Have the Best of Bucktown at Your Fingertips: 2027 N. Damen
This 3-bedroom penthouse at 2027 N. Damen in Bucktown is right in the middle of the action.
All you have to do is walk out your door and there is a plethora of restaurants and bars to choose from.
The unit has been reduced once and is now listed $30,100 under the 2008 purchase price.
Built in 2008, this penthouse also has a roof deck with city views.
The kitchen has stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops and Italian cabinets.
There are front and back balconies as well as covered parking.
What will it take to sell this unit just 3 years after the last purchase?
Craig Isacson at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.
Unit #4: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1500 square feet
- Sold in February 2008 for $515,000
- Originally listed in September 2010 for $495,000
- Reduced
- Currently listed for $484,900 (parking included)
- Assessments of $165 a month
- Taxes of $6611
- Central Air
- Washer/Dryer in the unit
- Skylights
- Bedroom #1: 15×13
- Bedroom #2: 11×9
- Bedroom #3: 12×8
Not that I’m dying to have “cherry” flavored cabinents or whatever, but I have a semi-stupid question: What’s a ballpark to get a kitchen like that (counters, cabinets, sink, appliances)?
Where does one even go for a decent mid-level kitchen reno? (By mid-level, I mean not bare bones rental quality, but not Merch Mart $1 million dollar property level.) Thx.
reasonable
Best Cabinets in Lincoln Park has done good work for me before. They have a showroom on Elston I think…
I’d rather have the “Best of Bucktown” at an arms length than at my fingertips. Why would you want to live in the center of the noise?
“What will it take to sell this unit just 3 years after the last purchase?”
drop the price 75k take out of sucktown and drop it somewhere better.
and like that have a good weekend
1) crib in 2nd bedroom
2) on damen
3) tv above fire place
no thank you.
I’m not going to press my luck and make a prediction for the 2013 price 😉
“What’s a ballpark to get a kitchen like that (counters, cabinets, sink, appliances)?”
This is very similar in size/quality of the kitchen I just put in my basement. I have my own contractor, but materials (cabinets/countertops) and appliances cost about 15 thousand. I am sure you could pay a contractor 5k for labor for a total of 20k.
HD: I agree on the tv above the fireplace thing. Good grief that’s a horrid trend. But I’m not sure the crib is always an indication of any desperation on the part of sellers. They could even have a second on the way (which I realize, for many people on here, that’s simply unthinkable in anything smaller than a 4 bedroom), and it still wouldn’t necessarily be the issue. I’d bet that a lot of the time, places like this one were purchased by a midlevel at a large law firm, who then become partners a few years later and see their incomes double, and can’t bear the thought of living in the same type of pad the lowly associates can buy (I know, I know, not many people become partners at large firms, and many moved right out to the burbs, but I know a few youngish partners who moved from their 2 or 3 bed condos in the last year or two and into SFHs).
“I am sure you could pay a contractor 5k for labor”
Assuming minimal moving of plumbing and electrical and super easy tear out, that’s plausible.
1500 square feet for a 3 bed/2 bath is way tight. This place will probably need to list under $450K to sell.
if i’m paying nearly 500k it should at least be 1800+ sqft more like 2000 sqft 3 bedroom
Right in the heart of
D-BAG Country
No Thanks
Uninspiring “Pottery Barn” special. Nothing special except the price 100K over what it should be.
The modern clean lined exterior clashes with the boring Plainfield track-townhouse finishes.
If “Pottery Barn” is considered too low class of furnishings, exactly where are people supposed to be shopping? Seriously, that stuff ain’t cheap. Where’s the typical family supposed to be shopping to make the CCers happy?
Doug:
http://www.dwr.com/
“If “Pottery Barn” is considered too low class of furnishings, exactly where are people supposed to be shopping? Seriously, that stuff ain’t cheap. Where’s the typical family supposed to be shopping to make the CCers happy?”
Heh. I remember an article (from WSJ Weekend or something) wherein some wall street jagoff derisively said, regarding someone else’s apartment, “I remember when I went through my Pottery Barn phase”.
This place is *way* underdecorated to be deemed “Pottery Barn”.
Well… it could West Elm designed.
DWR ain’t cheap. Not really sure what the mean by “within reach”. Reach of what? My platinum card?
http://www.Roomandboard.com is acceptable.
*Limited* items at Pottery Barn are OK but they use a lot of engineered and veneered wood rather than the real thing.
stay away from the carson’s or macy’s home store. ugly. that new furniture store in the old wickes down the street from the elston target is terrible. stay away. I made teh mistake of going in there once.
Dania is OK but looks it mostly looks like it’s from the 1980’s.
a handful of people i know don’t ever buy new furniture but instead buy only authentic mid-century items and refinish or reupholster them.
“DWR ain’t cheap. Not really sure what the mean by “within reach”. Reach of what? My platinum card?”
Yes.
Sorry I meant limited items at crate and barrel; not pottery barn. typo, i’m tired and it’s getting late.
harlem and the room place is all junk, complete composite wood and particle board crap with fake veneer. that’s why it’s so cheap.
I hate hate hate ikea. I like the designs, but I hate the quality of the items. I’ve bought a handful of items from there and it’s all been crap. Most items will not withstand a move up or down a flight of stairs. The .0000001 cent apiece finishing nails keeping the desk/dresser/entertainment center together will eventually fall out and the entire thing will collapse.
I once bougght a rug at ikea and quite frankly it’s the only decent thing I’ve ever got there. it was made by a machine, it hasn’t frayed and has held together for 6 years.
“DWR ain’t cheap. Not really sure what they mean by “within reach””
I thought it was that, before a big lawsuit made them stop, DWR sold knock-offs of modern designer furniture.
In any case, I believe the point was that it would be within reach of the (rich) american consumer, previously out-of-touch with such fashion.
Design within Reach implies that it is quality modern furniture at reasonable prices. The prices aren’t all that reasonable imho though. I like the stuff, but it ain’t what I would consider cheap by any stretch.
Ikea is disposable furniture.
Buying quality and timeless furniture is a good investment though. Last forever.
“that new furniture store in the old wickes down the street from the elston target is terrible”
Famsa? The Mexican (and by that I mean traded on the Mexi exchange) store?
“I thought it was that, before a big lawsuit made them stop, DWR sold knock-offs of modern designer furniture.”
Just read this this week on knock-offs, including passing reference to DWR.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703506904575592302041997906.html
Room and board is about right for this place, not junk but not crazy expensive and about the right aesthetic.
Decent looking place but that tiny little dining table shoved in the corner of the living room is really sad.
““I thought it was that, before a big lawsuit made them stop, DWR sold knock-offs of modern designer furniture.”
Just read this this week on knock-offs, including passing reference to DWR.”
Article about suit:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/31/garden/31dwr.html
I didn’t realize that it was a mexican furniture store until it was too late. The style was not my taste. Imagine the exact opposite of room and board.
“anon (tfo) on November 5th, 2010 at 3:26 pm
“that new furniture store in the old wickes down the street from the elston target is terrible”
Famsa? The Mexican (and by that I mean traded on the Mexi exchange) store?”
I am not a huge fan of bucktown and will never understand the attraction, there is no access to the lake or good public transportaiton, minus the blue line that only brings you to Ohare or downtown. The taxes are very high as well, is there a good public school in the area I am not aware of? I would believe this will sell for $400K, someone who loves bucktown I would guess.
Like some others who have commented, I’m also not a fan of Bucktown. Only convenient transportation into the city is the Blue Line. No great source of transportation to many of the great things about this city (lakefront, beaches, museums, ballparks, etc.). I have a friend that recently moved to Bucktown. They invite us over all the time, but honestly, taking a cab over there is like $30 round trip from where I live in the GC. They’re not great friends so I’m usually not willing to spend that much extra going out there when I have similarly close friends that I can just visit on the red/brown lines or by bus. Just not a convenient area, and it’s priced like it is.
GC to Bucktown is what, less than 4 miles? Yea, way too inconvenient…
And Bucktown is about 3 miles from the beach. Yall acting like it’s in the middle of nowhere.
“GC to Bucktown is what, less than 4 miles? Yea, way too inconvenient…”
And the “other places I go by bus” thing is crazy. Division, North and Armitage buses all go to Bucktown-ish from the near vicinity of GC and “real” LP.
Try living in Roger’s Park and taking the red line/blue line to attend parties/bars in WP at 1:30 a.m. on Friday or Saturday nights.
That sucks. I still don’t understand why we all didn’t just split cab fare. I guess the journey is as exciting as the destination.
ahhh Fck-Town….done well there.
“DWR ain’t cheap. Not really sure what the mean by “within reach”. Reach of what? My platinum card?”
Try pricing the furniture with the original manufacturers such as Knoll, then the name will make more sense. On the other hand, the furniture from Knoll can be handed down to your kids.
Do people really take the el home after midnight?
Dd: not alone, in larger groups with other 20 year olds. Its like a party car full of bums. Doable in college, no was as an adult.
Quit griping about a $15 cab ride. I’m betting big that you spring for $10+ martinis all night. Your generation also gave birth to bottle service. That’s lame. A $15 cab fare is a safe, convenient, and easy way to get to a great nightlife area. Be a better friend.
Place still is overpriced!
Is it just me, or does anyone else think that these Cinderblock McCrapboxes are going to turn into the next 4 plus 1’s?
“Dd: not alone, in larger groups with other 20 year olds. Its like a party car full of bums. Doable in college, no was as an adult.”
homedelete, thanks for the explanation, but I still think having a designated driver(s) and a car or two works best. Drunk on the el, even in a group doesn’t sound like a good situation.
Geez people… apartmenttherapy.com would do you guys a lot of good. Just buy what you like! Although… it IS the worst when someone’s entire home looks like a PB catalog.
That said, this place is just too small. 1500 for 3 bedrooms? Our 2 bedroom place is bigger than that. No dining room. And I agree with the tv-over-fireplace “trend”, augh, where’s the vessel sink? Ha
Whatever happened to the yuppie/gen-x etc. homeowners craze for antique or “vintage” furniture and decor? Not so long ago the “antique rows” on Belmont Ave., certain small towns, etc. would be overflowing on weekends with 20 and 30 something singles and couples, looking for “unique” sofas, lamps, Depression glass, movie collectibles, etc. With which to furnish their apartments or condos. The Ikea/Pottery Barn “look” was derided as decidedly “downscale” and lacking in imagination.
Now it appears that the tables have turned. I was truly shocked a few years ago when I offered my parents’ 1930s bedroom set, almost mint condition, to local antique dealers who said that young people today stopped being “into” old stuff. It appears that only a few niche markets (like “Boys Town”) will even consider an Art Deco or mid-50s Danish Modern theme.
In your opinions, CCers, what happened and why? Further evidence of the “dumbing down” of American culture, maybe?
Bucktown also has excellent highway access and if you drive you can get most places relatively quickly if you take sensible routes and avoid the worst congestion times. Pulaski is also potentially a viable CPS elementary.
I’m really not liking that glass doored cabinet right next to the kitchen sink. If you put anything down in front of it, you can’t open the doors. Looks like there’s a 2 inch gap, between the bottom of the cabinet and the counter. Cleaning under there? And where’s the dishwasher? Yes, it could be pulled out but it’s a really tiny kitchen space.
57th streetbook cases (on elston) will make and design almost anything out of solid cherry. I’ve had them make bookcases and buffets which will last forever. Check it out.
Speaking of transportation and this area. Does anyone else wish that the Damen bus was 24/7? It shuts down at like 9 now. I hate that.
And the comments about drinking and not taking the El/Bus? Too funny. I could see a girl drinking and out alone late being wary but come on, thats a benefit public trans. I’ve done it quite often over the years at all hours. Alone and with others. It’s safer on the trains and buses than on the streets IMHO. You might as well say “don’t go out and drink because the city is just too scary. Stay home”.
I think it’s more the economy than younger people not interested in vintage furniture. Virtually every business even tangentially related to ‘housing’ has experienced a drop of in business, and in many cases, gone out of business. Landscapers, realtors, mortgage brokers, furnishings, rug makers, appliance manufacturers, department stores, and now, antique stores. Some antiques and 50’s danish modern furniture can be really expensive and it’s no surprise that interest has faded.
“It appears that only a few niche markets (like “Boys Town”) will even consider an Art Deco or mid-50s Danish Modern theme.”
CK: It’s not the el that’s scary, it’s the walk to/from the el that is perilous for young drunk women alone at night. There are predators out there and you can read stories about the horrific things they do nearly every weekend in the newspaper. Bad things happen at night in the city and statistically it’s safe but everyone should take serious precautions not to become a victim.
Anonemoose: “Is it just me, or does anyone else think that these Cinderblock McCrapboxes are going to turn into the next 4 plus 1’s?”
I’m bothered by an entire 4-story wall of cinderblock with no windows or architectural features of any kind. It’s a big eff-ewe to the neighbor. Did the architect of record engage even a smidgeon of his/her creativity?
“In your opinions, CCers, what happened and why? Further evidence of the “dumbing down” of American culture, maybe?”
Fashion must change; that’s it’s nature as it’s purpose it to advertise superior knowledge (of a superficial type) of the part of the fashionable person. But those uninterested in fashion are free to choose designs based on their own taste.
ChiTownGal: “In your opinions, CCers, what happened and why? Further evidence of the “dumbing down” of American culture, maybe?”
Tastes change, people get older, economies tank, new trends arrive to occupy peoples attention, etc.
People have always been complaining about the younger generation not being as smart, cultured, disciplined, moral, blahblah as the previous generation. There is a quote of Pythagoras (Ancient Greek mathematician of triangle fame) bitching about “the youth of today”.
Actually I have regarded younger people’s interest in vintage goods and historic preservation as an IMPROVEMENT over some of their elders’ obsessions with “planned obsolescnce” and tossing away anything over 5 years old regardless of serviceability.
Speaking of furniture, what is everyone’s opinion of Roy’s near Fullerton on Sheffield? Good quality/prices there versus the competition?
Endora,
While I am a steady customer of 57th Street Bookcases with 15 bookcases and 2 china cabinets from them, the cabinets/cases are not solid cherry. They sell plywood with cherry veneer:|”Cherry, oak, and maple pieces are made from fine sanded, 3/4″ thick all wood veneer plywood, with 1/2″ thick solid edge banding. Face frames are solid hardwoods, hand-glued and clamped.” They are much stronger than other bookcases at the price.
For some jobs a veneer over high quality plywood is better than a solid board; loudspeaker cabinets for instance. Less resonant and no warping or splitting.
Brown Elephant and Craigslist! And DWR of course, if it actually was WR… although it feels really good to save up for something, then when you do get it you know you will have it forever. Good quality=good investment IMO.
Same goes for fashion… better to have less, but better quality than more that is not going to last or is too trendy to wear more than 1 season.
Anyone have any experience with soundproofing their condo. I just moved in to a condo that i just bought and i can hear everything from the upstairs unit. What is be best way to solve this issue? Any suggestion…..I am willing to gut the whole condo. that is if that is the proper way of doing it. And is it pretty expensive?
Sound travels more readily through solid material than through empty space. That means that normal noise attenuation measures used by those who live near airports/trains/highways will not work for noise sources that are within your structure itself.
Since the noise from the upstairs condo is often transmitted directly to their floor (people walking, speakers placed on the floor), there is not much you can do in your unit to mitigate the noise. The only thing that would really work would be for the upstairs neighbor to install carpeting or the proper insulation beneath their hardwood. How to swing that is the question.
“Anyone have any experience with soundproofing their condo. I just moved in to a condo that i just bought and i can hear everything from the upstairs unit. What is be best way to solve this issue? Any suggestion…..I am willing to gut the whole condo. that is if that is the proper way of doing it. And is it pretty expensive?”
Sorry you’re pretty much stuck if it is coming from “above” or “below” you. This is an issue I always tell prospective buyers to find out about (ask other people living in the building and find out how they constructed the building.) Other than putting in some kind of drop ceiling with some insulation- I don’t see how you fix it other than moving.
Anonemoose: “Is it just me, or does anyone else think that these Cinderblock McCrapboxes are going to turn into the next 4 plus 1’s?”
I’m bothered by an entire 4-story wall of cinderblock with no windows or architectural features of any kind. It’s a big eff-ewe to the neighbor. Did the architect of record engage even a smidgeon of his/her creativity?
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thanks.i was wondering if this was one of those *McCrapboxes*…it sure is an ugly looking place as far as i’m concerned.i just wonder how well/poorly these things were built
John:
Look into a home theater soundproofing contractor. Your best bet is to put in a second layer of ceiling, but you shouldn’t expect strikes or bass to be completely remedied no matter the solution.
“I’m really not liking that glass doored cabinet right next to the kitchen sink. If you put anything down in front of it, you can’t open the doors. Looks like there’s a 2 inch gap, between the bottom of the cabinet and the counter. ”
Pretty sure that’s *on* the counter. Looks like teh owners installed it b/c there wasn’t enough cabinet space w/o it. We’ve all seen condos of this vintage that have *nothing* in that space.
On DWR:
One easy example is the Barcelona Chair: List price from Knoll is $6,958; price at DWR is $4,523. And you can order it online at DWR.
If you want to save money on furnature take a roadtrip down to North Carolina. Run from Charlotte north on 77 and then West on 40 to Ashville. Tons of furnature showrooms and outlets
If you’re willing to do a little work you can save a bunch of coin