
The kitchen has a massive kitchen island with granite counter tops and is located in between the living room and the family room for a huge amount of living space. I can’t tell from the pictures if the family room is also the “custom designed den” (but there appears to be no picture of the den- if it is a separate room and not the same as the family room.)
The unit also has its own 11×7 laundry room and 9×7 office.
Both bedrooms are en suite.
Will this downtown home be able to command a much higher price than the 2005 purchase price?
Cara Buffa at Prudential Rubloff has the listing. See the pictures here.
Unit #703: 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2338 square feet
- Sold in June 2005 for $639,000
- Currently listed for $799,900 (parking is $45,000 extra)
- Assessments of $1307 a month (includes heat, air conditioning, doorman, cable)
- Taxes of $12,853
- Central Air
- 11×7 laundry room
- Bedroom #1: 18×14
- Bedroom #2: 13×10
- Living room: 28×18
- Family room: 18×15
- Den: 18×16 (?)
- Kitchen: 17×16
- Office: 9×7
Very nice space, nice layout and a great location, but can’t see that anything in Chicago that costs you $2,400 before a mortgage and doesn’t include parking is worth 25% more than a 2005 sale.
That is some assesment for a 700k condo.
beautiful unit, killer kitchen, love the drape behind the bed in the master bd. (cool!), but there’s no way getting around that this only has windows on one side of the unit.
That assessment costs you approx. $200,000 of mortgage. So instead of this condo for $845k (with parking) you could be looking at SFH’s for 1.050 million. Why would this condo or building be appealing?
I lived in here….meh, bad assoc (though I had little interaction) but the wtf part is: you have to pick your dog up when walking through the lobby or take him/her out the back door.
Oh, and the people are relatively stingy too – rich, always judging, look at the baby look at the baby..
Interesting fact: The owner of centrum properities lives on the top two floors in which the top-most floor was added on the existing level creating a duplex-like structure in the sky, complete with a rain forest expanding on the roof (since he has half the roof too, actually making it three stories-ish).
High assessments, no parking, thanks but no thanks!
at over 2300 sq. ft., this is more spacious than most high rise 4 bedroom units, so it’s not surprising that the price & assessments reflect the huge square footage. Also, some people might not understand that the “conversion” wasn’t from rental; this was an office conversion no everthing but the core of the building & exterior was new in ’05. Yes–all the windows appear to face on direction–that is the nature of the building (not sure of what importance to say it’s a corner unit since there aren’t (I believe) any windows on the side). But at least the windows also all face a desirable south skyline view.
Finally, in justifying a price increase since 2005 (or just understanding that it might not be a good basis for calculating current “value”): 1) the owner may have been one of the earlier purchasers during construction phase, so the closing price in ’05 may have been significantly below its value at that time; 2) I’m assuming that a lot of the improvements (built-ins in office, lighting, etc.) were part of an expensive buildout not reflected in 05 price
No, I’m not a shill of the seller, just a fan of this building!
Is this a two unit combined type of thing? that might explain the high ass fee?
refreshing to see a nice place on crib chatter, its been a while.
Cool kitchen layout, etc. The assessments are a bit high, but not ridiculous. Can’t say whether the pricing is reasonable or not (especially given the lack of parking).
As a side note, one which I know will shock the conscience of many midwesterners: Not everybody dreams of the almighty SFH, even folks who can spend $1 million (which this place effectively is with the assessments).
“Is this a two unit combined type of thing? that might explain the high ass fee?”
No, the assys have always been high due to the caliber of the building, slate stone in the lobby and throughout the elevators, marble everywhere, recessed lighting in the hallways with indirect light, conceirge and assistanct conceirge…
(assys are based on sq ft btw)
nice building thats for sure
(not sure of what importance to say it’s a corner unit since there aren’t (I believe) any windows on the side).
Regardless of windows (or lack thereof), there’s no one on the other side of that wall making noise.
Is anythig in the space that used to be Brassirie Ruhlmann?
Slate is actually an inexpensive stone not much more per sf than porcelain, it’s around $2-$3 psf last time I checked. They spent $1 million on that Brasserie Ruhlmann space and it’s still vacant. Japanais pays $50,000 rent per month.
“That assessment costs you approx. $200,000 of mortgage. So instead of this condo for $845k (with parking) you could be looking at SFH’s for 1.050 million. Why would this condo or building be appealing?”
Uhhh because the assessment covers a lot. If you buy a SFH, you are stuck with an additional several hundred dollars a month for maint., heat, ac, etc.)
Clio … i think you will tour the apt. just to meet cute realtor.
Clio, so back out the $250 in energy costs, $70 in cable, $30 in water/sewer/trash and I’ll even given you $100 towards dealing with other external maintenance that’s covered, and you’re still left with nearly $900 a month. Is it common for assessments like this to include maintenance within the unit? Are you suggesting this one does? A doorman is nice, don’t get me wrong, just not $10k a year nice.
Here’s where Clio chimes in that his heating bill is $2,500 a month for his heated driveway, estate lighting, and guest house. Just in case we all forgot that he’s rich.
you guys shouldn’t hate on Clio…not everyone cares about the assys or carrying costs if they are truly happy with the property.
The assessment of a condo vs. maint. of a SFH is an interesting topic. I pay both and can tell you that although I DO get annoyed paying over 1000/month assessment for my in-town, it DOES cover almost everything. When I add up typical yearly costs for my own house and divide it by 12, the number is nearly 3X that. Even if you took a regular house of similar value, I think the costs would be higher. More importantly, when you own a SFH you have to arrange everything yourself. There comes a period in life when time is WAY more important than money.
I’ll agree 100%, a SFH can be VERY expensive to maintain. (roof maintenance, pool, landscaping, paint, air handling systems, etc). Houses are a complete pain in the ass.
@ JAH, If you are an owner in the building, you might want to make sure that the board keeps the assessments under control. There are tones of great building with much better assessments. Also, there is so much room for westward expansion in Chicago that one can hardly claim this building is unique with its city views. In a market like this, advocating for a building with high assessment is a tough sell.
“Slate is actually an inexpensive stone not much more per sf than porcelain, it’s around $2-$3 psf last time I checked. They spent $1 million on that Brasserie Ruhlmann space and it’s still vacant. Japanais pays $50,000 rent per month.”
Japanais is not in this building. It is in 600 West a commercial building next to 900 North Kingsbury Lofts which was the former Montgomery Catalogue warehouse. Neither Centrum property — 900 N. Kingsbury or 500 West Superior owns the commercial space. They are separate and sold. You don’t want your condo to own much commercial space b/c if they do you can’t get a mortgage under the new regs. Thus, Japanais rent does not factor into 900 North Kingsbury assessments.
Perhaps what Dan meant was that the owners of Japonais (who also owned Brasserie Ruhlmann) still pay $50k a month for a long term lease they signed for the space? I’m just speculating…but I know it’s same owners.
“…it DOES cover almost everything…”
What does it cover? Does it cover inside maintenance in the unit? If your refrigerator stops working, do they come fix it or replace it? Do they fix leaky faucets? What?
miumiu: I’m not an owner, just someone who appreciates that this building is somewhat unique for its architecture, quality of construction, and size of this and most units. I’d much rather have this than a combination of two typical river north 1200 sq ft units combined, which would likely end up costing not much less (and likely more than this unit if you factor in buildout with this kind of kitchen & other built-ins) and likely have assessments not much lower. I certainly wouldn’t want to pay these kind of assessments, but most people that want to live in high rise buildings with doormen & have 2300 sq. ft. would expect to pay close to this.
JAH, I actually like condo living and been looking at 2/2 quite a bit. I still find the assessment excessive here. I rather buy in Museum park in SL. I believe the assessments more reasonable and the units are spacious too. Also the amenities are pretty good too. Although I would rather they had a serious lap pool instead of their small decorative ones.
I like condo living as well and echo that not everyone wants to live in SFH. One of the other advantages is the break I get on my car insurance because my building has 24 hour security, sprinklers in the garage, and a full blown video security system with cameras on every entrance, exit, and the perimeter. It annoys me that people on this board have a hard time seeing anyone else’s point of view.
I could very easily afford a SFH but as a single (widowed) person, I would not at all feel safe in a house by myself. Even in vaunted Lincoln Park. During the huge blizzard, my building engineer stayed up all night with the snow blower and kept our sidewalks and garage entrances clean. There are just as many if not more costs associated with a SFH – not to mention a ton more work. To each his own but not everyone on this board can deal with that.
The idea of attending a condo board meeting is too much for me to ever consider it.
Oh come on danny – the condo board meetings are great – check the board, make sure they’re okay, just don’t ever join the board.
“Will this downtown home be able to command a much higher price than the 2005 purchase price?”
Not at all. But hearken to me hitting on the tallest or out of my league model at the bar. Lottery tickets like that, and listing your place at an insane ask price, are free.
If there were even a nominal fee for listing your place, say $250, I think we’d see a lot less of this garbage on the MLS of out of touch or wishful owners listing their places at peak + 10% ask prices.
This building is one of the better done conversions. Things are done well in general. I’m not a fan of many of the floor plans, including this unit.
Some developers allow their project consultants (incl architects) to pre-purchase units at a discounted price and allowing significant custom modifications to finishes and floor plan. Their are several such expensive units in Montgomery for sale over past year.
Floorplan information is still available for Montgomery. Some units facing east-west have balconies. Building’s unusually deep units are due to its original design as an office building. SOM did a great job overcoming the floorplate depth problem, and some larger unique units are well-designed and have high-end finishes.
Lobby finishes don’t affect assessments. Doorman coverage, interior garages, staff count, and amount of common space area does.
I like this building, but because it was a new development during the peak real estate development period, prices were high and current asking prices for many units are typically now less than their original purchase price. There have been short-sales and foreclosures too.
“Even if you took a regular house of similar value, I think the costs would be higher. More importantly, when you own a SFH you have to arrange everything yourself. There comes a period in life when time is WAY more important than money.”
i will say this again, and again, and again.
for the same sqft you can maintain a SFH for cheap and less hassle than in a condo. even if you out source everything i.e. lawn, leaves, snow removal, maintenance, repairs, gym mebership.
clio you cannot ever compare what you pay in ass fees on your 1500sqft condo to your 8000sqft home on an acre of land. apples to apples and you will see a SFH will always win.
its realy more of what you prefer not what is cheaper and easier (but SFH IS cheaper and easier).
Groove:
Let’s see. Now in a condo; actually two condos. I don’t have to rake leaves from October to December; I don’t have to shovel snow on a corner lot and a driveway and off the roof; I don’t mow the lawn; I don’t have to clean gutters; I don’t have to wash exterior windows two stories up from the ground; no power washing and staining a 300 foot desk; no taking the garbage out to the curb in 0 degree temp; no leaky basement’ no sfh anymore, ever.
oh and to not have to make decisions as a collective is priceless!!!
Poppa steve!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
no i agree there is a bit more work with a condo, but that can be outsourced for cheap.
and when your money is tight you HAVE THE OPTION to cancel those services and do it yourself.
but i see your preference, as you go between homes and are empty-nesters , i totaly understand your choice as it works for you.
i am just saying on a equal sqft basis a SFH will be cheaper ad give way more options.
“no i agree there is a bit more work with a condo”
oops *than with a condo
see i proof sometimes
iirc from an architecture boat tour, this building was built so that nobody got a corner office. does anyone know what’s in the windowless corners?
You can never compare assessments to maintenance costs apples-to-apples. More important than $ is the tradeoff between control and work. SFHs cost time (even if you farm everything out). Condos cost independence and control.
Personally, I’m looking at fee simple townhomes — seems like the perfect compromise for me.
“Some units facing east-west have balconies”
all units facing directly east or west have balconies as they are the only units in the building that do.
“does anyone know what’s in the windowless corners?”
the bedrooms as part of either the E-W facing units (all 2/2’s) or on the higher floors, part of the N-S facing units.
Also, regarding the assesments, you have to understand that if you wanted tickets to the opera, a 7:30 rsvp at trotter’s or alinea or a window table on at the sig room, someone to pick up your laundry, or start your car…you just call downstairs to the conceirge to make it happen, and it does.
Groove:
As EJ says it’s time. I’m at the stage where time is more important than money. When I went off to Madison and left the wife in NoVA until she was eligible to retire, I finally hired someone to gather up the leaves. It wasn’t all that expensive, and I should have done it years before rather than loose almost every weekend for three months in the fall. G–, I hate leaves.
“As EJ says it’s time.”
very very true, i dont disagree with the benefits a condo give you, and there are positives and drawbacks with both
i just disagree that a condo “costs less”
now that i am short on time i pay a landscaper to do my parents home and in-laws home once a week for cut/edging/bushes/and LEAVES, which is only $80 a month for BOTH HOUSES.
I do my own lawn because i enjoy it, but i do pay some punk kids cash to rake most of the time 🙂
I’m seriously thinking about buying a 2/2 in the Montgomery. Would appreciate any insights –positive and negative about this building.
jazzlover – this is an awesome building but demands a specific type of person.
If you face north, you will hear everything from the kingsbury/larabee/chicago intersection (right at 600 W). I was on the 11th floor and it was very noticible with windows closed. You will also hear the “chatter” from the little hell-ish area just north of Chicago. The southern view is the wtg, but be prepared to pay for it. Also, it is tricky with the 2/2 because I technically had a 2/2 but the 2nd bedroom was lofted to the kitchen so it was the basic 2/2. Also note the counter tops, in that, I had the grey slate-ish which stained very easily, left rings from bottom of glasses. Also, there is about a 1.5″ drop from wood floor to carpet so becareful when walking from a carpet room onto the wood floors that you do not stub your toe. The parking garage is great if you can handle the steep spiral up and down. Or, premium parking is available in the basement but it is difficult to climb the steep ramp in the winter (this is also where all the ferrari’s/lambo’s/porsche’s/maserati’s park). You will have no say in the association meetings because they do not care about you; they have more money and you are living in their building. The staff is very friendly and will always open doors, help you carry stuff, let friends park outside for a bit, etc…
It is a very quiet bulding with luxurious undertones and giant mailboxes. Also, a realtively diverse building with people of all nationalities, but you won’t hear any college kid type parties (everyone is professional). There are yoga classes on the roof in the mornings (super cool) and the view from the roof is awesome (and I mean awesome)…All units have double drywall/double insulation (as with all the Centrum prop wards re-do’s) and this is considered to be the highest caliber rehab, followed by the 900 Kingsbury, and then 758 larabee (I think that is the other wards building address).
A-fed,
how do you feel about the proximity to the building to some of the former
ghetto-ish areas? I love the way it looks, beautiful building, but an issue i always had with this end of river north was the proximity to those ‘row homes’ right across from japonais.
“a 7:30 rsvp at trotter’s or alinea”
On the spot? This can’t be true.
Riz – are you referring to the next “best” area in Chicago?? LOL, it’s not bad by any means, there are no beggers/bums, or anything of the sort hagning around. The row homes “little hell” area is less than 30% occupied and many units are bordered up. Cops all over the place too. The biggest turn off is the court room on superior a few blocks east which draws an interesting crowd. But aside from that once you walk outside, there is a neighboorhoody feel, with the Mcmansions and townhouses scattered throughout, People walking their dogs, walking their kids, etc..Scoozi is a few blocks away which, aside from that, is a concern due to the lack of bars/restaurants (though some people may see this as a plus).
Roma – pretty much true within certain menas; if anyone can make it happen, these guys can…
A-Fed –thanks for all the great tips and insights on the Montgomery! Noise is a huge issue for me, as I’m currently surrounded by shrieking Trixies and hard-drinking frat boys in DePaul/LP.
And yes, I’m concerned about crime and chatter from the “ghetto-ish area” north of Chicago. Is it safe for a woman to walk around at night?
Jazz lover – my pleasure. yes, it is safe (as far as safe in the city goes). The streets are well lit and there are people out and about day and night. Plus it is well patroled by chicagos finest. There is little crime (I haven’t wittnessed any) but there are stories about crime w/the McMansions (I think Antoine Walker or some basketball player??). The people from the “ghetto” rarely cross Chicago into this neighboorhood.
Overall, this is a great building to live in – if you have the $$$. I still have a few friends in the building as well as my family friends uncle who swears by this building. Many of the units have crystal chandeliers, grand pianos, all that luxury stuff…
My favorite units are the large-er 2.5/2 facing south, where you walk into the unit and there are two pillars framing a wall of windows looking at the skyline. Absolutely awesome when the sun comes up over the city, with ten foot ceilings and all, makes a great experience. Also, if you prefer a balcony, the east units are better than the west (of course, you get the city view) but they are big balconies, big enough for a table with 4 chairs and mini-garden.
Also what’s really cool is the use of partial glass slabs in the drywall to seperate rooms (hard to explain but look at some listings and you will see what I’m talkin about).
Q: “does anyone know what’s in the windowless corners?” A: bedrooms
“Building’s unusually deep units are due to its original design as an office building. SOM did a great job overcoming the floorplate depth problem”
They should’ve put the laundry rooms and bathrooms in the areas with no windows, huh? How did SOM overcome the depth problem, could you/anyone kindly elaborate?
This unit, in the photos, seems like it has too many rooms with no windows.
The new park across from Erie Cafe is excellent!!!
Is scoozi good?
Went to club lago and loved that food for the price
Ahh, yeah i always loved river north, and i really like a lot of the new construction along the river close to japonais , but that little ‘mini hell’ you speak of scared me off. how much longer are those rowhomes going to be there? i was told that they aren’t going to be torn down at all, which is a serious bummer for the area. I looked at a beautiful 1 bed down the street from japonais but was scared off bc of the ghetto-ness down the street. There are definitely saw awesome single family homes and lofts around here, all the way up towards the east bank club – i lived for a short stint at the sexton lofts across from there and have been itching to get back into the neighborhood ever since.
“They should’ve put the laundry rooms and bathrooms in the areas with no windows, huh? How did SOM overcome the depth problem, could you/anyone kindly elaborate?”
They have windows…kind of…you have to look up a listing to understand this: there may not be a door but a full height wall that does not touch the window, with glass touching the ceiling..cool, but difficult to explain.
“how much longer are those rowhomes going to be there?”
this goes into the cabrini discussion. from my understanding, they will be torn down as this is prime RE. Yet, the city is focused on the cabrini towers right now and redeveloping that land. Plus, with the nation housing fiasco, blah blah blah…give it ten years before anything happens to those id imagine.
“Is scoozi good?”
YES!!! a tad bit pricey, but they have great half price wine nights, $5 dollar pizza night, etc…and you can sit outside in the summer at the tables with your dog!
“this goes into the cabrini discussion. from my understanding, they will be torn down as this is prime RE.”
Nothing in the plan currently for tearing down the rowhomes. They are with us for the foreseeable future. “from my understanding”–of a different person–the Marshall Field homes on Sedgwick were leased, and going back to a for-profit owner in about 2004, neither of which had any relation to reality, either.
“give it ten years before anything happens to those id imagine.”
Minimum. I’d expect it to be 10 years before there’s a plan in place to remove them, and then there will be the litigation, which only made the Green Homes demo take an extra, what?, 10 years? And with the rowhomes, the preservationists will get involved, as they are some of the oldest public housing in the city, named after Mother Cabrini, as the original residents were mostly Italian, mostly working in the defense factories nearby during WW2.
Jazzlover-
I live here with my family (husband + 2 children) and love the neighborhood. I walk to the nail salon on Larrabee that backs up to the row homes. I have never had a problem and have lived here for several years (since conversion. This building is luxurious but not as pretentious as the gold coast. The neighborhood is more relaxed than the gold coast which is why we chose it. Its quieter and easier with a family. There are so many families that live here…it really is safe. The police station is just down the street on Larabee and they patrol regularly. The Antione Walker incident was not random. It was folks from his old neighborhood who sought him out.
There are families who live in this buildng, the SFHs, and some large lofts in 900 North Kingsbury (that have never been on the market) with some serious cash. However, they tend to me more laid back than folks in the gold coast. They probably are heavy handed in managing the building, but I suspect you find that in all condos where there are penthouses worth several million dollars. However, owning a 2bd/2ba in a building with million dollar places seems to be a plus to me. Owning a 2 bed/2ba in a building with lower priced properties risks frat boy renters if you ask me.
As for the row homes, no one really knows what will happen to these. CHA is keeping a tight lid on it. We know they found mold during the renovations of some of the town homes. Rumor has it that it is more expensive to remodel than to build new. The renovations have stopped which makes many in the neighborhood believe the row homes will not be renovated as planned and will eventually be leveled…its just not PC for CHA to do this now.
If you can get a good deal here, I think you would be a fool to pass it up. The neighborhood is only getting better each year. Erie park has been completely redone and its starting to really feel light a neighborhood. I know my neighbors which is more than I can say when I lived in streeterville. The only down side, in my opinion, is the lack of everday restaruants (chipotle, JJ, etc..). The restuarant options, apart from Scoozi, are more expensive than lunch and are not all that kid friendly. I think this might change though as Groupon (which is a block) away grows…their corporate headquarters are expanding rapidly which will provide a market for lunch options. Its really a great location…close to RN, GC and Lincoln park (Whole foods, etc..)
“If you can get a good deal here, I think you would be a fool to pass it up”
I fully agree.
“As for the row homes, no one really knows what will happen to these. CHA is keeping a tight lid on it.”
– From my understanding – through people close to investors, sub-contractors, and developers, bids have been placed on this land and that of the cabrini towers. An additional issue aside from the mold, is what type of housing to place (high rise, townhomes) but the alderman wants a hotel in the area.
“the row homes will not be renovated as planned and will eventually be leveled…its just not PC for CHA to do this now. ”
It’s not about PC, it’s about two things:
1. Federal funding has dried up and it isn’t cheap *enough* to tear things down.
2. There would be a 100% chance of another lawsuit, which would also cost meaningful $$ and simply isn’t prudent right now.
PC isn’t really on the CHA’s list, no matter what PR BS gets spouted–(part of?) Daley’s real legacy will be driving so many public housing & Section 8 Chicagoans out of the city, largely into the south suburbs–if you read enough comment threads on public housing & crime news stories, you will find many suburbanites complaining about “Daley not doing his job” with the rising numbers of Section 8 renters in the ‘burbs and crime that is at least perceived to relate thereto–I find it *hugely* amusing that they think Daley owes anything to suburban Cook County.
Wait, you’re complaining about good, cheap restaurants around here? Mr. Beef, Big & Little’s, Mogadishu, Zaiqa, Kababish, Baba, Club Lago, Reza’s, Meli…come on, gimme a break.
“The only down side, in my opinion, is the lack of everday restaruants”
Roma – those aren’t everyday…there is no starbucks, there is no chipolte, JJ, potbelly, etc..
all those you just mentioned are sit down restaurants and Mr. Beef is gross.
“those aren’t everyday…there is no … JJ ….”
Yeah, it’s a bummer that JJ fish closed and nothing’s gone into that new strip yet.
A-local: Have you tried Snarf’s in 600 W? It’s a slightly upscale version of JJ or Potbelly. Or headed west to Bari for best subs in the city imho?
I love this area!
“Or headed west to Bari for best subs in the city imho?”
That *is* a mile away. And isn’t a particularly nice walk.
“Yeah, it’s a bummer that JJ fish closed and nothing’s gone into that new strip yet.”
Jimmy Johns, my friend, Jimmy Johns…
Southbound – Big fan of Snarf’s! Similar to potbellys but you more of a variety (steak sandwich’s, chicken, etc..). If you go during lunch hours, call ahead, because it is always slammed.
Sure, there’s not a lot of fast food places in the immediate area but Caribou is a short walk away (Kingsbury & Ontario) and if you’re really craving Starbucks, walk the 10 minutes to Hubbard & Orleans. Here, you’ll also find Steve’s Deli, CVS, and ACE hardware. There’s also a Potbelly’s in the Merch Mart as well as one on Clark. Yes, they’re not 2 blocks away, but I would still consider this in the neighborhood.
“Roma – those aren’t everyday…there is no starbucks, there is no chipolte, JJ, potbelly, etc..
all those you just mentioned are sit down restaurants and Mr. Beef is gross.”
WTF! Blasphemy!
Mr. Beef is awesome! Chipotle, JJ, and Potbellys are only good for giving you the liquid shits or making you obese, and there’s a starbucks at Chicago and Franklin
and complaining about the lack of “college town/mall cuisine” in the general vicinity is totally weak
“Mr. Beef is awesome! Chipotle, JJ, and Potbellys are only good for giving you the liquid shits or making you obese, and there’s a starbucks at Chicago and Franklin”
Sorry gonna go postal!!….Why would you go here for a beef when you have Al’s and Portillos????
you should be glad there is no potbelly’s as its a huge rip off. even with the “live band” days.
if a person would choose potbelly’s over a mr beef that is a person i do not need to be friends with.
how do you know if your hood has been yuppified, you get a potbelly’s and a designer or trendy cup cake shop
“Jimmy Johns, my friend, Jimmy Johns…”
Yeah, I know, but (1) there used to be a JJ Fish close by and (2) the mere presence of a JJ Fish is funny–love the logo.
“Sorry gonna go postal!!….Why would you go here for a beef when you have Al’s and Portillos????”
because its on the way home (and open late night) from Citizen or the green door, and Al’s and Portillos are not?
I almost always go to Al’s but whining about having Mr. Beef over a potbellys is ridiculous, especially considering there are two subways really close by anyways (yuck!)
hate subway. wasn’t comparing Mr. Beef to Potbellys though I will never eat at Mr. Beef again…they use the beef kits you buy at the supermarket.
Do you crave late night beef Sonies? (ha, pun intended but jkn)
no, but my wife does!
ba-da-bing!
“no, but my wife does!
ba-da-bing!”
ahahahaha
I will give you Reza’s, Meli, and Lago, but the rest hardly qualify as “sit-down.” Mr. Beef is certainly not the equal of Al’s (Portillo’s on teh other hand? Pretty sure they just use Scala beef), but it’s a good option to have around — overpriced, to be sure, but so is Al’s and maybe even Johnnie’s at this point with their ever-shrinking beefs.
Anyway, I was just pointing out there’s plenty of cheap eats in the vicinity. Of course, if what you’re really looking for is Starbucks, Mexican McDonald’s and Jimmy John’s you can always move to Naperville.
hey A-fed I hope you aren’t long YOKU stock… i’m gonna make a fortune on some puts on that fantasy valuated stock… stock “should” bomb 20 points when their earnings release comes out next week.
well, at least thats what i’m hoping for… rationality prevailing… we shall see
Only on CC could we have Mexican McDonald’s and Chinese YouTube in comments about a River North condo.
Sonies – got the oil futures right…can’t win em all…at the rate we are going, I’ll cover my FIVE FIGURE LOSS in no time! (I shouldn’t speak too soon, fckn UWBK, still hurts). Regarding YOKU, I’m not playing it. It looks like a good short now by glancing at their chart and if you think the earnings will suck, hope you got a cheap pps option…GOOD LUCK MY FRIEND (sincercely mean that)!
Roma – don’t diss McDonalds, I still have yet to have a better chicken nugget…lol
actually youku is more like justin.tv than youtube… all pirated shit
Ummm, McD’s can’t even lay claim to the best *fast food* chicken nugget.
http://www.chick-fil-a.com/Food/Menu-Detail/ChickfilA-Nuggets
I’ve been in this tier of unit. The den and the family room are one in the same…not both.
a-fed… What type of dog ya got?
I’ve been in this tier of unit. The den and the family room are one in the same…not both.
and the FR doesn’t have windows, as it is in the solid corner
gringo-z: no time, dont have a dog, have a girlfriend…heyyyy!
no actually I have a golden retriever that I raised in college but he is gettin older so spends time with the folks and their choco and yellow labs not officially making him a surbuban retriever.
If I were to snag another pup – which has crossed the mind more often than not – I would either go akc german sheppard that speaks german, or rescue one some random mutt from the pound.
roma – yes, agree those do look tasty. But, I have to counter by saying you could get the chic-filet classic chicken sandwich, which is esentially one giant chicken nugget whereas at McDonalds, you cannot get a giant chicken nugget, only several small tasty ones as the chicken sandwich is not equal (this is why I cry at night).
ha
It is amazing how this building was transformed by removing the original black windows and replacing them with the blue windows, the building looks great.
Same architect as World Trade Towers btw
afed- i have 2 goldens and 1 german shepherd. Both amazingly loyal and intelligent breeds. In my opinion u need to be much more careful with the german though as a poorly bred one could be a scary dog and not just the hips, I think of mine as a golden with a serious bite, she just loves to use her mouth especially on my ducks.
German shepherds are a working dog breed. Golden labs are a family dog breed. BIIIG difference.
It was only after WW2 that suburbanites started confusing the two. A working dog breed that doesn’t get the work it needs can cause biiig probs vs. a family dog breed might just crap on your floor and eat a shoe.
Did nog have time to read this whole post but the reason that the corners are all masonry are that the original owner (Wards) specified to the architect that there would be NO CORNER OFFICES to fight over. Thus the corners of the building do nt have cross vent. I saw a southwest corner unit on the lower level of the penthouse floors that the wife and I seriously considered purchsing in 2006. In the end it was just too much money. It did combine a west facing room that had been turned into the master and had a balcony. Very sexy.
Ironically touring that unit got us our current yellow Lab. He is an excellent dog! The agent that had that listing for the Montgomery unit had found a dog wandering around her hood and brought him to the vet to be checked for a chip. It had ben a few weeks and no one had responded to her ads for the owners. My wife ran into her while taking our other dog ot the and the two dogs hit it off. I was on vacation skiing with the guys and came back to find out that we were now a two dog home.
FYI – lesson learned! I have not gone on vacation without the wife since!
“Sure, there’s not a lot of fast food places in the immediate area but Caribou is a short walk away (Kingsbury & Ontario) and if you’re really craving Starbucks, walk the 10 minutes to Hubbard & Orleans. Here, you’ll also find Steve’s Deli, CVS, and ACE hardware. There’s also a Potbelly’s in the Merch Mart as well as one on Clark. Yes, they’re not 2 blocks away, but I would still consider this in the neighborhood.”
I find Steve’s mostly, but not totally a disappointment. Their bagels aren’t that great. The chopped liver is good, and I do like the cheesecake by the slice, which can be cut in half and shared by two. Given all the dog discussion it should be noted that there is a Petco located right next to the Ace on Orleans. I haven’t made my mind up about the new Meli’s on Wells, I have eaten their twice and I found it so-so.
Does anyone know what is going into the former mid-eastern restaurant on the corner of Wells and Grand? They have been working on that space for several months. How long do you think the bespoke suit business that went into the dreadful pizza place on Grand between Orleans and Franklin will last? It also looks like the rug store on Franklin and Grand may finally be going out of business, but who knows. For cheap food there is the pizza place on Grand, Rosati’s. The slices are huge but may be too cheesy for some.
hah goldman sucks slapped yoku with a buy rating today… figures
yah sonies…didn’t want to bring it up, saw that this am
since goldman runs the world, might wanna listen to them
i’m gonna hold out till the 28th when they release earnings before I decide what to do with my position… goldman doesn’t know everything and there could be a sell on the news type thing when they announce.
Steve A – “Does anyone know what is going into the former mid-eastern restaurant on the corner of Wells and Grand? They have been working on that space for several months.”
It’s going to be GT Fish and Oyster. It’s the same team (Boka Group) behind Perennial, Boka, Landmark and The Girl & The Goat.
Marco:
“The Girl and the Goat”? What a strange name; vaguely disgusting.
Thanks for answering the question.
This is the link to the GT Fish and Oyster, http://gtfishandoyster.wordpress.com/.
Being semi-kosher there are probably a lot of things on the menu we can’t eat.
Steve A;
The girl and the goat is fantastic. don’t be put off by the name. one of the best meals i’ve had in the city.
Girl and Goat is awesome. Sit up front (no reservations needed) and ask for Jen. Then throw the menu away tell her things you are allergic to or hate and let her take over for the night. It will be an interesting meal that you will not soon forget.
steve..what the hell is semi-kosher?
Btw. How can chicago have so many jews, such good food, and such horrendous jew food… Try the chopped liver at Fox and Obel, good bagels there too. Think they might bring the bagels in from H&H in nyc.
“steve..what the hell is semi-kosher?”
Maybe it’s like the guy I knew who, for a time, kept kosher but ate bacon.
Or maybe it’s not eating anything that is treyf, but not getting wound up that your kosher-ish food was made in a clearly non-kosher kitchen. Like having a hamburger while your goyim friends have bacon cheeseburgers cooked on the same grill.
lol… Anon…Second good laugh i got from u today.
If he had said semi-gay we really could have some fun with that one.
Speaking of which where is westloopeo… He made sure to insult me after my first post in months and then seems to have disapeared into Heitmans dungeon, chaps and all.
“Speaking of which where is westloopeo… ”
Nothing semi about WL. Must not have any leases coming up for renewal soon.
yeah clio is the semi-gay guy on cribchatter
How about 11 city diner? Eating there makes me want to become Jewish.
Semi-kosher.
So you have to understand, I’m a Reform Jew, which means I pretty much get to interpret the rules any way I want. In my case semi-kosher means: no pork and no shell fish. The latter is particularly hard on my wife, a convert, since she grew up in eastern Massachusetts eating all kind of shell fish. However, my wife threw up her hands up at the not mixing meat and dairy including using separate plates. We are not into requirements relating to kosher slaughtering.
This is what we do, and it has meaning to us although it clearly does not follow most of the rules of Kashrut.