Mission Impossible: A 2/2 with Parking for Under $450K in Lakeview: 3205 N. Paulina
This 2-bedroom at 3205 N. Paulina in Lakeview came on the market in May 2024.
I’m not sure when this vintage building was built but it was converted into condos at the height of the housing bubble in 2007-2008.
It has 8 units and outdoor parking.
We’ve chattered about other units in this building previously. Those chatters are under the Belmont street address at 1658 W. Belmont.
The listing calls this unit a “vintage gem.”
It’s a top floor unit that has crown moldings, hardwood floors throughout, and a brick enclosed fireplace in the living/dining room.
The kitchen has cherry cabinets, granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances and an island with seating for 2.
The kitchen also has a separate built-in desk also with a granite counter top. Could this be a home office?
The primary bathroom has a “Parisian” style skylight (not sure what that means).
Both bathrooms have granite counter tops on the vanity and marble and ceramic finishes.
There’s also a private deck off the back.
This unit has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and one outdoor parking space is included in the price.
The building is also the home to the famous Scooter’s Frozen Custard on the first floor.
It is near the shops and restaurants on Belmont, including a Walgreens, and is just a few blocks from the large West Lakeview Whole Foods. Southport and Roscoe Village restaurants and shops are also nearby.
The Brown line stop at Paulina is just a few blocks away. The Redfin “commute” feature tells me it is a 6 minute walk.
Listed at $440,000, this is a rare 2/2 in this neighborhood that has parking and is listed under $450,000.
At this price, will this unit be under contract by the end of the month?
Susan Radzinowicz at Baird & Warner has the listing. See the pictures here. (the prior 2016 listing has a floor plan)
Unit #3N: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed
- Sold in June 2007 for $378,000
- Sold in May 2016 for $373,000
- Currently listed at $440,000
- Assessments of $386 a month (includes heat, a/c, gas, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
- Taxes of $6765
- Central Air
- Washer/dryer in the unit
- Parking space included
- Fireplace
- Bedroom #1: 13×11
- Bedroom #2: 11×10
- Living/dining combo: 24×17
- Kitchen: 20×11
- Laundry: 3×4
- Deck: 9×7
If there 2 more Chicago flags, I might put in an offer
This reeks of a bachelor pad for a bachelor that never gets laid
Depressing
“VINTAGE GEM IN HEART OF LAKEVIEW”
other than the exterior architecture, there is absolutely nothing vintage about this place. Looks like a college rental.
Shocked there is no mention of Scooters or the Starbucks.
Wonder what playlot they are referring to–the one in the 1800 block of Nelson?
Couple of rental buildings going up nearby soon–Rexx Rug and Dinkel’s buildings.
There is certainly competition from rentals in the neighborhood.
Do these units from the housing bubble need to upgrade now? It’s been 17 years for this unit.
I would paint the fireplace brick white to lighten it all up. I’d white paint everything. Cherry cabinets too. And put on new countertops.
“1800 block of Nelson”
Meant 1700. Duh.
“I would paint the fireplace brick white to lighten it all up.”
Yeah kids, dont do this
Wait a minute – did I read the listing wrong? Shouldn’t this be a rental?
“I would paint the fireplace brick white to lighten it all up.”
“Yeah kids, dont do this”
Happens all the time. Not that big of a deal indoors.
“Happens all the time. Not that big of a deal indoors.”
Yeah, no
Lets not normalize bad decisions
“Lets not normalize bad decisions”
Brick is painted all the time. Interior, exterior. Globally, in fact.
“Brick is painted all the time. Interior, exterior. Globally, in fact.”
In fact no.
Its a really terrible, idea to paint exterior brick if the wall system wasnt designed for it
Where do you get these moronic takes from?
“Its a really terrible, idea to paint exterior brick if the wall system wasnt designed for it”
Someone forgot to tell all of those historic neighborhoods in America that this just can’t be done. Silly.
“Someone forgot to tell all of those historic neighborhoods in America that this just can’t be done. Silly.”
Your stupidity is only surpassed by your arrogance
Think for 2 minutes why painting brick would be a bad idea
Are you trying to claim that a historic district would just allow an owner to paint over the original brick? Embarrassing
Here is a link from a local Chicago brick company. Click on the bit about painting brick. Not sure how big of a deal it is indoors (still wouldn’t do it), but on the exterior is it a universally bad decision. You take a significantly lower-maintenance material and convert it to high maintenance not to mention the moisture issues and flaking you will cause. You can always stain instead.
https://www.bricksinc.net/learn/
The folks currently occupying this unit didn’t even change the seller’s paint job and their personal belongings/stuff further detracts…this definitely feels renter occupied….except the knife block set suggests by a recently married couple that doesn’t actually cook / know you don’t really need all those knives? This just doesn’t show well. Painting the walls white would be huge. Removing like 80% of their stuff and putting it in storage would be huge. No need to do much else. That will be enough to get some bids in.
“Here is a link from a local Chicago brick company. Click on the bit about painting brick. Not sure how big of a deal it is indoors (still wouldn’t do it), but on the exterior is it a universally bad decision. You take a significantly lower-maintenance material and convert it to high maintenance not to mention the moisture issues and flaking you will cause. You can always stain instead.
https://www.bricksinc.net/learn/”
I was hoping that she’s continue doubling down on stupid
I eagerly await Sabrina’s rant that they dont know what they’re talking about
Also there will be no admission of being wrong
“Are you trying to claim that a historic district would just allow an owner to paint over the original brick? Embarrassing”
Clearly you have never been to Georgetown in Washington DC before. Nearly the entire neighborhood is painted brick. Some of the houses are 300 years old. Probably didn’t start painting the brick until a hundred years ago though.
I AM aware that every region has different types of brick. Some may be more conducive to paint than others.
Lots of maintenance, if you paint the exterior. Most of the homes in Georgetown were pristine. I saw almost no flaking. I wonder if the neighborhood association has some kind of mandate? I can’t imagine how many layers are on some of those homes now though.
“I eagerly await Sabrina’s rant that they dont know what they’re talking about”
Painting brick is VERY controversial on the interwebs. Some say to never do it, others do it and say it’s fine. Probably depends on the type of brick and where the property is located.
There are painted brick homes all up and down the east coast and no one says a thing about it. They’ve started painting some of the historic homes in St Louis now too. Darn that “white and black” aesthetic. Also, black painted brick homes are big across the country now too.
There are painted brick historic homes here in Chicago too. Would be interesting to talk to the owners about how much maintenance it is. Seems time consuming. Maybe I will do a post on one of my favorites if I have the time. It’s a massive historic brownstone. Painted gray/black.
In this condo, I said I would paint the brick around the fireplace. And I still would. It’s a small wall. No biggie. Can do touch-ups. It’s not outside in the elements either.
“ I AM aware that every region has different types of brick. Some may be more conducive to paint than others.”
Just stop
This is getting embarrassing
“ Painting brick is VERY controversial on the interwebs. Some say to never do it, others do it and say it’s fine. Probably depends on the type of brick and where the property is located.
There are painted brick homes all up and down the east coast and no one says a thing about it. They’ve started painting some of the historic homes in St Louis now too. Darn that “white and black” aesthetic. Also, black painted brick homes are big across the country now too.
There are painted brick historic homes here in Chicago too. Would be interesting to talk to the owners about how much maintenance it is. Seems time consuming. Maybe I will do a post on one of my favorites if I have the time. It’s a massive historic brownstone. Painted gray/black.”
Damn you are ignorant. You are creating a problem. Will it be visible in a year, no. Will it cause problems in 5+, yes
“In this condo, I said I would paint the brick around the fireplace. And I still would. It’s a small wall. No biggie. Can do touch-ups. It’s not outside in the elements either.”
Lies
“Brick is painted all the time. Interior, exterior. Globally, in fact.”
Like I said, you can’t ever admit you are wrong
You are the least self aware person in the world
“Damn you are ignorant. You are creating a problem. Will it be visible in a year, no. Will it cause problems in 5+, yes”
The painted homes in Georgetown have been painted for a 100+ years. Yes, they have to maintain it. But they are in amazing condition. That’s why I wonder if the neighborhood association doesn’t have requirements for repairs. Because I didn’t see any homes that were flaking or looked bad and I walked around a big part of the neighborhood. Pink, white, blue. Just about every color was represented. Some of the white homes were amazing. Pristine. Like a canvas.
“This is getting embarrassing”
They DO have different bricks. Different materials in other parts of the country. There’s a reason they call it “Chicago brick” or “St Louis brick.” Came from specific areas.
They paint their buildings all up and down the east coast. I’m assuming there is a reason they all do it there and no one says, “don’t paint your brick” as they do here in Chicago.
“They DO have different bricks. Different materials in other parts of the country. There’s a reason they call it “Chicago brick” or “St Louis brick.” Came from specific areas.”
And they’re all porous.
I’m going to explain this to you as simple as I can
You have a wall cavity that can “breathe”, allowing moisture that is “trapped” inside the wall to escape (Its also why they put rope weeps and vents in brick/masonry walls – but no one ever looks at or maintains them and they get plugged and once again water is trapped). Putting an impervious coating does not allow water vapor to escape, keeping it trapped. Yes, theoretically you arent allowing water into the call cavity but AFAIK, no one has built or will stand behind a completely impervious wall (its also why windows have a means to get the water out).
Theoretically you could put an impervious coating on the brick, but you would want need another impervious membrane (spray or roll) on the outside of the wall, but that is tres spendy and they really didnt have that technology in the early 1900s
Do you get it now?
“The painted homes in Georgetown have been painted for a 100+ years. Yes, they have to maintain it. But they are in amazing condition. That’s why I wonder if the neighborhood association doesn’t have requirements for repairs. Because I didn’t see any homes that were flaking or looked bad and I walked around a big part of the neighborhood. Pink, white, blue. Just about every color was represented. Some of the white homes were amazing. Pristine. Like a canvas.”
I can drive 120 mph, ergo its safe and a good idea
Your ability to use logic and reason is legend
“Lies
“Brick is painted all the time. Interior, exterior. Globally, in fact.”
Like I said, you can’t ever admit you are wrong
You are the least self aware person in the world”
And of course, Sabs is caught in another lie, and wont/cant admit it
Bet you’re a blast at parties
“And of course, Sabs is caught in another lie, and wont/cant admit it”
I guess I’ll have to do the post where we talk about painting exterior brick after all. It’s done all the time. Around the world. Apparently they are all clueless and embarrass themselves as well. We’re all just stupid. You’re the only genius JohnnyU.
“I can drive 120 mph, ergo its safe and a good idea”
Apparently all those homeowners are stupid and foolish. Yet, they keep doing it. They keep painting that brick. How dare they!
“Theoretically you could put an impervious coating on the brick, but you would want need another impervious membrane (spray or roll) on the outside of the wall, but that is tres spendy and they really didnt have that technology in the early 1900s”
Yet they’ve painted their brick all up and down the eastern seaboard. Here in Chicago too (gasp). In St Louis too. (Oh no)
Those poor historic homes.
“I guess I’ll have to do the post where we talk about painting exterior brick after all. It’s done all the time. Around the world. Apparently they are all clueless and embarrass themselves as well. We’re all just stupid. You’re the only genius JohnnyU.”
LOL – Just ignore your statement and lie
You have a very twisted view of reality
“Apparently all those homeowners are stupid and foolish. Yet, they keep doing it. They keep painting that brick. How dare they!”
We finally agree. Its a bad idea to paint brick.
Its their house, they can do what they like. However its going to create issues that can be avoided
“Yet they’ve painted their brick all up and down the eastern seaboard. Here in Chicago too (gasp). In St Louis too. (Oh no)
Those poor historic homes.”
Agreed again.
I guess my wall cavity discussion has finally sunk in
You’re welcome
Reduced to $425k and contingent.