Do Millennials Want to Live on Historic Alta Vista Terrace? 3808 N. Alta Vista in Lakeview
This 3-bedroom row house at 3808 N. Alta Vista Terrace in Lakeview came on the market in June 2017.
Alta Vista Terrace is a Chicago Landmark District.
These 40 row homes were built from 1900 to 1904 and were built to look like London row homes.
From the Chicago Landmark website:
This street represents one of the last real estate developments of Samuel Eberly Gross, a highly colorful realtor responsible for the construction of thousands of houses in the Chicago area. Sometimes called “A Street of Forty Doors,” Alta Vista Terrace displays a lively variety of architectural styles and detail, yet every townhouse on one side is duplicated with only minor variations at the diagonally opposite end of the block. The distinctly human scale creates a unity and harmony rarely found elsewhere in the city.
There is no parking on the east side of the street but the west side has space behind the row homes for a garden or 1-car parking.
This row house is on the preferred west side of the street and has 1-car secured parking along with a landscaped patio.
The lot measures 25×40.
The house has some vintage features, including oversized bay windows with leaded glass in the living room and a built-in hutch and brick fireplace in the dining room.
The three bedrooms are on the second floor along with a 6×7 den and a bathroom.
The listing says there is a “chef’s kitchen” with white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops, the original tin ceiling and a built-in banquette.
It also has an “English basement” with a family room, a laundry room, a full bath and storage.
The row house has 2 fireplaces and central air.
The listing also says it has new mechanicals and a new roof.
Originally listed for $899,000 in June, it has been reduced $100,000 to $799,000.
We’ve chattered about several of these row homes over the years. In 2011-2012, some of these would sell in the $500,000s.
But that was in a slow market.
Now, at $799,000, this row house is no longer in the starter home category.
Who are the target buyers for these now?
Won’t these be turning over to the next generation of buyers, i.e. the Millennials?
Will Millennials want to live on a historic street such as this?
There are currently 3 of these row homes on the market.
Julie Sachs Capps at Berkshire Hathaway KoenigRubloff has the listing. See the pictures here.
3808 N. Alta Vista Terrace: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2010 square feet, row house
- Sold in January 1988 for $235,000
- Sold in June 1996 for $350,000
- Sold in March 2000 for $450,000
- Sold in May 2005 for $720,000
- Originally listed in June 2017 for $899,000
- Reduced
- Currently listed at $799,000
- Taxes of $11,351
- Central Air
- 1-car outdoor parking
- Bedroom #1: 12×12 (second floor)
- Bedroom #2: 9×12 (second floor)
- Bedroom #3: 12×11 (second floor)
- Family room: 14×20 (lower level)
- Laundry room: 10×8 (lower level)
- Den: 6×7 (second floor)
Only seeing 2 bedrooms
At $800M, 2Br and no master en suite will probably kill this for many millennials.
Target market – empty nesters that don’t want a condo and are Cubs fans
This place isn’t really for millennials, not for another 5-10 years anyway. There are always exceptions of course, but the price and style will require some “growing into” yet.
I’ve always loved these. That street is beautiful
We sold 3827 in 2014 in like 4 days with multiple offers for $835K. This is a really cool street and homes like this one have a ton of character but they are small for the price. I had also noticed that there were 3 of these for sale a few days ago and was really surprised because they don’t turn over that often.
They’re not going to appeal to everyone but there are plenty of people out there still that like vintage charm. If I recall the buyer of 3827 was probably in their 30s.
Wouldn’t the next generation be Gen X?
Don’t sleep on us we got money now!
This is a really cool house. It’s farther north than I would like, but maybe I’d reconsider how far north I’d be willing live for a place like this. This place would be great for a DINK couple. I can’t imagine having kids here since there isn’t a toilet on the main level and the upstairs only has one bathroom. I would consider reconfiguring the floor plan. I’d want to turn the floor with the master bedroom into a huge master suite with office and walk-in closet.
Side note, for a moment I thought Sabrina was writing about the old Alta Vista search engine and not a house.
“Do Millennials Want to Live on Historic Alta Vista Terrace?”
Speaking on behalf of my fellow millennials: No. Not for this price.
jenny on October 26th, 2017 at 9:30 am:
I can’t imagine having kids here since there isn’t a toilet on the main level.
The entire surrounding neighborhood is a toilet, or at least treated like such. Does that count?
“Wouldn’t the next generation be Gen X?”
Ha. If you mean the next generation of empty-nesters, sure.
Oldest X’ers are 52/53.
“writing about the old Alta Vista ”
Don’t mention that in any interviews!
“Ha. If you mean the next generation of empty-nesters, sure.
Oldest X’ers are 52/53.”
well wouldn’t those types be buying a house exactly like this one?
JAN TERRI WIDE LOAD ALERT!!!
SO NARROW THAT SHE NEEDS SOME BUTTER TO FIT UP THE STAIRS LOLZ!!!!
OLD STYLE 1, CUBBIES 0
GO DODGERS!!!!
Why would this block appeal to millennials? Are they history buffs, are are you stating their entry level price point is 800K? The street is a subtle hidden gem, and so quiet, easy to walk to Sheridan/Addison El stops. The one way south brings zero cut through traffic. BTW, the east side of the street is the preferred side, contrary to many west side listing agents. No cars parked in front of the units, eastern exposure, and can you say GARAGE? Great street, not for everyone. I see a lot of kid comments, and you have a point on certain layouts. Many have been redone, with more functional, family friendly layouts. There are a ton of kids on the block, of all ages, DINKS, you name it. Fun and diverse! No, one of the units being sold is not mine(remember, East side fan), just my 2 cents.
“Ha. If you mean the next generation of empty-nesters, sure.
Oldest X’ers are 52/53.”
“well wouldn’t those types be buying a house exactly like this one?”
I think this house is best for someone in their 30s or 40s. If you’re in your 50s, you only have a few years before those stairs start getting to be difficult to manage.
I know a couple of these have rooftop decks..which would be nice, I would like to know if you can add one or if they are only grandfathered in. Weird that the fireplace is in the tiny dining room…maybe open the wall between the kitchen and the dining room wouldn’t make it seem so “closed” in and narrow.
“well wouldn’t those types be buying a house exactly like this one?”
Sure! But no one cares about 50-somethings. Not even other 50-somethings.
Jenny, 50 is the new 30…
“writing about the old Alta Vista ”
“Don’t mention that in any interviews!”
I’ve been mocked for my hotmail address twice in the apple store. Speaking which, can someone get up at 2am and place my order for me.
“mocked for my hotmail address twice in the apple store”
That’s a Microsoft product. You’d do better switching to netzero.
“That’s a Microsoft product. You’d do better switching to netzero.”
I got my account before it was a Microsoft product. that’s how old I am.
Do you have a netzero signup promo I can use? I’ve almost used up my aol hours. Just have a couple AOL CDs left. Have to look. I think they are in the drawer behind my bed bath beyond coupons from 1999.
There is no worse retail experience than the Apple Store. Bunch of cultists shilling crap that costs 2-3X what it should.
This is a very special street and this home is beautiful. I promise you, most 50- or 60-somethings would be able to manage the stairs just fine. The only downside I see is that the “secured parking” appears to be shared with the landscaped patio which is kind of a bummer.
“The only downside I see is that the “secured parking” appears to be shared with the landscaped patio which is kind of a bummer.”
Only the west side of this street has parking at all, so this is the preferred side.
Yes- it is part of the landscaped patio. But the unit is 20 feet wide so if your car is parking there there’s still room for a table or chairs. These only have space for 1-car, however.
You’re not buying one of these for a backyard.
I don’t know about millennials but my wife and I are in our late-40s and will be empty-nesters in not too many years, and both of us would love to live on this street.
I’ve followed every listing on Alta Vista for decades, and this one is among the best I’ve seen. Of course, the price is on the high side, as well.
Great question, Mr. Gold, about adding a roof deck. i’ve wondered the same thing myself. That would be a fantastic addition if allowed.
“I’ve followed every listing on Alta Vista for decades, and this one is among the best I’ve seen. Of course, the price is on the high side, as well.”
I have stalked the listings of these houses for years also..its nice to know I am not the only one. If only my partner who didn’t love living in suburban McMansion land..I walked out the dimensions of these places in our house one time and he freaked out! A roof deck would be a must.
Gotta love listing agents that can’t even hire a photographer. Pictures look terrible.
Too close to wrigley for me at my age. and I’m only in my 30’s.
“A roof deck would be a must.”
4 of them have roof decks. Just wait until one of those comes on the market.
Roof decks allowed on east side. Interior garages on east side-as given the houses are built on a hill, giving an extra floor of above grade living. That small plot of land (patio)on west side is on a city easement. So want one of these “for sales” to be on east side of street. Now those are hard to come by.
This row house on Alta Vista is finally contingent.
Has lowered the price to $775,000.