Crib Chatter

This top-floor 2-bedroom corner loft in the Bucktown Gardens at 1701 N. Damen in Bucktown came on the market in May 2018.

Bucktown Gardens is an authentic loft building with 26 units and parking.

This is a duplex up loft with exposed brick and timber ceilings.

The kitchen has dark cabinets, stainless steel appliances and stone counter tops, including on the island.

It has a wood burning fireplace.

There’s one bedroom on the main level and it doesn’t have full walls but it does have windows.

The master bedroom appears to be on the half – second floor, accessed by a spiral staircase (in between the main and second floors.)

There’s also an open lofted office/media room space on the second floor which leads to the private rooftop deck with city views.

The loft has central air, washer/dryer in the unit and 1 car parking. The listing says a “space.” Is that indoor or outdoor?

This building is located right in the heart of the Bucktown shopping and restaurant scene and is just a block from the Damen blue line stop.

Originally listed at $649,900 in May, it has been reduced $89,900 to $560,000 which is $10,000 under the 2014 selling price.

If inventory is so tight, how could this loft be sitting on the market for 6 months?

Kevin Hinton at Keller Williams has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #305: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1800 square feet

• Sold in May 1993 for $244,000
• Sold in December 1994 for $345,000
• Sold in April 1999 for $330,000
• Sold in April 2006 for $450,000
• Sold in June 2010 for $476,000
• Sold in June 2014 for $570,000
• Originally listed in May 2018 for $649,900
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $560,000 (includes 1 parking space)
• Assessments of $531 a month (includes exterior maintenance and scavenger)
• Taxes of $10,770
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Wood burning fireplace
• Private rooftop deck: 24×18
• Bedroom #1: 21×13 (1.5 floor?)
• Bedroom #2: 15×11 (main level)
• Loft: 21×11 (second floor)

This 2-bedroom duplex up loft in the Singer Lofts at 1019 W. Jackson in the West Loop came on the market in June 2018.

The Singer Lofts is an authentic loft conversion. Built in 1912, it has 22 units and garage parking.

The loft has 15 foot ceilings (are those concrete? I can’t tell from the pictures) with 9 foot windows.

The kitchen has 42 inch cherry cabinets, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances with an island.

The master bedroom is on the second floor and has two walk-in closets, a remodeled full bath with a steam shower and windows.

The second bedroom, and an office, are on the first floor but I’m not sure if either has windows as they aren’t in the pictures and there’s no floor plan with the listing.

But one of the unique features is a private deck with downtown views.

The listing says it’s in the Skinner Elementary school district.

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

Originally listed in June 2018 for $650,000, it has been reduced $40,000 to $610,000.

Now that McDonald’s has been in its new headquarters for several months, is the hot West Loop starting to cool?

Negeen Masghati at Center Coast Realty has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #3D: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, duplex up, 1850 square feet

• Sold in March 1998 for $270,000
• Sold in April 2002 for $365,000
• Originally listed in June 2018 for $650,000
• Reduced twice
• Currently listed at $610,000 (includes 1 car garage parking)
• Assessments of $396 a month (includes exterior maintenance, scavenger and snow removal)
• Taxes of $8831
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 19×22 (second level)
• Bedroom 32: 10×13 (main level)
• Office: 18×9 (main level)
• Rooftop Deck: 9×25 (second level)

This 2-bedroom on the 71st floor of the John Hancock at 175 E. Delaware in Streeterville just came on the market.

Yes, I’m still calling it the John Hancock even though the company requested its name be removed from the building.

Built in 1969, it has 705 units, commercial space, a parking garage, retail and restaurants.

The top floor units are still among the highest living spaces in the world.

This unit has west facing views.

The listing points out that it is an original unit.

It appears that those are the original 1969 baths and kitchen.

The kitchen has mid-century modern wood cabinets with white appliances.

There appears to be wood floors in the main living/dining room area.

The building is full service with a fitness center, swimming pool, bike room, cleaners and the Potash grocery store.

There’s wall unit cooling and rental parking is available in the building. There doesn’t appear to be a washer/dryer in the unit although the building now allows it, but there are washer/dryers on every other floor (I believe.)

At $466,000, it is listed for $44,000 less than the 2004 purchase price of $510,000.

Could this be one of the last remaining units with 49 year old finishes?

Is that really the original stove?

Is this cheap enough for a renovator to take it on?

Gary Bernstein at BerkshireHathaway KoenigRubloff has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #7101: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1204 square feet

• Sold in December 2004 for $510,000
• Currently listed for $466,000
• Assessments of $978 a month (includes doorman, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $6923
• Wall unit cooling
• No washer/dryer in the unit
• Rental parking available in the building
• Bedroom #1: 18×11
• Bedroom #2: 11×17
• Kitchen: 10×10

This 2-bedroom duplex up at 2216 N. Lincoln in East Lincoln Park just came on the market.

Built in 1991, it is an elevator building with 6 units and garage parking.

The first level of this unit is the living and dining rooms along with the kitchen.

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

The two bedrooms are on the second floor. Both are en suite.

The third floor has a penthouse room with a private rooftop deck with city views.

This property has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and there’s a private single car garage which is big enough for storage of things like bicycles.

It’s just steps from the popular Oz Park and the restaurants on Lincoln.

Is this a good townhouse alternative for buyers who still want levels?

Joseph Schiller at Berkshire Hathaway KoenigRubloff has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #E: 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, duplex up, 1840 square feet

• Sold in June 1998 for $425,000
• Sold in January 2012 for $570,000
• Currently listed at $685,000
• Assessments of $499 a month (includes cable, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $11,800
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Private single car garage
• Private roof top deck
• Bedroom #1: 21×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 15×14 (second floor)
• Office: 8×8 (third floor)

This 2-bedroom in Park Tower at 800 N. Michigan came on the market in April 2018.

The Park Tower was constructed in 2000 and has 117 units and a parking garage. There’s a hotel on the lower portion of the building.

It sits directly across the street from the historic Water Tower.

This unit has tray ceilings and recessed lighting with hardwood floors.

The listing describes the kitchen as a “chef’s kitchen” with stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops, a large island and a “wine cooler” (aka a “refrigerator”?).

The master suite has a master bath with a walk-in shower.

The unit has central air and parking is included. It doesn’t mention an in-unit washer/dryer but the units in this building traditionally have had that feature and there’s a 5×7 laundry room in the listing. Is that it off the kitchen?

This unit became bank owned in October 2017.

It was under contract once since April but has now been reduced $326,000 to $1,099,000.

Is this a deal for this luxury building?

Michael Olszewski at Area Wide Realty has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #2203: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2000 square feet

• Sold in August 2000 for $471,000
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in August 2015
• Bank owned in October 2017
• Originally listed in April 2018 for $1.425 million
• Reduced
• Under contract in August 2018 when listed at $1,223,600
• Back on the market
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $1,099,000 (includes 1-car parking)
• Assessments of $1102 a month (includes gas, doorman, cable, exercise room, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger and snow removal)
• Taxes of $24,279
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit???
• Bedroom #1: 14×15
• Bedroom #2: 14×13
• Laundry room: 5×7
• Foyer: 12×7

This 2-bedroom in a vintage greystone at 2231 N. Seminary in Lincoln Park came on the market in February 2018.

This building was constructed in 1910 and has 6 units with assigned outdoor parking behind the building.

We chattered about a top floor unit in the building in 2015. See that chatter here.

This unit appears to be a middle unit and has high ceilings, crown molding and hardwood floors.

It has a wood burning fireplace.

There’s an office with track lighting.

The master bedroom has an en suite master bathroom.

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

The unit has the features that buyers look for including central air and side-by-side washer/dryer in the unit. It appears to have an exterior parking space as well.

The listing says it’s just a half a block to DePaul’s campus.

Originally listed in February 2018 for $595,900, it has been reduced $21,000 to $574,900 yet it still isn’t selling.

The pictures show an empty property, i.e. no furniture.

When should a seller commit the money to stage an empty property?

Would staging help here?

Robert Briant at Re/Max Action has the listing. See the pictures here.

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

• Sold in July 1995 for $249,000
• Sold in December 2001 for $369,000
• Originally listed in February 2018 for $595,900
• Reduced in July 2018 to $574,900
• Currently still listed at $574,900
• Assessments of $165 a month (includes exterior maintenance)
• Taxes of $7768
• Central Air
• Side-by-side washer/dryer in the unit
• Exterior parking space
• Bedroom #1: 15×12
• Bedroom #2: 14×11
• Office: 8×7
• Living room: 19×12
• Dining room: 13×11
• Kitchen: 17×12

This 3-bedroom at 55 W. Erie in River North came on the market in September 2018.

Built in 1882, this vintage building has 9 units. There’s no parking with the building.

The building still has its original wood railing in the front staircase (see the pictures).

This unit has some of its vintage features including 2 wood burning fireplaces: one in the living room and one in the master bedroom.

The property also has a stained glass window in the living room.

It has exposed brick, with some of it painted white (in the living room) and some of it in its natural condition.

The kitchen has white cabinets and stainless steel appliances that the listing says were upgraded in 2016 along with exposed wood beams on the ceiling.

It has central air and washer/dryer in the unit, although it’s a combo unit which means the washer and dryer are in the same appliance. It’s commonly called a “European” washer as the combo units are common in Europe.

There’s no parking with the unit but rental parking is available in the neighborhood.

Originally listed in September for $465,000, it has been reduced $15,000 to $450,000.

Do vintage units in River North have a sales advantage due to their rarity?

Tommy Choi at Keller Williams has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #2W: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1700 square feet

• Sold in April 1992 for $165,000
• Sold in June 2004 for $360,000
• Sold in May 2014 for $370,000
• Originally listed in September 2018 for $465,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $450,000
• Assessments of $501 a month (includes exterior maintenance, scavenger and snow removal)
• Taxes of $7393
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit (is a combo unit)
• No parking
• 2 wood burning fireplaces
• Bedroom #1: 12×12
• Bedroom #2: 11×14
• Bedroom #3: 11×9

This 2-bedroom at 340 W. Superior in River North came on the market in June 2018.

Built in 2001, this mid-rise building has 120 units and a parking garage. It has a doorman and an exercise room.

This unit has extensive custom wainscoting, molding and millwork you normally don’t find in a 2000-era building.

There is a custom built-in dark wood entertainment center in the living room.

The kitchen is “completely upgraded” and has the same dark wood cabinets as the entertainment center. It has granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances and a large breakfast bar.

The master suite has a bathroom with a renovated shower and double vanity.

The second bedroom is the style commonly found in loft units, as it doesn’t have a window.

The listing says this unit has a den, but I had to study the floor plan for a while before I spotted it listed as the foyer, measuring 10×7.

It also has a big balcony with city views.

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

Originally listed at $600,000 in June, it has been reduced $60,000 and is now listed at $540,000 plus $35,000 for the parking.

What will it take to sell this property?

Melissa Siegal at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #1105: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1310 square feet

• Sold in June 2002 for $419,500 (no parking)
• Sold in June 2004 for $447,000 (included the parking)
• Sold in October 2008 for $505,000 (included the parking)
• Originally listed in June 2018 for $600,000
• Reduced several times
• Currently listed at $540,000 (parking is $35,000 extra)
• Assessments of $878 a month (includes heat, a/c, gas, doorman, cable, Internet, exercise room, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $8331
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 17×11
• Bedroom #2: 13×10
• Den: 10×7
• Balcony: 27×6

This vintage 2-bedroom at 120 W. Delaware in the Gold Coast came on the market in May 2017.

We last chattered about this unit in December 2017 after it had had a few price reductions.

Many of you were concerned about the floor plan.

See our chatter here.

If you recall, the 8-unit building was constructed in 1881.

This unit has many of its original vintage features including 10 foot ceilings with plaster cove moldings, pocket doors, and 3 wood burning fireplaces, including one in the living room, one in the dining room and one in the master bedroom.

The listing says there’s designer wallpaper in the foyer.

The master bedroom has a walk-in closet and an attached private den.

The kitchen has white cabinets with a mix of appliances in black and stainless.

Like many vintage units there’s a full size dining room.

The bathrooms don’t have bath tubs but only walk-in showers along with raised glass bowl sinks.

This unit also has access to a private roof deck. There’s a picture in the listing of the deck but it’s unclear how you get up to it.

This unit has some modern features including central air and washer/dryer in the unit.

However, in December 2017, it had garage parking and now the listing explicitly says “Rental garage nearby.” Apparently, there’s no parking with the unit.

The unit was under contract at least once in 2018 but is still available.

It has also been reduced $180,000 since May 2017 to $499,000.

That’s $20,000 under the 2004 sales price.

Is this a deal at this price?

Paul Barker at Baird & Warner still has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #4E: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1700 square feet

• Sold in December 1990 for $250,000
• Sold in October 1993 for $240,000
• Sold in August 1997 for $260,000
• Sold in August 2002 for $495,000
• Sold in April 2004 for $519,000
• Originally listed in May 2017 for $679,000
• Reduced several times
• Currently listed at $499,000
• Assessments are now $410 a month (they were $320 a month in December 2017) (includes exterior maintenance, scavenger and snow removal)
• Taxes are now $9649 (they were $9653 in 2017)
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Garage parking is no longer included – it’s rental nearby
• 3 wood burning fireplaces
• No pets
• Bedroom #1: 13×12
• Bedroom #2: 13×11
• Den: 11×9
• Living room: 15×14
• Dining room: 15×11

This 2-bedroom in Gaslight Court at 1407 N. Wells in Old Town just came on the market.

Gaslight Court was constructed in 1920 and has 19 units built around a brick courtyard. Each unit is unique and there are several buildings.

According to TimeOut magazine, gas lanterns once lit the alley way, now replaced by electric versions, hence the name.

It was converted into condos in 2000.

The listing says this unit was “completely remodeled.” (I couldn’t find the prior listing pictures so it’s unclear what was done.)

It has 10 foot ceilings and new floors.

The kitchen has modern white cabinets, what look like stone counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

The closets have new closet organizers.

There’s central air, an in-unit washer/dryer but no parking. There’s no parking with the complex. It is available to rent nearby.

Buyers love “new”.

Will this property sell quickly?

David Marden at Hausmarket has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #1E: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1200 square feet

• Sold in October 2001 for $120,000
• Sold in July 27, 2002 for $185,000
• Sold in October 2004 for $332,000
• Sold in December 2009 for $350,000
• Sold in December 2017 for $405,000
• Currently listed as “completely remodeled” for $635,000
• Assessments of $342 a month (includes scavenger and snow removal)
• Taxes of $7993
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• No parking- it’s available for rent in the neighborhood
• Bedroom #1: 13×11
• Bedroom #2: 10×10
• Living room: 11×20
• Dining room: 11×10
• Kitchen: 11×9