Award Winning Vintage Renovation: A 2-Bedroom at 5000 S. East End in Kenwood
This 2-bedroom in 5000 S. East End in Kenwood came on the market in March 2021.
Built in 1927, 5000 S. East End has 98 units. It was designed by Robert S. De Golyer and built by Avery Brundage.
According to Chicago Apartments: A Century of Lakefront Living, it was the first, and largest, of the buildings on the Chicago Beach site.
It’s a gray brick and terra-cotta building with a five-story stone base.
The building has 2 “bungalows” on the top floors which are two story penthouses.
At the time it was built, it was the tallest structure south of the Loop and remained the tallest until just after World War II.
Originally a co-op, it was converted into condos in 2010.
It has a doorman and an exercise room. There’s no parking.
This unit is a high floor which has Lake and city views.
It has been extensively remodeled/restored and the listing says it’s an award winning restoration.
This unit has Vermont 10″ wide hickory hardwood flooring surrounded by 6-piece wainscoting.
The listing says it has never been lived in after the extensive remodeling.
The plaster legacy mouldings throughout were preserved and restored.
The en suite bathrooms were remodeled with floor-to-ceiling ceramic tile from Spain.
It has a South African volcanic stone freestanding soaking tub, Hydrology wash surface Australian quartz sink, a Japanese Toto toilet and a digital controlled towel warmer.
The kitchen has custom-made Arclinea floor-to-ceiling black kitchen cabinets with 2-inch Carrara marble counter tops.
It also has Transceramica ultra-thin kitchen flooring from Italy along with Wolf and Subzero appliances.
There are California closets throughout.
This unit used to be a 3-bedrooms but was transformed into a 2-bedroom in the renovation.
It has the features buyers look for including central air and washer/dryer in the unit. There’s no parking but it’s available to rent in the neighborhood.
Listed at $499,000, is this a vintage lover’s dream?
Charles Lochotzki at Compass has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.
Unit #23C: 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2200 square feet
- Converted to condos in 2010
- Sold in April 2016 for $186,000
- Originally listed in March 2021 for $499,000
- Currently still listed at $499,000
- Assessments of $2420 a month (includes heat, gas, doorman, cable, exercise room, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavengers, snow removal, Internet)
- Taxes of $3373
- Central Air
- Washer/dryer in the unit
- No parking but available for rent in the neighborhood
- Bedroom #1: 17×15
- Bedroom #2: 16×13
- Kitchen: 22×18
- Living room: 28×25
- Dining room: 19×14
- Foyer: 20×7
Needs more tchotchkes
Outside of the bathrooms and the layout, not getting much of a vintage vibe
Remodel looks to be well done, tho probably too high end. Getting close to a $1MM SFH equivalent.
When someone buys into a vintage property like this with the knowledge that there will be higher maintenance costs and HOAs than a newer building, it is my understanding that they are willing to take on the costs for the trade-off of vintage features.
So why the heck would a purchaser paying top dollar for vintage features install a very modern looking kitchen and a very modern looking IKEA wardrobe? Seems so insensitive to the bones of the place, and might hurt resale.
those light fixtures are hideous and those assessments are practically worth a 500k mortgage on their own… yikes
“The listing says it has never been lived in after the extensive remodeling.”
GTFO–someone moved all their stuff into the unit–including the dog bowls and cleaning products on the floor of two baths–and never “lived” in it?
Perhaps not full-time, but that place was being “lived in” when the 3d tour pix were taken.
“those light fixtures are hideous”
Looks like they blew the budget on the two in the LR, and had to go with $25 dome fixtures almost everywhere else.
Looks like the decorator was told to go with a “let’s get biblical” suggestive theme in the bedroom but took it the other way.
“Looks like the decorator was told to go with a “let’s get biblical” suggestive theme in the bedroom but took it the other way.”
I guess that’s one way to prevent your out-of-town kid or guests from doing any funny business under your roof.
If taxes are actually just $3,300 a year that takes the sting off of that assessment.
A shame the vintage touches were all whittled away over the years, and I agree the bathroom has no place in a unit like this. Doesn’t make sense at all.
This will have to come down quite a bit. And they might have to take some crap off the walls if they want anyone to get interested.
“those assessments are practically worth a 500k mortgage on their own… yikes”
There are only 98 units with a full time doorman, probably onsite maintenance and upkeep on a building that used to be among the tallest in the South Loop.
All of that costs money with few owners to spread the pain.
“So why the heck would a purchaser paying top dollar for vintage features install a very modern looking kitchen and a very modern looking IKEA wardrobe?”
Because modern is in KK.
There are plenty of examples on the north side of vintage buildings with all completely modern kitchens and baths on the interior. The French often put modern kitchens in their vintage apartments in Paris. Depends on how it is done and incorporated with the vintage features.
I saw a beautiful unit in this building in the mid-2000’s. That renovation did a great job modernizing but maintaining vintage features such as build-in closets and bathrooms. Assessments were just too much and then, later the huge co-op payoff. I do not recall it having any fitness room then.
Also, both units in a tier were responsible for decorating their common hallway around the elevator.
This specific unit would benefit from decluttering.
Agree with anon(ufo) that some of the details looks like either ran out of budget or just gave up.
Besides those I rather think this place is real solid for its listing. Yes the AssFee is high and something a prospective buyer will need to dig into. Looking at the radiators and assuming the building system, right there the heat will be a big portion of that assessment.
Again if staying long term its better a hefty assfee monthly than a huge special once every 2 years.
Either the floors are dirt or they already need refinishing in some areas? BS on this being never lived in. Maybe the occupant died their first night here but someone most definitely has lived here. Everything looks recent but a little worn…like the movers were somewhat careful but not completely so….also the “decor” is estate sale chic? I feel like I am looking at picture from some sort of gallery that sells things picked up during the owner’s extensive travels.
Should definitely declutter, clean, re-shoot the photos. I could live with this unit if the As$ fee weren’t so absurd.
Dog bowls LOL….imagine having a dogs tail wallop your vase collection THAT YOU LEAVE ON THE FLOOR!!! LOL