Completely Remodeled 2-Bedroom in The Brewster for $380K at 2800 N. Pine Grove in Lakeview
This 2-bedroom in the historic Brewster Building at 2800 N. Pine Grove in Lakeview came on the market in August 2025.
Built in 1893, the Brewster is a landmarked building with 90 units. It was originally built as a luxury apartment building.
Not only did Charlie Chaplin live in one of the penthouses in 1915-1916, but several movies were filmed in the building including the Untouchables and Child’s Play.
It has iconic interiors including skylights, internal iron staircases, a European-style cage elevator, glass-block catwalks, common laundry facilities, bike room, storage, and on-site management with door staff.
There’s no parking but who needs it in this location?
The listing says this unit has been “completely remodeled” and now has “timeless charm with sophisticated modern updates.”
The unit has 10 foot ceilings and some moldings.
It has the sunny eastern exposure with some glimpse of Lake Michigan.
There is wide plank light oak flooring with soundproof underlayment throughout.
The living room and kitchen are open concept.
The kitchen has white and black Studio41 Omega custom cabinets, undermount lighting, a full Bosch appliance package including a dishwasher, a vented hood and range, quartz Calacatta Montage countertops, a peninsula with seating for 3, and some open shelving.
One closet appears to have wine storage.
There’s only 1 bathroom but it is “spa-like” reimagined with a floating frameless glass shower panel, floor-to-ceiling subway tile, ebony hexagonal floor tile and Kohler fixtures.
The bedrooms have exposed brick walls and both have windows.
The primary bedroom has a decorative brick fireplace.
The unit has all new plumbing and electrical.
It has new Pella windows and a tankless hot water heater.
The unit has window cooling, with built-in a/c units into the windows. There’s no in-unit washer/dryer nor parking.
This building is in the heart of East Lakeview and on the border with Lincoln Park. It’s surrounded by shops and restaurants, grocery stores and the Landmark movie theater. There are several bus lines nearby.
Listed at $380,000, that’s $161,000 above the 2020 sales price.
Buyers love “new.”
Will the seller get the ask?
Laura Meier and Nicholas Haubrich at @properties Christie’s has the listing. See the pictures here.
Unit #8A: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, no square footage
- Sold in December 1998 for $93,000
- Sold in August 2003 for $193,000
- Sold in November 2020 for $219,000
- Currently listed at $380,000
- Assessments of $491 a month (includes doorman, exterior maintenance, scavenger)
- Taxes of $3949
- No central air- but window units
- No in-unit washer/dryer. Coin laundry in the building.
- No parking
- Decorative fireplace
- Bedroom #1: 9×8
- Bedroom #2: 9×13
- Living room: 13×15
- Kitchen: 6×11
Very nice updates. Except…
“One closet appears to have wine storage.”
I like wine more than most–TERRIBLE waste of space in this unit.
Tough one for me. I love the building itself and the location. And unlike many units I’ve seen here, at least this one has some light and a bit of a view. But rooms in these tend to be very small and I’m not a fan of exposed brick walls. Based on the room sizes and wall unit AC’s, lack of in-unit laundry, lack of an exercise room, and more, I’d see this as more of a rental. Same for any other unit I’ve looked at here other than the PH, which we toured when it was on the market in 1995 or 1996 and was certainly unique but still not the most livable space.
“Based on the room sizes and wall unit AC’s, lack of in-unit laundry, lack of an exercise room, and more, I’d see this as more of a rental.”
I don’t think you’re the target audience for this Dan #2. It does have lack of amenities, as you stated. Younger buyers don’t often care as much about some things like in-unit washer/dryer.
A 2-bedroom in this building is a big deal as many are 1-bedrooms. You can use one as an office.
It’s nice to see it renovated.
What’s up with the mirror on the toilet? It’s too big to hang on the wall above the sink? I’m confused.
As for the penthouses: We chattered about Charlie Chaplin’s old penthouse in 2008. And in 2013, we chattered about a 1-bedroom penthouse.