Crib Chatter

This 3-bedroom penthouse at 1611 N. Hermitage in Bucktown came on the market in October 2019.

Built in 2015, it has 17 units, garage parking and an elevator.

The elevator opens directly into this penthouse unit.

The listing says this condo has a square floor plan versus the more common “bowling alley” type floorplan.

It has 47 feet of floor to ceiling windows with unobstructed views of the city and a front terrace spanning that entire 47 feet, with a partial cover pergola.

The master suite also has its own 17×36 terrace off the back of the unit.

The private rooftop terrace is accessed by an interior staircase and has decorative pergolas, wainscoting, composite decking, a watering system, electric, gas and custom planters along with skyline views.

The listing says there is 2100 square feet in the interior and 2100 square feet of exterior space.

The kitchen has white cabinets, an island, and stainless steel appliances.

Of the other 2 bedrooms, it looks like one is interior and doesn’t have a window and is currently being used as a den.

The unit has the other features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and 2-deeded parking spaces, although I can’t tell if that’s included in the price or not.

If you’re a fan of outdoor space but love condo living, is this a dream home?

Sophia Klopas at BerkshireHathaway Homeservices has the listing. See the pictures here (no floor plan).

Unit #405: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2200 square feet (although the listing also says the interior is 2100 square feet)

• I can’t find a prior sale. Did it ever sell originally?
• Originally listed in October 2019 for $1.29 million
• Currently still $1.29 million
• Assessments of $887 a month (includes gas, parking, scavenger)
• Taxes of $20,664
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Fireplace
• 2 deeded parking spaces (included or not?)
• Bedroom #1: 18×14
• Bedroom #2: 15×13
• Bedroom #3: 15×11
• Foyer: 12×10
• Living room: 30×18
• Kitchen: 16×18
• Laundry room: 5×6
• Terrace: 47×6 (front)
• Terrace: 17×36 (back)
• Terrace: 47×22 (rooftop)

This 5-bedroom loft at 1421 S. Wabash in the South Loop came on the market in October 2019.

It’s just a 5-unit building but has an elevator and heated garage parking.

This is the top floor penthouse and has authentic loft features including 24 foot exposed brick walls and a timber ceiling.

The kitchen has white cabinets and stainless steel appliances.

It has a wet bar.

The listing says there’s a fully enclosed porch and skylights.

There’s surround sound, central air, and in-unit washer/dryer.

Being the penthouse, it has roof rights where the listing says a 2500 square foot deck can be added.

The listing also says it was featured by Oprah and designed by Nate Berkus. (Does this matter anymore? That would have been ages ago.)

The loft has central air and heated garage parking.

Originally listed at $1,025,000, it has been reduced $25,100 to $999,900.

It last sold less than 2-years ago for $950,000.

Will they get the premium in this market?

Emily Phair at Keller Williams Lincoln Park has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #3E: 5 bedrooms, 4 baths, 3800 square feet, duplex up

• Sold in December 1999 for $492,500
• Sold in June 2006 for $1,011,000
• Sold in March 2014 for $885,000
• Sold in January 2018 for $950,000
• Originally listed in October 2019 for $1,025,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $999,900 (includes 1-car heated garage parking)
• Assessments of $445 a month (includes exterior maintenance, scavenger)
• Taxes of $16,644
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Roof rights
• Bedroom #1: 21×20
• Bedroom #2: 17×9
• Bedroom #3: 15×9
• Bedroom #4: 17×9
• Bedroom #5: 13×14
• Laundry room: 9×7

This 3-bedroom in Benjamin Marshall’s Gold Coast masterpiece at 1544 N. State Parkway came on the market in May 2019.

1550 N. State Parkway was constructed in 1912 and has just 32 units. It’s exterior is covered in limestone.

It has a doorman but no parking.

The building also has a shorter side building with maisonettes at 1544 N. State Parkway. This unit is one of those maisonettes.

The units don’t have the same tall ceilings and vintage features as the main building.

We’ve actually chattered about this unit several times in the past, with the last time in July 2012.

See our chatter here.

It was a short sale for several years and appears to finally have sold in an auction from the bank in 2016.

It’s now been renovated and has a new kitchen and baths.

The listing calls it a “dream kitchen and wet bar” with European materials with 10 foot island and full counters and backsplash in Taj Mahal Quartzite. It has Thermador appliances with “touch open” technology.

The bathrooms have custom vanities.

There’s a decorative fireplace, built-ins and some vintage crown molding in the living/dining room.

It has baseboard heating but it’s unclear about central air. The listing says there isn’t any.

It does have in-unit washer/dryer but no parking.

The unit was originally listed at $1,049,999 in May 2019 and has been reduced $130,999 to $919,000.

Buyers love renovated properties.

Why isn’t this selling?

Marcello Navarro at Compass has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #A3: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1850 square feet

• Sold in January 1988 for $289,000
• Sold in June 1997 for $335,000
• Sold in April 1999 for $442,000
• Sold in January 2004 for $865,000
• Sold in July 2006 for $950,000
• Originally listed in November 2009 for $1.135 million
• Lis pendens filed in May 2011
• Sold in March 2016 for $413,500
• Originally listed in May 2019 for $1,049,999
• Reduced several times
• Currently listed at $919,000
• Assessments are now $2169 a month (they were $1947 a month in 2012) (includes ?- it’s not listed except in listing remarks)
• Taxes are now $20,588 (they were $13484 in July 2012)
• No central air?
• In-unit washer/dryer
• No parking – rental nearby
• Decorative fireplaces
• Bedroom #1: 17×14
• Bedroom #2: 14×13
• Bedroom #3: 11×8
• Living room/Dining room: 23×17
• Kitchen: 17×11
• Bar: 10×5

This 2-bedroom condo on the 46th floor of the Water Tower Condominiums at 180 E. Pearson in Streeterville came on the market in July 2018.

Built in 1975, Water Tower Condominiums has 260 units and leased parking. It’s most famous for being the building that Oprah Winfrey lived in for years.

It’s a full service building with 24-hour doorman and room service available from the Ritz Carlton Hotel which is in the base of the building.

The listing for this unit says it is in “original condition.”

It has lake views from some of its windows.

The 1775 square foot unit has a partially opened to the living/dining room all-white kitchen (is that the original oven?).

It has a master suite with a master bathroom and walk-in-closet. Be sure to check out the bathroom pictures.

There’s an actual laundry room with a side-by-side washer/dryer.

This unit has assessments of just $1009 a month. I found an older listing which had them at $1497 a month.

Water Tower Condos has apparently cut its monthly assessments.

Yes, you read that right. It CUT them.

From Dennis Rodkin at Crain’s:

For a three-bedroom, 2,750-square-foot unit, monthly assessments have been $2,550 a month, Rosenblum said, and will drop to $1,750 a month when the 32.6 percent reduction takes effect Jan. 1. That’s a savings of $9,600 a year.

“This is big,” Rosenblum said. “Where else do you see monthly costs going down?”

Crain’s could not reach Debbie Lipoff, the condo association’s board president, to request comment. Board members won’t talk to the media about the reduction in assessments, said both Rosenblum and  Bruce Johnson-Reid, a Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty agent representing a unit on the 65th floor that has been on the market since April at $2.1 million. But both agents said the reduction came because board members looked at the association’s hefty reserve fund—$28 million, according to Rosenblum—and no imminent need for costly repairs or updates to the 40-story residential portion of the 70-story multi-use tower.

The building has a marble-clad exterior so it’s not surprising that the board might be conservative about having a large reserve fund.

But many of the new construction buildings don’t have high assessments so it’s been hard to compete in this market.

Right now, the monthly fees are $2,537 on the three-bedroom condo Johnson-Reid is representing, which has an asking price of $2.1 million. The cut will reduce that to around $1,710.

A condo of about the same size and price at Renelle on the River, a new tower on Wabash Avenue near the Chicago River, comes with monthly fees of $1,568, or $12,000 a year less. Approximately the same unit for sale at 340 on the Park, on Randolph Street near Millennium Park, has monthly fees of $1,065, or about $17,600 less per year than a comparable Water Tower unit.

This unit was originally listed in July 2018 for $800,000.

It has been reduced to $699,000.

There’s no prior sales listed in the public record except a Trustees Deed in 1999 for $725,000.

With lower assessments and the high floor, is this a deal?

Stephanie Cutter at Coldwell Banker has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #4603: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1775 square feet

• No prior sales listed back to 1987
• Originally listed in July 2018 for $800,000
• Reduced several times
• Currently listed at $699,000
• Assessments of $1009 a month (includes doorman, cable, Internet, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $14,426
• Parking is available for lease at $350-$510 a month
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 16×13
• Bedroom #2: 15×11
• Living room: 20×15
• Dining room: 13×11
• Kitchen: 14×10
• Laundry room: 9×5
• Walk-in-closet: 10×7
• Foyer: 9×8

This 4-bedroom row house at 55 W. Schiller in the Gold Coast came on the market in June 2017.

Built in 1868, the listing says it is an Adler-designed property.

It’s on a 18.5 x 106 lot.

The listing also says it was completely renovated in 2017 with a top floor addition.

It has oak herringbone pattern floors, crown molding and four fireplaces, including two which are marble.

The kitchen has custom cabinets and a Prunella marble workstation by Waterworks. It has luxury stainless steel appliances including a double wide refrigerator.

3 of the four bedrooms are on the third floor with the master bedroom on the fourth floor.

The master suite overlooks a planted terrace and has a walk-in-closet and a spa bath with marble floors and a glass and steam shower.

There’s a family room and the fifth bedroom/library on the lower level, which is the same as the garage. According to the prior listing it has antique cement tiles that were salvaged from European villas.

The backyard is limestone paved and landscaped.

The row house has a rare attached front 1-car garage and a small driveway which has exterior snow melt and room for a second car.

It has multiple-zoned HVAC.

Originally listed in June 2017 for $4.2 million, it has been reduced $1.205 million to $2.995 million.

Is this now finally priced to sell?

Mario Greco at Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices now has the listing. See the pictures and the floor plan here.

55 W. Schiller: 5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, 4,000 square feet

• Sold in 1989 (no price listed)
• Sold in November 2007 for $959,000
• Possibly also sold in December 2013 for $970,000 (Zillow and Redfin both say it sold in 2013 but the CCRD doesn’t show this sale)
• Originally listed in June 2017 for $4.2 million
• Reduced several times
• Currently listed for $2.995 million
• Taxes are now $21,748 (they were $20,759 in January 2019)
• Central Air
• 1-car front attached garage
• 4 fireplaces (including 2 marble)
• Bedroom #1: 17×16 (third floor)
• Bedroom #2: 15×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 14×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 15×9 (second floor)
• Bedroom #5 (called a library in the prior listing): 13×10 (lower level)
• Family room: 16×15 (lower level)
• Walk-in-closet: 13×8 (third floor)

This 2-bedroom in 717 W. Briar in East Lakeview came on the market in September 2019.

The building was constructed in 1891 but it was renovated into condos in 2002. It has 7 units and deeded enclosed parking.

This unit has “loft-like” features including exposed brick and ductwork throughout.

The living room is elevated from the kitchen area which has white cabinets, stainless steel appliances and a breakfast bar.

There’s a master suite with an en suite bath with a double vanity, separate shower and soaking tub.

The second bedroom also has a window.

The unit has a balcony that overlooks the back yard.

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

Originally listed at $449,000, it has been reduced $20,000 to $429,000.

Can this condo compete with the new luxury apartments going up around the Lakeview?

Daniel Close at Redfin has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #1W: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square feet listed (but in 2015 it had 1200 square feet)

• Sold in December 2002 for $355,000
• Sold in November 2005 for $430,000
• Sold in May 2015 for $399,000
• Originally listed for $449,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $429,000 (parking included)
• Assessments of $216 a month (includes snow removal)
• Taxes of $7157
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Gas fireplace
• Balcony
• Bedroom #1: 15×18
• Bedroom #2: 10×12
• Living room: 11×15
• Kitchen: 12×16

This new construction 3-bedroom duplex at 2025 W. Crystal in Wicker Park came on the market in June 2019.

If it looks familiar that’s because we chattered about it in August 2019.

See our chatter here.

Remember, this is a new 3-unit boutique building with parking.

The design of this building is a bit different from the new construction we’ve seen post- Great Recession.

This unit is Unit #2 and has 23-foot floor to ceiling windows with huge folding glass doors that the listing says creates an indoor/outdoor atmosphere “unfound in Chicago.”

The floors are 3 1/4? oak.

The kitchen has modern light wood looking cabinets, quartz counter tops, a glass backsplash and a large island.

There are built-out closets in every room.

Two of the bedrooms are on the main floor with the third on the second floor.

The master bedroom has an attached bathroom with a dual vanity and Grohe fixtures.

It has central air, washer/dryer in the unit and one car parking.

When we last chattered about it, it was listed at $695,000. The unit has now been reduced by $45,000 to $650,000.

It also has added some buyer incentives. The listing says: “Seller incentive to buyer – 2019 taxes and assessments paid.”

Will this price cut and incentives be enough to get a sale?

Danielle Dowell at BerkshireHathaway KoenigRubloff still has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #2: 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, no square footage given, duplex up

• New construction
• Originally listed in June 2019
• Was listed in August 2019 at $695,000 (includes 1-car parking)
• Currently listed at $650,000 (includes 1-car parking)
• Assessments of $250 a month (includes exterior maintenance and scavenger)
• Taxes are “new”
• Bedroom #1: 12×16 (main floor)
• Bedroom #2: 11×12 (main floor)
• Bedroom #3: 11×12 (second floor)
• Kitchen: 15×9 (main floor)
• Living room: 30×18 (main floor)
• Deck: 11×8 (main floor)

This 3-bedroom duplex loft in the Blue Moon Lofts at 215 N. Aberdeen in Fulton Market came on the market in May 2019.

The Blue Moon Lofts were built in 1902 and converted into loft condos in 2001 when there was only Oprah in the neighborhood.

It has 73 units and a parking garage.

This duplex has 18 foot ceilings and a wall of exposed brick as well as exposed duct work.

It has a balcony.

There are hardwood floors throughout with two bedrooms on the main floor and a lofted third bedroom.

The master suite has a bath with a double sink and body sprays and is, I think, on the second floor.

There’s a 9×17 walk-in-closet on the second floor as well as a skylight.

The kitchen has white cabinets, LG stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops, a tile backsplash and an island.

This loft has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and garage parking is available for $35,000 extra.

It came on in May 2019 at $829,900 and has been reduced to $699,999 (plus the $35,000 for parking).

This building is one of the few that is actually IN Fulton Market and not just near it. Most of Fulton Market is commercial buildings or hotels with few apartment or condo buildings.

With Fulton Market continuing to be one of the hottest neighborhoods, why isn’t this selling?

Cindi Sodolski at Compass has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #311A: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 1900 square feet, duplex up

• Sold in January 2001 for $349,000 (included the parking)
• Sold in May 2001 for $385,000
• Sold in June 2003 for $330,000
• Sold in August 2006 for $410,000
• Sold in November 2013 for $460,000
• Originally listed in May 2019 for $829,900
• Reduced several times
• Currently listed at $699,999 (plus $35,000 for parking)
• Assessments of $818 a month (includes cable, scavengers, snow removal)
• Taxes of $12,293
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 11×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 11×11 (main floor)
• Bedroom #3: 10×17 (main floor)
• Walk-in-closet: 9×17 (second floor)
• Living room/dining room: 19×20
• Kitchen: 12×9

This 3-bedroom vintage condo in Commonwealth Towers at 2920 N. Commonwealth in East Lakeview came on the market in February 2019.

Built in 1929, it has just 24 units and rental parking which I’m not sure if it’s attached to the building or not.

The listing says this is the preferred tier in the building which has south, east and west views.

At 3,000 square feet, it has some of its vintage features intact including crown moldings, arched doorways and a barrel vaulted gallery.

It also has the large room sizes of vintage units along with a formal dining room.

The unit also has a family room and a den, which the listing says could be used as a fourth bedroom.

The master bedroom has a renovated bath with a double vanity.

The kitchen has white cabinets and stone counter tops.

The unit has the features buyers look for including central air (but it also lists space pak), a “complete laundry station” and parking is available to rent for $235 a month.

Originally listed at $775,000 in February 2019 it has been reduced to $635,000.

That’s $395,000 below the 2004 sales price of $1,030,000.

Is this truly one of the best deals in the city?

Brad Lippitz at Compass has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #5A: 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 3000 square feet

• Sold in July 1989 for $312,000
• Sold in February 1992 for $340,000
• Sold in April 1994 for $351,000
• Sold in May 1996 for $450,000
• Sold in August 1998 for $543,000
• Sold in December 2004 for $1,030,000
• Originally listed in February 2019 for $775,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $635,000
• Assessments of $1595 a month (includes heat, cable, Internet, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $15,602
• Central Air (space pak?)
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Parking is $235 a month (not sure it’s attached or not)
• Fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 18×13
• Bedroom #2: 19×12
• Bedroom #3: 11×10
• Den: 19×11
• Gallery: 9×18
• Living room: 28×16
• Dining room: 20×15
• Kitchen: 22×13
• Family room: 16×20

This 4-bedroom single family home at 1652 N. Cleveland in Old Town came on the market in May 2019.

If it looks familiar, that’s because we chattered about it in June 2019.

Back in June, many of you talked about the crime in this part of the neighborhood and that there isn’t a 2-car garage but that it’s a 1-car. The current listing now does say it’s a 1-car.

See our chatter here.

Also, there’s no more mention in the listing of the Treasure Island in the neighborhood (as it closed down in 2018).

If you recall, it was built in 1876, the listing simply says the lot size is less than .25 an acre. It’s unclear if it’s a smaller than average Chicago lot.

Located across from St. Michael’s Church, it has hardwood floors on the first level which includes the kitchen, the living room and the family room.

The laundry can also be found on the first floor.

The kitchen has white cabinets and counter tops along with stainless steel appliances and an island.

There’s a 25×8 deck off the family room but no back yard, per say.

The house has the preferred layout of 3 bedrooms on the second floor including the master bedroom which has skylights.

There’s also two bathrooms on the second level and one has a double vanity.

The lower level includes a recreation room and a fourth room which, the listing says, could be a fourth bedroom.

There’s also space for storage.

It has other features buyers look for including central air and a rare attached 1-car garage (the attached part is rare.)

The listing says its in the Lincoln elementary school district.

Listed for $985,000 in June 2019, it was lowered to $875,000 in July 2019 and has been at that price ever since.

Will it take a price under $800,000 to get this sold?

Anik Zampini at d’aprile properties still has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

1652 N. Cleveland: 4 bedroom, 2.5 baths, 2297 square feet

• Sold in August 1994 for $380,000
• Was listed in June 2019 for $985,000
• Reduced in July 2019 to $875,000
• Currently still listed at $875,000
• Taxes are now $16,556 (they were $14,328 in June 2019)
• Central Air
• 1-car attached garage
• Deck: 25×8
• Bedroom #1: 14×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 14×10 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 10×10 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 16×10 (lower level)
• Living room: 14×13 (main floor)
• Family room: 19×14 (main floor)