Expertly Renovated 2-Bedroom Duplex Loft Returns in the Fulton House: 345 N. Canal
This 2-bedroom duplex brick loft in the Fulton House at 345 N. Canal in River West came on the market in May 2023.
Built in 1903, Fulton House was original an old cold storage warehouse.
It was converted to apartments in the 1970s by star architect Harry Weese and then was converted into condos in the 1990s. There are 104 units. However, it’s also a live-work building where businesses can operate.
It has 24/7 door staff but no garage parking and a common deck overlooking the Chicago River. There is valet parking across the street at the River Bend building. It does not have other amenities like an exercise room.
If this unit looks familiar, that’s because we last chattered about it in 2017 when it had last been renovated in 2012. Listed at $725,000, some of you (surprise, surprise) thought it was overpriced.
You can see that chatter here.
The listing now says it has been “expertly renovated.”
If you recall, the unit has some unique features including the building’s famous barrel vaulted ceilings, but it also has 20 foot ceilings in the dining room and white washed exposed brick walls.
There looks to be dark hardwood floors on both floors.
The first floor is open concept with the living room, dining room and kitchen. There’s also a fully enclosed bedroom and a full bath.
The kitchen has white cabinets, a large island with new quartz countertops and new Wolf and Samsung appliances.
The primary bedroom is on the second floor and has an industrial window that overlooks the dining room.
There’s a full bath on the second floor and big closets.
The listing also says there is a bedroom that is open and being used as an office space on the second floor, but the listing on the MLS is a 2/2, not a 3/2.
The second floor also has the unique round porthole type windows that are found in the Fulton House and the whitewashed exposed brick.
The unit has outdoor space with a balcony off the living room.
It has the features buyers look for including an in-unit washer/dryer and the listing says there is “new central air” although there are wall units in the pictures. Valet parking is available next door.
The listing says this building is steps to the East Bank Club, Gibsons Italia, Starbucks and all the shops and restaurants of River West, River North and the West Loop. Developers continue to build new apartment buildings west of the River in this neighborhood.
This loft sold in May 2019 for $700,000. It has come back on the market at $1 million.
Buyers love “new.”
Will the renovation help it get a quick sale?
Alexa Hara and Guido Piunti at @Properties Christie’s has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.
Unit #1402: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2367 square feet, duplex loft
- Sold in November 1990 for $230,000
- Sold in July 1998 for $367,500
- Bank owned in December 2009
- Sold in June 2012 for $180,000
- Sold in May 2019 for $700,000
- Originally listed in May 2023 for $1,000,000
- Currently still listed at $1,000,000
- Assessments are still $1335 a month, same as December 2017 (includes heat, doorman, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal, Internet)
- Taxes are now $11,743 (they were $7619 in December 2017)
- “New” Central Air (but some rooms also have wall units)
- Washer/dryer in the unit
- Valet parking is available
- Bedroom #1: 22×17 (second floor)
- Bedroom #2: 15×12 (main floor)
- Den: 21×11 (second floor)
- Living/dining room combo: 30×19
- Foyer: 12×9 (main floor)
- Kitchen: 12×12 (main floor)
- Laundry: 5×3 (second floor)
- Balcony
It’s like the wife said ‘f— your black and white everywhere, I’m doing color in the closet’. Hilarious.
““New” Central Air (but some rooms also have wall units)”
I see 1 grille in all the photos. Would really want to be here on a hot day to see how well it cools
Dig the layout, perfect for DINKS or Empty nesters
They went too dark on the floor stain
For $1MM, Samsung appliances?
Cool place. Love the round window.
Sort of odd that the expert renovator didn’t consider putting trash/recycling within a cabinet.
A million dollars and no bathtub
The baths are both small for the price.
“Samsung appliances?”
Wolf range. drinks/wine fridge is something else, too. Spending $4k instead of $10k on a fridge is a valid decision, imo.
What will be the view west when 344 Canal is done? It’s not a ‘view’ building of unit, but still:
https://chicagoyimby.com/2023/02/new-33-story-cassidy-on-canal-reaches-fourth-floor-in-fulton-river-district.html
“Wolf range. drinks/wine fridge is something else, too. Spending $4k instead of $10k on a fridge is a valid decision, imo.”
IMO, Not when you plunk down the $ for a Wolf range and are looking for $1MM.
I dont think thats a $4k fridge, looks to be a (bit) older model. Even with the Family Hub with sophisticated chips unit is > $4k
Samsung Bespoke would have been appropriate or dumb down the Range to match the rest of the appliances. As it currently sits, its a fake it till you make it w/ the Wolf
There’s only space on that wall for a 36″ width fridge, unless you give up almost all the counterspace on that side. The high-end fridges are almost all counterdepth, and at 36″ width, really are pretty small capacity.
Could move the kitchen at great expense or put up a wall and totally ruin the unit.
You are right that’s it’s (currently, at least) an even cheaper fridge–so it’s $2k v $10k.
I like this place. Unique floor plan, barrel ceiling. The master bedroom situation seems a little odd with bathroom kind of far away. Not real clear on the views though.
Always thought this area was kind of dead though in terms of activity, but definitely convenient.
I went with a custom panel Fisher and Paykel instead of subzero to save $5k. I am seeing quite a lot of them in mid-priced kitchens, not places trying for a million.
I don’t like anything about this place other than the white paint. All the black bars and tiny windows make me think of prison.
Agent should update the building picture, the old warehouse directly west is gone. Unit now look directly into the new apartment building!
surprises me that stairs like that are up to code.
“There’s only space on that wall for a 36? width fridge, unless you give up almost all the counterspace on that side. The high-end fridges are almost all counterdepth, and at 36? width, really are pretty small capacity.
Could move the kitchen at great expense or put up a wall and totally ruin the unit.
You are right that’s it’s (currently, at least) an even cheaper fridge–so it’s $2k v $10k.”
Liebherr has some midsized units that are at/within striking distance of $4k.
The basic Samsung looks completely out of place
Liebherr is a great word btw
“There’s only space on that wall for a 36? width fridge, unless you give up almost all the counterspace on that side. The high-end fridges are almost all counterdepth, and at 36? width, really are pretty small capacity.
Could move the kitchen at great expense or put up a wall and totally ruin the unit.
You are right that’s it’s (currently, at least) an even cheaper fridge–so it’s $2k v $10k.”
Liebherr has some midsized units that are at/within striking distance of $4k.
The basic Samsung looks completely out of place
Liebherr is a great word btw
Building offers boat slips. Amazing!
“Liebherr has some midsized units that are at/within striking distance of $4k.”
$6500 at Abt, for 19 cubic foot capacity, vs
the (ugly, yes) Sammy for $2k and 27 cf capacity.
Offer with a $7k credit for a Liebherr, and let them take the sammy with.
“Always thought this area was kind of dead though in terms of activity, but definitely convenient.”
The warehouse building behind it has been torn down and a big new apartment building is going in. I’m not sure if it will have any amenities in the base (restaurants, drug store etc). But a LOT has been going into this area as more buildings have gone in. Not sure how much activity there is though.
Here’s the new 33 story tower. It is already under construction. This article indicates some first floor retail. Looks nice.
https://chicagoyimby.com/2022/02/the-habitat-company-acquires-344-n-canal-street-in-preparation-for-2022-groundbreaking.html
“What will be the view west when 344 Canal is done? It’s not a ‘view’ building of unit, but still:”
You will look at the building next door. That’s the risk of all buildings in the city. Unless the building next door is city landmarked, there could be something built there.
The good news is that that building is already going up so you don’t have to wonder when you go look at this unit.
By the way, no one mentioned that you can buy this unit with bitcoin. First time I’ve seen that in a listing.
I don’t think this is a $1MM 2-br kind of location. Especially with no private outdoor space and I am irked that the garbage can is sitting out there rather than having been considered in the reno. Personally, I think this sits on the market a bit though I love this building and this location seems to be on an upswing (though still somewhat isolated for me).
I also would want to know what this is like on a hot day. I am skeptical that bath ventilation is adequate (maybe it just isn’t in the photos though), but the cooling has me super curious since the only visible unit is upstairs ….. Wouldn’t make an offer on this without knowing what it is like on a hot day.
“Wouldn’t make an offer on this without knowing what it is like on a hot day.”
Will be cooler with the shade from 344.
Relisted for 850K
Starting to move into sane pricing
While the listing doesn’t say what the exposure is, it appears from the pictures that the windows face the new construction apartment high rise on the west side of this building.
Could the blocking of the view be playing a part in the lack of a sale at the higher price point?
“Starting to move into sane pricing”
This is a unique building with very unique units and features. It’s always been hard to get a handle on pricing as a result.
“Could the blocking of the view be playing a part in the lack of a sale at the higher price point?”
So this isnt the preferred view?
“So this isnt the preferred view?”
Looking into another building usually isn’t a preferred view. And for a building on the Chicago River, having a river view is usually preferred.
The difference between the River and the Lake, JohnnyU, is that there are buildings up and down it. I thought I’d better explain it to you because the last time you were in Chicago 30 years ago there probably weren’t many people actually living ON the River. It was stinky and gross back then.
These days, you actually have a real view if you live on the River. Unlike the Lake where, at night, you look mostly into darkness and nothing else (depending.) It’s possible you can live on one of the parks and also have a Lake view, then you might get the best of both worlds. 340 OTP, for example. But those that just look directly onto the lake, it’s nothing all night.
“ Looking into another building usually isn’t a preferred view. And for a building on the Chicago River, having a river view is usually preferred.”
You have mentioned some Mel Gibson movie where they looked out to another condo as being preferred to a water view
Do better
“You have mentioned some Mel Gibson movie where they looked out to another condo as being preferred to a water view”
Yes, we ALL remember this discussion. Love that movie because there is a wonderful skyline view from all of his windows. Gee, I wonder why the filmmakers didn’t make his fake apartment overlook the Lake? Because that view stinks at night.
But Mel’s character didn’t live on the Chicago River so it’s not really relevant. Because on the River, as I mentioned, you get water AND the city skyline view.
I really recommend checking out the views from the River facing units in Marina Towers. You will know what I mean.
“Yes, we ALL remember this discussion. Love that movie because there is a wonderful skyline view from all of his windows. Gee, I wonder why the filmmakers didn’t make his fake apartment overlook the Lake? Because that view stinks at night.”
They’re selling a story to chuds.
Interesting that that your mistake opinion doesnt hold for most of the rest of the world
“But Mel’s character didn’t live on the Chicago River so it’s not really relevant. Because on the River, as I mentioned, you get water AND the city skyline view.”
What water view? Standing on the edge of your deck and looking straight down? LOL
“I really recommend checking out the views from the River facing units in Marina Towers. You will know what I mean.”
This is not what you said and is typical of you twisting and bastardizing the english language to try and not look like an idiot in your own eyes.
Covid or something else really messed you up
“Interesting that that your mistake opinion doesnt hold for most of the rest of the world”
Not correct. There are definitely “view” buyers and that means skyline. But you are right that there are those who prefer dead on Lake as well because they like the sunrise and daytime. But it’s you who assumes that there are ONLY those that love the Lake views.
Wrong.
“What water view? Standing on the edge of your deck and looking straight down? LOL”
This is from someone who hasn’t been in Chicago in a long, long time. And clearly has never been in an apartment or townhouse or house that is directly on the Chicago River. The River is extensive. In River Bend building, for example, you can see water far down the south branch while out on your balcony. The River is not a pond at the base of the building.
“This is not what you said and is typical of you twisting and bastardizing the english language to try and not look like an idiot in your own eyes.”
Huh?
Go stand on a balcony in this very building. You will see up and down the north and south branches of the Chicago River and have a nice skyline view. But not in THIS unit because it appears to be on the west side of the building. City views would have been great before they built the high rise though.
“Not correct. There are definitely “view” buyers and that means skyline. But you are right that there are those who prefer dead on Lake as well because they like the sunrise and daytime. But it’s you who assumes that there are ONLY those that love the Lake views.
Wrong.”
Are RE prices higher or lower for a water view Vs a valley/pastoral view on an island?
“But not in THIS unit because it appears to be on the west side of the building. City views would have been great before they built the high rise though.”
Looking into other builds WAS Gibsons view, LOL
“Looking into other builds WAS Gibsons view, LOL”
Nope. There was no building directly across the street from Mel Gibson’s high rise apartment. All of the buildings were in the distance which is what made it such a fantastic view. Twinkle lights in all the evening scenes. This is why “skyline” is very preferred. Maybe I should do a week called “skyline views” week so that you all can see what the difference is for an actual “view” versus just living across the street from another building.
All high rises are NOT created the same. The realtors can tell you. There are certain buildings where you get the view and others where you don’t.
“Are RE prices higher or lower for a water view Vs a valley/pastoral view on an island?”
That’s not the comparison here. What’s the value of a unit with a view of Chicago’s skyline versus one that doesn’t have it in that same neighborhood? That’s how you tell.
And yes, a premium IS paid for skyline views.
There’s a reason the Willis Tower or Hancock are often shown in the listing pictures (if the unit has those views.)
“That’s not the comparison here. What’s the value of a unit with a view of Chicago’s skyline versus one that doesn’t have it in that same neighborhood? That’s how you tell.”
Except, It is.
Do a comp of buildings with direct lake views and units with no lake views and see which is more expensive.
You can have the last word as this is in the top 5 dumbest conversations ever
It’s weird that in the 2.5 months since we discussed this property, the black mullion windows have started to look dated. Home decor trends are so fleeting. In early June, that look was sort of “a little played out/overdone” and now is fully in the “out” category.
I still love this place, though. Another $100K reduction and I’d be VERY interested.
Relisted for 775
Ouch but getting closer to a good deal. Still bothered by the garbage can having not been accounted for in the kitchen “reno.” Valet parking kinda sucks. Are there no other options around there? Other than that they are getting into the territory where I am interested. Unfortunately not likely to be selling my current place for a few years but this is pretty good for a condo since the sleeping space isn’t directly above another unit and has concrete over it. You can leave this alone for weeks at a time and it won’t be obvious to criminals. This is what I will be looking for when I make that first step into exiting full time Chicago residency.
Also, as someone who grew up with dark stained wood floors – those have to go. They wear terribly and show EVERYTHING.. Need a credit to refinish the floors in something lighter and easier to maintain.
LOL. They re-took some listing photos and must have stuffed the garbage can under the sink or in a closet unless it actually was just an extra garbage can….
“Need a credit to refinish the floors”
can you really ask for a credit for this? credits are normally for things that come up during an inspection, not cosmetic things you see during a showing.
You can ask for it. However, it would just be called a “closing cost” credit and reduce your cash to close. Lenders don’t like repair credits and it opens up a can of worms, so any minor things like that are just chalked up as a closing cost credit instead of being specifically called out for floor repair, etc.
It is not a defect per se but everything is negotiable. To me dark floors are akin to a garish paint scheme.
not specific to this apartment but mentioning in general real estate terms
so yeah even the judge says in real estate good faith estimates can be off by 10-20%.
personally I would like to see a listing requirement for sq. ft. by exterior wall and then understanding that build out will result in less useable space
snippet from mainstream news
“Ms. James started investigating Mr. Trump in March 2019 and filed a lawsuit against him last September, accusing him of “staggering” fraud in representing the value of his apartment buildings, hotels and golf clubs, among other assets. Her filings have accused Mr. Trump of using simple, duplicitous tricks to multiply the represented value of his signature properties, from Trump Tower to Mar-a-Lago.
In one noteworthy example, she accused Mr. Trump of overestimating the size of the triplex apartment in Trump Tower in which he lived for decades, saying it was 30,000 feet, rather than about 11,000. Justice Engoron seized on that, noting that Mr. Trump’s lawyers had “absurdly” suggested that the calculation of square footage was subjective and adding that good-faith measurements might vary by as much as 10 to 20 percent, but not 200 percent.”
at Anon: No complaint on the washer dryer doors?
at JU: Liebherr- izzz goot. izzzz veeely goot.
at Cat – You can leave this alone for weeks at a time and it won’t be obvious to criminals. This is what I will be looking for when I make that first step into exiting full time Chicago residency.
Isn’t any large building ok? Say John Hancock at 400+ units. 400 E Randolph at 1000+ units. And presume you mean as a rental
“No complaint on the washer dryer doors?”
Yes, dryer door should be flipped.
Do also wonder if that light bulb gets in the way.
LOL Chichow…if you measured the square footage by exterior wall for the Subject property it would add A LOT of square footage. The walls on this thing are three feet thick in some areas.
I would not want to live in the Hancock. Generally high-rise condos do not appeal to me in the least and in Chicago over the recent 15 years they have almost universally proven to be a bad choice financially.
Additionally, I think the noise transmission and smell transmission among units can be an issue and people tend to behave more “jerkily” towards one another when you have too many folks sharing a front door. The exception for me would be a well priced mid rise that is an adaptive re-use where the former use and construction points to very good sound attenuation between units….like the Subject.
“Additionally, I think the noise transmission and smell transmission among units can be an issue and people tend to behave more “jerkily” towards one another when you have too many folks sharing a front door.”
isn’t that view at odds with your thoughts on anonymity and being able to lock up a unit and disappear for weeks at time and not worry about someone noticing and breaking into your unit?
so how many units in a mid rise? How many units before one feels comfortable in terms of being able to be anonymous AND doesn’t have to worry about a one in three home owner deciding to not pay assessments. 100? 200? 300? 400?
For me, I’d like to be above 400 units.
“For me, I’d like to be above 400 units.”
How many buildings in the city are over 400 units? It’s not a big group (for condos). That is a big building. Lots of smaller units, perhaps. The new 36 story high rise being proposed in Old Town is supposed to have 400 units. I’m assuming a LOT of 600 square foot 1 bedrooms in there.
“Additionally, I think the noise transmission and smell transmission among units can be an issue and people tend to behave more “jerkily” towards one another when you have too many folks sharing a front door.”
Depends on how it is built. Vintage buildings used concrete/plaster between units. You don’t hear a thing.
1960s/70s also sometimes used concrete, even in the walls between units. You don’t hear a thing.
2000s probably no concrete, just drywall. Be careful in any building built originally in this era as apartments. Definitely just drywall between units.
As for “smells”, some buildings ban marijuana smoking and cigarettes. Not much you can do about cooking smells.
Closed for 775K
Got about $30k net back on the reno.
Sizzle!
Oooffff
Tour of the (still u/c) building across the street:
https://chicago.urbanize.city/post/urbanize-tours-cassidy-canal
There’s an updated link on urbanize with a tour from this week. Looks like a nice building. Too close to the Fulton House on the east side, for my taste. You could almost reach out and touch people out on their balconies.
Nice north facing views of the Hancock and whatnot if you don’t mind about facing north. Not my favorite. I did it once and never again but you DO have some good views.
Should be a great building. I wonder if the trains going right next to the building will be loud?