Crib Chatter

This 1-bedroom in the Kedvale Castle at 4215 N. Kedvale in Irving Park came on the market in July 2019.

Best I can tell, this building was constructed in 1928 and has 38 units and no parking.

It is called the “Kedvale Castle” by the locals due to, well, it looking like a castle.

This building was apartments up until the housing bubble when it was converted into condos in 2005-2006.

This unit is a garden unit which looks to be at street level.

It has fairy tale arched windows and arched doorways throughout.

The listing says it has a “brand new” kitchen with white cabinets, white counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

The vintage bathroom (the green tile looks to be original as other units also have it) has a new vanity.

The unit has assigned storage and bike storage in the basement.

There’s no central air, just a window unit.

There’s laundry in the building.

This building is in a great location for commuting on either the blue line or the metra, which are just about 3 blocks away.

This unit is listed at $135,000, which is just $2,000 under the 2005 housing boom sales price.

But with mortgage rates lower than 2005, and rents higher, is this a good starter apartment for a first time buyer?

Tanice Forte at d’aprile properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #GN: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, no square footage listed

• Sold in December 2005 for $137,000
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in May 2007
• Bank owned in July 2010
• Sold in February 2011 for $45,000
• Listed in July 2019 for $135,000
• Currently still listed at $135,000
• Assessments of $253 a month (includes heat, gas, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $1317
• No central air. Window air conditioning unit
• No in-unit washer/dryer but laundry in the building
• Radiant heating
• Bedroom: 12×13
• Living room: 18×13
• Dining room: 11×13
• Kitchen: 8×8

This 4-bedroom Tudor mansion at 1221 N. Astor first came on the market in July 2013.

It has been on and off the market since then with the latest listing coming on in February 2019.

Built in 1892 on a 50×67 irregular Chicago lot, it has a 12 foot gated entry with 3 parking spaces on a private brick paver driveway.

The house has some unique features including a limestone and granite paneled and domed foyer with a central staircase which was added to the home in 1912 by architect John E. Youngberg.

It has 2 gas fireplaces and 2 terraces along with 5 Juliet balconies with French doors.

3 of the 4 bedrooms are on the third floor with the fourth on the main floor.

It has a finished lower level with a recreation room and an exercise room.

The kitchen appears to have antique country French style cabinets, stone counter tops and luxury stainless steel appliances.

It’s on the main floor with the family room.

This house also has a unique feature of having a “catering kitchen” on the second floor which also has the dining room and the formal living room.

Listed in February 2019 at $3.2 million it has been reduced to $2.95 million.

Will this house finally sell in 2019?

Katherine Malkin at Compass has the listing. See the pictures here.

1221 N. Astor: 4 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, 5300 square feet

• Sold in May 1988 for $930,000
• Sold in July 1990 for $1.8 million
• First listed in July 2013
• Did go under contract in 2018
• Re-listed in February 2019 for $3.2 million
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $2.95 million
• Taxes of $52,155
• 3 car parking on the paver driveway included
• 2 gas fireplaces
• Bedroom #1: 24×22 (third floor)
• Bedroom #2: 12×12 (third floor)
• Bedroom #3: 12×12 (third floor)
• Bedroom #4: 17×13 (main floor)
• Office: 15×14 (second floor)
• Exercise room: 22×14 (lower level)
• Family room: 27×21 (main floor)
• Second kitchen: 14×9 (second floor)
• Terrace: 16×6
• Balcony: 16×6 (second floor)

This 3-bedroom loft at 1237 N. Honore in Wicker Park came on the market in July 2019.

This building has 7 units, according to the listing, but in prior chattering about other units in this building there were 13 units.

Either way, the listing says it has been “flawlessly renovated” and has exposed brick walls and timber ceilings.

It’s a corner unit with several walls of big, industrial windows.

The listing describes the kitchen as a “chef’s kitchen” with stainless steel appliances, dark wood cabinets and stone counter tops.

The 3 bedrooms have full height walls and it appears that two of them have windows, including the master suite.

The listing says there are skyline views from the rooftop deck, but it’s unclear if that’s for the building or is private to the unit.

The loft has the other features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and 2 outdoor secure parking spots are included.

Currently listed at $950,000, this loft sold in 2017 for $875,000.

Will it get the premium just 2 years later?

Carrie McCormick at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #3S: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2460 square feet

• Sold in August 1993 for $206,000
• Sold in January 2003 for $426,000
• Sold in April 2017 for $875,000
• Originally listed in July 2019 for $950,000
• Currently still listed at $950,000 (includes 2 outdoor secure parking spots)
• Assessments of $424 a month (includes exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger)
• Taxes of $14,644
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 14×16
• Bedroom #2: 12×14
• Bedroom #3: 24×8
• Living room: 24×33
• Dining room: 15×10
• Kitchen: 24×13

This 2-bedroom loft in the Signature Lofts at 1750 N. Wolcott in Bucktown came on the market in July 2019.

Converted into lofts in 2001, this building has 26 units and a parking garage along with a shared rooftop deck.

This loft has 11 foot timber ceilings and exposed brick walls which have been painted white.

The kitchen has white cabinets and a wood island with a marble counter top. The rest of the kitchen counter tops are limestone.

It has gold fixtures by Waterworks and Bertazzoni and Miele appliances.

The master suite doesn’t appear to have any windows. It opens to a walk-in closet with custom cabinets and has an attached bathroom.

The second bedroom has a window and flows seamlessly, with apparently no door, into the living/dining area.

The loft has the features buyers look for including central air and washer/dryer in the unit.

One garage parking space is included and a second one is available to lease.

This building has been the hottest loft building in Bucktown over the last decade.

Will buyers still pay a premium to live here in 2019?

Terri McAuley at BerkshireHathaway KoenigRubloff has the listing. See the pictures here.

Or see it in person at the open house on Sunday, Aug 11 from 12-2 PM.

Unit #101: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1200 square feet

• Sold in June 2001 for $258,000
• Sold in July 2005 for $392,500
• Sold in July 2008 for $420,000
• Was listed in July 2019 for $619,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $594,000
• Assessments of $405 a month (includes cable, Internet, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $8736
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Garage parking included (second space available to lease)
• Bedroom #1: 16×12
• Bedroom #2: 14×11
• Living room: 19×18
• Kitchen: 15×10
• Walk-in-closet: 8×10

This 2-bedroom in The Edison Grand at 711 W. Grand in River West came on the market in July 2019.

Built in 2006, this building has 15 units and a parking garage.

The unit has 10 foot ceilings and cherry wood floors.

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

The master suite has a bathroom with a double vanity and a walk-in closet along with its own private balcony.

The unit has a side-by-side washer/dryer that is in the butler’s pantry.

It also has the other features buyers look for which is central air, and the listing says it has a new HVAC, and garage parking which is $35,000 extra.

This part of River West near the blue line stop has gotten hot.

It’s within walking distance of Fulton Market.

Originally listed for $540,000, it has already been reduced $10,000 to $530,000.

With the parking included this unit is listed for $565,000.

Is a sales price over $500,000 the new reality for a 2/2 in this neighborhood?

Garrett Luehrs at Compass has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #302: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1450 square feet

• Sold in May 2008 for $450,000 (included the parking)
• Sold in March 2013 for $436,000 (included the parking)
• Originally listed in July 2019 for $540,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $530,000 (parking is $35,000 extra)
• Assessments of $371 a month (includes security system, exterior maintenance, scavenger)
• Taxes of $9852
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 13×19
• Bedroom #2: 13×12
• Living room: 24×17
• Kitchen: 13×15
• Laundry room: 5×11
• Walk-in-closet: 5×11

This 2-bedroom in the Astor Villa at 1430 N. Astor in the Gold Coast came on the market in June 2019.

The Astor Villa was constructed in 1972 and has 48 units and a parking garage. It’s a doorman building which also has an exercise room.

This unit has been renovated by the prior owner and has east and west exposures including an extra long terrace that overlooks Astor Street from the 17th floor.

It has a contemporary kitchen with off-white cabinets, quartz counter tops, a Wolf stove top, Thermador dishwasher and an apron sink.

There’s a master suite with a large marble bath with dual vanity and walk-in closet.

The unit has features buyers look for such as in-unit washer/dryer and assigned garage parking.

It doesn’t have central air, but as was common with the late 1960s/early 1970s high rises, it has wall unit heating and cooling.

This property is on the historic blocks of Astor Street where there are more single family homes than condos.

Originally listed for $589,000 in June, it has been reduced $4,000 to $585,000.

Astor Street used to have some of the top cache in the city.

But with Fulton Market and Logan Square booming, do Millennials or GenZ care?

Who’s the target buyer for Gold Coast condos in 2019?

Dawn Lunch at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #17B: 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1528 square feet

• I couldn’t find the original price
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in December 2009
• Lis pendens filed in October 2013
• Bank owned in April 2016
• Sold by the bank in November 2016 for $350,500
• Sold in July 2018 for $565,000
• Originally listed in June 2019 for $589,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $585,000 (assigned parking included)
• Assessments of $1660 a month (includes gas, parking, doorman, cable, exercise room, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $5582
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 20×12
• Bedroom #2: 13×13
• Living room: 25×22
• Kitchen: 18×9
• Laundry room: 3×3
• Walk-in-closet: 7×6
• Balcony: 5×24

This 3-bedroom triplex penthouse loft in the Bronzeville Lofts at 50 E. 26th in Bronzeville came on the market in July 2019.

The Bronzeville Lofts were apparently one of the original auto showrooms, most of which are found a little north of here on Michigan Avenue.

It was converted into loft condos in 2004 during the housing boom. There are 42 lofts and garage parking.

This building saw foreclosures and short sales in the housing bust.

The listing for this penthouse loft says it was “completely remodeled” with new hardwoods throughout.

The loft has authentic loft features including exposed brick, timber ceilings, 14 foot windows in the living room and exposed duct work.

It has a brand new kitchen with white cabinets, quartz counter tops, a waterfall island with butler’s pantry and stainless steel appliances.

The first bedroom is on the main floor along with the living room, dining room and kitchen.

There’s a lofted den on the second floor along with the master suite which has a walk-in closet and bathroom.

The third floor has a separate recreation room along with a rooftop deck which has a hot tub.

The loft also has a balcony with city views.

It has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and garage parking is $50,000 extra.

Originally listed for $650,000, it has been reduced to $600,000.

Will this seller reap the reward from completely remodeling this property?

Robert Yoshimura at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #404: 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2300 square feet, triplex loft

• Sold in October 2004 for $450,000 (included parking)
• Sold in February 2013 for $230,000 (included parking)
• Sold in November 2017 for $400,000 (included parking)
• Originally listed in July 2019 for $650,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $600,000 (garage parking is $50,000)
• Assessments of $848 a month (includes parking, security system, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal, Internet access)
• Taxes of $4720
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Hot tub
• Bedroom #1: 10×20 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 8×10 (main floor)
• Bedroom #3: 11×10 (third floor)
• Den: 19×13 (second floor)
• Recreation Room: 19×12 (third floor)
• Laundry room: 6×7 (main floor)
• Deck: 22×20 (third floor)

This vintage 3-bedroom at 521 W. Surf in East Lakeview came on the market in July 2019.

Built in 1904, this building has 25 units and deeded outdoor parking behind the building.

This is a high first floor unit with many of its vintage features including high ceilings, bay windows, hardwoods in the living, dining and bedrooms.

It has a separate dining room with a beamed ceiling and wainscoting.

The living room has a wood burning fireplace.

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

Even though it is vintage, it has the features that today’s buyers look for including central air and washer/dryer in the unit.

This area of East Lakeview is notoriously difficult for parking.

But this condo comes with a rare outdoor deeded tandem space for 2 cars.

It also has two full bathrooms, which can also be rare in vintage units.

Just a few blocks from Lincoln Park, the lake front, express buses, the Century Landmark movie theater, Mariano’s, restaurants, bars and shops, is this the perfect condo for East Lakeview living?

Ian Schwartz at Coldwell Banker has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #1: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1675 square feet

• Sold in November 2001 for $335,500
• Sold in August 2004 for $405,000
• Sold in December 2009 for $363,000
• Originally listed in July 2019 for $524,000
• Currently still listed at $524,000
• Assessments of $405 a month (includes heat, gas, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $7371
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Deeded outdoor tandem parking for 2 cars
• Wood burning fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 14×14
• Bedroom #2: 13×12
• Bedroom #3: 10×8
• Dining room: 16×13
• Living room: 20×14
• Kitchen: 17×10

This 2-bedroom at 445 W. Fullerton Parkway in East Lincoln Park came on the market in May 2019.

This is a vintage building with 7 units. There’s no parking.

The listing says this property is a “private garden unit.”

It has crown molding and exposed brick with slate floors in the Living room and hardwoods in the bedrooms.

The kitchen has custom dark wood cabinets and stainless steel appliances.

There’s no parking or central air and it has electric, radiator heating.

But there is a washer/dryer in the unit and 2 bathrooms.

The listing says the building is “investor friendly.”

Originally listed at $325,000 in May 2019, it has been reduced $26,000 to $299,000.

It is just steps from the shops and restaurants on Clark in Lincoln Park and just a few blocks away from Lincoln Park and the Zoo.

Is this a deal for its location?

Paul Mancini at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit L-1-A: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1200 square feet, garden unit

• Sold in May 1994 for $112,000
• Sold in April 1995 for $133,000
• Sold in August 2014 for $285,000
• Originally listed in May 2019 for $325,000
• Reduced
• Was under contract at one point
• Currently listed at $299,000
• Assessments of $240 a month (includes exterior maintenance, scavenger)
• Taxes of $4488
• No central air (but what do you do when it’s really hot out? It’s not like you’re opening the windows at night- are you???)
• No parking
• Bedroom #1: 16×13
• Bedroom #2: 10×11
• Living/dining room: 23×13
• Kitchen: 13×9
• Laundry room: 4×4

This 1-bedroom in the Mews at 1368 E. 57th in Hyde Park came on the market in October 2018.

Built in 1914, this building has 22 units, a bike/stroller garage, and storage units. There’s no parking.

This is a historic building with most of its vintage features intact.

This unit has many unique features including red oak hardwood floors, dark beamed ceilings with unique carved woodwork (see pictures), leaded glass windows and a fireplace with a brick surround.

The listing says the kitchen has newly painted white cabinets, stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops.

There’s a private balcony off the living room and an enclosed sun porch off the bedroom.

It doesn’t have central air but there looks to be wall unit cooling in the bedroom.

There is no in-unit washer/dryer but there is a laundry room in the building.

This building is on popular 57th Street and is steps away from restaurants, including Medici, and the University of Chicago.

Originally listed in October 2018 for $230,000, it has been reduced $5,000 to $225,000.

It has only sold 3 times since 1991.

Is this an attractive starter condo for this neighborhood?

Jennifer Bosch at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #1: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 1000 square feet

• Sold in January 1991 for $76,500
• Sold in June 1993 for $100,000
• Sold in May 2009 for $200,000
• Originally listed in October 2018 for $230,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $225,000
• Assessments of $630 a month (includes heat, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $4011
• No central air but looks like a wall unit in the bedroom
• No in-unit washer/dryer but there’s a laundry room in the building
• No parking
• Fireplace
• Bedroom: 14×11
• Living room: 25×14
• Kitchen: 14×10
• Sun room: 10×9
• Balcony: 7×5