A Renovated 2-Bedroom in The Lancaster in Lakeshore East: 201 N. Westshore
This corner 2-bedroom in The Lancaster at 201 N. Westshore in Lakeshore East came on the market in June 2020.
The Lancaster was built in 2005 and has 232 units and an attached parking garage.
It’s a full service building with 24-hour door staff, an exercise room and sundeck.
We haven’t chattered about the building in a number of years. It was hit by foreclosures and short sales during the housing bust a decade ago.
The listing for this unit says it has had a “gorgeous renovation.”
It has new wide plank hardwood floors.
The kitchen is also “new” and has white cabinets, stone counter tops, a breakfast bar, and stainless steel appliances.
Both bedrooms have “updated” en suite baths and there’s also a powder room.
This unit has all the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and parking is available for $35,000.
Lakeshore East has matured over the last 16 years and now has shops, restaurants and access to the Riverwalk and Lakeshore bike path.
Originally listed in June 2020 for $649,000, it has been reduced to $575,000.
Is this a deal for this neighborhood?
Ginger Menne at Baird & Warner has the listing. See the pictures here.
Or you can go to the open house on Saturday, November 20 from 12 PM to 3 PM.
Unit #1908: 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 1295 square feet
- Sold in May 2008 for $510,000
- Originally listed in June 2020 for $649,000
- Reduced
- Currently listed at $575,000 (garage parking is $35,000 extra)
- Assessments of $799 a month (includes heat, A/C, gas, doorman, cable, exercise room, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal, Internet)
- Taxes of $10,965
- Central Air
- Washer/dryer in the unit
- Bedroom #1: 16×13
- Bedroom #2: 12×13
- Living/dining combo: 20×15
- Kitchen: 9×12
I dont see gorgeous but seems done appropriately- they could really couldn’t put much money into it.
2008 has a floor plan – https://www.redfin.com/IL/Chicago/201-N-Westshore-Dr-60601/unit-2008/home/12629076. Not 1295sf. Realator really look a lot of liberties rounding up on room sizes
Look at all that appreciation- HAWT(tm).
Bedroom 2 is SOL temp control wise.
Not sure how the windows aren’t covered in frost/ice in the wintertime
Probably works for a non custodial divorcée
I’d take a vintage garden unit over this. It’s a glass house with zero privacy!
” Not 1295sf. Realator really look a lot of liberties rounding up on room sizes”
that floor plan is most likely from the developer/sales team during initial sales. Developers get those calculations from the architect, at least that’s how it worked from the many projects I’ve worked on.
“Not 1295sf.”
Well, if so, that’s on Magellan not any realtor following the developer’s stated SF. Which usually includes the balcony space.
Also sold in Aug-05 for $480k.
Wonder what they were trying to get for it in 2011.
“Well, if so, that’s on Magellan not any realtor following the developer’s stated SF. Which usually includes the balcony space.”
Yeah, I included a link to the Floor plan.
Calling 15′-2 X 12′-9 –> 16′ X 13′ is on the realator
But then again, its just numbers…
Dinky kitchen for nearly 4k/mo. Would need have the blinds closed at night. PASS
“Would need have the blinds closed at night. PASS”
I live in a SFH and close my blinds at night. Big deal.
“I live in a SFH and close my blinds at night. Big deal.”
If you didn’t close your blinds, would dozens of units be able to see into your home?
“I live in a SFH and close my blinds at night. Big deal.”
I live in a highrise and I don’t close my blinds at night. Nothing is close enough to see in without binoculars.
The new construction across the street really destroyed the value. I can see why the owner to trying to sell. It annoys me that new building blocks my view of the river that I could only see if I leaned over the balcony.
Do not like the wide plank floors. They look cheap and the color is odd.
First thought: $575,000 doesn’t sound bad for a 2 BR in that location in a newer building.
Second thought: Oh no! Those “views!” Yes, living here would be like living in a fish bowl. No thanks. Every time you look out a window your mood would go straight south. Don’t developers think about this stuff when they decide how to position a building?
Decent unit, but $50K to high imo. The HOA is really reasonable for the amenities though. The rooms are sizable, but the living space is very narrow.
The biggest issue is the ‘fish bowl’ feel. You literally have a sea of other units that can creep on you. I live in a high rise in RN and have never closed my blinds as buildings at my floor level are several blocks away (it makes a huge difference). Can’t walk around in the buff in this unit, that’s for sure.
“If you didn’t close your blinds, would dozens of units be able to see into your home?”
does it really matter if it’s 2 or 20? it’s still people looking in your windows.
this is city living.
“does it really matter if it’s 2 or 20? it’s still people looking in your windows.
this is city living.”
Are you trying to say this fishbowl of a unit and a SFH have the same level of privacy? If so, that is kinda silly.
“Are you trying to say this fishbowl of a unit and a SFH have the same level of privacy? ”
there’s obviously more glass but at the end of the day, this is what people want. floor to ceiling windows are a selling point. all of these people wouldn’t be living in them if they really cared. just close the blinds at night or when you want privacy.
my neighbor is 4′ away. when we are both at our dining room tables eating dinner we can see what each other is eating. we solve the problem by closing the blinds. when we are each on our garage roof decks, which again are 4′ away, we deal with it.
It’s not even the fish bowl as much as it’s the lack of a view at all. I find a nice view incredibly inspiring (which is why I rent at the Hancock facing north). It can really lift my spirits. Looking straight at other buildings, not so much. It’s depressing. Just from my perspective. Others may differ.
Also, comparing views in SFH vs. this unit is apples and oranges. No one buys an SFH for the view. But a major factor for many (if not most) people buying in a high rise is the view, I think. It’s a huge selling point. If you don’t believe me, check just about any listing for a high rise condo with a view.
“comparing views in SFH vs. this unit is apples and oranges.”
I’m not comparing views, just privacy or lack there of.
“No one buys an SFH for the view.”
not necessarily true. where I live in Bucktown there are some spectacular views from peoples rooftops. some are drawn to it more than others.
Good point, Marco.
“does it really matter if it’s 2 or 20? it’s still people looking in your windows.
this is city living.”
I think many people who have never lived in a SFH or apartment building on a standard lot in Chicago don’t realize how close those homes are. You can hear your neighbors fighting! You can see them in their shower or sitting on their back patio. You know what they’re cooking for dinner.
It can get old fast.
Heck, I’d rather have a unit in a building like the Hancock because I feel like you actually WOULD have some privacy there.
Or else a larger lot like those in Graceland West etc.
“Don’t developers think about this stuff when they decide how to position a building?”
Unfortunately, often, the answer is “no.” But it’s also up to the alderman, who had to approve the building, to get them to fix “mistakes” on things like views if they can.
This was one of the early buildings in the development. Maybe they didn’t really know how it would all turn out.
“I find a nice view incredibly inspiring (which is why I rent at the Hancock facing north). It can really lift my spirits.”
Agreed Dan #2. I’ve never heard it expressed so nicely before.
But there’s an energy and power to Chicago’s skyline and views. To seeing all the lights of the cars and in the other buildings. To feeling the vibe of the morning, or afternoon, commute. To seeing the crowds on the beaches or on the Mag Mile for the Festival of Lights parade. Or seeing the weekly fireworks on Navy Pier.
That energy, or vibe, can be incredibly inspiring.
How lucky you are to have that view from your windows.