Is a Second Bedroom and a Shower Worth $109,000? 164 W. Huron in River North
This 2-bedroom in the vintage mid-rise building at 164 W. Huron at the corner of Huron and Wells in River North just came on the market.
But if it looks familiar, that’s because it sold as recently as August of last year.
A year ago, however, it was simply a large 1325 square foot 1-bedroom with 1.5 baths.
Now, it has come back on the market as a 1325 square foot 2 bedroom with 2 baths.
What happened?
Here are the rooms in the 2016 listing:
- Bedroom: 25×13
- Living room: 42×16
- Dining room: 10×10
- Kitchen: 12×8
Here are the current rooms:
- Bedroom #1: 25×13
- Bedroom #2: 10×10
- Living room: 42×16
- Dining room: 10×10
- Kitchen: 12×8
But if you look at the pictures, you can see that the second bedroom has been carved out of the living room. So the living room size is most likely incorrect.
It also looks like the second full bath was carved out of the older half bath and washer/dryer closet. A stand-up shower was added there.
The unit has exposed brick walls which have been painted white. You can see the brick in last year’s listing.
See that listing here.
The kitchen and other bath are unchanged from a year ago.
The kitchen has maple cabinets, stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops and a wood breakfast bar.
The unit has south and west exposures.
It has the other features buyers look for including central air and there is an exterior parking spot behind the building.
This vintage building, with 14 units, used to be in no-man’s land but in the last several years a handful of new high rises have been built within one to two blocks. You can see the pictures of two of them in the picture above.
This unit has come back on the market just 9 months after its last sale for $109,000, or 30%, more.
Will they get the premium for the second bedroom and the shower?
Kevin Binkley at Dream Town has the listing. See the pictures here.
Or you can see it at the Open House today, Friday May 5 from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM or on Saturday, May 6, from 1-3 PM.
Unit #2A: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1325 square feet
- Sold in November 2000 for $225,000
- Sold in July 2004 for $289,500
- Sold in February 2006 for $350,000
- Sold in September 2012 for $255,000
- Sold in August 2016 for $360,000
- Currently listed for $469,000
- Assessments of $322 a month (includes exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
- Taxes of $5522
- Central Air
- Washer/Dryer in the unit
- Parking space behind the building included
+109K?! This place isn’t even worth 400K. I’d be concerned about noise and sleep quality as well. The first floor has been vacant for years, and anything could move in there at any time. Of course only being a block from Hooters, I may be underselling it.
This place kind of sucks – I’m getting so tired of those barn doors. That being said I think it will sell close to ask in this crazy market.
If your stall shower looks f’in gross in a professional photo, then probably not. Also, one for sure isn’t cooking a duck with the skin on on that stove without a hood vent. And the cool bare light bulb fixtures above the island don’t pair with the home depot ceiling fan in the living room.
The new shower is such a fail. Who puts in a shower liner then adds tile above it. The shower pan is nasty too.
What a difference a wide angle lens and some white paint makes in the listing
but seriously why the fuck are “designers” painting brick all white, that ‘look’ was popular in Brooklyn lofts like 8 years ago
And of course the obligatory ‘reclaimed look barn door’ garbage
I can’t imagine what a pain in the ass it would be to remove that paint!
apparently these are my new peeves
“but seriously why the fuck are “designers” painting brick all white, that ‘look’ was popular in Brooklyn lofts like 8 years ago
And of course the obligatory ‘reclaimed look barn door’ garbage”
Ever watch ‘ fixer upper ‘ on HGTV? the ‘designer’ joanna gaines literally does that in every house on the show. paint the brick white, add barn doors. Done.
No I can’t say I’ve ever watched HGTV
but makes sense why everyone in this cow town seems to be doing it
no sense of taste on their own!
If you really want the Joanna Gaines look, you’ll need to add shiplap.
Her show has created the most destructive cult ever to come out of Waco, TX.
“shiplap”
barf
That retail space has been vacant since 1999, wtf? There was sign that said internet cafe until a few years ago then the current sign went up but no business….seems shady a/f
lol @ “internet cafe”
I like this stretch of Wells but agree that the renovation quality (namely the bathroom) leaves a lot to be desired.
Shiplap and heavy sliding doors? Why to some people in Chicago want to make their home look like a barn?
I know this block very well – The hooters nearby is kind of disgusting, but I imagine it’s days are numbered. Lots of new stuff popping up nearby – The thing is, this building has no curb appeal whatsoever. 0. I understand that it’s a vintage property, but it just looks dirty / gross to me. I can’t imagine what the stairs / common area are like. And all that for 470? If I was a buyer i’d come up with the extra 50k and buy in a more reputable building in the neighborhood – or move a few blocks west closer to chicago and halsted, where 470 would probably get a newer condo in a decent building.
PS , that second ‘ barn ‘ bedroom – does it have any light exposure?
At least the con artist developers put in that little space above a wall for natural light ( usually this wall is shared with the kitchen on the other side ) to come in when they sell these ‘2 bedrooms’. I don’t see a window or natural light source at all.
“I know this block very well”
From your HS days hanging out at the Girbaud store? Or Friday nights at Cairo? Both, right?
“From your HS days hanging out at the Girbaud store? Or Friday nights at Cairo? Both, right?”
Why all the early morning hate dude?
No, from when I lived at 757 Orleans for a year and walked on this block about every day to go to work..
Also, Girbaud, wth? I was probably 8 when that was popular.
PS, was girbaud where that bizarre live lab place is now? It always seems to have been crappy clothing places before it became live lab. I could never figure out what their angle is..weird futuristic porn type design.
PS i googled ‘cairo’ and a tribune article from 1988 came up – I was 3. you’re showing your age my friend. Qualifying for medicare yet?
As if ageism isn’t showing “hate”?! Yes, Girbaud store was where Live Lab BS place that seems like it’s from Clockwork Orange? How’s that for dating one’s self?
Not trying to be an Ageist just calling out anon for being pretentious.
If i wasn’t an ageist I wouldn’t have taken the time to google what I was ignorant about – seems like this block has been a bit weird since before my time, haha.
Looks about right to me! Average 2/2 sells for $526K in the 1/2 mile radius surrounding this property and a 1 bed 1.5 bath trades for $451K over the last 12 months, which is about an 18% premium (duh guys, it’s a 2/2!). That comps out the older, shitty unit at $425K (assuming they did nothing but add a bedroom and full bath). Toss in some new floors, paint, crown, new baseboards, tile, etc and boom, you’re probably north of $450K. Also, this place is a hot home on Redfin, it’s gonna sell for close to the asking price (The fin is never wrong!). The River North market is also up about 3% since it last closed. I bet it sells for close to $460K…
Riz is a Millennial???
“Riz is a Millennial???”
Eh, I’m 32..I don’t really relate to the millennial generation.
“Eh, I’m 32..I don’t really relate to the millennial generation.”
You’re an “old” Millennial.
NY Magazine just had a whole article about the differences between those Millennials who are in their 30s and those who are 22.
“that second ‘ barn ‘ bedroom – does it have any light exposure?”
From the pictures, it looks like they put in the 3/4th wall (you can see some clear space at the top of it in that hallway.) Otherwise, there’s no window in that room.
Also not sure there’s a closet. I can’t tell from the pictures.
In order to be a bedroom, it must have a closet.
What a beautiful listing. How do I get in to take a look? Fraction of the cost of average 2 beds in area.
“calling out anon for being pretentious”
Girbaud and Cairo were less pretentious than Range Rovers and $5k handbags.
Bet Hof has some great stories about hanging out at Cairo!
Canceled and relisted for $449,000
Speaking of rentals, this unit is now available to rent for $3200 a month with the parking $100 extra.
Wow, this sold for $465,000. I can’t believe it. They really did a nice job on the rehab.