Live in a Classic Chicago Greystone But With Modern Amenities: 1421 W. Summerdale in Andersonville
This 3-bedroom duplex down at 1421 W. Summerdale in Andersonville has been on and off the market since March 2010.
In that time, it has been reduced $35,000.
From 2007 to 2009, this 1903 greystone was renovated into 3 condo units.
Units #2 and #3 both sold in 2009 for $450,000 and $452,000, respectively.
This unit has upgraded finishes including Viking and Bosch appliances in the kitchen and 16″ crown molding throughout.
There is also 3 fireplaces, including in the master bedroom.
The master bath has 5 showerheads.
Garage parking, central air and a side-by-side washer/dryer complete the picture.
Is this property a good townhouse alternative for this popular neighborhood?
JoEllen Davis at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.
Unit #1: 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, duplex down, no square footage listed
- Greystone sold in 2007
- Originally listed in March 2010 for $595,000
- Withdrawn in November 2010
- Currently listed for $560,000 (parking included)
- Assessments are $184 a month
- Taxes are “new”
- Central Air
- Washer/Dryer in the unit
- 3 fireplaces
- Bedroom #1: 16×13 (main floor)
- Bedroom #2: 10×9 (main floor)
- Bedroom #3: 15×11 (lower level)
- Family room: 30×14 (lower level)
- Mudroom: 6×3
I know it’s just staged, but that has to be one of the saddest kid’s bedrooms I’ve ever seen.
They staged it with a crib, or is someone living (renting?) there now?
There really isnt a living room. That large sectional is soooo cloooose to the fireplace.
I am having a hard time figuring out the bedrooms looks like only one bedroom is not in the basement?
“There really isnt a living room. That large sectional is soooo cloooose to the fireplace.”
I agree, can’t figure out a good spot for a tv. This feels extremely cramped, maybe just bad pictures? I used to live in an old greystone before and it was very spacious. Weird, maybe they just completely butchered the layout. A floor plan would be rather helpful.
I had my checkbook out until I realized that this is just a dupe down in a 2 unit.
Would make a nice SFR…
Was going to give thumbs down but 5 showerheads?
3 fireplaces? how much sqfootage is wasted by that alone?
I’m amazed at the number of $500k+ duplex downs. I can’t fathom spending half a million to sleep in a basement.
“I had my checkbook out until I realized that this is just a dupe down in a 2 unit.”
It’s *3* units.
And yes, the three of them would have been a very nice $1.3mm (BRs are cheaper than kitchens) SFH, but would that have sold in this location?
Not the greatest use of space but would need a floorplan. Furniture placement is limited and I agree a lot of space is given over to generally seldom used fireplaces. 1 or 2 would have been fine.
Personally I think the addition of a third floor onto this historic building is tragic. This builder has done that to a few buildings in Aville and they all look HORRIBLE! This unit has been on and off the market for years.
“I’m amazed at the number of $500k+ duplex downs. I can’t fathom spending half a million to sleep in a basement.”
Amen. And while I really like Andersonville, $560k for duplex down living is even more unimaginable.
“I think the addition of a third floor onto this historic building is tragic.”
Is it actually “historic”? Or is it just a nice old building?
“I’m amazed at the number of $500k+ duplex downs. I can’t fathom spending half a million to sleep in a basement.”
Listing states that 2 of the 3 BR’s are on the main level with only 1 on the lower level so technically “you” and perhaps your 1 child would not be sleeping in the basement. Definitely overpriced though.
“Listing states that 2 of the 3 BR’s are on the main level with only 1 on the lower level””
the pictures paint a different picture. i say 2 low 1 high from my eyeballs
So they bought the entire building for 590K in 2007, added a floor, sold the two upper units for about 900K and are now looking to make another 560K on the duplex? What do you think they are actually making from this?
I agree that the fireplaces were a really bad idea, I don’t think any of the 3 work where they are.
I’ve also heard that there’s only one authorized Viking repair company in Chicago and they’re pretty crappy. Viking appliances are no longer a selling point for me.
“I’ve also heard that there’s only one authorized Viking repair company in Chicago and they’re pretty crappy.”
Only need to use the “authorized” folks while it’s under warranty. After that, free for all.
On that subject, anyone have a solid recommendation for appliance repair?
“So they bought the entire building for 590K in 2007, added a floor, sold the two upper units for about 900K and are now looking to make another 560K on the duplex? What do you think they are actually making from this?”
On this, I doubt they have all their money out yet, as I can’t imagine that they did the full reno (including the extra floor) for $312k or less, and that excludes commissions and carrying costs.
funny wilson. the kid goes from the crib to the highchair, then back to bed. no need for anything else.
CH – The child will also grow up to have a massive imagination from his stimulus of bare neutral colored walls and countless hours spent staring out his prison… I mean bedroom window at the neighbors brick wall.
He/she will be the next Walt Disney.
Given the pitiful quality of the recent wanna-be’s, I’d say Chicago greystones should collectively qualify as a UNESCO heritage site.
Really, you just can’t get that stone anymore, or the craftsmanship.
“Is it actually “historic”? Or is it just a nice old building?”
Skeptic is right – at least they did a decent job with the stone, though you’d have thought they’d have done a bay on the third floor like a real three flat would.
The staging makes it look like a vampire family lives there. The high chair in the bedroom was obviously placed there by someone who has no children. Maybe it is doubling as a changing table? On the upside, there are a few benefits of sleeping in a basement, namely, it’s cool in summer, you don’t hear any airplanes nor your upstairs neighbors stomping around.
“at least they did a decent job with the stone, though you’d have thought they’d have done a bay on the third floor like a real three flat would.”
It gets done in SFH conversions, too:
http://www.manganbuilders.com/printable.php?property_ID=63
Years ago a non-smoking healthy grad-student friend moved into a “garden-level” basement apartment, caught a persistent cold, and wound up hospitalized with pneumonia. She’s still mold sensitive. Bedrooms don’t belong in the basement, for good reason. My pet peeve is the basement family room which clearly is the most used room in the entire house while upstairs livingroom looks barely inhabited. It might be ok to have a basement rumpus room for irregular use, but please significantly discount list-pricing for bedrooms. family rooms, guest rooms, etc at “garden-level”.
I agree Architect. I mean unless it is for hobbit consumption, rest of us like to stay above ground : ) That is one of the reasons I often find town homes unattractive options. But also I like to have open spaces which is impossible for most town homes.
1M for the building?…6000 sq ft?
Was excited… till I realized it was a duplex down, not a SFH. Close page, move on…
The basement level FR is perfect for the big-screen, Blu-ray movie, surround sound, Oscar-junkie women, sectional furniture, drunk NFL fan boyfriend types. American culture pushes this mentality, big-time, and some people drool over having a condo where they blast the sound, and watch the big screen in peace.
Anon – so once the warranty on the Viking (or other high-end appliance) is over, you can go to a guy who knows a guy (or gal)…and hope/pray for the best!
“Anon – so once the warranty on the Viking (or other high-end appliance) is over, you can go to a guy who knows a guy (or gal)…and hope/pray for the best!”
Yep, but it beats being locked into a guy (or gal) who has a reputation for not being good to avoid voiding your warranty.
I’ve been in it, a large master on the first floor, a second large bedroom on the basement level off the family room. Third bedroom is an office at best.
This place sold.
Anyone know the selling price?
$537,000. Impressive considering the market.
http://www.redfin.com/IL/Chicago/1421-W-Summerdale-Ave-60640/home/12563567
Cool, thanks