Crib Chatter

This 2-bedroom duplex up loft in the Lakeview Lofts at 3201 N. Seminary in Lakeview came on the market in July 2018.

We chattered about it last year when it first came on the market and again in January 2019 when it was still listed and had only been reduced $4,100.

If you recall, this loft was completely renovated. Many of you liked the changes that were made but we debated the renovation and what value the improvements brought to the property.

See our prior chatter here.

As a reminder, the Lakeview Lofts were converted into condos in 1992, making them among the older of the loft conversions.

It has 20 units and parking (the listing doesn’t say it’s a garage, just that it’s “onsite.” I think it’s in an adjacent outdoor lot.)

This loft has authentic loft features including 34 foot ceilings, exposed brick walls and timber ceilings and oversized windows.

The listing says the loft has been “completely renovated” and that includes putting in a new kitchen with white cabinets, quartz counter tops, professional grade appliances and a wine fridge along with an island.

The staircase also has been renovated and has a new banister.

The second floor has the two bedrooms and laundry room. One of the bathrooms has a “newly renovated” Grohe bathroom with heated floors.

There is a common rooftop deck.

The loft has all the finishes buyers are looking for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and the onsite parking.

At 1400 square feet, this loft sold with it’s older 1990s/2000s finishes in 2015 for $395,000.

Originally listed in July 2018 for $579,000 it has now been reduced to $539,000.

Near the Belmont El station and restuarants/bars/Wrigley Field, why isn’t this selling in a market with limited inventory and a hot spring buying season?

Hadley Rue at Dream Town now has the listing. See the pictures here.

Or go to the Open House on Saturday, Apr 20 from 11 to 1 pm.

Unit #209: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, duplex up, 1400 square feet

• Sold in September 1992 for $150,000
• Sold in September 2002 for $325,000
• Sold in June 2005 for $398,000
• Sold in March 2010 for $400,000
• Sold in February 2015 for $395,000
• Was listed in July 2018 for $579,000 (onsite parking included)
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $539,000 (onsite parking included)
• Assessments are still $318 a month (includes exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes are still $7118
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Wood burning fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 14×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 12×11 (second floor)
• Laundry room: 7×10 (second floor)

This new construction 1-bedroom in NorthFort Commons at 3530 N. Lincoln in Lakeview just came on the MLS.

NorthFort is a new construction 14-unit luxury elevator building with a garage.

In addition to this 1-bedroom unit, there are also 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom units.

• 2 bedrooms, 2 baths: at $539,000
• 3 bedrooms, 2 baths at $599,000

There’s no square footage listed on the MLS listings.

These units have contemporary finishes with stained oak floors throughout.

The kitchen has a flat-paneled or Shaker style custom cabinets, Bosch appliances, quartz counter tops and a wine fridge.

This 1-bedroom has a full-sized dining area.

The bedroom has a walk-in closet and the bathroom has a double vanity.

The unit has central air, washer/dryer in the unit and garage parking is included.

The building has a rooftop deck.

It’s near the Addison Brown line stop and shopping/restaurants of Lincoln Street.

The 1-bedroom unit is listed at $449,000 (includes the parking).

In the housing boom, the goal was to get a 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo in the $400,000s.

Is the new goal to get a 1-bedroom for the same price?

Karen Biazar at North Clybourn Group has all the listings. Move-ins will start in June 2019. See the pictures here.

Unit #205: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, no square footage listed

• New construction
• Currently priced at $449,000 (includes the parking)
• Assessments of $173 a month (includes exterior maintenance, scavenger)
• Taxes are “new”
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom: 12×12
• Living room/dining room: 27×16
• Kitchen: 15×11

This 4-bedroom townhouse at 524 W. Grant in East Lincoln Park recently came on the market.

This is an unusual property for a townhouse as it is vintage having been built in 1881.

We chattered about the front unit in this 3-unit property in 2012:

“It is also part of a 3-unit townhouse building where, according to the notes left by a Redfin agent about the property, the original owner in the 1980s split the vintage house into two- moving the back of the house to the back end of the property and built a new addition smack dab in the middle.”

Is this the townhouse in the middle or the back?

It has three levels and you enter on the first floor where there is a living and dining room along with the kitchen and a full bath.

The kitchen has dark modern cabinets and stone counter tops along with stainless steel appliances.

The second floor has a large family room and 3 out of the 4 bedrooms along with a full bath.

The master suite takes up the entire third floor and has vaulted ceilings and skylights.

It has a two-tiered outdoor living space off the master bedroom level which is private to the unit.

The townhouse has central air and one car garage parking.

It is fee simple so there are no assessments.

At $950,000, this is priced lower than many duplex down units in Lincoln Park. The listing even describes it as “lives like a single family home.”

Is this a deal for East Lincoln Park?

Jacqueline Lafferty at Baird & Warner has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #C: 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, no square footage listed

• None of the PINs show up on the CCRD but they appear to be the correct PINs according to the assessor (?)
• Sold in April 2014 for $459,000 (according to Redfin)
• Sold in August 2017 for $880,000 (according to Redfin)
• Currently listed at $950,000
• No assessments (fee simple)
• Taxes aren’t listed
• Central Air
• In-unit washer/dryer
• Bedroom #1: 23×18 (third floor)
• Bedroom #2: 10×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 10×10 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 10×10 (second floor)
• Family room: 23×14 (second floor)
• Deck: 21×10 (third floor)
• Deck: 18×19 (third floor)

This 2-bedroom single family home at 1445 N. Cleaver in West Town came on the market in early April 2019.

[Sorry- I don’t have a picture of this property yet and the weather was too atrocious for me to get one- but since it was requested for a post, we’re chattering about it anyway.]

Built in 2018 on a smaller than standard lot measuring 27 x 69 x 35 x 47, it has a one car garage and a small, fenced-in backyard.

There was no previous house on the property, apparently, as it was sold as vacant land in 2013.

It has finished concrete floors on the main level and a 2-story lofted atrium.

The living room, dining room and kitchen are on the main level.

The kitchen has modern black cabinets with stainless steel appliances.

There’s a first floor media wall with a 59″ television which transfers with the sale.

The second floor has the 2 bedrooms along with an office with a built-in desk and bookcases.

There’s also a 50″ television on the second level which will transfer, along with a Pioneer 5.1 channel stereo with JBL speakers.

The master bedroom has a “spa quality” master bath with modern finishes.

The house has central air and there’s a roof deck on the garage.

Originally listed for $574,900 in early April, it has been reduced $25,000 to $549,900.

The listing says it’s 1,536 square feet.

Is this a competitive townhouse alternative for those who want the privacy of a single family home?

Ryan Cherney at Circle One Realty has the listing. See the pictures here.

1445 N. Cleaver: 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, 1536 square feet, single family home

• Sold in October 2013 for $112,000 (as a vacant lot)
• House built in 2018
• Originally listed in April 2019 at $574,900
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $549,900
• Taxes of $2,220
• 1 car garage
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 11×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 11×11 (second floor)
• Office: 8×7 (second floor)
• Deck: 20×11 (second floor)

This 3-bedroom loft in the The Clybourn Lofts at 1872 N. Clybourn in Lincoln Park just came on the market.

The Clybourn Lofts is a 1980s loft conversion of an industrial building with 57 units and outdoor parking.

This is a corner penthouse with 15 foot exposed brick walls and timber ceilings.

The loft has south, east and west exposures including those of downtown.

It has 2 skylights, including one in the master bedroom.

The kitchen has custom white cabinets, stainless steel appliances and a marble island.

The master bedroom has a spa-like bathroom with heated floors and dual vanities.

It also has a window and appears to be enclosed.

According to the listing, the other two bedrooms actually are fully enclosed and have white timber ceilings.

The top floor has a den and a private 850 square foot deck with views of downtown.

The loft has central air, washer/dryer in the unit and what looks like one outdoor parking space.

The kitchen and bathrooms appear to be the same as those in the prior 2015 sale.

As recently as 2006, this loft sold for $487,500.

But there has been a lot of new construction in the Clybourn Corridor over the last 13 years with residential units challenging all of the commercial/retail space.

With this loft currently listed at $1.2 million, is the Clybourn Corridor now a million dollar residential neighborhood?

Benjamin Turbow at Keller-Williams ChicagoLakeview has the listing. See the pictures here.

Or see it at the Open House on Saturday, Apr 13 from 1-4 PM.

Unit #602: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, no square footage, triplex

• Sold in October 1986 for $190,000
• Sold in June 1989 for $350,000
• Sold in July 2006 for $487,500
• Sold in June 2011 (no price listed in the ccrd)
• Sold in June 2015 for $924,000
• Currently listed at $1.2 million
• Assessments of $631 a month (includes heat, a/c, cable, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $7443
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Outdoor parking included
• Bedroom #1: 15×12 (main level)
• Bedroom #2: 13×12 (main level)
• Bedroom #3: 15×13 (second level)
• Laundry room: 6×6 (second level)
• Den: 14×9 (third level)
• Deck: 27×50 (third level)

This 3-bedroom at 3204 N. Paulina in Lakeview came on the market in March 2019.

Built in 2001 this is a boutique elevator building with 6 units and an indoor garage.

This unit is a rare condo with 3 exposures.

At 1800 square feet, it has both a living room and a separate family room.

The master suite has a marble bath with a dual vanity.

The kitchen has white cabinets and a large island along with a wine fridge and stainless steel appliances.

According to the listing, the hardwood floors have been refinished and there is new carpet in the bedrooms.

The listing says this is a three bedroom but the floor plan calls the third bedroom an office, which measures 7×11. (Is it really a 2-bedroom?)

Along with a private balcony, this unit also has a huge 600 square foot deck.

It has the other features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and the coveted 2-car garage parking.

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

It is just steps from the big Lakeview Whole Foods and numerous shops and restaurants of West Lakeview.

This unit hasn’t changed hands since the original sale in 2001.

For those looking for an elevator building, outdoor space, and 2-car garage parking in this neighborhood, is this a rare buying opportunity?

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

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

• Sold in September 2001 for $466,000
• Originally listed in March 2019 for $669,000
• Currently still listed at $669,000 (includes 2-car garage parking)
• Assessments of $296 a month (includes exterior maintenance and scavenger)
• Taxes of $9477
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 14×16
• Bedroom #2: 14×13
• Bedroom #3: 7×11
• Family room: 16×13
• Living room: 19×13
• Deck: 43×15

This 3-bedroom Victorian row house at 1816 W. Newport in Roscoe Village came on the market in November 2018.

Built in 1893, it’s part of a group of older row houses on Newport, Cornelia and Eddy streets just west of the Brown Line El line.

This row house is on a 20×125 lot and has a 2-car detached garage and a fenced backyard.

The kitchen has what looks like maple cabinets, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

The row house has the preferred layout of all three bedrooms on the second floor including the master suite which also has an en suite bath.

The lower level has a family room with a full bathroom and a wet bar.

It also has the unusual set up of a washer/dryer on the second floor as well as one in the lower level (although it doesn’t seem obvious from the floor plan, so if someone can point out where it is on the second floor plan, that would be helpful.)

The row house also has central air.

Originally listed in November 2018 for $735,000, it has been reduced $25,000 to $710,000.

Yes, that’s the El in the pictures.

But is this a deal for the neighborhood, even with the El?

Mary Haight at Keller Williams Lincoln Park has the listing. See the pictures and the floor plan here.

1816 W. Newport: 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, no square footage listed, row house

• Sold in October 1992 for $140,000
• Sold in November 2006 for $405,000
• Originally listed in November 2018 for $735,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $710,000
• 2-car detached garage included
• Taxes of $9348
• Central Air
• 2 sets of washer/dryers
• Bedroom #1: 12×18 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 11×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 9×14 (second floor)
• Family room: 26×15 (lower level)

This 4-bedroom penthouse loft at 411 S. Sangamon in the West Loop came on the market in March 2019.

This is an authentic brick and timber loft building with 78 units that was converted into condos in 1986.

This top floor loft has some unique features including a soundproof movie theater with a 120″ screen.

The master suite has a walk-in closet and a spa-like bathroom with heated floors and towel racks and motorized blinds.

The listing describes the kitchen as “gourmet.” It has custom white cabinets, quartzite counter tops and a Subzero 146 bottle wine refrigerator.

The spiral staircase leads to the second floor office and private rooftop deck which has a hot tub and grilling station.

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

The listing says there is one exterior parking space but it’s unclear if that’s with the building or somewhere nearby.

This loft hasn’t been on the market since 2003.

Is this a rare opportunity to own a true authentic loft space that’s as big as many single family homes?

Rafael Murillo at Compass has the listing. See the pictures here.

411 S. Sangamon PH: 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, 3800 square feet, duplex

• Sold in December 1986 (no price listed)
• Sold in July 1999 for $322,000
• Sold in May 2003 for $410,000
• Currently listed at $1.45 million
• Assessments of $1175 a month (includes cable, exterior maintenance, scavenger and snow removal)
• Taxes of $14,565
• 1200 square foot rooftop deck
• Hot tub
• Bedroom #1: 16×15
• Bedroom #2: 12×12
• Bedroom #3: 12×10
• Bedroom #4: 12×10
• Office: 10×20: 2nd floor

This 3-bedroom duplex penthouse in The Barry at 3100 N. Sheridan in East Lakeview just came on the market.

The Barry was built in 1925 and has 47 units. It’s an amenity building with a doorman and exercise room but there’s no parking.

This unit has the vintage feel of the era with modern updates.

It has tall ceilings, arched doorways, French doors and leaded glass windows in the living room.

The listing says it has a “chef’s kitchen” with a 6-burner Wolf range, Viking double oven and refrigerator and Miele dishwasher with dark counter tops and dark modern wood cabinets.

The master suite, which also has a fireplace, and a second bedroom are on the second floor.

The third bedroom is on the main level and the listing says it’s currently being used as a family room.

It has features buyers look for including a washer/dryer in the unit and space pak cooling. However, there’s no parking.

But the big selling feature has to be the two private terraces.

The first terrace is off the living room on the main floor and measures 28×11.

The master suite has the second terrace, measuring 15×5.

The unit has come on the market at more than double the 2012 sales price at $1.15 million.

Is this an opportunity for vintage lovers to get a rare New York-style duplex close to the lake?

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

Unit #PH-14B: 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 2800 square feet

• Sold in July 1998 for $435,000
• Sold in September 1999 for $480,000
• Sold in December 2012 for $510,000
• Currently listed at $1.15 million
• Assessments of $1832 a month (includes heat, gas, doorman, cable, exercise room, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal, Internet)
• Taxes of $8175
• Space pak cooling
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• No parking
• 2 gas fireplaces
• Bedroom #1: 22×15 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 13×17 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 17×12 (main floor)
• Living room: 26×21 (main floor)
• Dining room: 17×15 (main floor)
• Terrace: 28×11 (main floor)
• Terrace #2: 15×5 (second floor)

It’s spring, but the weather is not cooperating.

But that doesn’t mean the spring housing market isn’t hot.

Many properties seem to be selling briskly in the GreenZone this month as when I’ve gone out to take pictures, the properties are under contract before I can crib about them.

Will March show a distinctive bump in activity after several months in the doldrums?

And what neighborhoods are the hottest?

It seems like Fulton Market/West Loop has cooled now that McDonald’s headquarters has opened.

Is Logan Square now the chosen neighborhood?

Or are the South Side neighborhoods like Bronzeville and Hyde Park about to move into the spotlight?

As always, I’ll be checking in on the discussion from the beach this week. But look for new housing updates on April 8.

See you then!

Sabrina