Looking for a 1-Bedroom Brick and Timber Loft in Andersonville? 5235 N. Ravenswood
This 1-bedroom plus den duplex loft in the Map Factory Lofts at 5235 N. Ravenswood in Andersonville just came on the market.
There aren’t many loft buildings in Andersonville but this is one of the authentic ones with large industrial windows, exposed brick and beams and some timber ceilings.
It has diagonal wood floors (sorry Sonies, they were in in the 1990s).
The kitchen has white cabinets, appliances and counter tops.
It appears that the bedroom and bathroom are on the main floor (along with the den- which is just the area in front by the door- right? Where the desk is?)
It has a spiral staircase to the living/dining and kitchen area.
The loft has central air and gated parking but no in-unit washer/dryer. It is coin in the building.
It was on and off the market from 2008 to 2010 and at one point was listed in 2009 for $289,900.
It has come back on the market at $199,900.
Is this a good value for a starter loft in this hot neighborhood?
Christina Carmody at Chicago Real Estate Resources has the listing. See the pictures here.
Unit #25: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 1200 square feet, duplex
- Bought in June 1995 for $128,000
- Currently listed for $199,900
- Assessments of $277 a month
- Taxes of $4144
- Central Air
- No in-unit washer/dryer (coin laundry in the building)
- Gated parking included
- Bedroom: 21×18 (main floor)
- Den: 11×10 (main floor)
- Living/dining/kitchen on the second floor
- Bathroom appears to be on the main floor
Coin-laundry is not the end of the world; you can get a lot more done at the same time, but it is something that a condo should have. The living/dining/kitchen seems to have a good amount of space but the bathroom being on a separate level accessed only by a spiral staircase it a little odd.
Also, I wonder if there is an exit on the second floor.
Vla-jay-jay, you’ll appreciate this.
So I was sitting in Brooklyn the other day at my mom’s place and I told her that I really like the Chicago working class neighborhoods.
And she goes “Oh, yeah. Like the neighborhood around that place of yours where we stayed last year. That was a nice working class area.”
And I’m like “Uhhhhhhh…ANDERSONVILLE???”
Something funky with the taxes–2012 bill (just paid) implies 2011 taxes were $3489 (which is consistent with AV and no HO exemption), tho all the county sites show $4144. Taxes were lower before 2011 bc of long-term occupant exemption.
“I wonder if there is an exit on the second floor.”
That door to the right in the long shot must be an exit, mustn’t it?
LOL, Milkster! I love it!
I wonder if the deck shown in the pictures is private. Since it isn’t mentioned at all in the listing, I’m guessing it’s not. If it were, that would make this place a great deal.
“I wonder if the deck shown in the pictures is private”
It’s not. aerial shows it as the one roof deck on the building–totally a communal deck.
I was going to say this is one very odd layout, but if there is a door on the second floor to a hallway it isn’t AS bad. I was picturing all guests having to enter into your den/open bedroom and then climb up a spiral staircase to get to your living room.
As Bluestreak mentions though, having to go down the spiral staircase to go to the bathroom stinks.
I love the neighborhood though, and always thought this building looked cool from the outside….
“always thought this building looked cool from the outside”
The place does have alot of curb appeal.
“It has diagonal wood floors (sorry Sonies, they were in in the 1990s).”
Still look terrible 20 years later!!!
And damn 200k for a 1 bedroom in andersonville across the street from the EL with coin laundry and no indoor parking?? People be crazy!
correction* Metra tracks
“That door to the right in the long shot must be an exit, mustn’t it?”
Indeed it is. I’m not sure how I missed that.
“And damn 200k for a 1 bedroom in andersonville across the street from the EL with coin laundry and no indoor parking?? People be crazy!”
This is cheaper than renting it Sonies. Aren’t the people even more crazy for paying the inflated rents that are happening right now?
That’s not the L. That’s the Metra. Much nicer and quieter. Closest station is Ravenswood + Lawrence. Local residents plant gardens on the railroad embabkments during the good weather.
Can you afford a $200k loft on a hipster’s income nowadays?