Crib Chatter

This 4-bedroom single family home at 2106 N. Hudson in East Lincoln Park was listed in October 2017 (once again, sorry for the awful picture).

If you recall, we chattered about this house in a historic district in November 2017.

Back then, it had sold quickly in a sale from the original family for $860,000 and then was re-listed for $1.2 million.

See our extensive chatter here.

The house has never sold.

Back in November the property was described as the following:

“R5 zoning allows for SFH or multi-unit construction of over 6,000sf above grade. Landmarked facade eligible for property tax reduction w/ 8yr tax freeze to someone willing to invest at least $35,000 into the home. A tremendous opportunity for the right owner occupant or investor or developer to consider.”

There were no interior pictures last year.

Now, it has returned to the market with interior pictures and this description:

“This historic home is on an incredible street with a deep 135 foot lot. RM5 zoning allows for expansion to nearly 5000 sf with a 2 car garage and a wonderful yard. See illustrative plans developed by Burns & Beyerl Architects. Wide footprint, functional floor plan, high ceilings. Potentially huge savings from Landmark tax freeze, facade donation, permit fee waivers etc.”

Additionally, the listing appears to indicate a buyer could live in the house but…

“Please note the existing house could be suitable for a unique buyer but most buyers will likely want to compete a total renovation.”

If you recall, this house was built in 1886 and has landmark protection.

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

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

3 bedrooms are in the lower level with the master on the second level.

There’s a spiral staircase.

The house has central air.

It says it has a 2-car garage but it doesn’t look like it from the pictures.

The house has been reduced $305,000 to $895,000.

Given that this is cheaper than a 3-bedroom duplex down in the neighborhood, will someone who wants to live in the house, without doing a complete renovation, actually take a chance on this?

Emily Sachs Wong at @Properties still has the listing. See all the pictures, including interior pics, here.

2106 N. Hudson: listing now says 4 bedrooms, 2 baths

• Owned by same owner since 1993
• Listed in January 2017 for $799,900
• Sold in February 2017 for $860,000
• Was listed in November 2017 for $1.2 million
• Reduced numerous times
• Now listed for $895,000
• Taxes are now $13,831 (they were $13,381 in November 2017)
• 25×135 lot
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 17×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 25×8 (lower level)
• Bedroom #3: 13×12 (lower level)
• Bedroom #4: 14×12 (lower level)

This 1-bedroom loft at the No. Ten Lofts at 1040 W. Adams in the West Loop just came on the market.

Like other West Loop properties, it is strategically located near the newly opened McDonald’s corporate headquarters at 110 N. Carpenter.

No. Ten Lofts was converted late in the prior real estate boom, with closings starting in 2006.

It has a heated garage and a doorman.

This timber loft has 12 foot ceilings and diagonal hardwood floors.

The kitchen has granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

The bedroom has a marble en suite bath with dual vanity and Grohe fixtures.

This loft also has a 10×7 den space that the listing says could be used as an office, a nursery or a small guest bedroom.

It has all the features that buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and heated garage parking is available for $25,000.

This loft has come on the market for $150,000 more than the last sale in 2013, at $424,900.

Is there now a McDonald’s “premium” in this neighborhood?

Megan Wood at Coldwell Banker has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #507: 1 bedroom, 1.5 baths, 1040 square feet

• Sold in March 2006 for $317,000 (included the parking)
• Sold in July 2007 for $330,000 (included the parking)
• Sold in April 2011 for $258,000 (included the parking)
• Sold in June 2013 for $275,000 (included the parking)
• Currently listed at $399,900 (parking is $25,000 extra)
• Assessments of $600 a month (includes doorman, cable, exercise room, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $5532
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom: 13×11
• Den: 10×7

This 4-bedroom single family home at 1524 W. Oakdale in West Lakeview recently came on the market.

If this house looks familiar, that’s because we chattered about it the last time it came on the market, in 2013.

See our extensive chatter about it here (especially The Groove’s comments about paying $800,000 for this property).

You may remember, that 2013 was a pretty hot market with many properties seeing bidding wars.

This house was one of them.

It had offers within the first 24 hours on the market.

Liz posted this comment:

“I was there this weekend and the agent had let me know they’d received several offers already but were not going to make a decision until after this weekends showings. I’m sure they received several more.”

You may recall, that one of the selling points was that it was in the Burley school district.

It’s on a standard Chicago lot measuring 25×125 and has a two car garage.

This house has its front door on the main level with the family room and a bedroom on that level. The listing says this floor has seen a “recent complete remodel.”

The living/dining/kitchen are on the second level along with a bedroom.

The current listing says the kitchen is “freshly updated.” In 2013, the kitchen had cherry cabinets, but they are now white. There are still granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances along with a pantry, and a breakfast bar.

The master bedroom, and a second bedroom, are on the third floor. The master has cathedral ceilings and there are skylights along with 2 walk-in closets.

There are updated marble baths.

The house has 4 outdoor spaces, including 3 decks.

Don’t want to mow the lawn? It has a turf backyard.

There’s no way of knowing how many offers it got in 2013 but the house sold for $21,000 over it’s list price at $796,000.

It has come back on the market 5 years later for $1.035 million.

The market is even tighter in 2018 than in 2013 but the selling point on this house in 2013 was it’s price under $800,000.

Is $1 million the “new” $800,000 in this neighborhood?

Will there be a bidding war this time around?

Daniel Marks at @Properties has the listing this time. See the pictures here.

1524 W. Oakdale: 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, no square footage listed, 2 car garage

• Sold in September 1994 for $334,000
• Sold in April 1999 for $480,000
• Sold in July 2007 for $830,000
• Originally listed in February 2013 for $775,000
• Multiple offers within 24 hours
• Sold in April 2013 for $796,000
• Currently listed for 5 days at $1.035 million
• Taxes are now $14,048 (they were $10,900 in 2013)
• Central Air
• Wood burning fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 17×12 (third floor)
• Bedroom #2: 14×10 (third floor)
• Bedroom #3: 15×10 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 12×9 (main floor)
• Family room: 21×12 (main floor)

This full floor 5-bedroom at 2344 N. Lincoln Park West in East Lincoln Park came on the market in January 2018.

This Beaux Arts building as constructed in 1916 and has 6 full floor units and an elevator.

It also has indoor parking, with a 2-car tandem parking space included with this unit.

At 4600 square feet, it is as large as many luxury single family homes and has 4 exposures.

The unit has many of its vintage features including a fireplace and crown moldings.

It has a 35 foot grand foyer along with a heated solarium.

There’s an eat-in chef’s kitchen with granite counter tops and luxury stainless steel appliances.

The unit has cedar closets and a laundry room.

It looks like it has space pak cooling but it may be central air.

This building is directly across from the Conservatory and Lincoln Park Zoo.

Originally listed in January 2018 for $2.79 million, it has been reduced to $2.49 million.

Who’s the targeted buyer for a property like this?

Michael Rosenblum at Berkshire Hathaway KoenigRubloff has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #4: 5 bedrooms, 4 baths, 4600 square feet

• Sold in March 2001 for $2,395,000
• Sold in August 2005 for $2,396,500
• Originally listed in January 2018 for $2,797,747
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $2,497,700 (includes 2-car tandem parking)
• Assessments of $2,029 a month (includes heat, security, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $37,873
• Space pak or central air?
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• 1 gas fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 18×14
• Bedroom #2: 14×13
• Bedroom #3: 20×10
• Bedroom #4: 19×15
• Bedroom #5: 1414
• Foyer: 35×8
• Heated solarium: 18×17
• Family room: 24×17
• Laundry room: 7×6

This 1-bedroom in The Vetro at 611 S. Wells in the South Loop recently came on the market.

Thanks to one of the original Crib Chatter readers, Bob, who pointed out that we had chattered about this unit in March 2009 when it had a large landscaped west-facing terrace with an outdoor kitchen.

You can see that chatter here.

While the Great Recession was in full swing by March 2009, there were still many who believed that housing prices wouldn’t be impacted.

Hence, many flippers were still trying to flip new construction units such as these at the Vetro.

Originally purchased in 2007 for $502,000, it was back on the market in 2009 for $869,000, plus $30,000 for parking.

It never sold and a lis pendens was filed in January 2010.

The bank finally took it back in October 2017 (incredible that it took nearly 8 years!) and has now re-listed it.

However, the outdoor kitchen was a unique feature in 2009. See the picture from 2009 below.

It’s kind of ironic if you look at the current pictures that I also described the terrace in 2009 by saying: “Usually they remain a slab of unwelcoming concrete.”

As that outdoor kitchen, plus the landscaping, is long gone.

This unit was very customized originally.

From the 2009 listing:

The listing states it has Birger Juell floors and Waterwork baths including a Zen Master bath with steam and separate jet tub. The 950 square foot terrace has ipewood floors and an outdoor kitchen.

Currently, it looks like the floors and at least one bath remains, along with a platform bed in the bedroom.

However, as I said above, the outdoor kitchen is no longer there.

Additionally, the new Riverline project across the street, along the Chicago River, is now underway.

There will be new construction buildings across the street, just west of this building.

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

It also has a rare 2-car parking which is included in the price.

This unit has come back on the market from the bank at just $385,900.

Is this a deal?

Kirby Pearson at Parker Pearson has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #705: 1 bedroom, 1.5 baths, no square footage listed now, 950 square foot terrace (this is the square footage from 2009)

• Sold in November 2007 for $502,000 (included 2 parking spaces)
• Was listed in March 2009 for $869,000 (parking is $30k extra)
• Withdrawn
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in January 2010
• Lis pendens filed in March 2010
• Bank owned in October 2017
• Currently listed as a Fannnie Mae Homepath property at $385,900 (includes 2 parking spaces)
• Assessments are now $602 a month (they were $367 a month in 2009)(this includes the parking assessment, doorman, cable, exercise room, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger and snow removal)
• Taxes are now $6532 (they were “new” in 2009)
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom: 15×12
• Terrace

This 7-bedroom Queen Anne Victorian at 1904 W. Patterson in North Center has been on and off the market since April 2015.

We last chattered about it in 2016 when the sales price was much higher.

Back then, some of you saw this as a possible Bed and Breakfast and didn’t think the price was too “off”.

See our chatter here.

But it never sold and has come back on the market.

If you recall, it was built in 1891 on a bigger than standard 62.5 x 125 corner fenced in lot.

It has a large wrap around porch, a 3-car garage, a sport court and a brick and bluestone patio.

At 8,000 square feet, it has 7 bedrooms and the preferred layout, with the bedrooms on both the second and third floors.

There are no bedrooms in the basement.

There’s a lower level exercise room and sauna as well as a game room.

It also has an interesting feature in the top floor turreted room: an “office/smoking room with ventilation system.”

The house has an eat-in kitchen with white cabinets, stainless steel appliances and stone counter tops.

It has central air and 3 fireplaces as well as extensive wood work and moldings.

From the listing pictures, it appears that the owners have moved out.

The listing pictures now show some “virtually staged” pictures with the ever popular light gray walls and trendy furniture.

Originally listed in April 2015 for $3,999,999, it has been reduced numerous times and is now listed about 50% less at $1,990,000.

What will it take to finally sell this unique property?

Should the owners go ahead and repaint the entire interiors to make it move-inable? Or is price the only thing that will matter?

Will someone get a deal on this property?

Julie Harron at Jameson Sotheby’s has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

1904 W. Patterson: 7 bedrooms, 7.5 baths, 8000 square feet, 3 car garage

• Sold in November 1998 for $650,000
• Originally listed in April 2015 for $3,999,999
• Reduced
• Was listed in August 2016 at $2.55 million
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $1.990 million
• Taxes are now $48,377 (they were $27,835 in August 2016)
• Central Air
• 3 fireplaces
• Bedroom #1: 20×16 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 21×16 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 14×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 12×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #5: 17×16 (third floor)
• Bedroom #6: 13×12 (third floor)
• Bedroom #7: 11×10 (third floor)
• Turreted office/smoking room: 13×13 (third floor)
• Exercise room: 18×16 (lower level)

This 3-bedroom at 1005 W. Webster in Lincoln Park came on the market in March 2018.

If this building looks familiar, that’s because we chattered about it in 2010 and 2011, during the worst of the housing bust, because it was one of the few new construction condo buildings that was attempting to sell units.

Many of you were skeptical it would sell, especially as this 6-unit building was luxury condos.

But it sold out quickly.

See our chatter here and the listing prices at the time below:

Here are the details from the time on those units which sold with the March 2010 listing price appearing first:

1. Unit #2E: $759,000– sold in July 2010 for $705,000
2. Unit #2W: $739,000– currently listed at $719,000 and under contract
3. Unit #3E: $749,000– sold in January 2011 for $705,000
4. Unit #3W: $699,000– still available but doesn’t appear to be listed
5. Unit #4E: $875,000– sold in July 2010 for $870,000
6. Unit #4W: $849,000– sold in August 2010 for $825,000

Unit #3E has come back on the market for the first time since it’s original sale.

This unit has crown molding throughout and a fireplace in the living room.

The kitchen has white cabinets and luxury stainless steel appliances along with an island (is this a breakfast bar when it is elevated like that?).

The master bath has an oversized steam shower.

The unit has a heated garage and there’s an elevator in the building.

Now listed at $899,900, will it sell just as quickly in today’s market conditions as it did back in 2010?

Paul Gorney at Coldwell Banker has the listing. See the pictures here.

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

• Sold in November 2011 for $705,000
• Originally listed in March 2018 for $899,900 (includes 1 car parking)
• Currently still listed at $899,900 (includes 1 car parking)
• Assessments of $281 a month (includes exterior maintenance, lawn care and scavenger)
• Taxes of $15,340
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 14×18
• Bedroom #2: 10×17
• Bedroom #3: 11×14

This 6-bedroom single family home at 1345 W. Wolfram in West Lakeview came on the market in January 2017.

If it looks familiar, that’s because we chattered about it in 2015.

You can see our chatter here.

However, the house actually did sell in 2015, just a few months after we chattered about it.

But it’s now available again.

If you remember, it has unique features for a city house including a rare double lot measuring 52×124.6 which allows it to have that other rare city feature: the 5 car garage.

Thanks to the double lot, it also has nearly double the square footage of a typical single family home at 9050 square feet.

And for those who need a bathroom with each bedroom, this house has 7 baths and 2 half baths.

The kitchen has luxury stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops along with a 2-story breakfast area.

The second floor has 4 ensuite bedrooms along with a laundry room.

The lower level has a recreation room, a second laundry room and a nanny suite complete with a full kitchen.

It has 4 decks and a basketball court.

If you don’t want to walk up and down all the stairs, there is an elevator.

The listing says the house is in the Prescott school district.

The house has been reduced since it first came on the market in 2017. It’s now listed at the same price as the 2015 purchase.

Is this a deal for the square footage?

Emily Sachs Wong at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here (sorry- no floor plan).

1345 W. Wolfram: 6 bedrooms, 7 full baths, 2 half baths, 9050 square feet, 5 car garage

• I couldn’t find a prior sales price for 2003 sale
• Originally listed in September 2012 for $3,195,999
• Reduced
• Was listed in September 2013 at $2.95 million
• Sold in May 2015 for $2.65 million
• Originally listed in January 2017 for $2.995 million
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $2.65 million
• Taxes are now $20,400 (they were $16,890 in 2015 and $11,866 in 2013)
• Central Air
• 3 fireplaces
• Nanny’s quarter with kitchen
• Basketball court
• Bedroom #1: 21×15 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 15×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 11×15 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 11×18 (second floor)
• Bedroom #5: 11×13 (third floor)
• Bedroom #6: 8×16 (lower level)

This 6-bedroom custom single family home at 550 W. Oakdale in East Lakeview first came on the market in May 2010.

If it looks familiar, that’s because we’ve chattered about it twice before, with the last time in March 2013.

Back then, it was listed for over $3 million and we debated whether this East Lakeview neighborhood could support single family home prices over $3 million.

See our chatter here.

The house is still on the market and has been reduced numerous times over the years.

If you recall, the 7000 square foot house has a unique 53 foot atrium center and radiant heat floors.

It has twelve foot ceilings and eight foot doors along with cherry hardwood floors.

The kitchen has the usual upscale appliances like SubZero, Viking, Wolf and Zephyer.

Built on a 25×140 lot, the house has a 2-car garage that the listing says can accommodate 4 cars with a car lift.

It also provides “snow free living” with heated walkways and stairs along with triple vented gas sealed windows.

The lower level is now being sold to buyers as an in-law unit or au pair quarters. It’s apparently below grade but has a bedroom, 1 bath and a living area. There doesn’t appear to be a kitchen however.

The house has marble baths.

There are 4 outdoor decks.

And if you’re wondering how you’ll cool it all, the house has 4 HVACs.

Originally listed over $3 million, it has now been reduced to $2.199 million.

How long can a custom home like this go unsold before some of the finishes have to be replaced due to changing trends?

And will this house finally sell in this hot housing market?

Sam Shaffer at Chicago Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

550 W. Oakdale: 6 bedrooms, 4 baths, 3 half baths, 7000 square feet, 2 car parking

• Original property sold in June 2007 for $907,500
• Originally listed in May 2010
• Was listed in June 2012 for $3.2 million
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $2.199 million
• Taxes are now $29,859 (they were $37,897 in 2013)
• Central Air
• 4 Decks
• Bedroom #1: 19×15 (third floor)
• Bedroom #2: 18×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 15×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 13×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #5: 10×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #6: 18×11 (basement)
• Laundry room: 8×10 (second floor)

This 2-bedroom in the Plaza 440 at 440 N. Wabash in River North just came on the market.

It’s on a low floor so there are no views but the listing says it was just remodeled.

It has hardwood floors throughout and LED lighting.

The kitchen has white cabinets, quartz counter tops, a blacksplash and stainless steel appliances.

There’s a separate dining area.

The unit has updated baths with quartz vanities.

There’s a new Bosch washer/dryer.

It has central air but there isn’t deeded parking. It is leased in the building.

Listed at $399,000, and just steps away from Trump Tower, the River Walk and the Mag Mile, is this an ideal in-town?

Matt Laricy at Americorp has the listing. See the pictures here.

Or see it at the Open House this weekend on Saturday, Apr 28 from 11 to 12:30 PM.

Unit #405: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed

• Sold in July 2005 for $376,500
• Sold in May 2011 for $233,000
• Currently listed for $399,000
• Assessments of $473 a month (includes heat, a/c, doorman, cable, Internet, pool, exercise room, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $4106
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• No parking but it can be rented in the building
• Bedroom #1: 11×20
• Bedroom 32: 11×18