Crib Chatter

This 2-bedroom at 2017 W. Evergreen in Wicker Park came on the market in September 2019.

Built in 1890 on a larger than standard Chicago lot, this building has 6 units and deeded parking.

You may recall from prior chatter, that a new addition was built on the back of this building which is why there are 6 units.

This unit, however, is in the original vintage part of the building and has many of its vintage features including high ceilings, crown moldings and medallions and the original fireplace, which is now gas.

It has a large bay window and a wall of windows that overlooks the side yard.

The kitchen has wood cabinets, granite counter tops, a breakfast bar and stainless steel appliances.

The master bath is en suite with a large double vanity, soaking tub and shower.

It has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and deeded parking is available for $25,000.

Originally listed for $499,000 in September 2019, it had reduced to $459,000 plus the parking before being delisted on April 1 with the notation that there are “temporarily no showings.”

Will there be a surge in inventory once the reopen happens as listings like this one come “back” on the market?

Gregory Viti at BerkshireHathaway HomeServices has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #201: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1500 square feet

• Sold in October 2001 for $297,500 (included the parking)
• Sold in December 2009 for $400,000 (included the parking)
• Originally listed in September 2019 for $499,000
• Reduced to $459,000 (parking was $25,000 extra)
• De-listed on April 1 marked at “temporarily no showings”
• Assessments of $270 a month (includes scavenger)
• Taxes of $8,155
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 14×13
• Bedroom #2: 10×9
• Living room: 15×14
• Dining room: 10×9
• Kitchen: 9×8
• Office: 5×4

This 3-bedroom in 200 E. Pearson in Streeterville came on the market in August 2018.

Built in 1917, it only has 10 units with just 2 units per floor. There’s no doorman or parking but there is a full-time engineer.

And there is a sign in front of the building discussing the very famous architect who called the building his home.

From Chicago Apartments: A Century of Lakefront Luxury:

The ten-apartment residence bears Renaissance-inspired details that have variously been linked to the Palazzo Strozzi in Florence and the Palazzo Farnese in Rome.

The brown brick building, with cast concrete and metal trim, is locally celebrated as the home of Mies van der Rohe, who continued living there after completing and apparently briefly contemplating moving to his Lake Shore Drive Glass Houses a few blocks away.

This unit is in the east tier and has south facing views of the park and gardens of the Museum of Contemporary Art, where there is also a weekly Farmer’s Market (when there’s no COVID-19, of course.)

The listing says this unit has refinished hardwoods, moldings and freshly painted walls.

The kitchen is “newer” with white cabinets, stainless steel appliances and a butler pantry.

All three bedrooms are en suite.

Like many vintage units it also has a full-sized dining room and a wood burning fireplace.

While it does not have central air or space pak, only window units, it does have in-unit washer/dryer.

Parking is available to rent around the corner at 221 E. Chestnut.

Originally listed at $750,000 in August 2018, it has been reduced numerous times to $619,000.

The listing now says:

* * Motived seller ready to sell! * *

This is a co-op. The taxes are included in the monthly assessment of $1451. Do those seem low?

In February of 2008, we chattered about Unit #3E in this building. 12 years ago it had assessments of $2034 a month.

See that chatter here.

With a location just a block off of Michigan Avenue, could this be a deal for a vintage lover?

Jennifer Ames at Engel & Voelkers has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #4E: 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2177 square feet, co-op

• I don’t have a former sales price as it’s a co-op
• Originally listed in August 2018 for $750,000
• Reduced numerous times
• Currently listed at $619,000
• Assessments of $1451 a month (includes heat, gas, taxes, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal, Internet Access)
• Taxes are included in the assessment
• “motivated seller”
•  No central air- window units only
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• No parking- available for rent at 221 E Chestnut
• Wood burning fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 17×14
• Bedroom #2: 14×14
• Bedroom #3: 11×9
• Living room: 25×15
• Dining room: 21×14
• Kitchen: 16×10
• Foyer: 11×7
• Pantry: 9×8

This 3-bedroom triplex in The Greenhouses at 2131 N. Clark in Lincoln Park just came on the market.

The Greenhouses were built in 1976 and were designed by Gertrude Kerbis.

It has 11 units along with a roof top deck for residents and outdoor parking.

Crain’s Dennis Rodkin, when he was still with Chicago Magazine, explained their background back in 2013.

(Thanks to the Groove for posting a link to this in a prior chatter about this complex.)

“While working for two top Chicago architectural firms in the 1950s and ’60s, Gertrude Lempp Kerbis made contributions to design elements at O’Hare International Airport and the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado. Today’s tour is at a building that was a benchmark project for her, one that she has said was among the first places where she worked on her own.

Kerbis both designed and developed the residential building for a site on Clark Street and called it the Greenhouses.”

It has a unique design. None of the units have outside windows. They all face into the 2-story glass atriums which, according to our prior chatter, are heated.

Those atriums were expected to be like greenhouses, hence the name of the complex.

This unit has exposed brick walls and hardwood floors throughout.

According to the listing, it has a “brand new” kitchen with custom gray and white cabinetry, which appears to extend into the dining room, stainless steel appliances and white counter tops (quartz?).

The second floor has the three bedrooms, along with the master suite which overlooks the glass atrium.

There’s also a quirky third level den that is just 15×6 and has an exposed brick wall but, again, no windows.

According to the floor plan, it also has a big private terrace off the 2-story atrium but there’s no pictures of it. Nor are there pictures of it in the 2014 listing.

This unit has the features that buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and an exterior, outdoor parking spot.

With outdoor space at a premium, is a condo with an attached greenhouse and a private terrace a hot product?

Robert Adolfson at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #4: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2000 square feet, triplex

• Sold in July 1989 for $262,000
• Sold in June 2016 for $475,000
• Currently listed at $599,797 (includes one parking space)
• Assessments of $528 a month (includes exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $9821
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 14×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 15×10 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 10×10 (second floor)
• Den: 15×6 (third floor)
• Living room: 25×13 (main floor)
• Dining room: 11×11 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 11×10 (main floor)
• Atrium: 12×8
• Terrace: 27×11

This 3-bedroom at 215 W. Huron in the Gallery District neighborhood of River North just came on the market.

This building was constructed in 1888 and has 5 units, an elevator and garage parking.

We’ve chattered about several of these units in the past.

This is a full-floor unit with 15 windows and 3 exposures.

The listing says the unit was “completely rehabbed” in September 2016.

From the prior listing pictures on Redfin from the 2016 sale, it appears that the unit has a new kitchen, new baths, a wall was put up for the third bedroom and the doors and trim were painted white.

The kitchen now has gray cabinets, stainless steel Thermador commercial grade appliances, a white subway backsplash and stone counter tops with a breakfast bar.

There are oak floors throughout.

The master suite has a walk-in-closet and an en suite bathroom with a modern, wood double vanity and walk-in shower.

The listing says there was a new A/C in 2017, new furnace in 2017 and a new hot water heater in 2020.

It has central air and garage parking is included.

The Gallery District is surrounded by shops and restaurants and the Brown/Purple line El stop is just a block away.

The only thing this property doesn’t have is private outdoor space.

With the coronavirus shelter-in-place over the last 2 months having people yearning for the great outdoors, is this property at a disadvantage right now?

Melanie Broderick at Metro Realty has the listing. See the pictures here (no floor plan but there is one in the 2016 listing).

Unit #3: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2500 square feet

• Sold in April 1997 for $363,000
• Sold in November 2000 for $530,000
• Sold in March 2003 for $550,000
• Sold in December 2012 for $665,000
• Sold in July 2016 for $802,500
• Currently listed at $990,000
• Assessments of $375 a month (I don’t know what it includes as it says “see remarks” in the public listing)
• Taxes of $15,173
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Garage parking included
• Bedroom #1: 19×13
• Bedroom #2: 10×12
• Bedroom #3: 10×12
• Living/dining room: 28×23
• Kitchen: 17×10
• Foyer: 5×25
• Walk-in-closet: 7×10

This 4-bedroom townhouse at 3631 N. Pine Grove in East Lakeview came on the market in April 2020.

Built in 1978, there are 6 units and a private, gated drive which leads to outdoor parking.

This townhouse has some features that buyers look for, and can rarely find in a townhouse, including 4-bedrooms and a half-bath on the main floor.

The main floor features the living/dining rooms and kitchen along with a 2-sided wood burning fireplace with a gas starter.

The kitchen has wood 42″ cabinets, stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops with a double oven and a breakfast bar.

The second floor has 3 out of the four bedrooms, including the master suite which has a walk-in-closet and a luxury en suite bath with Grohe/Hans Grohe fixtures, heated floors and a double vanity with quartz counter tops.

The two other bedrooms both have Velux skylights and there’s a marble and limestone full bath.

The fourth bedroom is in the lower level, along with another full bath, a family room, the laundry room and a second wood burning fireplace with gas starter.

The listing says there were new windows in 2016, a newer furnace/AC/water heater in 2015, a new roof in 2019 and new tuck pointing in 2020.

The only outdoor space is a front patio, which the listing says is a new paver patio.

It has the other features buyers look for including central air and one parking space.

At 2700 square feet, this townhouse is the size of many single family homes.

At $699,000, is this a good single family home alternative one block from the lake?

Diana Grinnell at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #E: 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 2700 square feet, townhouse

• Sold in January 2015 for $580,000
• Currently listed at $699,000
• Assessments of $268 a month (includes exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $11,608
• Central Air
• Parking space included
• 2 wood burning fireplaces
• Bedroom #1: 14×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 14×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 12×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 14×12 (lower level)
• Living room: 21×13 (main floor)
• Dining room: 14×12 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 14×11 (main floor)
• Laundry room: 12×11 (lower level)
• Family room: 20×13 (lower level)

This 4-bedroom single family house at 4230 N. Marine in the Buena Park neighborhood of Uptown came on the market in March 2020.

Built in 1935, an older listing described the home as a “Georgian.” It’s on a larger than average gated lot measuring 75×110.

It has a 2-car attached garage and a rare city driveway.

It’s at the end of historic Hutchinson Street and faces Lake Shore Drive and Lake Michigan.

If this house looks familiar, that’s because we last chattered about it when it was on the market in 2011.

You can see our wild discussion of the house with all the cast of characters (miumiu, Milkster, Sonies, Bob, clio, Groove77, anon(tfo), jenny, Ze, anonny and more.) It’s amazing that many of you are still posting here all these years later.

You can see the chatter here.

If you recall, the house has some of its original features including a den with the original cherry wood paneling and 3 fireplaces.

It has some unique features including a first floor bedroom with attached bath, and a screened in hallway/porch.

The kitchen has white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops and terra cotta floors that extend into a family room with a fireplace.

The second floor, up a curving staircase, has the 3 other bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms.

The master suite has a large walk-in-closet as well as a private terrace.

There’s also a terrace off one of the other bedrooms.

The lower level has a family room, laundry room, kitchen and a temperature controlled custom wine cellar though there are only pictures of the wine cellar in the listing.

The house has central air.

After being on the market for a couple of years during the housing bust, it never sold.

It has come back on the market this year at $1.99 million.

With everyone desperate for outdoor space, does this house have an advantage?

Stephanie Turner at Century 21 SGR has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

4230 N. Marine Drive: 4 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, 6100 square feet, 2 car garage

• Sold in March 1993 for $475,000
• Sold in December 1998 for $1.15 million
• Originally listed in July 2009 for $3.99 million
• Reduced
• Was listed in June 2011, when we last chattered about it, for $2.695 million
• Listed in March 2020 for $1.99 million
• Currently still listed for $1.99 million
• Taxes are now $27,807 (they were $11077 in 2011)
• Central Air
• 3 fireplaces
• Large lot measuring 75×110
• Bedroom #1: 17×16 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 19×16 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 17×17 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 14×10 (main floor)
• Living room: 25×14 (main floor)
• Dining room: 22×15 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 25×12 (main floor)
• Office: 13×13 (main floor)
• Family room: 38×17 (lower level)
• Laundry room: 12×12 (lower level)

This 2-bedroom at 2851 N. Burling in Lakeview just came on the market.

Built in 1916, this building has 6 units and 3 separate private 1-car garages.

This unit has the layout and rooms that are common with vintage units including a four season room, a dining room and hardwood floors throughout.

The west facing unit has a private balcony off the front of the unit which, according to the pictures, fits a small bistro table and chairs.

The kitchen has white 42″ cabinets, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

There’s a separate office with a built-in bookcase.

This is also a rare vintage unit that has 2 full baths.

The listing says the second bath, which has a glass enclosed shower door, was converted from a half-bath into a full.

It has the features that buyers look for including washer/dryer in the unit, space pak cooling and one of the three private garage spaces.

It’s four blocks to the Diversey Brown/Purple line stop and near the Trader Joe’s and all the restaurants/shops on Clark and Broadway.

Listed at $496,000, this property seems to have it all.

Will it sell quickly?

Julie Roback at Baird & Warner has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #2S: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1550 square feet

• Sold in June 1993 for $181,000
• Sold in April 1995 for $186,500
• Sold in October 1996 for $185,000
• Sold in April 2002 for $350,000
• Sold in May 2009 for $406,000
• Sold in August 2013 for $470,000
• Currently listed at $496,000 (1-car garage parking included)
• Assessments of $357 a month (includes heat, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $8940
• Space Pak cooling
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 12×10
• Bedroom #2: 11×9
• Living room: 20×13
• Dining room: 18×12
• Kitchen: 14×8
• Office: 10×6
• Sunroom: 9×7
• Front balcony

This 2-bedroom in 1515 N. Wells in Old Town just recently came on the market.

Built in 2001, this building has 29 units and garage parking.

This unit has 12 foot ceilings and has been “freshly painted.”

There’s a master suite with a walk-in-closet and an en suite bathroom with a double vanity.

The kitchen has white cabinets, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

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

But the real selling point is the massive 28×10 private, fenced deck.

According to the listing pictures, it looks like a blank slate with concrete floors, but an urban garden could easily be created just using potted plants and flowers.

After months of sheltering-in-place for months due to the coronavirus, will properties with big outdoor spaces sell quickly this summer?

Juliana Yeager at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #3F: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed

• Sold in June 2001 for $271,500 (parking included)
• Sold in August 2005 for $511,000 (parking included)
• Listed in April 2020 for $535,000 (parking included)
• Assessments of $481 a month (includes scavenger)
• Taxes of $8758
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 18×11
• Bedroom #2: 12×10
• Living room: 18×12
• Dining room: 12×11
• Kitchen: 10×7
• Deck: 28×10

This 6-bedroom contemporary single family home at 3540 N. Ravenswood in Roscoe Village came on the market in May 2018.

Long time readers will recognize it because we chattered about it several times in 2011 and 2012.

You can read our 2012 chatter here where we debated the pros and cons of having a basketball court.

If you recall, this house is on a corner double lot measuring 50×125.

It was built in 2007 just as the Great Recession was about to hit.

It has many unique features including 2 kitchens: one that is stainless steel and one that has white cabinets and a large island.

There are four en suite bedrooms and a large master suite.

It has 3 laundry areas.

It has a home theater and a small indoor swimming pool.

If you recall, one of its big selling points was a 4,000 square foot outdoor rooftop deck with a basketball court.

The house also has a rare 4-car attached heated garage.

It’s also now available fully furnished.

Originally listed at $2,899,900 in May 2018, it has been reduced $400,900 to $2,499,000.

Is the luxury market going to seize up this summer?

Marta Landrosh at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices has the listing. See the pictures here.

3540 N. Ravenswood: 6 bedrooms, 6 baths, 7200 square feet, 4 car parking

• I couldn’t find any original sales price but it appears to have been built in 2007 (from our prior chatter there appears to be several PINs on the property)
• Was listed in March 2010 for $3.75 million
• Reduced
• Sold in June 2013 for $2.4 million
• Originally listed in May 2018 for $2,899,900
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $2.699 million
• Withdrawn in March 2019
• Re-listed in March 2020
• Currently listed at $2.499 million
• Taxes are still $46,097 (they were $13,329 in 2012)
• 2 Kitchens
• Indoor Pool
• Basketball court
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 22×50 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 22×18 (main level)
• Bedroom #3: 22×18 (main level)
• Bedroom #4: 22×18 (main level)
• Bedroom #5: 12×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #6: 12×12 (second floor)
• Family room: 25×25 (main level)
• Theater: 25×25 (main level)
• 2nd Kitchen: 15×12 (second floor)

This 2-bedroom in The Fordham at 25 E. Superior in River North came on the market in July 2019.

The Fordham was built in 2002 and has 244 units and garage parking. It’s a full-service building with a pool and exercise room.

The listing for this unit says it has been taken down to the studs and has been totally redone.

It has brand new 8″ wide plank hardwood floors in the main living space.

The living room has a large media center with a 75″ Sony tv system.

The kitchen has custom white cabinets along with a kitchen island and luxury appliances by Subzero and Miele. There’s even a cappuccino maker.

The master suite has a walk-in-closet and an en suite bathroom.

This unit has a north facing balcony overlooking Holy Name Cathedral.

It has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and garage parking is available for $40,000.

Originally listed for $949,000 in July 2019, it has been reduced to $874,000.

Buyers like completely renovated properties.

Why isn’t this selling?

Terri McAuley at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #1403: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1347 square feet

• Sold in August 2016 for $639,000 (included the parking)
• Originally listed in July 2019 for $949,000
• Reduced several times
• Currently listed at $874,000 (plus $40,000 for parking)
• Assessments of $771 a month (includes a/c, gas, doorman, cable, Internet, exercise room, pool, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $10,811
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 14×12
• Bedroom #2: 10×10
• Living/dining room: 22×13
• Kitchen: 12×11
• Walk-in-closet: 6×5