Get 3-Bedrooms in a European-Style East Lakeview Courtyard Building: 513 W. Aldine
This 3-bedroom top floor vintage unit at 513 W. Aldine in East Lakeview came on the market in September 2021.
Built in 1924, this European-style courtyard building has 24 units.
It’s a walk-up.
The listing says this unit has a “designated parking space” but it’s unclear if it’s on site or not.
This unit has many of its vintages features including French windows in the living and dining rooms, hardwood floors throughout and crown and wall moldings.
It has a wood burning fireplace with a gas starter in the living room with built-in bookcases.
The listing says it has an “updated” kitchen with white cabinets, quartz counter tops and stainless steel appliances.
It has some of the features buyers look for including in-unit washer/dryer and the “designated parking space”. It doesn’t have central air but it looks like it has window unit cooling.
The building is near shops and restaurants of East Lakeview.
This unit hasn’t sold in 41 years.
With many people now working from home, is a three bedroom home now a “must”?
Brad Lippitz at Compass has the listing. See the pictures here.
Unit #3H: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1500 square feet
- Sold in March 1979 for $90,000 (per Redfin)
- Sold in December 1980 for $105,000 (per Redfin)
- Currently listed for $519,000
- Assessments of $442 a month (includes heat, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
- Taxes of $9088
- No central air- but window a/c units
- Washer/dryer in the unit
- “Designated” parking space (attached to the building?)
- Wood burning fireplace
- Bedroom #1: 14×12
- Bedroom #2: 11×10
- Bedroom #3: 8×11
- Living room: 20×13
- Dining room: 12×13
- Kitchen: 14×7
- Balcony: 9×3 (no pictures of it)
the parking is in a surface lot immediately to the north… from this unit, it can be reached by using the back door/stair…
a very good friend lives in this building and I have always urged them to consider making a deal with a developer to develop the surface parking lot, replace the parking with a new garage and new luxury condos… it would mean losing the views west however but I would think the sale of the lot would totally fund every owner’s retirement account…
Really like this place, even with painting the woodwork.
Complete deal breaker not having AC in the non-BR areas.
^*parking lot is immediately to the *west*
I grew up on this very block and this is one of the most lovely buildings on it. The courtyard is an oasis of peace and tranquility. The unit looks like it’s been well taken care of, and being on the top floor means it gets more light (though lots of stairs to climb).
I lived on this block back in 1979 when it sold for $90,000, actually. That was a lot considering my parents paid $45,000 for a four-bedroom unit in another courtyard on the street in 1975.
“European-style”
I know its from the listing, but where in Europe is this (very Chicago) style of u-shaped, open end, courtyard building common?
I’m not saying there are *none* in Europe, of course, but this building is as Chicago as brick bungalows and two-flats.
“I would think the sale of the lot would totally fund every owner’s retirement account”
With current zoning, the lot supports less than 20,000 of building, with a 47′ max height. If everyone were willing to give up their parking completely, the average payout would probably be about $100k (ie, about $2.5m for the lot)–which is more than the parking spot is “worth”, but I wouldn’t take the trade if I lived there.
I always wonder what the noise level is light in courtyard buildings. I just imagine drunks talking loudly late at night, people shouting from window to window, or people’s kids playing out there. They are really pretty though.
“^*parking lot is immediately to the *west*”
Thanks Jack.
The listing should make that clear because buyers in East Lakeview definitely look to see if the spot is nearby. Having an assigned parking spot in that neighborhood is rare.
I grew up in a courtyard a few buildings east of this one. My bedroom faced the courtyard directly. I remember the courtyard side of the unit being quieter than the street side, actually.
“I grew up on this very block and this is one of the most lovely buildings on it.”
Wow. Small world. You might have crossed paths with this seller at some point.
By the way, I’m seeing a lot of these long term owners who are selling now.
Or maybe I’m just noticing it more.
But we’re seeing a real turn over in some areas in generations. That’s something that’s not being talked much about.
I’ve lived in a few courtyards over the years, they were all pretty quiet, even in student-y areas.
@anon – I think jack’s suggestion would maintain parking (in newly built garage spaces) for the owners. Tunney has often been pretty friendly on upzoning and there is RM6 just behind it on Melrose. So, maybe there’s more to be made?
“I think jack’s suggestion would maintain parking (in newly built garage spaces) for the owners.”
Yes, I understand. But replacing 24 surface spaces in a garage on that size lot is going to take most of 2 floors, and then you put in parking for that building too. On a 50′ frontage, with a 7-story building to the west, at 4.4 FAR, you’re doing maybe 8 stories, with 3+ of them for parking. Which means the land is worth about the same, but the developer has to increase the costs to build the additional parking. So, maybe $50k per unit owner, and a garage spot instead of open.
Still not taking that deal, if it were me.
The classic 1920s-vintage Chicago courtyard has become my favorite type of housing This is a beautiful, roomy apartment in perfect condition, with vintage details intact, and nicely upgraded over time. Lovely building with a nicely-landscaped courtyard, in a fine location.
The HOA is very reasonable for what it includes. I would assume that some of it is allocated to a reserve fund, and that the association has regular roof and fire inspections, though a prospective buyer should always ask, and get a copy of the budget if possible.
The noise level is not usually an issue in a building like this. I have a condo in a 66-unit 20s vintage courtyard, and there is very little noise. Remember, buildings like this are not populated by drunk college students who throw 40-hour parties, or other low-grade types of tenants. This place is inhabited by sedate, polite middle class people so I doubt that noise is any more an issue than it is in my place.
As an aside, this is in the heart of an area that has many Jewish families that have kids in nearby day schools or are members of a Modern Orthodox synagogue around the corner (where proximity matters on the Sabbath for religious reasons).
While relatively small for someone with a multi-kid family, the location might be a selling point along with the relative value, as well as the social aspect (we’re on the periphery of this, and it’s strong). Plus it’s Nettlehorst’s district.