Have You Ever Wondered What Is Behind These Walls? A 2-Bedroom Duplex At 644 W. Arlington in Lincoln Park
This 2-bedroom at 644 W. Arlington in Lincoln Park recently came on the market.
The building was constructed in 1974 and has some unique 2-story top floor duplexes.
This unit has a 2-story living room with exposed brick walls and a timber ceiling.
One bedroom is on the main floor and one on the second floor.
The listing says it has a “huge” private rooftop deck.
There is a new kitchen with maple cabinets and stainless steel appliances.
However, there’s no in-unit washer/dryer or central air (window units only.) And while there is parking in the building it appears to be leased.
But at 1100 square foot and given the prime location in East Lincoln Park, will this seller get close to the $354,000 list price?
Marcello Navarro at Conlon has the listing. See the pictures here.
Unit #5H: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1100 square feet
- Sold in October 1992 for $119,000
- Sold in August 1995 for $127,000
- Currently listed for $354,000
- Assessments of $404 a month
- Taxes of $3806
- No in-unit washer/dryer
- No central air- window units only
- Parking is available- looks like it is for lease
- Bedroom #1: 14×16 (main level)
- Bedroom #2: 14×16 (second level)
That deck would need some serious work before I would view it as a selling point instead of a money suck.
decent looking place….but no central a/c and no washer dryer= no thanks
“Have You Ever Wondered What Is Behind These Walls? ”
No
Not sure that I’d call this a prime location in ELP. That said, while on the small side, it’s not a bad location, and it’s unique. Provided that the parking is (i) onsite, (ii) no more than $100 or so a month and (iii) plentiful enough that parking won’t be an issue come resale time, closing at $300k seems about right… mabye 320k. It’s basically a big, unique one-bed with a guest/office room.
I would add that those aren’t exactly window a/c units. Leaving aside the upsides and downsides (there are both) of through-the-wall a/c and heat units, I hope the unit in the living room is fairly powerful. I imagine that a south-facing, two-story wall of windows might make for a very warm late April – late Sept.
It may be all right inside, but it’s basically in a glorified 4+1, and I couldn’t stand to live in anything resembling one. I’ve been in 4+1 apartments, and I’m guessing that this one is similar to others, meaning the walls are so thin you can hear everything your neighbors are doing. Plus, the curb appeal is just not there.
Is this really a 5th floor unit with no elevator?
Looks like a high 3rd / low 4th floor.
No elevator, window units, no w/d, spiral staircase to bedrooms, crappy rooftop deck crappy kitchen, this reminds me of a college apartment than a 350k+ condo i’d want to live in for many years, then again its in the LP so who knows, some idiot might buy it
I drive down the alley way behind this place to get to my garage, so I can partially answer the parking question. Behind this building is a small surface lot with what appear to be assigned spaces. I’ll check next time but I think a few spaces are under the building and therefore covered.
I agee with anonny that this is more or less an interesting one bedroom + office, but I would argue the location is good. The buyer would be on a quiet street but easy walking distance of the bustle along Clark and Lincoln + lots of buses on Clark and you aren’t too far from Fullerton red line + easy to get onto Lake Shore Drive from Fullerton. Even though Lincoln is just two short blocks away, this place is in the Alcott attendance area and there is also St. Clements, both within about two or so blocks.
This building is disgusting inside, awful hallways painted yellow, light fixtures broken with wires hanging out, one terrible elevator in bad need of maintenance, just gross. Reminds me of a underfunded college’s dorm.
no way!
I agree— the building basically looks like a 4+1, + 2! I thought all of the 4 + 1 buildings were from the 50’s to mid 60’s, so was surprised this was built mid-70’s
The pictures took a while for me to understand, with all of the mirrored walls, but living space looks narrow yet tall.
Dan #2 (September 6, 2012, 2:36 pm)
It may be all right inside, but it’s basically in a glorified 4+1,
The bike at the top of the spiral staircase is a great statement on the liveability of this layout.
Suspect it gets used a couple times a year– the bike, and the upstairs space, both.
But then I was out the minute I saw the wall units. . .
I’ve been in a similar unit. There is an elevator.
JAH – yes, they were still building 4+1 type buildings in the mid-70’s – I remember. In particular, one by Halsted and Wolfram, which I remember seeing under construction in around 1977.
I just took a look at it on Google Earth. It’s not exactly a traditional 4+1, but has some elements of one. I feel like it must have been updated on the exterior at some point because it looks better than I remember.
“Have You Ever Wondered What Is Behind These Walls? ”
“No”
ha! ha! Come on Vlajos.
Never? 😉
BTW, what is a 4 + 1 building?
“This building is disgusting inside, awful hallways painted yellow, light fixtures broken with wires hanging out, one terrible elevator in bad need of maintenance, just gross.”
Yeah, plus these hallways always stink of someone cooking some smelly curry stew, etc.
“What is 4 + 1 building?”
here is a good article:
http://forgottenchicago.com/features/defining-the-four-plus-one/
I also lived in a 4+1 for several years and was sorry to have to leave. There are good and bad 4+1s just as there are good and bad hirises, 6-flats and courtyards. It all comes down to the quality of management and tenants. I had good neighbors and a well-built apartment whose walls kept me insulated from hearing any of their goings-on. The management kept the place clean and in good repair.
Given the opportunity I would consider living there again, which is more than I can say for this “prime Lincoln Park” monstrosity.
I would never live here, and I am assuming most potential buyers would feel the same way and look at it as an investment opportunity. The price is unrealistic… investors would probably be willing to pay $275K and rent it out for $1800 a month.
Jah – thanks! I never realized all these buildings I’ve been calling “apartment buildings” are actually 4+1’s!
” investors would probably be willing to pay $275K and rent it out for $1800 a month”
If $1800 is what they could expect, paying $275 for it is a road to foreclosure. That’s ~4.75% (net of T&A only). If $1800 is the market rent, it’s *maybe* worth $175k, with that T&A.
644 W Arlington is a GREAT location in Lincoln Park, a prime location. It’s just west of Clark, close to the park and all the neighborhood amenities, in a very safe area.
I note, though, that the “amenities” have faded a little since my last foray into the area. Clark between Fullerton and Diversey doesn’t have the same buzz it once had, and the retail spaces are deteriorated and becoming unsightly. Shame. This is still one of Chicago’s greatest neighborhoods.
I’d think this place would easily get $325K, even without central A/C. It’s an attractive lofted apartment in one of the four best neighborhoods in the city, with 2 beds and 2 baths, after all. If it has its own hot air furnace, it will be relatively easy and cheap to install it because the ducts are already there. A hook up for the washer and dryer should be relatively inexpensive to install, too, provided a space for the appliances can be created close to existing plumbing. These things should not make a difference of $100K in the price.
Taxes and assessments seem reasonable for 1100 sq ft in an elevator building with a garage, especially if a substantial part of the assessment is allocated to the building reserve. Is it?
I think this would rent for about $2500.
If the building common areas are as bad as Riz says, the place really will go under $300K.
“I think this would rent for about $2500.”
Still doesn’t make it worth $300k.
Clark between Fullerton and Diversey hasn’t been the same since Leon’s BBQ closed.
“Have you ever wondered…?” What, Sabrina’s channeling Andy Rooney now? lol
MH, what’s wrong with the deck, other than the mismatched furniture? I can’t tell from the small photo?