Crib Chatter

This 2-bedroom top floor unit at 1348 W. Diversey in Lakeview came on the market in June 2017. (It’s the one on the right in the picture above.)

We chattered about this building, and its sister building next door, back in 2012 when they were under construction.

See our chatter here.

Back then, the market was still pretty sick but was in the process of bottoming. New construction condos started to be built on the north side and sold quickly, including those in both of these buildings.

If you recall, this is an all brick building.

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

There’s a wine fridge in the kitchen as well as a second one on the second floor landing, which leads to a private rooftop deck.

Unlike the sister building next door, there’s no pergola on the top floor of this unit but there’s city views.

The second floor also has custom cabinetry and a small office space.

The master suite bathroom has a double sink and a separate spray shower.

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

Originally listed for $599,000, it has been reduced by $14,000 to $585,000.

These condos represented the current trends of that year, with modern cabinets and wide plank floors.

How are these contemporary finishes holding up just 5 years later on the re-sale?

Jim Streff at Berkshire Hathaway KoenigRubloff has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #3: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed

• Sold in December 2012 for $477,500 (per Zillow)
• Originally listed in June 2017 for $599,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $585,000 (includes 1 car garage parking)
• Assessments of $175 a month (includes exterior maintenance, lawn care, snow removal)
• Taxes of $8498
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Private rooftop deck
• Bedroom #1: 18×13
• Bedroom #2: 10×10
• Den: 17×8 (second floor)
• Deck: 40×18 (second floor)

This 3-bedroom penthouse at 1342 W. Belmont in West Lakeview recently came on the market.

This is a new construction 6-unit building with an elevator and 1-car parking per unit.

The building also has a heated front sidewalk and security cameras throughout.

The units have 10-foot ceilings, heated floors and large front-facing terraces.

The kitchens have luxury appliances by Fisher and Paykel.

There’s porcelain tile throughout and the bathrooms have custom glass showers.

This is one of two penthouse units and has a private rooftop deck.

The new extra large Whole Foods has opened just 2 blocks away and the shops and restaurants of Southport are nearby as well.

The listing says this building is in the Burley school district.

It looks like at least 2 out of the 6 units are already under contract.

Has Lakeview reached a new price level for luxury condos?

Jeff Lowe at Berkshire Hathaway KoenigRubloff has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #4W: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed.

• New construction
• Currently listed for $849,000
• Assessments of $350 a month (includes scavenger)
• Taxes are “new”
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 14×11
• Bedroom #2: 14×11
• Bedroom #3: 14×10
• Front terrace: 26×8
• Rooftop deck: 18×14

This 2-bedroom duplex in The Churchill at 1255 N. State Parkway in the Gold Coast came on the market in June 2016.

The listing says this vintage unit has been renovated.

The eat-in kitchen has white cabinets, white appliances and stone counter tops.

The 3 bathrooms are custom with marble counter tops and heated flooring.

Both bedrooms are on the second floor, but I can’t tell if they have any windows. The bathrooms appear to, but it’s not clear the bedrooms do as there aren’t any in any of the pictures.

The 3×3 laundry room is also on the second floor.

The living areas and kitchen are on the main floor along with a secret 450-square foot terrace with a custom pergola and seating.

The unit has washer/dryer in the unit and what looks like space pak cooling although the listing says central air.

The HOAs are $1592 a month but it includes almost everything but taxes.

There’s no parking with the building but there’s public lots in the neighborhood.

Originally listed for $599,000 in 2016, it has been reduced $100,000 to $499,000.

Will the price, and the unique outdoor space, finally sell this unit?

Cheryl Dyle at Re/Max Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #2E3E: 2 bedrooms, 3 baths, duplex up, 1700 square feet

• Sold in August 1997 for $209,000
• Sold in August 2005 for $510,000
• Bank owned in September 2009
• Sold in April 2010 for $295,000
• Originally listed in June 2016 for $599,000
• Reduced numerous times
• Currently listed for $499,000
• Assessments of $1592 a month (includes electric, gas, doorman, cable, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $6162
• Central Air or Space Pak?
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• No Parking
• Bedroom #1: 13×21 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 14×9 (second floor)
• Laundry: 3×3 (second floor)
• 450 square foot private terrace/deck

This 2-bedroom in 208 W. Washington in the Loop just came on the market (sorry for the bad picture of the building above. I didn’t realize how crappy it was!)

This building was converted into condos in 2002 so the original finishes are 15 years old.

The listing for this unit describes its complete renovation.

The kitchen now has new designer cabinetry, new granite waterfall island design, a high gloss backsplash and luxury stainless steel appliances from Dacor, Bosch. There’s also a Liebherr refrigerator.

The hardwood floors have been refinished, there’s new lighting, new wood closet doors and new light fixtures.

Both bedrooms have been fully enclosed with sound proof glass. Neither has a window.

The master suite has a double vanity. The second bathroom has also been renovated.

Both bedroom closets also have built-ins.

The unit facing south and has a balcony.

It has all the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and parking is included.

This unit is just 15 years old.

Is that around the time when the kitchens and baths start to look “old”? How long can you wait in a condo to start replacing them?

Crystal Tran at Berkshire Hathaway KoenigRubloff has the listing. See the pictures here.

Or you can see it at the Open House on September 17 from 1 PM to 3 PM.

Unit #1813: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1140 square feet

• Sold in November 2002 for $299,500
• Currently listed for $435,000 (includes the parking)
• Assessments of $770 a month (includes heat, A/C, gas, cable, Internet, doorman, exercise room, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger)
• Taxes of $5142
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 13×12
• Bedroom #2: 12×10

This 2-bedroom duplex up penthouse at 110 N. Peoria in the West Loop recently came on the market.

It’s a 2125 square foot authentic loft with exposed brick walls, soaring ceilings with steal beams and skylights.

Both bedrooms are on the second floor and have en suite baths.

There’s a half bath on the main floor along with the living room, dining room, kitchen and the massive private terrace with city views that has a built-in barbecue and planter boxes.

The kitchen has white cabinets and stainless steel appliances.

The loft has central air, washer/dryer in the unit and one parking space is included that the listing says will fit 2 cars.

Listed at $999,000, are million dollar lofts going to be bought by McDonald executives?

Nancy Tassone at Jameson Sotheby’s has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #501: 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2125 square feet, duplex up

• Sold in February 1996 for $435,000 (did not include parking)
• Sold in January 2006 for $742,000 (included the parking)
• Sold in June 2013 for $722,500 (included the parking)
• Currently listed for $999,000 (includes the parking)
• Assessments of $475 a month (includes exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $10,061
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 21×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 10×15 (second floor)
• Deck: 36×22

This 2-bedroom in the Beacon Lofts at 203 S. Sangamon in the West Loop came on the market on September 5.

The Beacon Lofts was converted in 1998. I believe all 48 units are duplex up units. There’s an outdoor parking lot but some lofts also have indoor parking.

It’s a duplex up south facing loft with 20 foot ceilings and a column of exposed brick.

One bedroom is on the main floor. It looks like it doesn’t have direct windows but the listing says its fully enclosed.

The master bedroom is on the second floor.

The kitchen is new with 2-tone Dura Supreme cabinets, quartz counter tops, Bosch package, and GE French door.

The listing says there’s a brand new gray marble second bath, but it doesn’t have a picture.

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

It is one of the lofts in the building that has the garage parking, and it’s included in the price.

From what I can tell from the pictures and the listing, the kitchen and the second bathroom were updated.

You can see the 2013 listing pictures here.

This loft last sold in 2013 for $430,000. It came on the market for 45% more at $625,000.

It was then reduced $30,000, or about 5%, within 2 days.

Why would you need to reduce so quickly in one of the hottest neighborhoods and in a hot housing market?

Lynn Weekly at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

Or you can see it in person at the Open House on Sunday from 12 PM to 2 PM.

Unit #212: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1521 square feet, duplex up

• Sold in December 2002 for $315,000
• Sold in April 2004 for $341,000 (CCRD says $241,000 but I think it’s a typo based on the mortgage amount)
• Sold in July 2007 for $415,500
• Sold in September 2013 for $430,000
• Originally listed on September 5, 2017 for $625,000 (included parking)
• Reduced 2 days later
• Currently listed for $595,000 (still includes the garage parking)
• Assessments of $431 a month (includes cable, exercise room, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal, Internet)
• Taxes of $7058
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 14×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 12×10 (first floor)

This 2-bedroom in the Marshall Field Junior Mansion at 1919 S. Prairie in the Prairie Historic District in the South Loop came on the market in March 2017.

This mansion was built in 1890 and was converted to 6 condos in 2006 at the height of the old housing boom, when there was new construction all over this neighborhood.

If this mansion looks familiar, it’s because we chattered about it, and even this particular unit, during the bust years back in 2010.

See our chatter here.

As some of you may recall, the developer didn’t keep any of the interior vintage features, unfortunately, but this unit does have 3 fireplaces.

It’s on the second floor of the building.

It has the modern open concept of living, dining and kitchen.

The listing calls the kitchen “updated” with stainless steel appliances, including Miele coffee system and Subzero, granite counter tops and a large island.

Both bedrooms are en suite. The master bedroom has a walk-in closet with California closets.

It has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and one car garage parking which is included.

Listed in March, it has been reduced $110,000 to $675,000. That’s just $27,500 over the 2013 sales price.

Is this a deal?

Nadine Ferrata at Coldwell Banker has the listing again. See the pictures here.

Unit #4: 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2227 square feet

• Sold in September 2006 for $850,000
• Sold in December 2010 for $647,500
• Originally listed in March 2017 for $785,000
• Reduced several times
• Currently listed for $675,000 (includes garage parking)
• Assessments of $484 a month (includes exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger)
• Taxes of $13,276
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 20×12
• Bedroom #2: 16×9
• Living room: 18×18
• Dining room: 13×17
• Kitchen: 12×13

This 4-bedroom townhouse in the Pasta Factory at 2334 W. Polk in Tri-Taylor just came on the market.

It would take a real dedicated reader to recognize it, though, as it appeared on Crib Chatter all the way back in December 2007 not long after the site was launched.

No one commented on it.

Ha!

But you can still see the description and the old pictures here.

The Pasta Factory is a 6 unit building with gated parking.

This townhouse has 4 levels but has loft features including exposed brick walls, industrial size windows, timber ceilings and even a unique bow truss.

The listing says there is a custom hanging mantle with a wood burning fireplace.

There’s a spiral staircase that leads to a loft and a ladder that takes you up to the private 20×15 rooftop deck.

The kitchen looks new compared to the 2007 pictures and now has wood cabinets, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

2 of the bedrooms are on the second floor with 2 of them in the lower level.

This is only the third time this townhouse has been on the market in the last 22 years.

For loft lovers, is this a good compromise for those looking for levels?

Alex French at Conlon has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #3: 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, no square footage listed (but was 2000 in 2007)

• Sold in August 1995 for $150,000
• Sold in June 2008 for $385,500
• Currently listed for $399,000 (includes gated parking)
• Assessments of $244 a month (were $136 a month in 2007)
• Taxes of $4812
• It says “partial central air” but not sure this is correct
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Wood burning fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 13×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 12×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 12×10 (lower level)
• Bedroom #4: 12×10 (lower level)
• Laundry room: 8×5 (lower level)
• Loft: 14×14

This 4-bedroom townhouse in the Kensington Park Townhomes at 1816 S. Indiana in the South Loop came on the market in April 2017.

This complex was built in 2003 and has 39 units with garages.

At 3,335 square feet, this is one of the larger units.

It has 4-levels with a 2-car attached garage.

Three of the four bedrooms are on the third floor with the master suite on the fourth level with 2 walk-in closets and its own 8×19 oversized private deck.

The living room, dining room and kitchen are on the second floor.

The kitchen has white cabinets, granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances, a kitchen island and a custom banquette along with a deck.

As is common with townhouses, there’s a family room on the first floor.

It has central air.

Since being listed in April 2017, the townhouse has been reduced $90,999 to $899,000.

Four bedroom townhomes are rare. Even rarer are ones listed for under $900,000.

It was last reduced on August 16 to $899,000.

Sometimes when listings are on the market and reducing, they get lost in the shuffle.

Is this a deal at this price?

Nadine Ferrata at Coldwell Banker has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit A: 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, 3,335 square feet, 2 car attached garage

• Sold in March 2003 for $697,000
• Sold in May 2007 for $865,000
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in June 2011
• Sold in September 2011 for $710,000
• Originally listed in April 2017 for $989,999
• Reduced several times
• Currently listed at $899,000
• Assessments of $224 a month (includes exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $15,083
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 16×21 (fourth floor)
• Bedroom #2: 12×12 (third floor)
• Bedroom #3: 9×12 (third floor)
• Bedroom #4: 9×12 (third floor)
• Family room: 12×20 (main level)
• Deck: 8×19 (fourth floor)
• Deck: 3×19 (second floor)

This 3-bedroom New York style loft at 1020 S. Wabash in the South Loop came on the market in April 2017.

At 3200 square feet, it has 12 foot ceilings and walls of industrial windows with north, east and south views. The listing says there is brick and timber, but the pictures don’t indicate that. I believe these lofts have concrete ceilings.

The kitchen has custom cabinets, Subzero and Viking appliances and 2 pantries. The listing says the island is big enough to seat 8.

The master bedroom has a spa master bath with Grohe/Duravit.

There’s enough space for a library/piano room and two living room type spaces.

The loft has central air, washer/dryer in the unit and there are 2 deeded parking spaces, with one included in the price.

This listing says this is a 3-bedroom loft. There are 4 floor plans included in the listing. Check those out.

Is the third bedroom just a closet as it appears to be in the first, basic, floorplan without the furniture put in? Or does the third bedroom have to be added as it is in one of the floor plans with the furniture included?

I’m confused.

Originally listed at $1.249 million, it has been reduced $50,000 to $1.199 million.

Who are the buyers for large lofts like this in this neighborhood?

Charese David at Menard Johnson & Associates has the listing. See the pictures and floor plans here.

Unit #7E: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 3200 square feet

• Sold in May 2000 for $536,000
• Sold in April 2009 for $775,000
• Originally listed for $1.249 million
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $1.199 million
• Assessments of $971 a month (includes security, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $11,870
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• 2 parking spaces, with one of them included in the price
• Bedroom #1: 23×17
• Bedroom #2: 17×16
• Bedroom #3: 13×9
• Family room: 21×18
• Library: 22×20
• Laundry room: 6×11