Forget the Cookie Cutter 1-Bedroom, Buy a Duplex Loft Instead: 2161 N. California in Logan Square
This 1-bedroom duplex up loft in the St. George Lofts at 2161 N. California in Logan Square (or West Bucktown- whichever you prefer) is a commuter’s dream as the California blue line stop is just a block away.
The loft has authentic features including 15-foot timber ceilings and exposed brick as well as soaring windows.
The bedroom is on the second floor, along with a full bath, and is open to the first floor living space.
The kitchen has cherry cabinets, granite counter tops and black appliances.
The loft has all the things buyers look for including washer/dryer in the unit, central air and deeded parking.
First listed in March 2011, the loft has been reduced $30,400.
It is now listed $10,500 under the 2004 purchase price.
Is this a deal for a starter loft in this location?
Stephanie Sadoff at @Properties has the listing. See more pictures here.
Unit #101: 1 bedroom, 1.1 bath, no square footage listed
- Sold in January 2001 for $182,000
- Sold in September 2004 for $230,000
- Originally listed in March 2011 for $249,900
- Reduced
- Currently listed for $219,500
- Assessments of $215 a month
- Taxes of $2337
- Central Air
- Washer/Dryer in the unit
- Deeded parking included
- Bedroom #1: 20×14
Okay, maybe its just me but I hate diagonal walls, triangle rooms and weird floorplans like this…just seems like bad design.
This is an interesting loft. I like it, but I don’t care for the neighborhood. Also, except the Gold Coast or Streeterville, I wouldn’t pay over $200,000 for a one bedroom.
Weird layout (huge kitchen, small living room), but I still kind of like the space. Still, I’m not sure what about this unit demands a price over the 2001 price. I’m pretty sure nothing has been updated since then.
Agreed with ^. Very nice, but >200k for a 1br in this area is far from a bargain.
Really not a good location. California is busy and unattractive. Don’t really have a clue on pricing. Price does seem less than for the two loft buildings at the corners of Washtenaw and Belden/Medill (which are significantly better locations). Know a couple of people in those lofts and was a bit surprised prices were that high. I’d much prefer a place on Logan over any of these (taking any needed tradeoffs of less space or lack of parking etc into account).
I wouldn’t pay 220k for a SFH in logan square
I think it’s perfect for a hipster dufus in Logan Square. However, not at that selling price. Make an offer for $159 and settle at $170 as the tax and assessments aren’t bad.
Look at this for example. That’s a lotta money.
http://www.redfin.com/IL/Chicago/2654-W-Medill-Ave-60647/unit-103/home/13416344
“Okay, maybe its just me but I hate diagonal walls, triangle rooms and weird floorplans like this…just seems like bad design.”
Well, at least there are two of us. Can’t stand them. Not very functional. Makes furniture placement very difficult unless they start making triangle sofas for people with triangle butts.
i dont know much about the hood, but the tall ceiling is quite nice. In my early twenties i would have liked to live in a unit like this. of course not with the current paint and kitchen.
I’m a bit surprised everyone is hating on this place. The layout is a little odd but, at the same time, it’s unique. Price could be lower but the taxes and assessments are very low. Without looking up on MLS, I can’t tell if this is FHA approved but, if it is, I could see this going above $200k.
Rad Pad….Do it, do it, do it.
Seriously though It seems nice.
“This is an interesting loft. I like it, but I don’t care for the neighborhood. Also, except the Gold Coast or Streeterville, I wouldn’t pay over $200,000 for a one bedroom.”
I do like the neigbhorhood but otherwise I’d agree with Jenny. Interestingly, I looked at this building in 2003 and the lofts around the corner that DZ mentioned. In the end, I opted for a 2/1 at the border of IP/AP. Was it a better decision? I think it was.
“Interestingly, I looked at this building in 2003 and the lofts around the corner that DZ mentioned. In the end, I opted for a 2/1 at the border of IP/AP. Was it a better decision? I think it was.”
Did the lofts around the corner hold value better?
Definitely not for me, but I can see why others might like.
“Okay, maybe its just me but I hate diagonal walls, triangle rooms and weird floorplans like this…just seems like bad design.”
Well, the building is triangle shaped, so what was the developer to do? Leave all the corners empty?
“I wouldn’t pay 220k for a SFH in logan square”
just think how many tight pairs of rolled up jeans and PBR you can buy with 200k!!! (other 20k goes to rent)
Here is an example of a cool odd shaped loft. Might have even been the same building. Who knows….
http://www.chicagohomemag.com/Chicago-Home/Spring-2006/Small-Wonder-Gallery/
Small layout but cool design.
“Did the lofts around the corner hold value better?”
apparently some did.
I see a lot of people hating on this, saying 220k is too much. I look around, and I don’t see much going for cheaper in this market. It seems the entry point for a condo in this city (green zone and close to public trans) is 170k to 220k.
I think you could do much worse than this if you ask me.
I live in this building.
Unit 103 in this building is a 2/2 and sold for ~$330k in early 2010. That unit had been updated, where this one doesn’t look like much of anything has been changed since it was built out.
This unit also has windows facing St George Ct, so noise from California Ave isn’t an issue.
The first floor units are definitely spectacular for the soaring heights, but they don’t have outdoor space which is a huge negative for me.
Down to $199k ask. . .
Still listed…I’d say they’re going to have to hit 170ish…to sell in this neighborhood these days.
I think using the term “duplex” here is misleading. It’s a single-floor unit, with a built-in lofted bedroom. I suspect the base footprint is pretty small, and I’ll bet it feels small, even if it is tall.
I’d be curious to see what the unit perimeter dimensions are.
Just noticed the 2001 price of 182,000. The stuff like this I’ve been seeing like that is going for below 2001 pricing around here…so I’ll stand by that 170ish.
Looks to me to be 800 square feet or so…with a lofted bed logansuarean. Yeah…I wouldn’t call it a duplex either.