A Vintage Row House With a Rare In-Law Unit: 121 W. Delaware Place in the Gold Coast
This 4-bedroom vintage row house at 121 W. Delaware in the Gold Coast came on the market in September 2017.
Built in 1881, it is on a 21×52 lot.
The row house has many vintage features including 11’5″ ceilings on the first floor, hardwood floors, 4 fireplaces, including in the living room and the dining room, crown moldings, ceiling medallions and what looks like stained glass in some of the doors.
There’s a chef kitchen with white cabinets, stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops.
The listing says the dining area leads to a balcony for grilling (but doesn’t show the pictures of it.)
The master suite is on the second floor with closets, the master bathroom a study and an enclosed south-facing porch where the listing says you can have morning coffee (but, again, the pictures don’t actually show this room which is too bad because I want to see what that looks like.)
Two other bedrooms are on the third floor along with the laundry and a second kitchen, which enables you to bring food up to the private rooftop deck.
The rooftop deck has city views, irrigated flower and garden planters and a gazebo.
If you’re looking for an in-law unit or an apartment for a nanny, the lower level has a walk-out apartment with a separate entrance with 1-bedroom and bath along with a living room and dining space and its own kitchen.
The house has central air and while it doesn’t have parking, the listing says there are 3 deeded indoor garage parking spaces “nearby” included.
Is this the ideal set-up for those looking for an in-law unit but who also want the vintage flavor?
Kimberly Gleeson at Baird & Warner has the listing. See the pictures here.
121 W. Delaware Place: 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 3927 square feet
- Hasn’t sold since 1988
- Originally listed in September 2017 for $1.875 million
- Currently still listed for $1.875 million
- Taxes of $26,895
- Central Air
- 4 Fireplaces
- 3 deeded indoor garage spaces included nearby
- Bedroom #1: 13×16 (second floor)
- Bedroom #2: 13×15 (third floor)
- Bedroom #3: 12×13 (third floor)
- Bedroom #4: 12×14 (basement)
- Study: 7×11 (second floor)
- Enclosed porch: 6×12 (second floor)
- Second kitchen: 9×12 (third floor)
Looks like someone has an Emmy
Nice place but at that price point they’re going to struggle finding a buyer that can afford this and needs an au-pair
I think doing some decluttering along with losing that hideous rug would generate some interest.
This would be wonderful for my wife’s commute and we could use an in-law unit. Only problem is wife isn’t fond of white kitchen and what was the other thing….oh yeah, could not afford $1.875 million 🙂
I love this. Love, love, love this.
I would probably want to make some changes to kitchen/baths, and rip up that wall-to-wall carpet, but I guess if I could afford $1.9M, that wouldn’t be an issue.
(I know the living room rug wouldn’t stay, but it would definitely haunt me forever – it might still do so just having seen a picture)
JAN TERRI LUVS THIS. BUT. CAN I BORROW $$$???
CALL ME. MAYBE. LOLZ!!!!!
GO BEARS!!!!!
I would love to live here. The in law suite would also be nice for teenagers and college kids home on break.
Nice place, the 3 car parking is an awesome bonus
There is an awful lot of inventory in the 1.5-3 million range right now. I wonder if/when prices will start dropping, the way they’ve recently dropped in NYC. I also wonder if falling prices at the high end will put downward pressure on less expensive properties.
I can usually ignore furnishings and finishes, as long as the price is low enough to make cosmetic upgrades reasonable. However, that stone rug is just too much. It’s not helping the sellers’ situation. Also, the photos are confusing; it’s hard to tell which rooms are the extra suite and which rooms part of the main house. I had to go back and look at the windows to tell.
This is a nice home. Virtually move-in ready. The nanny apartment is a good feature to have. you can AirBnB it out for extra income or just rent it out as a studio apartment (assuming there is a separate entrance and can be closed off from the rest of the house).
my only misgiving about the house is the small lot size. But then the $1.8 price reflects the smaller lot size. on a 2,000 SF lot, this house would probably be asking for $2.5MM
The listing says the dining area leads to a balcony for grilling (but doesn’t show the pictures of it.)
You can see the balcony in the prior listing photos (pic 6).
“There is an awful lot of inventory in the 1.5-3 million range right now. I wonder if/when prices will start dropping, the way they’ve recently dropped in NYC. I also wonder if falling prices at the high end will put downward pressure on less expensive properties.”
I think maybe prices will stagnate, but I am not sure if SFH in Gold Coast area will ever experience a large (greater than 10-15% drop in value). Due to its location (right next to downtown & by the lake), its not really comparable to other properties in the Green Zone. While multi-million $ luxury condos might drop in price due to over-supply, the supply of single family homes in the Gold Coast area is very limited
and will only decrease.
Who buys a near $2MM property and would AirBnB a room?
Beautiful place, I would live here if I could afford it.
Shouldn’t a chef’s kitchen with a biggish range have a hood?
“Shouldn’t a chef’s kitchen with a biggish range have a hood?”
*might* have a pop-up downdraft vent behind. If not, really unacceptable.
I can’t believe people are focusing on the rug as an actual impediment to sale. Yeah, it’s ugly, but that takes all of two or three seconds to realize, process and move on from as irrelevant to the new owner.
Who buys a near 2MM property and would AirBnB a room?
Yeah, you’d think not, but I walked by a 1.4ish million dollar property with a 75K or so German SUV in the driveway with an Uber sticker on display the other day, so such weirdness does happen.
I know someone with a million dollar property who is doing airbnb. He and his wife are retired and go to their vacation home when they have an airbnb guest. I can’t imagine doing that. I don’t want someone sleeping in my bed or using my bathroom. He said that he makes about $4,000 a month, so he finds it compelling enough to rent out his house.
AirBnB when you aren’t there isn’t a big deal – think Villas in the Caribbean or Europe
airBnB while you’re living there is something completely different. This isn’t a duplex in Andersonville
On the Uber, maybe a Uber Black pick up, the kid is earning some scratch or he’s Tyler Durden
On the rug, it’s no different than when looking to buy a car the dealer gives you a dirty car covered in bird poop. Yeah it will wash up (bird poop might affect the paint) but would you have the same attitude? Really lose the rug, the room would show much better
If the place hasn’t been sold since 1988, and the taxes are now at $24k, I imagine a huge jump in the tax bill. I would be afaid. Very afraid.
“If the place hasn’t been sold since 1988, and the taxes are now at $24k, I imagine a huge jump in the tax bill. I would be afaid. Very afraid.”
I disagree w/ first two assertions. Imo this place sold in 2014 for $1,400,000 when its RE taxes were approx. $24K. Its most recent RE taxes are $26,895 (for 2016, paid in 2017). Fwiw adjacent row house to east @ 119 W. sold in 2016 for $1,530,000 & its 2016 RE taxes were $26,056.
SB, the first bullet point in the listing is the place hasn’t sold since 1988:
“121 W. Delaware Place: 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 3927 square feet
Hasn’t sold since 1988”
This has nothing to do with your opinion, you either have updated information or the listing as presented to us is correct. I took the listing at face value, if you did more research, do tell.
“I disagree w/ first two assertions. Imo this place sold in 2014 for $1,400,000 when its RE taxes were approx. $24K. Its most recent RE taxes are $26,895 (for 2016, paid in 2017). Fwiw adjacent row house to east @ 119 W. sold in 2016 for $1,530,000 & its 2016 RE taxes were $26,056.”
I saw the same names on the 2014 transfer (from Trust to Trust) so I assumed it was an inter-family type of transaction which is common if you look at enough records, especially with a long time owner.
But looking at it further, and I can’t tell for sure. Same names appear on the 2006 transfer as well.
“Nice place, the 3 car parking is an awesome bonus”
You’d be willing to walk a block or two from your car in the dead of night in the middle of winter or in a summer rainstorm, sonies?
I’m just curious how many people would be willing. You’d have to constantly pull up in front of the rowhomes, double park, put your emergency lights on, empty the groceries, and then get back in and drive to wherever the 3 car parking was (as the public listing doesn’t say.)
Great looking interior with vintage charm, and I love the rooftop deck. I’d rather have this then one of those new mega-mansions spread over three lots in west Lincoln Park for twice the price.
Sabrina,
If I pay that much for a home, I can afford to have Peapod deliver my groceries.
Actually Sabrina is wrong. MLS shows the property was last purchased in 2014 for $1.4 million. I also confirmed on Recorder of Deeds, it was a sale from one trust to another trust. But both trusts belong to different people on both the buyer and seller side.
As for the parking…where does it say 3 blocks away?
The parking isn’t attached? Wtf why would they list it then
“Wtf why would they list it then”
because it’s deeded parking that they want to sell with the property.
“As for the parking…where does it say 3 blocks away?”
You looked at the deed, right? Sez right in it that the parking is at 111 W Maple–we can quibble about whether that is 2 blocks or 3, of course (I’d call it 2, but it will look like 3 to many).
Not a fan of that garage.
deed nuts!
ain’t nobody got time fo dat
You looked at the deed, right? Sez right in it that the parking is at 111 W Maple–we can quibble about whether that is 2 blocks or 3, of course (I’d call it 2, but it will look like 3 to many).
– I didn’t bother checking that. But if that’s true….i wouldn’t want to trek either 2 or 3 blocks to park my car. if it was parking on the same block or maybe 1 small block…then it would be okay. but 2-3 blocks is just too far to be useful.
“i wouldn’t want to trek either 2 or 3 blocks to park my car. if it was parking on the same block or maybe 1 small block…then it would be okay. but 2-3 blocks is just too far to be useful.”
people do that in a real city like NYC all the time. you wouldn’t drive anywhere in an e.g. 5 mile radius, just for longer trips. and you’d have a spot or two for guests, which is pretty nice.
“I’d call it 2, but it will look like 3 to many”
I’m okay w the distance but how in the world do you call it 2. in terms of actual walking distance, which is the topic at hand. has to be closer to 3. and this is CC, so if it’s e.g. 2.6, you call it 3 to round up and you complain about the almost half mile walk.
yeah I’d never in a million years deal with that nonsense
“call it 2. in terms of actual walking distance”
From the front door of the house to the front door of the Galleria where you access the garage (on Clark, not Maple, between the Aston dealership and the new breakfast place going in), it’s a bit under 1100 feet. As you (at least) are aware, I am a proponent of a block being a fixed distance, rather than a number of crossed streets or turned corners.
Thus, at the ‘Chicago standard’ 8 to a mile, it’s less than 2 blocks, and a more generic 10 to a mile, it’s bang on 2 blocks. But for one who counts turns and crossings, it could be three.
“… if I did more research…”
I looked at & walked thru 121 W Delaware when it was for sale in 2013 but the elderly owner (a retired architect iirc) was unrealistic in my judgment re asking price in light of the most comparable sale – 119 W. Delaware had sold for $776,000 in late 2012. (I did also knock on the door of 119 W. & met the very nice couple who bought in 2012 & subsequently redid it while they/their family lived there and they let me walk thru 119 W Delaware.)
Imo it ended well for the retired architect when he sold 121 W. for $1.4 million
“It was a sale from one trust to another trust. But both trusts belong to different people on both the buyer and seller side.”
Didn’t necessarily indicate that to me.
“If I pay that much for a home, I can afford to have Peapod deliver my groceries.”
Dan #2: Are you paying someone to load the hockey equipment into the SUV from 2 blocks away too?
It could be anything. Groceries, kids, kids sports equipment, crap you have to buy at Home Depot, the family Christmas tree. Not all of it can be delivered. You will want to drop stuff off at the house or load stuff into the car FROM the house. And not having parking on site is a pain (unless you don’t have a car and don’t intend to use one.)
“119 W. Delaware had sold for $776,000 in late 2012. (I did also knock on the door of 119 W. & met the very nice couple who bought in 2012 & subsequently redid it while they/their family lived there and they let me walk thru 119 W Delaware.)
Imo it ended well for the retired architect when he sold 121 W. for $1.4 million”
I wonder how much money 119 W. Delaware spent on renovations though?
“load the hockey equipment”
It’s a fair point, but who is buying this place with kids?
“Dan #2: Are you paying someone to load the hockey equipment into the SUV from 2 blocks away too?”
If the kids are old enough to play hockey, then they are old enough to load up their equipment on their own. If they can’t take a small modicum of responsibility for themselves, then maybe they shouldn’t have the privilege of playing hockey.
“load the hockey equipment”
“It’s a fair point, but who is buying this place with kids?”
walk to Payton!
and it’s not even 2 blocks to garage so what’s the complaint? you’d prob figure out how to deal with dropping off/picking up things. that alley to the east looks pretty good and maybe you’d be friends with the people with the driveway to the west. and I think you’d take uber/taxis a lot. driving is more for like 5 miles plus.
““It was a sale from one trust to another trust. But both trusts belong to different people on both the buyer and seller side.”
Didn’t necessarily indicate that to me.”
I agree the confusing language in 2014 deed conveying out was drafted by someone who has hd’s challenge writing comprehendable English sentences. But the fact grantor paid $16,800 in deed stamps confirms conveyance is an arms length transaction @ $1.4 million ime – no deed stamps are required to transfer interests between related parties.
“walk to Payton!”
Payton attendance area, even, right?
“challenge writing comprehendable English sentences”
oh, the irony
“oh, the irony” says the RE pro who recently confused co-op bldg @ NWQ Goethe & State Pkwy first w/1 story garage @ 1221 N State but that understandably was a typo – he meant 1220 N State.
Can’t differentiate well located co-op bldg. from Canterbury Court Apt. bldg. (studios/1 beds @ $900- $1100/mo?)? I mean no disrespect to 1220 – I love Zebra Lounge, a dive/piano bar. Incidentally I recently saw several attractive 40+/- y.o. women sharing a table in ZL – didn’t a clueless poster claim those exist only in Lincoln Pk not in the GC? I love irony!
“Incidentally I recently saw several attractive 40+/- y.o. women sharing a table in ZL ”
OK Harvey
“I agree the confusing language in 2014 deed conveying out was drafted by someone who has hd’s challenge writing comprehendable English sentences. ”
I imagine you being like kevin spacey. If we met at the holiday party, you would keep grabbing and gropping me and not leaving me alone. Please SB aka Harvey, leave me alone! The unjustifiable attacks (or verbal gropes as I will call them) are offensive! I try so hard to ignore, but the closer you get! You’re wasting your time!
I would never live here and there are better alternatives at the price point. The place doesn’t have enough windows and is claustrophobic. It has a northern exposure which is bad for light. Every single lamp and light is on in the broker pics. Don’t be fooled.
“Payton attendance area, even, right?”
It’s def possible to live in the area and attend Payton, so I’m going to say yes!
“ok Harvey” “I imagine you being like kevin spacey..”
Just like dt & hh hd posts BS & misdirection reflecting rage, hatred, homophobia & classic white supremacist victimhood in response to harmless posts based on fact (facts are also dt’s sworn enemy imo). If my fact based posts bother you hd feel free to ignore them as most here do.
Not surprising imo coming from hd who despite decrying comparisons to hh sure pulls plays straight from hh’s playbook. Unlike hd (& hh) I never envision hd dying or dead (recently hd hopefully posted abt me “stroking out at my desk”). Unlike Harvey I noticed those attractive women in passing w/o hitting on or harassing them in any way. Unlike spacey & hh I’ve been married (& faithful) to one wife for 35+ yrs. I’ve never groped or grabbed anyone ever.
Ok I have to return fire so hd realizes there ain’t no freebies on this boulevard – hd reminds me of an IL version of Roy Moore, R. Imo RM, hh & hd wrongly justify their past mistakes & cloak their choice of evil action with feigned piety. I’ll bet hd owns a little pistola & a cowboy outfit too. Finally like RM hd sure throws a mean hissy fit. Good day buckaroo
“wife for 35+ yrs”
that’s a long time.
okay, who’s the oldest regular on here? youngest?
“It has a northern exposure which is bad for light”
Being in a sunnier region, I’ve come to appreciate northern exposures. They’re preferable for main living areas/offices, etc. Southern is good for the driveway/walks (for snow/ice) and for solar panels, but that’s about it.
““wife for 35+ yrs”” “& faithful”
Damn SB I actually feel bad for you. here I am at first thinking you’re just some jerk on the internet but now I see who you really are. And I feel really sorry for you, and I apologize for being a jerk to you. I too would be a crabby, irate old man if I was married and faithful to the same old lady for 35 years! WE all may see this as a virtue, yet, like the priesthood, it’s a virtue most admire but not necessarily what we want for ourselves.
Picking a fight with a crabby old man with a old lady wife is actually quite shameful of me. I should be holding the doors open for you and praising your greatest generation, not calling you some kind of dirty liberal scum. And for that, I’m sorry. Truce?
“If the kids are old enough to play hockey, then they are old enough to load up their equipment on their own.”
The hockey bags for 8-10 year olds are quite massive. My kids couldn’t lift those into the back of the SUV without parental help. But maybe your kids are bigger and brawnier.
Payton attendance area, even, right?”
No, Payton is a selective enrollment school, not a neighborhood school. Meaning anyone can attend, but you have to test in. The neighborhood high school here is Ogden. Bleh.
Fish, I believe the Payton attendance area comment was meant to mock a few clueless or deceptive realtors associated with some past cribchatter featured listings, who portrayed a nearby selective enrollment school as a neighborhood school by naming it as “the” school in the listing details.
Yeah we were kidding around about Payton. It is really convenient though!
oh southbound the typical brainwashed arsehole liberal sheep calling anyone he doesn’t agree with a nazi
classic
Oh. Ok. I thought people who don’t have children, don’t understand the CPS style of schooling. But yes, I have had realtors tell me some deceptive things and then back peddle when I call them out on their lies. Btw, I just bought in east Garfield Park as an investment. Maybe in 10 years the area will totally gentrify.
” I just bought in east Garfield Park as an investment. Maybe in 10 years the area will totally gentrify.”
Sincerely wish you the best of luck on that one. 10 years may be a bit too ambitious for “totally gentrify” I’m thinking 20, with 10 years showing the first bonafide signs of turnaround) but I really feel that east Garfield Park and Washington Park will be the next gentrification draws.
“Oh. Ok. I thought people who don’t have children, don’t understand the CPS style of schooling. But yes, I have had realtors tell me some deceptive things and then back peddle when I call them out on their lies. Btw, I just bought in east Garfield Park as an investment. Maybe in 10 years the area will totally gentrify.”
Friends of mine just bought there. They are happy. I think it will be the next neighborhood to gentrify. It’s right by the green line and they don’t have the same kind of entitled crazies there as they have in Pilsen.
If you bought near the EL you should be ok
“oh southbound the typical brainwashed arsehole liberal sheep calling anyone he doesn’t agree with a nazi”
Wadda troll.Not sure if you’re confused or intentionally lying? While I’ve disagreed with many posts here I’ve only deemed one poster ‘nazi’ . Imo hh earned ‘nazi’ designation based on content of posts.
I periodically disagree w/you but never called you anything worse than confused. I often disagree w/hd but never called him anything worse than a habitually lying troll whose recent attempts to troll me imo reflected rage, homophobia & classic white supremacist victimhood. Was I wrong?
imo hh’s a living embodiment of what Americans must guard against – those who advocate what sites like Daily Stormer promulgate (organizer of violent alt-right demonstrations at Charlottesville contrary to hd’s/dt’s belief Charlottesville violence was likely initiated & orchestrated by ‘violence prone Greenpeace activists’.) I believe everyone is entitled to free expression of whatever they believe but no one should expect a free pass from appropriate reactions to or criticisms of their posts. So were you confused or intentionally lying?
Still listed at $1.599m
From the RF comments on a prior listing:
Has 3 deed parking spot on Oak and Maple garage Are currently swapping one with neighbor who has outdoor spot directly behind house