A Rare East Lakeview 4-Bedroom Townhouse with Parking: 3631 N. Pine Grove
This 4-bedroom townhouse at 3631 N. Pine Grove in East Lakeview came on the market in April 2020.
Built in 1978, there are 6 units and a private, gated drive which leads to outdoor parking.
This townhouse has some features that buyers look for, and can rarely find in a townhouse, including 4-bedrooms and a half-bath on the main floor.
The main floor features the living/dining rooms and kitchen along with a 2-sided wood burning fireplace with a gas starter.
The kitchen has wood 42″ cabinets, stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops with a double oven and a breakfast bar.
The second floor has 3 out of the four bedrooms, including the master suite which has a walk-in-closet and a luxury en suite bath with Grohe/Hans Grohe fixtures, heated floors and a double vanity with quartz counter tops.
The two other bedrooms both have Velux skylights and there’s a marble and limestone full bath.
The fourth bedroom is in the lower level, along with another full bath, a family room, the laundry room and a second wood burning fireplace with gas starter.
The listing says there were new windows in 2016, a newer furnace/AC/water heater in 2015, a new roof in 2019 and new tuck pointing in 2020.
The only outdoor space is a front patio, which the listing says is a new paver patio.
It has the other features buyers look for including central air and one parking space.
At 2700 square feet, this townhouse is the size of many single family homes.
At $699,000, is this a good single family home alternative one block from the lake?
Diana Grinnell at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.
Unit #E: 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 2700 square feet, townhouse
- Sold in January 2015 for $580,000
- Currently listed at $699,000
- Assessments of $268 a month (includes exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
- Taxes of $11,608
- Central Air
- Parking space included
- 2 wood burning fireplaces
- Bedroom #1: 14×13 (second floor)
- Bedroom #2: 14×13 (second floor)
- Bedroom #3: 12×12 (second floor)
- Bedroom #4: 14×12 (lower level)
- Living room: 21×13 (main floor)
- Dining room: 14×12 (main floor)
- Kitchen: 14×11 (main floor)
- Laundry room: 12×11 (lower level)
- Family room: 20×13 (lower level)
There’s a window A/C unit in the MBR
Dull and uninspiring.
Being one block from the lake is great, but I’d think for families, close proximity to schools and daycares would be more important, which this is not.
I question the functionality of the double-sided fireplace in the basement that has been covered in decals?
this place looks like a minimum security prison from the outside
“close proximity to schools and daycares”
the a-a school is Greeley, which is okay, and a sub 10 min walk. It’s also close to Anshe, City Day and Inter-American.
What’s “close proximity” for a daycare? There are several within half a mile.
I don’t care for it–being crammed bt the drive ramps for the highrise to the north and the 3.5 story building to the south sucks–but school proximity seems a strange issue here.
I always associate Pine Grove with the newcomers to Chicago who think they have to “live near the Lake” and nothing else. Totally a transient area, there’s no there, there.
As a transplant who originally lived at Sheridan / Diversey when I first relocated here, I like this and I like the area. Plenty of “there, there.” Helmet clearly isn’t from here – – right near Wrigly and right near Boys Town, must be his aversion to / jealousy of bon vivants speaking.
…..Also, as a transplant I feel like my perspective definitely counts in this instance: living in Chicago without quick access to the lake is a compromise I am not willing to make again. I tried it for awhile and now I am back near the lake.
I like this unit. I think the floor plan has a lot of great features – – I love the way the master bath is split so two people can be taking care of various grooming / self care functions at the same time, plenty of space outside of the MBR for a proper office, private outdoor space – check, real fireplace – check, separate living, dining and family rooms – check, ginormous laundry / mechanical room with storage area – check, downstairs guest bed / proper office / home gym space – check. Would probably have to strip all the paint of the brick if I bought this and look into whatever repairs are needed to get the downstairs fireplaces functional again. Room for a home gym – check. Walking distance to shopping and the lake – check. Express bus to the loop – OK, probably would hop on a bike and commute via the lake path.
I would say it is slightly over priced – – Chop to $625-$650 and this sells…probably closer to $625. It definitely has a brutalism to the exterior that reminds me of parts of the UIC campus but the interior has a lot of potential with minimal work to have a warm mid-century influenced sensibility. Harry Weese probably loved this place – – looks like it is the spawn of the UIC PEB building.
“right near Boys Town”
Exactly. Probably the MOST transient neighborhood in the city. Not to mention all the red line criminals who travel up there to prey on the bon vivants.
You’re not going to have a real community in the Wirtz rental buildings etc.
Nope.
Probably the areas near DePaul and Loyola will win for most transient….also in the running is whatever you call the area immediately east of the loop, south of the river and north of Monroe – – Small area but when my employer put me in temporary corporate housing there while I looked for a permanent residence, I never saw the same people in the building twice…and I lived there two months. Guessing the majority of the other units were also long term corporate rentals. I would also bet that now the south loop, west loop and river north are in the running for the transience crown given all the new lux rentals and condos that have recently been built…but not the area where the Subject home is.
“Probably the MOST transient neighborhood in the city.”
I agree with The Cat. This area isn’t transient. At all.
The Cat, are you talking about the area by the Sears Tower? There are a TON of corporate apartments over there. Kind of a strange vibe.
Again, HH does NOT live in Chicago. He has no clue. Given his comments about the neighborhoods, and how out of touch he is, he likely visited like 15 or 20 years ago.
And it’s golden that HH is saying there is no “real community” in some of the rental buildings when he, himself, alleged that he lives in one of the big rental buildings in River West.
Lol.
“living in Chicago without quick access to the lake is a compromise I am not willing to make again. I tried it for awhile and now I am back near the lake.”
Thanks for your perspective The Cat. There are many who feel the same way if not simply for the cooling during the summer and the bike trails and beaches.
“this place looks like a minimum security prison from the outside”
When it was built in 1978, this neighborhood wasn’t great. Maybe not as bad in terms of crime as Old Town and the Gold Coast, but not what it is today.
A lot of the 1970s construction was built so no one could get in. Lol. Same with the townhomes built in the Gold Coast, including those with “gated” entrances.
This has a gate too, right?
“helmethofer on May 5th, 2020 at 1:47 pm
I always associate Pine Grove with the newcomers to Chicago who think they have to “live near the Lake” and nothing else. Totally a transient area, there’s no there, there.”
That’s funny you say this, years ago when my spouse lived in a large lake view apartment building, the basement ‘bike storage’ room was full of abandoned bikes, some of which at the time were 20-30 years old, still locked up, as the resident who used to live there either abandoned or forgot about their bikes. People come, people go, the apartments’ resident change every year.
Luckily for me, I made use of a grinder on the U lock on one of the older, flat tired and dust covered mountain bikes, that was roughly a decade old at the time I found took it for my own use. In fact, I still have that bike, and it gets used a 3-5x a week every summer since.
Agreed. Totally.
All those buildings over there are older apartments, people live there after graduating from Univ of Iowa or whatever and then they move further west for more space and less BS traffic, get a dishwasher etc. after a year or two. I wish Sabrina could just admit when she’s wrong. That area is basically like “on-campus” GZ housing or a GZ dorm for the recent college grads.
“I wish Sabrina could just admit when she’s wrong.”
From the furniture in the current property listing, it’s pretty doubtful they just graduated from college.
And, again, HH you don’t live here. Over the last 20 years this whole area has been rehabbed. If you own a condo or a townhouse in this area, you’ve upgraded it.
In fact, I feel like people who own in this neighborhood live here way longer than those in River North, Streeterville or the West Loop. Lakeview isn’t that transient. People may move into an apartment right out of college there but then they move up into a condo or townhouse when they can. And they stay there.
And now most of the schools are good enough that they can live there with their kids for a decade or more.
By the way, just behind this building, along Waveland, they are going to build two new luxury apartment buildings (depending on the economy and whether or not it can get the loan in this environment.)
The project needs city approval still but Crain’s is reporting that the developer already got approval from the New Yorker which is key because it’s their views which will be blocked.
https://therealdeal.com/chicago/2020/04/16/developer-needs-to-convince-neighbors-city-lenders-of-333-unit-lakeview-projects-virtues/
This should also really boost this northern part of Lakeview.
“People may move into an apartment right out of college there but then they move up into a condo or townhouse when they can. And they stay there. ”
Until they don’t and they become my neighbors in Long Grove.
“Until they don’t and they become my neighbors in Long Grove.”
Sorry to tell you HD. You’re living in the past along with HH.
For the last DECADE, the younger buyers have been staying in Chicago. Hell, even the older buyers are moving into the city FROM the suburbs, including retiring Baby Boomers.
It’s not a surprise that the city has gained several fortune 500 headquarters over this time period, most moving from the suburbs.
Will Millennials and GenZ (which is now just out of college) have different ideas because of the coronavirus? Will they want to move to Long Grove and take the Metra with everyone jammed onto those trains? Or will they try and buy in the West Loop, Fulton Market, the Loop, South Loop, and River North where they can WALK to their jobs?
So maybe Lakeview will be hit because it’s not walkable to downtown jobs (you could bike though).
But we don’t know.
Depends on if we have a second wave, right? If there’s another lockdown, and it’s worse, then people may make different choices.
The skylights in the 2 BR seem kinda creepy with the mid/high-rise looking down.
“Lakeview isn’t that transient. People may move into an apartment right out of college there but then they move up into a condo or townhouse when they can. And they stay there. ”
Kinda funny you talking about this being a non-transient hood and the current owners are pulling the pin after 5 years. Small sample size and all, but a lot of LV condo properties (Non Co-op) you post seem to turn over within 7 years
“And, again, HH you don’t live here. Over the last 20 years this whole area has been rehabbed. If you own a condo or a townhouse in this area, you’ve upgraded it.”
BS. Stop saying that. Look, all I am saying is that PINE GROVE is a known RENTAL BLDG. street in Chicago, and always has been and always will be. Rentals are transient and that area is transient. That’s all I’m saying.
Ironically first place I moved to in Chicago was a highrise on pine grove… left after a whopping 2 years… that neighborhood kinda blows
“It’s not a surprise that the city has gained several fortune 500 headquarters over this time period, most moving from the suburbs. ”
will be extremely interesting to see how the need for commercial office space will do going forward after this pandemic… think of the overhead cost savings these big companies will be able to accomplish by not having to rent out $5/mo/sqft office space in an expensive urban environment anymore and just have people working remotely (which it seems like most can do anyway and even prefer)
one of your fortune 500 companies (UAL) Just announced 3500 management jobs being cut… most of them in the Willis Tower in Chicago
big ouch right there
Express bus to the loop – OK, probably would hop on a bike and commute via the lake path.
5-10 minute walk to the Addison Red Line stop. The good thing about being this far north is that you can be really close to the lake and also a short walk to the el.
I’m also a transplant (albeit over 30 years ago), and have tried living further from the lake and didn’t care for it (farthest west I got was Hoyne). When we were condo shopping in 2012-13, we saw a place in Wicker Park that I absolutely loved, but just couldn’t imagine being away from the lake again.
WRT Lakeview being transient — I know quite a few people on my block and almost all of them have been here for 10 years or more. My nephew graduated from college 4 years ago. He, his girlfriend, all of his buddies, and most of his co-workers (he works at a startup) live in Logan Square or Avondale.
“one of your fortune 500 companies (UAL) Just announced 3500 management jobs being cut… most of them in the Willis Tower in Chicago”
Yep. And I’m sure things aren’t fun at Boeing right now either. McDonald’s and AON have taken salary cuts. And on and on.
This economy isn’t seeing a V shape recovery, that’s for sure. We’re in a recession. Will last until next year.
“think of the overhead cost savings these big companies will be able to accomplish by not having to rent out $5/mo/sqft office space in an expensive urban environment anymore and just have people working remotely (which it seems like most can do anyway and even prefer)”
We don’t know what will happen. Not everyone prefers to work at home. In fact, the vast majority probably do not. You gain a lot by interacting with your colleagues and being in a certain environment filled with other smart people.
Just look at McDonald’s. They’ve said their productivity has soared since they’ve moved to their downtown offices. Has really helped the company in terms of the business because they are now around other businesses where ideas can germinate. That being said, McDonald’s did allow workers to work more at home once they moved. You don’t have an assigned desk there. You have lockers and then you take a desk in your area on the days you come into the office. They definitely saved money that way and employees are happy to work from home one or two days a week but still go in the other days.
Lack of natural light. A real problem with most homes built in that era.
A few thoughts since I grew up near here (mid-1970s-late-1980s):
– Plenty of schools nearby. Not sure where that complaint comes from.
– Pine Grove is a very pleasant street and the location is accessible to the lake, express bus, and Red Line
– There are plenty of transients in Lakeview but also plenty of long-term people. I know several who have lived in the area for 40 or even 50 years, in the same apartments that entire time.
– In 1978 when this was built, the neighborhood was pretty good east of Halsted but sketchy west of Halsted, especially over by Wrigley. Growing up in the 70’s and 80’s, my brother and I typically didn’t ride our bikes west of Halsted.
– This townhouse isn’t to my taste at all, but there are plenty of charming vintage buildings on the same stretch along with some more sunny and pleasant townhomes just south of Addison along Pine Grove.
– Many friends of mine growing up lived in townhomes like this one in both Lakeview and Lincoln Park. The ones built in the 70’s were invariably dark and lacked character. Often they had entrances along narrow side walkways. Very unpleasant even when expensive.
– This was a wonderful neighborhood to grow up in and I still keep in touch with many of the kids I used to play ball out on the streets with (and other more dangerous pursuits like climbing stairways to the tops of buildings, climbing barbed-wire fences, sneaking into basements, etc.). I broke my share of windows throwing baseballs against apartment building walls.
Where are the two closest crossings to get over to the East side of LSD?
RE: “Where are the two closest crossings to get over to the East side of LSD?”
There is a pedestrian tunnel directly east of this property, just have to walk around the block via Addison. Otherwise it’s Irving Park to the north.
I just want to say that I really appreciate Good Dan’s perspective on growing up in the city.
Also, has everyone seen this chicago mag piece:
http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/May-2020/Yuppie-Turns-40/
The archived article is apparently the first use in print of the term “yuppie”; it’s clear reading it that we have been having the same conversations about real estate for (at least) 40 years!
I love this neighborhood – lived there in the early 80’s, never felt “unsafe” etc., took many weekend-afternoon walks around the blocks and along the Drive just to marvel at the variety of architecture. So different from the look-alike two-flats and bungalows of the “typical” Chicago neighborhood! Too bad my salary didn’t keep pace with the rise in prices starting in the early 90’s.
Too bad the Cubs season appears to be a no-go. I could imagine one of the new players or higher-ups camping out here and enjoying the “privacy” and proximity.
I lived in East Lake View when a summer associate (in the mid 90s — Wellington and Pine Grove) and then for a couple years in the late 90s (Buckingham east of Halsted) before buying, and I have friends who live there now, but for me it’s too dense and being dependent on the bus is a pain. There are great properties, though. I do like West Lake View, and the walk/run to the lake is really not that bad (I ran/biked/biked to work on the lake path all the time when in Southport). Of course I’m even farther from the lake now, so have different priorities.
“Good Dan?” Thanks. I try. I take it there was once a “bad Dan?” Did he get banned? I had to take the name Dan #2 when I joined 10 years ago to distinguish from that other one, I think.
Helmet is Bad Dan
“I had to take the name Dan #2 when I joined 10 years ago to distinguish from that other one, I think.”
Ha! Yes. I made you Dan #2. In fact, I think someone just signed on a year or so ago as Dan and I had to make him #3. What’s with using the name Dan? Lol. Why is it so popular?
It’s been a while since we had just “Dan” on here so many don’t remember that that was HH’s original name (before he got banned.)
Don’t worry Dan #2. We don’t hold it against you. 😉
I like the fact that Pine Grove has different type of rental buildings from the high rises to 70s one way entrance places to 4 story buildings. I remember driving through Pine Groove while circling looking for parking.
Funny thing just taking a quick look at google maps because I don’t drive down Pine Grove anymore is that there is Divvy bikes on the block so less need for bike rooms now.
HH
Hey I just wanted to say that I appreciate your focus on Chicago RE. It’s nice to have perspective on how Chicago has changed Bueller Bueller over the years.
Bus is sooooo much better now with the app now so you can minimize your waiting time.
Still kinda of wishing for nicer bus shelter stands everywhere even if the bid work is Daley style