Live in the Heart of the Bucktown Action in this 2-Bedroom: 2052 W. North
This 2-bedroom at 2052 W. North Avenue in Bucktown is just steps away from restaurants and the Blue Line el stop.
The building was built in 2004 and has 8 units.
It has an interesting parking set-up in that only 3 of the parking spaces are covered and all the rest are uncovered. The listing says the building also has 4 uncovered guest spaces.
The unit also has unique maple and cherry patterned wood floors in the main living room.
The kitchen has cherry cabinets, stainless steel appliances and a wine refrigerator.
The listing indicates that the second bedroom is on a second floor, but there is no floor plan so I can’t tell for sure. There are no pictures of stairs with the listing.
There is also a picture of a roof top deck, but the public listing doesn’t indicate whether that is private or public to the building.
Laura Topp at Koenig & Strey Real Living has the listing. See the pictures here.
Does Bucktown still command a premium over 2007 prices?
Unit #3W: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed
- Sold in February 2005 for $392,000
- Sold in July 2007 for $418,000
- Originally listed in July 2010 for $449,900
- Reduced
- Currently listed for $435,000 (garage parking included)
- Assessments of $252 a month
- Taxes of $5464
- Central Air
- Washer/Dryer in the unit
- Bedroom #1: 16×14
- Bedroom #2: 23×22 (second level?)
Fugly facade, fugly floors, and fugly price.
You can see the circle window in the living room window – I think that this building was designed to look like a ship. It’s quite awful. I don’t think that the “heart of Bucktown” is the desirable place to live in Bucktown – it is in the neighborhoods (and certainly off of North Avenue). This place is practically ON the blue line as well given that it’s a second story unit. Never at this price.
sorry – 3rd floor.
Those floors would drive me nuts!
$435k for a two-bedroom? Maybe in 2005, but this price is obscene. That price needs to come down ($80-$100k) for sure.
The “heart of Bucktown”? It’s 1/2 block west of the 6 corners. Ugh. More like the armpit of Wicker Park.
The building is having an identity crisis (Am I a building? Am I a cruise ship? Am I both?).
Although, it IS right across from Sultan’s Market, perhaps the best falafel sandwiches in the city. That’s a plus.
I don’t this area at all, but the condo is kind of interesting and would make a great home for a single or couple who wants to live in this area. The tall ceilings and large master bedroom may set this place apart from the competition.
This is basically the same area as the wicker park condo a couple days ago – but the location on Pierce is nicer then being right on North Ave.
And those floors are quite awful
Another unit with no room for a table! Do you want to eat every meal at the breakfast bar?
Why waste the limited characters in the MLS on telling us about the *other* units in the building? Is this one of the units with additional storage, or not? I guess it’s a mystery that we must contact the listing agent to unravel.
Whoever designed this eyesore deserves to have their architecting license permanently revoked…
I wonder if this is where the poster named “shiphouse” lives?
Is this really not considered Wicker Park?
To some, WP goes to the tracks. North is basically the dividing line. Some might stretch WP north once you are SW of Milwaukee (in terms of feel).
“Whoever designed this eyesore deserves to have their architecting license permanently revoked…”
It was probably Jack (the guy that went to Harvard School of Design). This seems consistent with the type of goofy (er, I mean unique and spectacular) things that come out of that school…..(just messing w/you jack)
Technically Wicker Park, but anything on the north side of North Avenue tends to be called Bucktown. Except for the “loft exception,” which states that a realtor may call something north of North Wicker Park if it is a loft and they want to market it to “artsy” people.
I’m beginning to believe clio is actually an elaborate ruse played on all of us by some disgruntled former poster.
Surely no one can have this much enthusiasm for 2 bedroom condos located really close to El tracks.
“an elaborate ruse played on all of us”
As noted elsewhere, *very* elaborate, if a ruse.
“by some disgruntled former poster”
Heitman? Or the dude with the diminishing paper profit at 600NF? Or Ze Carioca, just messing with us.
“Surely no one can have this much enthusiasm for 2 bedroom condos located really close to El tracks.”
No – I really think that this condo would be perfect for a single/couple who liked this neighborhood. Seriously, it has everything a bachelor needs:
1. parking (and parking for guests)
2. large master bedroom
3. 2nd bedroom for an office/guest bedroom
4. 2 outdoor spaces
Most importantly, though it is relatively new construction w/low assessments. The convenience of not having to worry abour renovations/repair is worth a huge premium!!!!
Again, if I was looking for something in this area, this would certainly be near the top of my list.
Those stripped floors are extremely horendous. Thye are going to scare off a lot of buyers. A lot of people wont be able to look past them.
While it is possible to refinish the floors, this will be a trickier job than normal. Even after you sand the floors down, the dark pieces will still retain some of the original dark stain. You will then only be able to stain a darker color. There might also be a difference in final (re)finish between the previously dark and previously light pieces. You might even need to bleach the dark pieces first to get a consistent finish.
(I’m assuming it is solid hardwood, if its engineered then you may be SOL)
“To some, WP goes to the tracks. North is basically the dividing line. Some might stretch WP north once you are SW of Milwaukee (in terms of feel)”
hmm. Wicker Park was always IMO defined primarily by the park itself and that 6 corner intersection, so I guess I’ve always assumed it’s WP at least a block in every direction.
Bucktown otoh was barely even recognized as a neighborhood until after Wicker Park was a household name…
Aside from the obvious problems, the noise would be a major issue. I lived about 1 block west of here, also on North Avenue, in 2000 for about 2 months. Despite being in a brick building, on the third floor, with new double-pane windows, the noise was horrendous.
I do enjoy the chinese characters that spell “sucker” on the bedroom wall. Better than having it tattoo’d on your lower back I guess.
The floors are kinda cool but a bit overwhelming for the main space. I’d be forced to enlist the help of an interior designer to correctly mute their effect. I do like the wooden blinds that play into the look though.
I also live along North and don’t mind the street noise; I’d question the El noise here more than the street noise. I also like the well lit, well populated aspect of the main artery streets in the evenings.
“Bucktown otoh was barely even recognized as a neighborhood until after Wicker Park was a household name…”
Maybe I’m remembering incorrectly, but didn’t Bucktown start gentrifying in the mid-to late-80s, whereas WP didn’t start gentrifying until the early 90s?
I’m surprised by anyone that is willing to endorse this place (Clio). Streets to stay away from in Bucktown/Wicker Park: North, Western, Ashland, Milwaukee. Unless you really like an “urban” feel. Even a couple doors off of these streets is far better in my opinion.
As for the 2 outdoor spaces… Unclear as to whether one of them belongs solely to this unit (and sharing sucks) and did you see how narrow that front balcony is? It looks like you have to climb over the table to get to that other chair.
Finally, did I mention that this place is designed to look like a ship? A ship. Talk about needing a unique buyer. Most people don’t want to live in a ship on the train track with a busy street in front of you…
“Maybe I’m remembering incorrectly, but didn’t Bucktown start gentrifying in the mid-to late-80s, whereas WP didn’t start gentrifying until the early 90s?”
not to get too off-topic, but my best friend in grade school grew up south of Fullerton & Western, and everybody called that Logan Square. Bucktown didn’t even exist in our lexicon, so I really am not too sure when Bucktown (as in, the identity) took off, even though I have no doubt people were moving into that area and rehabbing, etc.
“Finally, did I mention that this place is designed to look like a ship? A ship.”
Put a steering wheel on the top and you can sell it as the Gigglesnort Hotel.
Maybe this was inspired by that bizarro place that’s just south of the Kennedy on Damen, west side of the street? They put this surreal addition on it in the late 90s, could never figure out the utility thereof…
“I’m surprised by anyone that is willing to endorse this place (Clio).”
Every ship needs a captain…..
IMO clio is hilarious, in addition to being purely fictitious.
“Every ship needs a captain…..”
And a Gilligan, apparently.
“not to get too off-topic, but my best friend in grade school grew up south of Fullerton & Western, and everybody called that Logan Square. Bucktown didn’t even exist in our lexicon, so I really am not too sure when Bucktown (as in, the identity) took off, even though I have no doubt people were moving into that area and rehabbing, etc.”
I just recall going to Danny’s and The Artful Dodger in ’88 or ’89 and having no qualms about standing outside by myself waiting for a cab. The same could not be said about Dreamerz or the Beachwood. By that time, a few friends had bought SFHs in Bucktown, and the only people I knew who lived in WP were a couple of artists who were living (illegally) in a crappy loft.
[/old lady rant]
BT was fine in the late 90’s. When the Home Depot opened the hookers were pushed toward Ashland Ave. I lived at North and Paulina from 2002-2005 and they all but disappeared during that time. My friends used to laugh when we had parties. The ladies would strut past my building trying to get some action from Louie’s Pub across the street. We had to put up a fence between our building and the one to our east as that small 6 foot setback provided a “love spot” for some clients.
Our street noise was reasonable at that location. We had the Harley’s coming down North Ave on warm summer nights but were far enough from the el and party crowd to keep windows open!
People that drive Harleys in the city are assholes and I wish every last one of them a painful motorcycle related injury for being annoying
Speaking of the Dodger …
The house built on it’s gravesite–at 1734 Wabansia–is listed as a shortsale for $2.2mm, apparently having never sold after an initial listing ask of $3.249mm in April ’08.
http://www.redfin.com/IL/Chicago/1734-W-Wabansia-Ave-60622/home/13354468
“BT was fine in the late 90’s. ”
Well, yeah, but the question was the late-80s–when it was also fine, but the fine part being a *much* smaller area.
“. When the Home Depot opened the hookers were pushed toward Ashland Ave.”
LOL – had a friend living at North and Ashland in the late 90s, he said he used to regularly see hookers using the gas station car wash as a shower.
I thought he was joking until we started car-pooling, and more than a few times when I was waiting to pick him up at 7am I saw hookers getting dropped off by cars right there.
Rinse, lather, repeat takes a whole new meaning when you shower at the car wash.I’d guess that when you are done they could add some Armor All to teir knees to keep them lubricated and shiny.
I guess that explains why some of them smelled like pine scented air freshener as they walked by…..
“Rinse, lather, repeat takes a whole new meaning when you shower at the car wash.I’d guess that when you are done they could add some Armor All to teir knees to keep them lubricated and shiny”
You know, hookers are people too…. try not to be so judgemental – after all, they also need places to live, have lots of cash and could be very good potential clients (in real estate).
“LOL – had a friend living at North and Ashland in the late 90s, he said he used to regularly see hookers using the gas station car wash as a shower.”
Those were the days. Lived in Lincoln Park in the early 1990s. Catching a 6am flight at ORD meant driving through the hooker patch on North Ave.
Damn Craigs List… Took all my hookers away.
Clio – just kidding about the hookers! My words were a bit harsh but if you are regularly showering at a car wash it is time to rethink some things, find a shelter or organization that can help, and get into rehab asap!
The ladies of the evening are still out in force; I’ve reported them again at our CAPS meeting. It’s when they change professions and into robbers that has folks in the neighborhood on edge.
The economy is tough all over. I’ve heard it said that one must learn new skills to stay competitive in this marketplace. I guess that takes it to a new level…..
“People that drive Harleys in the city are assholes and I wish every last one of them a painful motorcycle related injury for being annoying.”
Especially the ones exiting on E. Ohio at full throttle. Very bad things should happen to them.
I see hookers at Ashland and Division where I live today. Live and let live. Life goes on… and my property value is not impacted.
Anon, Re: the Artful Dodger “house”,
That posting almost made me start hysterically crying.
Everyone involved in even the tiniest facet of creating that monstrosity deserves a wet noodle lashing.
The Dodger was a hell of a place to get your drink on and cut some rug. Actual cool neighborhood dive bars are basically extinct.
“Everyone involved in even the tiniest facet of creating that monstrosity deserves a wet noodle lashing”
What are you talking about?! That house (http://www.redfin.com/IL/Chicago/1734-W-Wabansia-Ave-60622/home/13354468) is beautiful!!! Seriously, the house is beautiful and priced pretty well.
clio – what everyone here is talking about is that house 1) destroyed a very popular, great neighborhood pub that served the area well. 2) when the permits were originally granted it was to be for two buildings, 3) the connected contractor instead put up the rightfully named monstrosity instead. I’d agree that it is pretty but it is also lot line to lot line built out, dwarfing everything around it.
There was a solid article series in the Trib a year or so ago that documented the timing and amounts of contributions to alderman vs. building permits and zoning variances. There are three or four obvious examples of this in Bucktown with this being one of the shining examples mainly because of the loss of the dodger.
I also bemoan the loss of Get Me High Lounge; great small place tucked away that now rots empty.
Madeline said:
“I just recall going to Danny’s and The Artful Dodger in ‘88 or ‘89 and having no qualms about standing outside by myself waiting for a cab. The same could not be said about Dreamerz or the Beachwood. By that time, a few friends had bought SFHs in Bucktown, and the only people I knew who lived in WP were a couple of artists who were living (illegally) in a crappy loft.
[/old lady rant]”
well, from one old lady to another, I’ll bet our paths crossed more than a few times back in the day. Dodger and Dreamerz were regular night spots for me, too.
Thanks Wicker – I get it.
The Dodger was a great place. I recall one really snowy night in 2001 or 2002. We wanted to go out and experience the snow and see who was out celebrating. My friend Scott claimed that your odds went up dramatically on a snowy night because any female that made it to a bar in a blizzard was clearly cool and in the mood for some fun!
Dodger was our closest dive bar. When we arrived the really tiny female bartender offered us an awesome deal. “If we would shovel out the walkway for her we could drink free all night! Now that is my kind of bar and my kind of bartender. It was a great night. Thanks for the posting it brought back a great memory!
House is cool but I can see how it is really oversized for the hood. Was this another Alderman Matlack deal? DOes someone have the link to that song “i’ve been Matlacked again”
“Was this another Alderman Matlack deal?”
Yes. See: http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2008/04/teardown-that-r.html
Here is the link!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3AiOxmYrD0
Is he out of office?
“Is he out of office?”
Yes. Largely due to this sort of absurdity.
“Actual cool neighborhood dive bars are basically extinct.”
They might be in remission, but I’d hardly say they’re extinct just yet.
They definitely exist and I know a couple of them but it appears they are going extinct it seems though. Johnny’s just closed but there’s still Millie’s, Cody’s, Rose’s.
Yes, the neighborhood “joints” are disappearing because our oh-so-family-values-oriented Mayor and Co. decided they were too much of a “detriment” to up-and-coming nabes (regardless of how well-run and law-abiding they were). So getting a local-bar license requires running through all kinds of hoops, while the Airports and Lakefront Parks get favored treatment.
Not that any of this would be a surprise to former BT/WP resident Nelson Algren, who if he were alive today would be turning in his grave re: “gentrification.”
And he’d be the first to remind us that the ladies of the evening and the (often married suburban) gentlemen they serve were there before the artsy folk, and will be there a long time afterwards.
Required Reading: “City on the Make.”
Mostly they are closing because they do not make enough money. Today’s 22-30 year old crowd seem to be into club scenes, really trendy and expensive build-outs and VIP areas or bottle service. They just don’t spend enough at their local corner pub.
With real estate land values and property taxes rising over the last few years some of those properties have been sold out to developers. The good news is that at least for now that trend is slowing!
Cody’s brings up another great winter memory. My girlfriend lived in a apt on 1600 block of Barry and we were there often. The owners yellow lab or golden retreiver was named Cody and was there often. One night during a big snow storm he kept running out every time the door opened to go play in the snow. The owner would have to go out and chase him back inside. It played out for hours and the dog remained determined to play in the snow.