Get a Loft And a Vintage Home All Wrapped Up in One: 5844 W. Augusta Blvd in Austin
Maybe you’re an artist who needs a wide-open authentic loft space in which to work but wants to live in a home with vintage features?
This unique 1-bedroom single family home at 5844 W. Augusta Blvd in Austin could be for you.
Built in 1911, the first floor loft has exposed brick and timber ceilings. That level has a half bath and the laundry room.
Upstairs, is a 1-bedroom plus den vintage home with a separate dining room, remodeled kitchen and hardwood floors.
The bathroom has a claw-foot tub.
The property also has an outdoor patio but apparently doesn’t have any deeded parking.
James Salazar at Baird & Warner has the listing. See the pictures here.
5844 W. Augusta Blvd: 1 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, first floor loft, 1336 square feet
- Sold in May 2005 for $112,500
- Currently listed for $150,000
- Taxes of $1963
- No Central Air
- No parking
- Loft: 27×24
Other than the hideous exterior, it seems like it could be a workable place for a bargain hunter who doesn’t mind the neighborhood.
Who was it who was asking for a ‘deal’ on a thread yesterday? Would this place fit their needs?
If today’s listing price is higher than the 2005 purchase price then by definition it cannot be a ‘deal’ – absent extenuating circumstances, like new construction.
I think it is a fantastic property for an artist. Don’t know about the neighborhood, though. Seems like the current owner might have done a lot of work on the building since 2005.
the good;
Sweet unique place/layout. love the tile in the bathroom it has the bathroom vibe. you dont need deeded parking here easy to find a spot within a few car lengths of your door. crazy potential for the bottom loft area!
the bad;
now not everyone will feel “at home” in austin, agent mentiond the tub but no picture of it, mentioned a pedestal sink and thats one you can get at the hobo for i think $50. no Central air maybe thats why the kitchen has two ceiling fans. plus you will be living close to the groove’s so we will stop by and raid your fridge once a week:)
the strange;
dont know why its priced above the 2005 price?
“the strange;
dont know why its priced above the 2005 price?”
Its not strange. Real estate never goes down. Real estate is a Giffen good. That is, “a good for which demand increases as its price rises”.
The next sentence from the Economist on Giffen goods states that “But such goods may not exist in the real world” but who are you going to believe? The trustworthy seller or some pencil necked economist magazine?
This is in the heart of the “hood” so to speak. Drive by it on the way home. This area makes Uptown look like Armitage & Halsted. Cool place and it better be because you won’t be doing much walking around outside unless you have some serious street cred. The good news is that it is pretty close to Oak Park though.
An artist with a very open mind might actually like this place though.
Pros: None
Cons: 1 bedroom, IN AUSTIN!!!!!, no AC, no parking, small for a house, WTF is with the lofted space on the first floor, what is it for? 150k to live in austin? BAHAHAHA this might be the most overpriced place ever to appear on cribchatter
You would need parking here. I wouldn’t want to be taking public transportation at certain hours around here.
An artist would last less than a year here. No I doubt the locals would respect their attempt to “keep it real” with the streetfolk and respect the artist’s property or person just because said artist believes they are similarly poor and “in the streetfolks shoes”, figuratively speaking.
This far west you might as well be Oak Park, so the neighborhood probably isn’t terrible.
If you’re ok with the neighborhood, then this is pretty decent. I like the space.
I can definitely see why they should want to pander to the artistic types – the types that refuse to believe that bad neighborhoods exist, crime is merely a function of misunderstood youth, and that failing to give all diverse neighborhoods a chance is as bad as voting republican. Who knows – perhaps Austin is the next Pilsen?
Is a Bam Margera-style indoor skate park out of the question for that loft space?
@Anonymous, there is a HUGE difference between Austin and Oak Park. It is like night and day when your cross Austin Blvd. Even being that close, there is absolutely no spill over of niceness of OP into Austin. NONE. There is quite a bit of crime spill over into Oak Park though.
This area is BAD. I drive through it quite a bit as I live in OP and I am not all that scared of living in the hood. This ain’t like buying just west of Western in Bucktown or living just east of Broadway in Uptown. This is straight up gang, arm pit of city living.
This has none of the ingredients to become a Pilsen imho.
“This far west you might as well be Oak Park, so the neighborhood probably isn’t terrible”
its not until your cross ridgeland that things get the happy face.
“This is in the heart of the “hood” so to speak”
and russ you are correct, it is the hood, and even i would back down from 3 teenagers causing trouble on the corner.
its not an area where you want to take public transport, you want a car here. even street cred artist in skinny back jean should ditch there 10 speed and get a used honda civic.
Yes westloopelo, this is a super deal, why don’t you go do a “drive by” of this place.
Yeah Groove, its easy to find parking spots on the street here because nobody is stupid enough to park their car on the street, unless they enjoy getting their whip vandalized.
JN, nobody should be ok with this neighborhood, seriously, go visit it sometime.
150k in this hood should buy you a 6 unit building not a 1 bedroom house.
150k in this hood should buy you the biggest crack rock EVER.
Bob, I read Tyrone Biggums is throwing a $150,000 crack party after the closing.
“a used honda civic.”
Poor choice. The parts are worth too much. Need something crummier. Like a Cavalier. Or an Explorer.
“WTF is with the lofted space on the first floor, what is it for?”
Uh, a living room? Obvious former commercial space that the owner (and/or prior owner) didn’t want to over-improve in the neighborhood. Which was clearly a wise choice to avoid throwing good $$ after bad.
“An artist would last less than a year here.”
Dude, a bonafide artist who would consider such a location ain’t got nuthin worth stealing. And y’all appear to (v.incorrectly) assume that the artist wouldn’t be black.
” no Central air ”
The ductwork is quite obviously there, so it’s just adding the a/c unit–what’s that going to cost, $5k?
“unless they enjoy getting their whip vandalized”
your car here will only get vandalized if you have 22’s on it, stuff in the back seat, an average car with nothing to steal out of it wont even be bothered.
i do agree 150,000 for a 1 bedroom with loft/office on the first floor is well a stretch put it down to the 2005 price and a single groove back in the day would live here easily with out a problem.
russ,
“It is like night and day when your cross Austin Blvd”
i still think by ridgeland is the turn point. and will agree NO spill over at all, i have always found that funny.
since you are in OP i have a question if you have SFH, how was the flooding this past year over there?
Groove, the flooding wasn’t too bad where my house is located (near taylor park). However, if you have a basement, it is not a matter of if it floods, it is when. I know some homes further west had some issues. The main thing is ensuring your yard does not funnel water to your basement door.
A block or two west after Austin isn’t bad, but obviously the further west you go, the better. I know the houses right near Austin blvd have a problem with crackheads breaking into garages, etc. Heck, I got my bikes lifted after forgetting to shut the garage door once. No real serious crimes, but just ones of opportunity imho.
I don’t mean to embellish on how bad Austin is, but this isn’t one of those areas where you get some niceness just by being near a nice area like some parts of the city. Crossing east into Austin from Oak Park is like going into a different dimension. It is almost kind of weird that the change is so abrupt actually. This is tantamount to crossing the border over into Tijuana or something.
I don’t know too many black artist who would even consider this area. I am sure they would be a lot more happier on the southside like North Kenwood, Hyde Park, or even Washington Park and would probably get a better place for the money.
“I don’t know too many black artist who would even consider this area. I am sure they would be a lot more happier on the southside like North Kenwood, Hyde Park, or even Washington Park and would probably get a better place for the money.”
I don’t disagree with that, but everyone was posting as if the prospective artist-buyer is going to be some white dude(ette) who’s moving west from Pilsen. That does seem unlikely.
I live in Oak Park and the agent who sold me my place lived in a huge single family home on Augusta within a block or two of this place (definitely in Austin, not OP). He was a short, chubby, white gay guy in his 20s who wore big sunglasses and drove a fully upgraded Murano. By upgraded I don’t mean huge rims. I mean leather interior, GPS, sunroom, etc. He swore that he’d never had any problems and had been living there for years. He parked his car in a driveway beside his house. I will say he had a big dog that probably scared some hoodlums off a bit, but I was SHOCKED at how he would just leave windows unlocked, leave computer equipment in plain sight in his living room. Either he was very lucky or I was overly sensitive/racist about the crime problems in the western edge of Austin.
I totally agree with the other posters than when you cross Austin blvd, it’s another world. Hell, even the last few eastern blocks of Oak Park are another world…wig/nail shops, currency exchanges, and friend chicken joints everywhere. There’s litter everywhere and kids loitering on nearly every corner of the main streets on the Austin side. It’s a mess. With that said, this listing obviously has an artist living in it already, so clearly someone has survived the big, scary neighborhood. I’m not saying the place is a great deal…I think Austin is just too big of a ‘hood to reach any kind of critical mass and be recognized for having any up and coming nooks. But I do think we might be a little overly paranoid about it. I think there are probably people who live in Austin who consider this area the “good” part of town. There are definitely some newer condos and things near Austin Blvd. that are being marketed to black buyers with decent incomes.
“a fully upgraded Murano … [with] sunroom”
That’s a *serious* upgrade.
anon has already had a few to many 🙂
thanks russ,
flooding is a concern for us cause we heard things about OP and basments and sewege backup stuff. (OP is on our short list of places if we move).
to beat the austin hourse a bit more. it is a shyty area with a few good blocks scattered about. russ does state its the arm pit of the ghetto, which most blocks i do agree. but it is possible to live there, even if you are white or hispanic or what ever.
i fear being mugged in LP than mugged in austin
What do they call it when a gang of kids beats an innocent bystander for no reason?
“What do they call it when a gang of kids beats an innocent bystander for no reason?”
they call it sonies being a pretentious jerk for no reason. 🙂 just kidding
i can hold my own, just ask the gangbangers in my hood about me, so austin doenst really phase me. i guess thats why being mugged in LP scares me more, your not expecting it.
just a few weeks ago around my hood i clocked a 17 or 16 year old gangbanger in the eye. he was messing with some nerdy school kids for no reason other than he was a punk. i stopped my car and got out told the nerds to run, the kid thought he was tough and thought old man groove would be scared when he said “this aint yo bussiness i should ******* shoot you” so i popped him in the eye and he ran.
Groove, are you in Oak Park or some other neighboring area? I wish you had lived in my ‘hood when I was growing up. I was that nerdy kid someone else was always beating up or threatening to beat up.
I really hate it that I can’t fix my own typos once I’ve posted something here. Yes, I meant to say sunroof. His Murano didn’t have a sunroom.
“Yes, I meant to say sunroof. His Murano didn’t have a sunroom.”
Oh, I know. And I only pick out typos (it’s a comment thread on the intertubez, typos are the norm) when they’re funny and that *was* funny.
danny,
i am over by riis park area, hood as some may call it, so i take advantage of OP’s ammenities and pay chicago taxes.
you should have seen early this summer one of the fathers on my block chased down a gangbanger that was bother his daughter, caugth him and then ball batted the kid. the bast part is the banger called 911 on him and the cops came and all they said to the father was dont do it again please. Classic!
Groove,
I was just up that way the other day since it’s the closest Papa John’s to my house and my partner and I were talking about how nice the Brickyard shopping center is looking these days. There were a bunch of people out jogging and playing in Riis Park and I wondered if it was the kind of neighorhood where white folks could walk around without getting harassed. Not that I’m going to move there either way. I’m a white skinny gay guy, and I seem to get harassed by white Lincoln Park frat guys and black Austin hoodlums alike, so I try to stick to areas where I’m the most “normal” looking person in a five-block radius.
“so I try to stick to areas where I’m the most “normal” looking person in a five-block radius.”
had a good laugh at that one. thank you
Riis park is huge!!!! if you are not mexican you will stand out. you will not be harrased before 9pm. about 15 years ago i think the park was mostly puerto rican and white.
go there some time its i nice park and they have ice skating in the winter!!! and a huge hill for sledding in the winter too.
it will be a different atmosphere than your used to.
the brickyard has changed since the original brickyard mall. i hate the layout cause driving to get to a store there is like a fricken video game.
ok now i have to harass you about PAPA JOHN”S. You live in the city of the greatest pizza ever!!!!!!!! Papa john’s is fine in a college town but in chicago you should be stoned to death if you eat pizza hut or poppa john’s. you should of headed up diversy to harlem, sorento’s has some good deep dish.
I like Papa Johns and Pizza Hut. Unfortunately theres none near me. I’ve had that Giordanos crap and thats exactly what it is. Us former suburbanites old habits die hard.
Well, I’m from Alabama originally, and Papa John’s beats the hell out of the other pizza options in the South. I’ll keep Sorento’s in mind, but I’m not a huge deep-dish fan.
There are several guilty pleasures that I miss a lot:
-Grocery shopping in an empty Super Wal-Mart at 1:00 a.m.
-tater tots at Sonic
-elegant brunches at the Waffle House
-Moe’s burritos
-country ham and pot pies at Cracker Barrel (Yes, yes, I know the owners are completely homophobic, but I can’t resist that intolerant, delicious country goodness.)
I also love to eat at the Chili’s in Berwyn and when I’m really up for a fancy night out, my boyfriend and I drive all the way to the Outback near O’hare. Mock me all you like. When you’re raised on Southern suburban sprawl food, old habits die hard.
“I also love to eat at the Chili’s in Berwyn and when I’m really up for a fancy night out, my boyfriend and I drive all the way to the Outback near O’hare. Mock me all you like. When you’re raised on Southern suburban sprawl food, old habits die hard”
danny, your killing me, someone make the pain stop, you said chilli’s……i have fainted and just woke back up.
ok i will forgive you this time cause your upbringing, now going forward, you are in the city of great restaurants. and even in OP river forest have chain places. My buddies and i love the flat top grill chain place after playing ball.
Papa Johns is good and there is one about a 15-20min drive from downtown. Of course the ‘hood is abit suspect for me so i have to really crave it lol.. but also you may want to try Sarpino’s. We’ve been hooked on the place since we moved to RD659.
Lou Malnati’s butter crust pizza is also VERY GOOD.
still I miss my indiana pizza place… JJ’s Pizza Shack. It is hard to beat a shack full of pizza’s!
“Papa john’s is fine in a college town but in chicago you should be stoned to death if you eat pizza hut or poppa john’s”
Though off-topic, truer words were never spoken on this blog.
Adding central AC to a home that already has duct work/blower for gas forced air costs around $1500-2000. Friend just did it in a bungalow. Pretty reasonable considering how much value it adds.
O.K. , I love this site, but what is the bias against near north neighborhoods? Why all of the way out west listings? What about Evanston, a condo rich downtown with tons of lofts, Northwestern Univ. and many brand new 30+ story towers downtown that have seen almost 35% drops in value. I would love for this site to do a story on the 25 story Winthrop Club tower which is sitting empty for months and will be possibly rentals? (disclaimer- I work in Evanston but live in Lakeshore East- so I am not pushing Evanston real estate)
As for Austin, I have a co-worker who was an “urban pioneer” there for about one year, and chose to go back to renting a 1bd in Lakeview instead of owning a small house with a yard.
I don’t know if I could agree with you Morgan on the properties that are featured here on CC. Sabrina does a great job of showing places from all parts of Chicago while not including the suburb listings…and for good reason. I honestly do not see a bias towards any one specific area.
“Yes westloopelo, this is a super deal, why don’t you go do a “drive by” of this place.”
Sonies, why are you making such an effort lately to attempt to discredit my comments? If you read my post, it was plain that it was made with sarcasm. I know the hood and was merely pointing out the place to the person who was begging Sabrina and regular posters to tell him which areas offer the best deals.
Chill out dude…I have no problems with your comments and expect you to view mine the same way. Of course if you want to play this game, I am more than willing to ‘go there’ and destroy your opinions as well. Wanna ‘play’ with me? bring it on biotch!! LOL silly boy…
It’s geared towards near north neighborhoods because that’s primarily the demographics of her readership and blogs in general. Nobody wants to chat about Hegewisch or Canaryville or Brainerd.
Danny…do yourself a favor and check out Pequod’s in Lincoln Park – Webster and Clybourn. The crust is to die for and their deep dish isn’t absolutely saturated in sauce like most “deep dish” Chicago pizzas.
Or do yourself an even bigger favor and check out Burt’s, previous owner of Pequod’s and Gulliver’s
On Ferris Ave in Morton Grove (be sure to call ahead)
Never heard of it – sounds like a “must check out” kind of place!
Papa John’s is the worst pizza I’ve ever had anywhere in my entire life. And that includes Jack’s frozen cardboard junk.
Staying way off topic, I highly recommend HomeMade Pizza. Stores around Chicago and burbs. It’s take and bake, and healthy (well kinda).
“O.K. , I love this site, but what is the bias against near north neighborhoods? Why all of the way out west listings? What about Evanston, a condo rich downtown with tons of lofts, Northwestern Univ. and many brand new 30+ story towers downtown that have seen almost 35% drops in value. I would love for this site to do a story on the 25 story Winthrop Club tower which is sitting empty for months and will be possibly rentals? (disclaimer- I work in Evanston but live in Lakeshore East- so I am not pushing Evanston real estate)”
Thanks for your opinion Morgan. I really don’t have a bias towards the north side. I try and show all parts of the city, as people are interested in lots of different neighborhoods.
But as Homedelete pointed out, many readers are, frankly, interested in the north side. I try and stretch people’s ideas of Chicago’s neighborhoods (and hope I am having some success in showcasing other areas.)
As for Evanston (or Oak Park) or other suburbs that I get asked about quite often: I am a BIG fan of these areas. As I’ve said many times before- why aren’t buyers who want an “urban” experience looking in the close in suburbs where the prices have come down FAR more than the north side and which, in some cases, is an easier commute via metra than the El?
As far as showcasing them here- I am overwhelmed with what is going on in Chicago real estate so to start covering the suburbs would stretch my capabilities.
Perhaps I will change my mind.
By working in Evanston- has this swayed you to want to move up there? There are some great deals on vintage condo units right now.
Also- regarding the Winthrop Club in Evanston- they just opened 3 model homes in the building and are now having open houses. I was informed by the developer’s PR that there have been closings in the building already.
Prices range from $299,000 to $1.5 million.
Morgan, let us know if you go and check out the models.
What’s a “Lakeshore East”?
Where’s a “Lakeshore East”?
Lakeshore East is the name of the big development along the lake front with Aqua, 340 on the Park, The Chandler and other buildings (and a few townhouses).
Agreed Sabrina, the Chicagoland area is so huge it is impossible to cover everything. (I just wanted to put in a plug for info on Evanston) I am actually working up in Evanston tonight on a presentation, and our offices look out towards “The Winthrop Club”. The Winthrop Club building was completed months ago but remains empty. (The only lights are in empty units that have kitchen lights left on.) Perhaps they were never able to get the required number of units into escrow to be able to get funding from financial institutions? A developer client of ours heard the tower was going rental. As for Evanston, I have thought about buying up there, especially in the Sherman Plaza or Optima Views, but taxes in Evanston are very high, and prices are about the same as B- units in Lakeshore East. An Evanston tower 480K 2br + Den unit had taxes of $10,500 and HOA of $800, this seems higher to me than fees and taxes at some downtown towers.
As for Lakeshore East, some people may find it sterile, but I enjoy the park (dog owner), the quiet at night, and look forward to the new market being completed. I still sorry I was not able to get in at the beginning of 340 OTP since that tower is by far my favorite in the city and I have been VERY disappointed by the finishes at Aqua.
“I have been VERY disappointed by the finishes at Aqua”
Condo, or rental?
I would expect the apartments and the apartment floors to be “apartment grade” b/c, well, they’re rental apartments. If the condos have mediocre finishes, that would be disappointing given the asking prices.
I think the condos at Aqua ARE apartment quality. The interiors in no way reflect the curves of the balconies, the kitchens are of B- quality, and the bathrooms are rather cheap. Aqua is really an expensive trick on buyers in that when you are inside it is just another box in the sky. I do like the rooftop park above the garage and pool area, but it is in shade most of the day. Yet I question what is “apartment grade”? The only difference I see between apartments and most condos in this city is that in a condo like mine, which I am renting, you get more granite and a subzero
(I could care less about either).
“The interiors in no way reflect the curves of the balconies”
Anyone who expected different didn’t really investigate anything.
“what is “apartment grade””
Every single thing you touch can be less or more expensive. Carpet, cabinets, toilets, tile, wood floor, paint, switches, light fixtures, closet fixtures, doors and knobs, etc, etc, etc.
I haven’t been inside and can’t quickly locate a good, complete fixture list, but from what I do find, I can’t argue that the finishes in the Aqua condos are anything but disappointingly average (maybe a notch or two up from apartment-grade, but not up to the pricing). I also note that, excluding the penthouse level(s), there were at least two levels of finishes, with the “choice” especially underwhelming.