Lives Like a SFH in Dearborn Park II: A 3-Bedroom Townhouse at 1236 S. Federal in the South Loop
This 3-bedroom townhouse in Dearborn Park II at 1236 S. Federal in the South Loop came on the market in March 2024.
Built in 1994, Dearborn Park II has 118 townhouses with attached 1-car and 2-car garages. They vary from 1 to 3 bedrooms.
Because it’s an older development, it’s surrounded by mature trees and landscaping which are maintained by the HOA.
This townhouse is in one of the “quiet landscaped” courtyards.
It’s an end unit that has not only a private deck but also a rare 748 square foot private yard that is maintained by the HOA.
The listing says the townhouse has been “upgraded throughout” and that it “lives like a single family home.”
The first floor has a 1-car garage, the foyer, a full bathroom and the third bedroom which the listing says could also be a living room, office or playroom.
It leads through sliding doors to a concrete patio and the private yard.
The second floor has the living room, dining room, the kitchen and a large balcony for grilling.
The kitchen has 42-inch wood cabinets, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.
The third floor has two bedroom and one full bathroom which the listing says has been “newly remodeled.”
This townhouse has central air and the washer/dryer is on the third floor.
The listing says this about the location:
Close to South Loop Elementary, British International School, and Jones College Prep. Target, Jewel, Walgreens, Mariano’s, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Icon Movie Theater, Museum Campus, Grant Park, lakefront, easy access to highways, and Roosevelt CTA station with Red, Green, and Orange lines all nearby.
Listed at $615,000, it last sold before the pandemic in September 2019 for $535,000.
During the pandemic, buyers were desperate for outdoor space.
Will the private yard make the sale in 2024?
Jorge Romero at Realty One Group has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.
Unit B: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1460 square feet, townhouse
- Sold in September 1994 for $169,500
- Sold in February 1998 for $225,000
- Sold in September 2002 for $327,000
- Sold in June 2006 for $480,000
- Sold in August 2015 for $500,000
- Sold in September 2019 for $535,000
- Currently listed for $615,000
- Assessments of $375 a month (includes exterior maintenance, lawn care, snow removal)
- Taxes of $9816
- Central Air
- 1-car garage
- Fireplace
- Skylights
- Private side yard measuring 748 square feet
- Bedroom #1: 13×12 (third floor)
- Bedroom #2: 13×9 (third floor)
- Bedroom #3: 12×11 (main floor)
- Living room: 16×13 (second floor)
- Dining room: 9×9 (second floor)
- Kitchen: 10×9 (second floor)
- Laundry: 6×6 (third floor)
- Balcony (second floor)
This isnt even 1000sf, fucking embarrassing that this is a profession
Not too bad but you can only polish a turd so much, should dial down the saturation a bit.
I wonder how noticeable the noise from switching yard is?
“noise from switching yard”
It will all be drowned out with the new Sox Park.
“private yard that is maintained by the HOA”
This screams that we will fine you for planting anything we don’t approve of.
The train yards are on the other side of the river – bigger noise issue would be Clark St. It kind of looks like they have some sort of inner glass for sound proofing (or else shades) but I’m not looking further at it. I actually kind of like it – the spare decor suits the space since it’s not big and the yard looks nice.
“This screams that we will fine you for planting anything we don’t approve of.”
At least they won’t require a prayer circle, Icky.
“This screams that we will fine you for planting anything we don’t approve of.”
Maybe they just cut the grass? Side yard looks very different from the prior sales pictures so it seems like if you want to plant something, you can.
“I wonder how noticeable the noise from switching yard is?”
You’re not hearing that but, as anon(tfo) said, you certainly will hear the cheer of the crowds if the Sox go in just a few blocks away. Either way, a lot is going to go on in this neighborhood, for the good of the neighborhood, if you ask me. Will have thousands of people living nearby, more restaurants and shops, and entertainment. Will have another extension of the Riverwalk. It’s time for this open land to be built up.
Also, I would be more concerned being right up against Clark than anything else.
I love this complex. It has the most nature in the South Loop. True tree cover and lovely landscaping.
The units are smaller than more recent builds. Who would build a 1-bedroom townhouse today?
The living/dining/kitchen floor is tight. I wonder if you could remove the fireplace so that you could have more genuine space in the living room? It would save you 2 feet and give you wall space. I realize it’s probably a lot of money to get rid of it and that might not be worth it.
This unit seems to be a good fit for a singleton or couple without kids but who have a dog. Space for an office or even two, if needed.
You’re not hearing that but, as anon(tfo) said, you certainly will hear the cheer of the crowds if the Sox go in just a few blocks away. Either way, a lot is going to go on in this neighborhood, for the good of the neighborhood, if you ask me. Will have thousands of people living nearby, more restaurants and shops, and entertainment. Will have another extension of the Riverwalk. It’s time for this open land to be built up.
Disagree
the 1/4 mile from the yards to this unit is close enough to hear the coupling/breaking
It will be more than a few years till Comiskey a new Comiskey and you’ll get to deal with 3 years of construction
Lack of cheap money is going to be a challenge. If they are able to make this a go (Entertainment district w/ CWS and Bears) does that kill RN & GC as entertainment zones?
Shoebox and enjoy the Clark noise.
“the 1/4 mile from the yards to this unit is close enough to hear the coupling/breaking”
Ba ha ha ha. Whatever is happening at the yards is the least of the noise you’ll hear living here.
Where do you live JohnnyU? In a rural area on 5 or 10 acres?
This is city living. People live next to the El and Metra tracks for goodness sakes. Thousands of people live on a major highway (but they have those lake views.)
What is really most annoying in Chicago is really those driving around with blaring mufflers that you can hear from 3 blocks away.
“It will be more than a few years till Comiskey a new Comiskey and you’ll get to deal with 3 years of construction”
Oh no. There will be construction. Um…yeah. Of thousands of apartments/condos and a bunch of other things.
White Sox lease is up in 2029. Have to start construction soon in order to have it ready in time to move. The clock is ticking.
And if you think that “lack of cheap money is going to be a challenge” then you really don’t know what is going on in Chicago right now. They just broke ground on the replacement for the Spire along the lakefront and are just finishing up the final touches on Helmut Jahn’s final tower in the Loop. There are plenty of cranes in the West Loop right now as well.
Have higher interest rates hit development? Yep. But Chicago is seen as one of the less risky markets. Apartments have been leasing out.
And if you think they won’t build a new sports stadium because money is expensive, then you aren’t really in the know about what is happening in Evanston in 2024. Old stadium has been demolished. New football stadium will be built. (Of course, it helps that a rich billionaire simply gave the $800 million for that new facility.)
Also, nothing has been Comiskey for a long, long time. Get into this century.
“Shoebox and enjoy the Clark noise.”
Not every townhouse is 2000 square feet. I don’t really understand this comment. The size is the size. Does it work for everyone? No.
We are spoiled. Families of 5 used to live in 1000 square foot bungalows after WWII.
“Ba ha ha ha. Whatever is happening at the yards is the least of the noise you’ll hear living here.
Where do you live JohnnyU? In a rural area on 5 or 10 acres?
This is city living. People live next to the El and Metra tracks for goodness sakes. Thousands of people live on a major highway (but they have those lake views.)”
Tell me you’ve never been or lived next to a switching yard w/o telling me you’ve never been or lived next to a switching yard.
Think living earshot from an El tight radius turn and 1000s of Tons smacking together.
Moron
“And if you think they won’t build a new sports stadium because money is expensive, then you aren’t really in the know about what is happening in Evanston in 2024. Old stadium has been demolished. New football stadium will be built. (Of course, it helps that a rich billionaire simply gave the $800 million for that new facility.)”
I cant believe that you qctually typed this and thought it supported your mistaken opinion
Embarassing
While being so close to Clark street isn’t ideal, in this particular case it’s not so bad given the posted speed limit of 25 mph around this stretch of Clark helps keep the noise level down (completely asinine by the way given how straight this section is a two-way in each direction)
SABS says
“The units are smaller than more recent builds. Who would build a 1-bedroom townhouse today?”
yeah, it was IMHO a bad choice or worse choice between two options.
Remember Dearborn Park 2 was a completely new buildout.
so maybe the developer could have gone with
option 1: stacking two units of 1000 sq each say Unit 1 and Unit 2 with the upside of having 1000 sq ft of contiguous living with the downside of having an upstairs neighbor or
option 2: having individual 1000 sq vertical units with the 1000 sq. spread across 3 floors but then not having an upstairs neighbor but still sharing side walls
SABS “The units are smaller than more recent builds. Who would build a 1-bedroom townhouse today?”
come to think of it, there are mid rises in Dearborn Park 1. And I don’t think there are any in Dearborn Park 2. so maybe the lack of a mid rise was a driver for developers to create the 1 bedroom townhouses.
“Tell me you’ve never been or lived next to a switching yard w/o telling me you’ve never been or lived next to a switching yard.”
NO ONE lives near a switching yard.
“I cant believe that you qctually typed this and thought it supported your mistaken opinion”
I’m sorry you knew nothing about the new Northwestern football stadium. Being built even as we speak. A billionaire just wrote a check. There are several other billionaires seeking new stadiums in Chicago too. I expect they’ll write checks too. That’s what billionaires do.
I’m more concerned about the situation at Bally’s and that they won’t be able to build the casino/hotel now. May have to award that to someone else and it’s really going to push the whole project back. We will see.
“yeah, it was IMHO a bad choice or worse choice between two options.”
I really like the 1-bedroom townhouses. I’ve been in them. They’re unique, for sure. You have your own private garage. It’s cool. When they built this complex, this was no-man’s land. Times were different and the product developers were putting out was different. Just can’t afford to build 1-bedroom townhouses today.
“ NO ONE lives near a switching yard”
Lies per usual
Do you even live in Chicago?
“ I’m sorry you knew nothing about the new Northwestern football stadium. Being built even as we speak. A billionaire just wrote a check. There are several other billionaires seeking new stadiums in Chicago too. I expect they’ll write checks too. That’s what billionaires do.”
Not what I said.
“I’m more concerned about the situation at Bally’s and that they won’t be able to build the casino/hotel now. May have to award that to someone else and it’s really going to push the whole project back. We will see.”
If it’s such a goldmine like you said, what’s the issue? If Ballys can’t someone else should want to jump in, right?
“NO ONE lives near a switching yard”
So, the 43xx, 44xx and 45xx blocks of South Drake are all vacant?
Someone bought this place last June:
https://www.redfin.com/IL/Chicago/4401-S-Drake-Ave-60632/home/14033770
to just keep it empty?
Crazy way to spend your money!
Brighton Park/Archer Heights FTW
For as much as Sabrina likes to talk about Chicago being a transportation hub, she sure is ignorant of the particulars. Maybe she doesnt think Hispanics are real people?
Sad & Embarrassing
“If it’s such a goldmine like you said, what’s the issue? If Ballys can’t someone else should want to jump in, right?”
Sorry. I’m not going to go into the saga which is Bally’s right now. You can read all about it in the WSJ and other newspapers.
“Do you even live in Chicago?”
We know YOU don’t JohnnyU. And haven’t for 30+ years. Or is it 40 years now? The way you talk, I’m thinking it was the early 1990s.
Sorry you had to put the posts back up
Embarrassing really
I do know there is housing next to switching yards in Chicago though unlike some self proclaimed experts
I put the posts back up before you said anything, JohnnyU, because I asked my husband if I should delete them and he said I should leave them so everyone can see what an ass you are.
“I do know there is housing next to switching yards in Chicago though unlike some self proclaimed experts”
You looked at a map?
I walk the neighborhoods. That’s how I get my pictures and know what’s going on out there. Also, I’m not an expert on anything. I just run a Chicago housing blog because it’s such a cool city, someone has to talk about it.
“I put the posts back up before you said anything, JohnnyU, because I asked my husband if I should delete them and he said I should leave them so everyone can see what an ass you are.”
At least you’re honest enough to admit that you pulled them, but you still have to lie about when you did it.
You are very insecure
“You looked at a map?”
Nope try again
“I walk the neighborhoods. That’s how I get my pictures and know what’s going on out there. Also, I’m not an expert on anything. I just run a Chicago housing blog because it’s such a cool city, someone has to talk about it.”
LOL, sure Jan
I’m starting to feel sorry for you
“Not every townhouse is 2000 square feet. I don’t really understand this comment. The size is the size. Does it work for everyone? No.
We are spoiled. Families of 5 used to live in 1000 square foot bungalows after WWII.”
I’m only commenting that the layout is extremely compact. I lived in a townhome in Dearborn 1 and when I looked at these “3” bed townhomes they felt extremely cramped compared to our and the others we saw.
Yep. I walk the neighborhoods. I love it. Chicago has such wonderful architecture. I still don’t take my phone or much cash, though, as the crazy drive-by muggers are still doing their thing across many parts of the city.
But I have probably been in more neighborhoods than many of the actual mayors have.
It helps that Chicago is so flat. If you want to do 20,000 steps a day, write a blog. You’ll be able to do it.
“I’m only commenting that the layout is extremely compact.”
For sure. Hence my comment that I would try and remove the living room fireplace. That would give you a wall and 2 feet of space.
I love levels, which is why SFH and townhouses are cool, but the stairs do take up a lot of space.
SABS says
“I really like the 1-bedroom townhouses. I’ve been in them. ”
chichow replies
I’ve been in them too. Knew people that bought them as starters but didn’t end up keeping them.
SABS says “I love levels, which is why SFH and townhouses are cool, but the stairs do take up a lot of space.”
chichow says: SABS you can love the levels, but at what point do the trade offs swamp that love?
These are not lux units. While it’s been a while, I don’t recall multi-zone heating cooling (I might be wrong on this as again it’s been a long time) so if you live there you don’t end up spending much time at all on the ground floor because it gets so damn cold on the first floor and if you make it warm enough for the first floor then it’s a sauna for the second and third floor. So the first floor becomes basically a landing pad of wasted space. It’s definitely not used as a bedroom.
In todays time yeah you can use that first floor as a home office and while on your zoom calls your co workers are gonna be like why you wearing a sweatshirt all the time
I
and
SABS says
“I love levels, which is why SFH and townhouses are cool, but the stairs do take up a lot of space.”
and the second floor is wear you hang out when your friends are over and every time after a meal then you have to send your friends down to the frigid storage area dungeon to take dump (lower level has less insulation as it has the glass patio door and then the non heated garage space) or upstairs to your private bedroom space and your own bathroom where you hope your guests don’t rummage (I figure this is a Jenny thing)
Pic 12 So are they returning to Ohio?
“and the second floor is wear you hang out when your friends are over and every time after a meal then you have to send your friends down to the frigid storage area dungeon to take dump ”
We’ve had this discussion before on Crib Chatter. Few townhomes have powder rooms on the second floor which is usually the living/dining/kitchen space. They do exist, but it’s just not that common. (Although we did just discuss one a few days ago)
Therefore, most people visiting someone who lives here WILL be going down a level unless you are doing what these sellers did and you turn the lower level bedroom into a den. And then everyone is hanging out right next to the bathroom. Also, if people are over in the summer, they can easily access the bathroom from the backyard, which is nice.
The yard is a huge selling point of this townhouse. It’s pretty rare to get such a thing and it appears to be fenced in. Perfect if you have a dog.
contingent.
Thanks anon(tfo). We’ll see what this closes for.