Crib Chatter

This 2-bedroom duplex up in the Frank Fisher Apartments at 1209 N. State Parkway in the Gold Coast came on the market in March 2020.

Designed by Andrew Rebori in 1936, the building has 13 units and a 2-car garage with a center courtyard.

It has historic landmark designation.

The building was rental apartments until 2000 when it was converted into condos.

This unit is one of the largest ones in the complex as most are 1-bedroom duplexes.

We actually chattered about this unit the last time it was on the market in 2008-2009.

You can see our chatter and some interior pictures here.

It looks like it is at the front of the complex as it has a small 5×5 private patio where you can grill that looks out on State Street. That’s the patio on the second floor in the picture above.

It has 2-story ceilings with an open living/dining and kitchen on the main floor.

The kitchen has been renovated since the 2009 sale and has contemporary cabinets, a large island, a Fisher & Paykel stove, a Bosch dishwasher, and a wine fridge.

Both bedrooms are on the second level.

The master suite has a “spa-like” master bath with a double vanity and rain shower with body sprays.

There’s a stackable Bosch washer/dryer in the unit and it has central air.

But the big selling point may be the rare deeded garage parking spot which is included in the price. There are only 2 parking spots in this building and this unit has one of them.

Originally listed in March at $619,000, it has been reduced to $574,900.

Does this unit have it all for architecture fans?

Peter Angelo at Jameson Sotheby’s has the listing. You can see the pictures here (no floor plan).

Unit #7: 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 1450 square feet, duplex up

• Sold in October 2000 for $349,440
• Sold in April 2007 for $475,000
• Sold in October 2009 for $440,000
• Originally listed in March 2020 for $619,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $574,900
• Assessments of $1223 a month (they were $843 a month in October 2008) (includes parking, cable, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal, Internet)
• Taxes of $9,152 (they were $7303 in 2008)
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• 1-car garage parking included
• Bedroom #1: 14×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 16×12 (second floor)
• Living room/dining room: 25×28
• Kitchen: 12×8
• Deck: 5×5

This 2-bedroom duplex up penthouse in 201 E. Chestnut in Streeterville just came on the market.

201 E. Chestnut was built in 1969 and has 120 units. It’s a full service building with a doorman, an exercise room, and an indoor pool.

There is valet rental parking available.

This unit is one of the few duplex penthouse units which has a wall of windows with double the ceiling height.

It looks like it faces north and there is a sliver of lake view.

The highlight of the living room, however, is the custom stone fireplace which is also a rare high rise wood burning fireplace.

One of the bedrooms is on the main floor and has French doors and access to the private, covered 11×8 terrace.

The master suite is on the second floor and has an attached bathroom.

A den, which is open to the lower level, is also on the second level.

The kitchen has dark wood cabinets, dark counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

It has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and you can get the valet parking for $185 a month.

This unit has only sold twice since 1985.

This is a rare opportunity to make it your home.

Who will snap up this unique property?

Jennifer Mills at Jameson Sotheby’s has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #24C: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed, duplex up

• Sold in September 1985 for $230,000 (per Redfin)
• Sold in June 2005 for $575,000
• Currently listed at $649,000
• Assessments of $1514 a month (includes doorman, exercise room, indoor pool, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $11,410
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Valet parking available for $185 a month
• Wood burning fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 16×10 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 13×11 (main floor)
• Living room: 19×18 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 11×10 (main floor)
• Den: 11×14 (second floor)
• Walk-in-closet: 5×7 (main floor)
• Terrace: 11×8 (main floor)

This 2-bedroom duplex up loft at 22 N. Morgan in the West Loop came on the market in February 2020.

22 N. Morgan is a brick and timber loft building with 22 units and outdoor parking. It has a unique interior courtyard with landscaping.

Each loft has its own private entrance.

This unit has 20 foot ceilings and walls of exposed brick.

It has a custom, reclaimed wood herringbone pattern floor in the living/dining/kitchen.

The kitchen has gray cabinets, what looks like stone counter tops, stainless steel appliances, 2 wine fridges and a massive island which seats 6.

One bedroom is on the main floor, and looks to be fully enclosed to the ceiling.

The master bedroom is in the loft overlooking the main floor and has new carpet.

There’s also a master bathroom with a double vanity and black faucets.

This loft has a private rooftop deck with a kitchenette and a hot tub, along with landscaping.

It has central air, washer/dryer in the unit and 1 tandem outdoor parking space is included in the price with 2 additional tandem parking spaces available for $50,000 each.

The loft is a rare live/work unit which would allow you to run an actual business from the space.

Originally listed in February 2020 for $725,000, it has been reduced $10,000 to $715,000.

It’s in the heart of the West Loop, surrounded by restaurants and shops and is a quick stroll over to Fulton Market.

Did the pandemic cool off the hot West Loop real estate market as many technology companies, and McDonald’s, have allowed employees to work from home?

Craig Franzen at Dream Town has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #202: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, duplex, loft no square footage listed

• Sold in July 2000 for $290,000
• Sold in October 2003 for $321,000
• Originally listed in February 2020 for $725,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $715,000 (includes 1 tandem parking space)
• Assessments of $577 a month (includes exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $10,118
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• 2 more tandem parking spaces also available for $50,000 each
• Bedroom #1: 18×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 13×11 (main floor)
• Living/dining: 21×18 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 14×14
• Rooftop Deck with hot tub: 36×16

While home selling/buying was considered “essential” and was not shutdown in Chicago during the COVID-19 restrictions, sales still plunged in March and April.

Those are key months in the spring home buying season.

The question was, would we see a big rebound in both buyers and inventory when the city reopened or would the recession keep sales depressed?

From Dennis Rodkin at Crain’s:

At the beginning of June, Rachel Frenzel was representing six homes for sale in Bridgeport, Midlothian and other locations. By mid-month, four were under contract, all after receiving multiple offers.

“It was crazy,” said Frenzel, a HomeSmart Realty Group agent. “It seems like after being stuck at home from the pandemic, suddenly people were out in force ready to find their next home.”

Linda Lee Tuggle, a Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago agent, put a two-bedroom condo in the Narragansett, an Art Deco skyscraper in the Chicago Beach section of Kenwood, on the market June 10, priced at $239,000. Five buyers called to look at it right away, she said, and once a solid offer was in hand, “I started turning people away when they called.” It was under contract June 14.

Here’s some stats that back up the anecdotal.

The week ended June 15 was the second in a row when more Chicago-area homes went under contract than in the corresponding week a year ago. It was also the first time that more homes went under contract than the week ended March 16, the last week before the crisis took hold. Buyers put 4,846 homes under contract in the week ended June 15, an increase of nearly 39 percent from the same time a year ago.

Open houses and showings are also up.

The June market appears to be hot.

Was fear about a big hit to Chicago’s housing market overblown?

Or is the housing downturn still to come later in the year as the recession impacts are felt?

Here comes the residential rebound [Crain’s Chicago Business, by Dennis Rodkin, June 16, 2020]

This 4-bedroom Victorian single family home at 3526 N. Marshfield in Lakeview came on the market in May 2020.

If it looks familiar, that’s because we have chattered about it several times over the last decade: in both 2013 and 2016, which was the last time it was on the market.

See our 2016 chatter here.

If you recall, the house is unique.

Built in 1889, it’s on an irregular lot measuring 27.2 x 73.5 x 60 x 51.5.

It has ornately carved faces on the exterior (see the listing pictures) and there are underground tunnels from the prohibition era that have been “blocked off.”

There’s a marble fireplace in the living room and a “preserved” oak staircase.

It’s being sold “as-is” again.

The living/dining rooms and kitchen are on the main floor.

The kitchen has dark cabinets and white and black appliances as well as a kitchen island.

3 bedrooms are on the second floor with a full bath.

The listing then describes a “tandem bedroom” in the third floor attic, which has skylights.

There’s a lower level, which the listing says is a “garden level” with a family room/den, a full bath, and the laundry and utility rooms.

The house does have central air and there is 1 outdoor parking spot along with a back deck and gated yard.

This house did not sell in either 2013 or 2016. It has now come on the market for the most expensive price yet.

It was listed in May 2020 at $809,000 and has been reduced to $799,000.

What will it take to finally sell this house?

Mary McIntire Petri at Exit Strategy has the listing. See the pictures and floor plans here.

3526 N. Marshfield: 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2500 square feet

• Sold in July 1991 for $160,500
• Sold in February 1994 for $176,000
• Was listed in March 2012 “as-is” for $550,000
• Re-listed in July 2013 for $650,000
• Re-listed in October 2016 “as-is” at $685,000
• Withdrawn
• Re-listed “as-is” in May 2020 for $809,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $799,000
• Taxes are now $10,957 (they were $8641 in 2016, $8056 in 2013 and $7958 in April 2012)
• Central Air
• 1-car outdoor parking
• Fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 20×12 (second floor)(is this the attic room?)
• Bedroom #2: 15×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 16×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 9×12 (second floor)
• Living room: 27×14 (main floor)
• Dining room: 14×13 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 16×13 (main floor)
• Family room: 30×17 (lower level)
• Laundry room: 12×7 (lower level)

This 3-bedroom townhouse at 3401 N. Janssen in Southport just came on the market.

Built in 1993, this townhouse complex has 15 units with a center courtyard, attached garages and rooftop decks.

This townhouse has 4 levels and the living room faces into the central courtyard.

The listing says the kitchen has been “updated” with white cabinets, a tile backsplash, and a center island. If you look at the pictures from the 2018 listing, the kitchen has wood cabinets and a wall on the island, that was removed to open the kitchen to the living/dining room.

One bedroom is on the main floor, along with a full bath and the one-car garage.

The other two bedrooms are on the third floor along with a bathroom.

The master bedroom has loft ceilings.

The fourth floor includes a den/office with skylights and the 15×10 rooftop deck that faces south.

This complex is just 2 blocks to the Southport El stop and all the shops and restaurants of Southport.

The listing says it’s in the Hamilton school district.

This townhouse has come on the market for $539,900, just 2 years after it last sold for $485,000.

Inventory of 3-bedroom townhouses is low in Southport.

Will it get the premium?

Dragana Rajic at Jameson Sotheby’s has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #B: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1700 square feet, townhouse

• Sold in October 2000 for $340,000
• Sold in December 2003 for $404,000
• Sold in October 2008 for $466,000
• Sold in September 2014 for $448,000
• Sold in July 2018 for $485,000
• Currently listed at $539,900
• Assessments of $170 a month (includes exterior maintenance, scavenger)
• Taxes of $8209
• Central Air
• Attached 1-car garage
• Bedroom #1: 14×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 15×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 14×9 (lower level)
• Living room: 17×11 (main floor)
• Dining room: 7×11 (main floor)
• Laundry room: 5×3 (main floor)
• Office: 11×11 (third floor)
• Deck: 15×10 (third floor)

This 2-bedroom penthouse duplex at 3252 N. Kenmore in Lakeview just came on the market.

This is a former church which was converted into condos in 1993. It has 14 units and attached heated garage parking.

It doesn’t appear that many of the “church” features were maintained in the conversion.

This unit is a corner with two walls of windows and skylights.

It has a private deck off the dining room that can fit a table and chairs as well as a grill.

The kitchen has white cabinets, quartz counter tops, stainless steel appliances, a breakfast bar that seats 4 and a wine fridge.

There’s a gas fireplace in the living room and 14 foot ceilings with wood beams.

There’s a half bath on the main floor.

The 2 bedrooms and den on are on the lower level along with the two full baths.

The master suite has a 8×10 walk-in-closet along with a en suite bath with a spa-like stand-up shower.

The listing says the office/den can be enclosed for a third bedroom.

It has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and attached heated garage parking.

It’s just a few blocks to the Belmont El stop and is surrounded by shops and restaurants of Lakeview.

The listing says its in the Nettlehorst school district.

At 1809 square feet, is this a good townhouse or single family home alternative?

Kathryn Schrage at Redfin has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #302: 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, duplex, penthouse, 1809 square feet

• Sold in June 1994 for $239,000
• Sold in December 1996 for $304,500
• Sold in April 2013 for $495,000
• Sold in April 2015 for $585,000
• Currently listed at $630,000 (includes garage parking)
• Assessments of $407 a month (includes exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger and snow removal)
• Taxes of $9718
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Gas fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 13×18 (lower level)
• Bedroom #2: 12×13 (lower level)
• Office: 12×10 (lower level)
• Living room: 18×19 (main level)
• Dining room: 11×17 (main level)
• Kitchen: 18×19 (main level)
• Walk-in-closet: 8×10 (lower level)

This 2-bedroom in 2016 W. Rice in Ukrainian Village came on the market in May 2020.

This building is a Ranquist development and was constructed in 2019. It has 8 units and garage parking.

This unit is a simplex penthouse.

It has the modern finishes that Ranquist is known for.

There are light hardwood floors throughout giving it that California look.

The kitchen has custom white and black (or gray?) modern cabinets with Bosch and Thermador appliances along with a big kitchen island that seats 4.

There’s a master suite with a walk-in-closet and a spa style bath with Ann Sacks tile.

The unit has the modern floating bathroom vanities and white, black and gray motif that is popular right now.

If you like outdoor space, this unit has two spaces including a large 25×10 terrace off the living room/kitchen and a private 20×15 rooftop deck.

It has the finishes buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and 1-car garage parking.

Originally bought in February of last year for $704,800, it has come back on the market at $724,900.

This building sold out quickly last year.

Will the first resale do the same?

Mark Icuss at Compass has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #301: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed, simplex

• Sold in February 2019 for $704,800 (according to Redfin)
• Originally listed in May 2020 for $724,900
• Currently still listed at $724,900 (garage parking included)
• Assessments of $321 a month (includes scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes are not listed
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 16×12
• Bedroom #2: 10×12
• Living room: 17×18
• Dining room: 14×9
• Kitchen: 14×12
• Walk-in-closet: 6×6
• Terrace: 25×10
• Rooftop deck: 23×12

This 6-bedroom historic row house at 2704 N. Lakeview in East Lincoln Park came on the market in February 2020.

But if it looks familiar, that’s because we last chattered about it in June 2018, which was the last time it was on the market.

You can see our chatter here.

It sold in 2018 after a full renovation.

Built in 1914, it is one of 4 row homes on Lincoln Park designed by Dangler & Adler.

If you recall, it’s 3-stories with a 4th floor set back that, according to the older listing, used to be a studio apartment.

This row house was sold in 2016 “as-is” and the 2018 listing said it hadn’t been lived in in years.

As of 2018, the row house had new Thermopane Low E windows, new copper plumbing and HVAC.

There’s now central air (just window units prior to the renovation) and a 3-car garage.

The property still has many of its vintage features including a living room with a huge skylight and moldings.

It has 4 fireplaces.

The kitchen has white and gray cabinets with 2 kitchen islands and luxury appliances along with the black industrial windows that are popular right now.

There’s a breakfast room off the kitchen.

One bedroom is on the second floor, three are on the third floor, including the master bedroom, and two are on the fourth floor, where the old studio apartment used to be.

It has extra features such as a theater room and an exercise room on the main floor.

There’s no basement or lower level.

There’s no yard but there’s a terrace off the kitchen.

But Lincoln Park is literally out the front door, so who needs a grass backyard?

The bathrooms have all been renovated in the classic white and black motif.

Listed in March 2018 at $7.2 million, the row house was sold in November 2018 for $4.75 million.

It came back on the market in February 2020 for $5.48 million, and remains at that price.

Will it get the premium the second time around?

Timothy Salm at Jameson Sotheby’s now has the listing. See the pictures here (no floor plan).

2704 N. Lakeview: 6 bedrooms, 4 full baths, 3 half baths, 10,018 square feet (2018 listing said that included the garage and terrace)

• Sold in November 2016 “as-is” for $1.8 million
• Renovated
• Originally listed in March 2018 for $7.2 million
• Sold in November 2018 for $4.75 million
• Originally listed in February 2020 for $5.48 million
• Currently still listed at $5.48 million
• Taxes are now $42,930 (they were $44,787 in 2018 and $40,976 in 2016)
• Central Air
• 3-car garage
• 4 fireplaces
• Bedroom #1: 21×19 (third floor)
• Bedroom #2: 14×13 (third floor)
• Bedroom #3: 15×9 (third floor)
• Bedroom #4: 14×12 (fourth floor)
• Bedroom #5: 14×9 (fourth floor)
• Bedroom #6: 17×23 (second floor)
• Living/dining room: 29×27 (second floor)
• Kitchen: 21×18 (second floor)
• Breakfast room: 21×9 (second floor)
• Study: 12×10 (second floor)
• Family room: 28×20 (second floor)
• Laundry room: 14×12 (second floor)
• Terrace: 17×14 (second floor)
• Exercise room: 18×10 (main floor)
• Theater: 21×12 (main floor)

This 2-bedroom in Chicago Place at 100 E. Huron in River North came on the market in March 2020.

Built in 1991, it originally had a shopping mall in its base and 204 condo units on the upper floors. The mall shut years ago but it still has some retail, and offices, in the base.

There’s a rental parking garage.

Chicago Place is a full service building with doormen, an indoor pool and an exercise room.

This is a corner 2-bedroom with north and west views.

The listing says it has had a “top to bottom renovation.”

That includes new 7.5 inch select grade French White Oak flooring throughout and LED lighting in all rooms.

The listing says the unit even has had a complete overhaul of all electrical including raising all switches and outlets to current code heights and installing Lutron dimmers and screwless plates.

The original windows in the building have a green frame. The listing says all windows and HVAC were sanded, primed and repainted.

There are remote controlled window treatments.

The kitchen has custom Omega cabinets, matte black kitchen hardware, quartzite counter tops with waterfall edge and JennAir NOIR custom integrated appliances.

The bathrooms have also been renovated with Robern uplift perimeter lit medicine cabinets, Toto Legato Washlet toilets, custom downlit floating vanities with soft mechanisms, Brizo matte black plumbing fixtures, and quartz and porcelain finishes.

There’s two walk-in closets.

The unit has the features buyers look for including central air, a nickel GE smart front load washer/dryer, and parking is available for rent in the building.

Originally listed in March 2020 for $825,000, it has been reduced to $749,000.

It was also listed for rent at $6,000 a month, which has been reduced to $5,500 a month.

Buyers love “new.”

Will this find a buyer at the new, lower, price?

David Mahoney at Jameson Sotheby’s has the listing (it appears to be agent-owned.) You can see pictures here.

Unit #2102: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1365 square feet

• Sold in October 1993 for $347,000
• Sold in September 1998 for $412,000
• Sold in December 2000 for $645,000
• Sold in August 2019 for $480,000
• Originally listed in March 2020 for $825,000
• Reduced several times
• Currently listed at $749,000
• Also listed for rent in March 2020 for $6,000 a month
• Reduced
• Currently listed for rent for $5,500 a month
• Assessments of $1085 a month (includes heat, a/c, doorman, cable, exercise room, Internet, pool, exercise room, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $10,132
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Parking available to rent in the building
• Bedroom #1: 15×12
• Bedroom #2: 14×12
• Living/dining combo: 25×17
• Kitchen: 13×9
• Foyer: 8×5
• Walk-in-closet: 5×5
• Walk-in-closet: 8×5