London In Lincoln Park Returns With A New Kitchen 2 Years Later: 1919 N. Lincoln Park West
We last chattered about this 4-bedroom vintage rowhouse at 1919 N. Lincoln Park West in East Lincoln Park in December 2009.
See our prior chatter here.
Most of you loved the location and vintage character but the discussion really revolved about the 2-car parking behind the rowhouse which the former listing said could have a 2-car garage on it.
The lot is only 19×72.
Mario Greco at Prudential Rubloff had the former listing and this is what he said in the prior chatter about the possibly of a 2-car garage:
“To be clear, a legal parking spot under the zoning code is 8?x19? – in order to be allowed to go to the lot line, the walls on the lot line have to be masonry (or at least adequately fire-rated) so you should have 16? of interior width. The garage will not block the kitchen window but may block the basement window (depending on how deep the garage is built).
The pole can be moved. Would cost roughly $20k (b/c it’s a “central” pole whatever that means) and ComEd just quoted that to the seller last week. Were it a “non-central” pole, it would cost less than $5k to move.”
The current listing simply describes the 2-car parking as “secure.”
Listed for $899,000 in December 2009, it sold in February 2010 for $850,000.
If you recall, the rowhouse was built in 1888 and has many vintage features including amazing crown molding and ceiling details on the main level.
It still has 3 fireplaces including one in the third floor master suite.
Two other bedrooms are on the second floor and the fourth bedroom is in the lower level along with the family room.
The kitchen cabinets have been replaced since the 2009 listing. You can see from the picture of the kitchen in the prior chatter that it had a french country theme.
It now has modern custom brown cabinets with quartz counter tops. The 6-burner Wolf range looks to be the same one from the prior kitchen, however.
Now that the market is hotter, will this rowhouse get the premium over the 2010 price?
Kevin Wood at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.
1919 N. Lincoln Park: 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 2 car parking, no square footage listed
- Sold in June 1999 for $437,500
- Sold in November 2003 for $810,000
- Originally listed in August 2008 for $1.075 million
- Withdrawn in January 2009 at $999,000
- Came back on the market in December 2009 at $899,000
- Sold in February 2010 for $850,000
- Currently listed at $1.1 million
- Taxes are now $13,773 (they were $14,539 in December 2009)
- Central Air
- Bedroom #1: 20×17 (third level)
- Bedroom #2: 18×12 (second level)
- Bedroom #3: 11×11 (second level)
- Bedroom #4: 12×10 (lower level)
- Family room: 20×17 (lower level)
wait a Mario Greco listing without sqft?
” anon (tfo) (December 16, 2009, 11:13 am)
Also, nice place. Price seems reasonable for location + size. I don’t like the bathrooms or the kitchen, but that’s relatively minor.
This would have gotten a look from us, had we been in the market. The actual closing price will be interesting.”
still feel tyhe same?
The 1999 buyer did very well with this one.
I generally like this home but it is very narrow. Look at that living room. Reminds me of Alta Vista (and not in a good way).
Hmm, I know I am not on the cutting edge of style as I hate when they put modern interiors in vintage homes. Also, does sound pass through the walls of row houses like this. I would hate to pay that much money for a home in which I could hear the bass from a neighbors stereo, them fighting , screwing, etc, etc.
$940,000
Weird home and a mish-mash of styles not entirely appropriate for this style of home. First of all, what the hell is on the wall in the dining room? It looks vaguely offensive and insensitive to me. Secondly, the is furnished in a mid-century modern style – not a midcentury inspired, but clearly mid-century designs, and contrasted with the vintage, possibly victorian era look, it’s not that impressive. Modern done right on a victorian is amazing but it require a pretty good attention to detail and a lot of rehabbing. the kitchen is pretty modern but nothing crazy and that’s OK but it doesn’t go with the place.
Also, notice the crib. What are the chances this family will buy a sprawling 1950’s ranch somewhere in the suburbs? Probably high. that sucks to buy a house in 2010 and try to sell in 2012.
$895,000
$599,000
$199,999 and will probably have to throw in a free smart car.
“the discussion really revolved about the 2-car parking behind the rowhouse which the former listing said could have a 2-car garage on it”
“The current listing simply describes the 2-car parking as “secure.”
Sorry to say I told you so, but I told you so. Not disputing MG’s recitation of the building code, but no 2-car garage going in here.
However, I love the change in decor to add some modern touches. Amazing how different it looks.
Must be the “vague insensitivity” that’s turning me on.
That and $30k worth of cabinets. . .
claustrophobic unit.
The current owner blew in on the kitchen rehab. They could’ve done something a little more DeGiulio-ish and less modern-boring. Someone who like the rowhouse idea is going to be less than enthusiastic with the sterile kitchen design.
meant “blew it”
$882k in mortgages on the $850k purchase. Though it actually looks like it was funded by the wife’s dad. Who released all the mortgages two months later, trading them in for a $300k real mortgage.
I should have married further up.
“Sold in February 2010 for $850,000
Currently listed at $1.1 million”
No chance. The seller blew it with the rehab by picking the wrong style.
“Though it actually looks like it was funded by the wife’s dad. Who released all the mortgages two months later….”
A-ha! HD: this explains the hideous or as you put it “vaguely offensive and insensitive” art on the wall, the modernish/fail choices of finishes, etc. I’m just going to leave it at that. lol…
Well, I like the kitchen.
If this was listed in London’s LP (Chelsea), it would be priced at £4mm without any parking and without owning the land it sits on, and Brits would salivate over every inch of this vintage terrace (just
the way it is, or over the changes they’d make)… if only they could afford it. But since this is Chicago, many will bitch about the lack of space, direct sunlight, back yard, mommy and me spaces (family room off the kitchen), and as always the price. Londoners understand city living, blue dog Chicagoans… not so much.
“Londoners understand city living, blue dog Chicagoans… not so much.”
Some people understand that real estate valuations and priorities differ by market and that Chicago is not London, others….not so much.
I really like the location and the exterior style of the home, but I am unsure about plunking down $850K for purchase and another $500K+ for the renovations needed to make this property truly spectacular, when you’re still going to be stuck with a 1400SF lot.
“If this was listed in London’s LP (Chelsea), it would be priced at £4mm without any parking and without owning the land it sits on, and Brits would salivate over every inch of this vintage terrace (just
the way it is, or over the changes they’d make)… if only they could afford it.”
How can you have some pudding if you don’t eat your meat?!! English have been leaving for Australia and Costa del Sol for a long time, and it continues. The people who pay £4mm are NOT NORMAL, they don’t have kids, they may be homos, they could be semites from hellholes, screw them, London has become a hellhole too.
‘The people who pay £4mm are NOT NORMAL…’
You’re right Dan, they aren’t normal… they have a lot more money than you do, and I’m not even suggesting that you’re anywhere near being normal.
A house like this is the holy grail of urban living for most Londoners, it’s a part of their historical dna, as apartments buildings were really nonexistent when this house was built: living under the same roof as someone considered ‘immoral’ was not a Victorian belief. Can you imagine a lukefisk eating Luthern living down the hall from you?
I think Jay was running with the London thing because, well, that’s the title and idea behind this CC posting.
Anyways, while the kitchen style was an odd choice, and this precise location has sort of an odd, zombie movie feel to it, somebody is going to buy it for no lower than the mid $900’s. If we currently had the means to do so, that somebody may well have been us. I’m sort of glad that we don’t, as I’m not thrilled about the place, and I think one should be pretty thrilled about a place if spending close to a million dollars and intending to be there for 15=20 years or so.
This exact unit woud be $200,000 in Manchester or Liverpool and $6,000,000 in London and 3,000,000 in NYC. What’s your point?
‘I think Jay was running with the London thing because, well, that’s the title and idea behind this CC posting.’
Thanks anonny.
Well I agree with dan that London sucks, probably not for the same reasons.
Those crazy Brits.
On the south side of Dublin that Morgan Park house would cost 895k euros … and Helmet would be correct in saying that all the Irish people stuck around the neighborhood by choice.
Love the overall location and love rowhomes but, IMHO, price is steep for what it offers. As to the comments on decor, you are buying the space not their personal decorating.
“As to the comments on decor, you are buying the space not their personal decorating.”
That’s right. Their furniture won’t be there so why comment on it? Except- it CAN impact buying decisions. You’d be surprised how many people can’t look beyond pink walls, clutter, personal photos or unusual furniture- even though they can change all those things when they move in.
“You’d be surprised how many people can’t look beyond pink walls, clutter, personal photos or unusual furniture- even though they can change all those things when they move in.”
I change the kitchen and the baths too, but it all cost time, labor, and money. painting a whole house is neither easy or cheap, removing wallpaper is neither fast nor fun.
furniture is off limits as most of it wont be there but everything is fair game in my book.
“I change the kitchen and the baths too, but it all cost time, labor, and money. painting a whole house is neither easy or cheap, removing wallpaper is neither fast nor fun.”
We’re not talking about the kitchen and baths in this example (other than to comment on them.) Those ARE fair game because they are structures built into the house and ARE harder and more expensive to change.
If the whole house is pink or has wallpaper from 1950 then, yes, this is also an expense that many people don’t want to deal with. But many times we are talking about a 2/2 condo which isn’t nearly as expensive to change.
If you’re buying a $1 million house, I’m assuming that there will be quite a bit of redecorating you’d want to do anyway (and that would be a given.) And, yes, the furniture won’t be there so why comment on it? (unless it’s so unique, like the renaissance splendor house in Bucktown from a few years ago, that buyers can’t get past it.)
“And, yes, the furniture won’t be there so why comment on it? (unless it’s so unique, like the renaissance splendor house in Bucktown from a few years ago, that buyers can’t get past it.)”
actually the chinatown bordello would not have been the same without the furniture.
I looked at this in Jan. 2010. $850K seems right due to the location (in other, non-LP/GC, locations it would be hard to see it going for more than $600K). The bathrooms were really cheaply done as was the renovation to the master suite. The exposed brick also makes absolutely no sense aesthetically. The ceiling in the basement is *low*, and the backyard area is really dark (well, at least on the wintry day I was there). Lots of other rowhouses in the group have decks over the kitchen, which would be a good way to get extra outdoor space. Still, for a small family it could be great — you’re steps from the zoo and it’s a very quiet cul-de-sac. Of all the things I would have fixed in that house, though, the kitchen would have been toward the bottom (and if I had redone the kitchen, I think I would have opened up the mudroom right next to it — weirdly wasted space as is).
“You’d be surprised how many people can’t look beyond pink walls, clutter, personal photos or unusual furniture- even though they can change all those things when they move in.”
I can look past those things, but you never know how leaving things like that will affect potential buyers. I recently looked at a house that I didn’t realize was owned by the parents of someone I grew up. All over the house were large family photos. While I liked the house…it took me quite awhile to get over the feeling of being watched by them and thinking that it was their house. Why not take down the personal photos? You can put them up again once you move, and you never know when there may be an instance like this when they may turn a buyer off.
Exterior is cozy, but I could not live without a covered garage at this price point… absolute madness imo.