Crib Chatter

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

This 6-bedroom penthouse in the Jackson Shore Apartments at 5490 S. South Shore in East Hyde Park came on the market in April 2019.

Jackson Shore Apartments was designed by Rapp & Rapp in 1917. It was the first tall luxury building in East Hyde Park.

It’s a co-op.

The 21 units were designed to be like single family homes and are over 5,000 square feet each.

While this unit has 6-bedrooms, the 6th is just 12×8 and was likely meant to be used for the maid as the maid’s chamber.

This top floor unit has views of the park and Lake Michigan from many windows.

It also has a unique curved sun room, or orangerie, on both sides of the building.

It has hardwood floors, the original detailed plaster moldings, a wood-burning fireplace and a library.

The kitchen has greenish cabinets and I can’t tell about the appliances.

Additionally, it looks like it may have some of the original bathrooms.

The listing says it has new windows.

The unit has some of the features today’s buyers look for including central air and washer/dryer in the unit but there’s no parking. The listing says there’s valet or garage options nearby.

The building has a 24-hour doorman and a private enclosed backyard.

This penthouse was originally listed at $695,000 and has been reduced to $645,000.

This isn’t the only unit available in the building. The other penthouse apartment is also on the market, Unit #10N, and is listed for $500,000.

That’s just $100 per square foot.

Is Chicago an incredible deal or are these old co-ops simply out of favor now?

Robert Sullivan at BerkshireHathaway KoenigRubloff has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #10S: 6 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, no square footage listed, co-op

• No prior price as it’s a co-op
• Originally listed in April 2019 for $695,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $645,000
• Assessments of $7134 a month (includes heat, taxes, doorman, exercise room, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes are included in the assessments
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• No parking. It’s valet or garage in the neighborhood.
• Bedroom #1: 20×17
• Bedroom #2: 18×15
• Bedroom #3: 19×14
• Bedroom #4: 19×15
• Bedroom #5: 15×10
• Bedroom #6: 12×8
• Library: 20×12
• Sun room: 19×19
• Pantry: 18×8
• Dining room: 24×18
• Kitchen: 17×15
• Laundry room: 12×7
• Foyer: 18×12

This 2-bedroom vintage co-op in The Parkshore at 1765 E 55th St in East Hyde Park came on the market in June 2016.

The Parkshore was built in 1926 and has 116 units. It’s a full service building with an on-site engineer, exercise room, laundry room, garden, guest room, bicycle storage and storage lockers.

It appears to have a parking lot nearby, but the listing says there’s a waitlist.

This unit has an unusual design for a vintage building.

It has a curved wall in the dining room which overlooks a unique curved balcony accessed from the living room.

The kitchen has white cabinets and stainless steel appliances and also has a partial lake view from the windows.

As is usual with vintage units, the bedrooms have generous square footage.

This unit has no central air or washer/dryer in the unit.

As a co-op, the taxes are included in the assessments along with heat and gas.

The seller has been trying to sell this unit for 3 years. Originally listed for $205,000 in June 2016, it has been reduced to $180,000.

What can be done to sell these big vintage units in 2019?

Marie Levesque at Metro Pro Realty has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #1004: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed

• It’s a co-op so no previous price
• Originally listed in June 2016 for $205,000
• Reduced
• Listing removed in October 2018
• Re-listed in May 2019 for $180,000
• Still listed for $180,000
• Assessments of $1920 a month (includes taxes, heat, gas, doorman, cable, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes are in assessments
• No central air
• No in-unit washer/dryer (laundry room in the building)
• Bedroom #1: 18×15
• Bedroom #2: 18×13
• Dining room: 19×14
• Living room: 20×15
• Kitchen: 12×7

This 3-bedroom vintage unit at 5483 S. Hyde Park Boulevard in East Hyde Park came on the market in May 2019.

Built in 1909, it has 6 units.

This is a 2000 square foot top floor unit with its own private front patio.

It still has many of its original features including crown molding, exposed beams and an entrance foyer.

The listing says the wood floors have been refinished this year and it’s newly painted.

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

Like many vintage units, it has a separate dining room.

It has features buyers look for including in-unit washer/dryer and a parking space but it doesn’t have central air.

The listing says you can enjoy the “lake breezes” and it has ceiling fans in many rooms.

It’s in a popular location in East Hyde Park, near shops and restaurants, trails, the beach and Promontory Point which was recently put on the National Historic Register.

Listed in May 2019 for $365,000, it has been reduced to $329,000.

If you’re looking for space and love vintage, is this an ideal property?

Eva Loseth at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures and the floor plan here.

Unit #3: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2000 square feet

• Sold in July 2002 for $176,000
• Originally listed in May 2019 for $365,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $329,000
• Assessments of $600 a month (includes heat, cable, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $4446
• No central air
• In-unit washer/dryer
• Parking space included
• Bedroom #1: 18×11
• Bedroom #2: 14×13
• Bedroom #3: 13×13
• Kitchen: 21×16
• Laundry room: 6×8

This 3-bedroom garden unit at 5312 S. Woodlawn in Hyde Park came on the market in June 2019.

This vintage 3-flat has been completely renovated.

The top two units are already under contract. Only this garden unit remains.

It has 8 foot ceilings and a private patio.

There are light wood floors throughout.

The kitchen has white cabinets, quartz waterfall counter tops and GE Profile appliances.

The master bedroom has its own bath.

It has central air, washer/dryer in the unit and 1 garage space is included.

There isn’t much new construction in Hyde Park.

Is the renovation craze going to pick up steam in this neighborhood?

Patrick Maliszewski at @Properties has the listing. It is also agent-owned. See the pictures here.

Unit #1: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1800 square feet

• Looks like it sold in June 2017 for $380,000 (that might have been the entire building)
• Currently listed at $400,000 (includes garage parking)
• Assessments of $156 a month (includes exterior maintenance, lawn care, snow removal)
• Taxes of $4292 (not sure if these are the old taxes for the building or not)
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 11×12
• Bedroom #2: 10×10
• Bedroom #3: 9×10
• Laundry room: 6×11

This 2-bedroom corner unit at 1700 E. 56th in Hyde Park came on the market in July 2019.

Built in 1968, it has 369 units and garage parking. It’s a full amenity building with a roof top deck, exercise room, doorman, dry cleaners and bike storage.

This southwest corner unit on the 26th floor has unobstructed views of the Lake and Jackson Park, including the Museum of Science and Industry.

It has been remodeled.

The kitchen has gray cabinets, a natural stone counter top, custom tile backsplash, a breakfast bar, stainless steel appliances with a range hood and a wine refrigerator.

Both bathrooms were remodeled with new tile floors and marble shower surrounds.

It has a walk-in closet.

The listing says the seller has paid the special assessment for new windows.

It has central air, garage parking is included but there’s no in-unit laundry. There’s a laundry room in the building.

Buyers love remodeled units.

Will this move-in ready unit sell quickly?

Michael Frank at Keller Williams Preferred has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #2608: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1250 square feet

• Sold in September 1994 for $111,000
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in June 2015
• Bank owned in 2016
• Sold in October 2016 but no price was listed
• Originally listed in July 2019 for $318,000
• Assessments of $1074 a month (includes heat, a/c, parking, doorman, cable, exercise room, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $3351
• Central Air
• No washer/dryer in the unit. There’s a laundry room in the building.
• Parking included
• Bedroom #1: 19×12
• Bedroom #2: 13×11
• Living room: 19×18
• Dining room: 15×9
• Kitchen: 10×9
• Walk-in-closet: 7×6

This 5-bedroom vintage row house at 5735 S. Dorchester in Hyde Park came on the market in September 2018.

It is the row house on the left in the picture above.

Built in 1887, it is on a larger than standard lot of 24×151.

It has many of its original vintage features including 10-foot ceilings, crown moldings, pocket doors, hardwood floors throughout and 3 fireplaces, including one in the master bedroom and one in the living room which is wood burning and still has the original mantle complete with Dutch tiles.

The listing says the windows have been replaced with new Marvin windows.

There is also central air.

The kitchen has white cabinets, butcher block counter tops, a Subzero refrigerator, Dacor stove and a Bosch dishwasher.

There’s a small back deck and a lush backyard with lilacs and roses but there’s no garage or parking.

Originally listed in September 2018 for $1.1 million, it has been reduced $105,000 to $995,000.

Within just a few blocks of the University, the 57th street Metra stop and restaurants, is this property a Hyde Park classic?

Elizabeth Cook at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

5735 S. Dorchester: 5 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2380 square feet, row house

• Sold in March 1996 for $175,500
• Sold in August 1997 for $412,000
• Originally listed in September 2018 for $1.1 million
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $995,000
• Taxes of $9774
• No HOA even though its attached to another property
• 3 fireplaces including a wood burning fireplace in the living room
• Central Air
• No parking
• Bedroom #1: 17×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 14×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 14×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 15×14 (third floor)
• Bedroom #5: 14×10 (third floor)

This 7 bedroom historic home at 5132 S. Woodlawn in Hyde Park came on the market in May 2019.

Built in 1897, it was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for Isidore Heller.

To be honest, until I saw the plaque in front of the house, I couldn’t tell from the style it was a Wright because those arches and carvings up at the top threw me off.

Built on a larger than standard 75×175 lot, it has a 2-car garage and an in-law or au pair/nanny apartment with a full kitchen.

It also appears to have the original hitching posts in front of the house (or its something similar, see the picture).

The listing says the house has been renovated several times over the years but it still sports the original elevator which was renovated per the instructions left by Wright for the original owners.

It has extensive woodwork and built-ins and a 2-story wall of art-glass.

The kitchen has wood cabinets and stainless steel appliances as well as four pantries.

There are also four fireplaces.

The house has 3 full baths and 2 half baths and a partially finished basement.

The listing says that the central air was extended throughout the house 2 years ago.

It’s not easy selling Frank Lloyd Wright homes, no matter what neighborhood or condition.

Is the market hot enough to attract a buyer to this historic residence?

Pamela Linn at Compass has the listing. See the pictures here.

5132 S. Woodlawn: 7 bedrooms, 3 full baths, 2 half baths, 6100 square feet, 2 car garage

• Sold in February 1995 for $595,000
• Sold in August 2004 for $1.8 million
• Originally listed in May 2019 for $2.2 million
• Currently still listed at $2.2 million
• Taxes of $32,301
• Central Air
• 4 fireplaces
• 75×175 lot
• In-law apartment with second kitchen
• Bedroom #1: 24×15 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 13×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 15×16 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 18×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #5: 8×10 (second floor)
• Bedroom #6: 9×11 (third floor)
• Bedroom #7: 8×15 (third floor)
• Family room: 34×14 (third floor)
• Laundry room: 8×11 (main floor)

Hyde Park, home to the world-renowned University of Chicago, and the Museum of Science of Industry, is often an after thought by most people moving to Chicago.

But the neighborhood is starting to build momentum as real estate investors have been renovating and building new apartment buildings.

Meanwhile, more amenities are starting to move in.

The neighborhood got a Whole Foods in 2016, which was so anticipated it produced lines with 40 minute waits the first week it opened.

The long-time Treasure Island, however, has closed but Trader Joe’s announced it would bring a new store to the same location. It will be the first Trader Joe’s in that part of the city.

It has a restaurant on lists of the Top Restaurants in Chicago in 2019 in Virtue and it has a hot new hotel, The Sophy.

The neighborhood has also seen a renovation of some of its big, vintage buildings into luxury apartments in East Hyde Park.

The Shoreland Apartments has been restored to its former glory. Built in the 1920s, it was put on the National Historic Register in 1986.

It overlooks a park and the lake front. It’s apparently popular with University of Chicago graduate students, including law and medical students.

Rents are high but not as high as some other buildings in the neighborhood.

• Studios from $1270 a month
• 1-Bedrooms from $1337 a month
• 2-Bedrooms from $1836 a month
• 3-Bedrooms from $3575 a month

They have 9-foot ceilings and updated finishes including granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances in the kitchens and washer/dryers in the unit.

There’s also new construction in East Hyde Park.

Mac Properties, which converted the Shoreland, is building 5252 at 5252 S. Cornell.

Rents are at the “luxury” price point.

• 1-Bedrooms at $2500 a month
• 2-Bedrooms from $3250-$3530 a month

Move-ins are expected this fall.

And then there is the Jeanne Gang, from Studio Gang, designed Solstice on the Park, at 1616 E. 56th.

It overlooks the Museum of Science and Industry.

Rents are also at the “luxury” price point.

• 1-Bedrooms from $2300 a month (for 718 square feet)
• 2-Bedrooms from $3450 to $4295
• 3-Bedrooms from $5195 to $5350

The website shows 16 apartments available out of 250 in the building.

With the Barack Obama Presidential Center still expected to go into Jackson Park, is Hyde Park about to break out from its long slumber?