Crib Chatter

This 2-bedroom on the 20th floor of SoNo at 860 W. Blackhawk in Lincoln Park recently came on the market.

Built in 2009, SoNo has 198 units and is in the North/Clybourn neighborhood. The building was closing on units just as the recession hit.

This unit has south and west views which includes views of downtown.

It has new walnut flooring throughout.

The kitchen has stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops, including on the island.

It has a split bedroom floor plan with the second bedroom sporting a custom murphy bed.

The master bathroom is marble and has double sinks.

The unit has a large covered balcony which allows grilling.

It has all the features buyers look for including central air, in-unit washer/dryer and 2-car side by side parking.

This unit has come on the market 3 years after its last sale for $61,000 more at $695,000.

Is $700,000 the new asking price for 2/2s with views in this building?

Joe Kennedy at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #2002: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1416 square feet

• Sold in February 2010 for $478,000
• Sold in September 2014 for $634,000
• Currently listed for $695,000
• Assessments of $799 a month (includes heat, a/c, gas, parking, doorman, cable, Internet, exercise room, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $9128
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Includes 2 parking spaces (looks like they are NOT deeded as they don’t show up in the CCRD record)
• Bedroom #1: 21×12
• Bedroom #2: 14×12
• Foyer: 15×5
• Balcony: 12×10

This 2-bedroom loft in the Union Square Lofts at 333 W. Hubbard in River North just came on the market.

It’s on the 8th floor and faces south with views of the Merchandise Mart.

This is the “old” part of the building.

This unit has 13 foot concrete ceilings and what looks like some exposed brick, but I can’t tell if that’s wallpaper or real or what.

The living room/kitchen has diagonal hardwood floors, a fireplace and a balcony.

The kitchen has black granite counter tops and a mix of stainless steel and black appliances.

There is a unique blue pearl granite floor in the master bedroom which also has a full sized wall and a window.

The second bedroom has 3/4th walls and no window, as is common in many loft units.

It has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and the listing says heated garage parking is included in the price.

Is this a good starter home in the popular River North neighborhood?

Sheetal Balani at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #809: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed

• Sold in June 2004 for $315,250 (the price is a guess as the CCRD data has an input error)
• Sold in June 2004 for $403,500
• Currently listed at $475,000 (parking included)
• Assessments of $934 a month (includes cable, Internet, heat, a/c, doorman, heated garage, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal, exterior maintenance, dog run, bike room)
• Taxes of $7085
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 16×11
• Bedroom #2: 13×10

This 3-bedroom at 200 N. Dearborn in the Theater District in the Loop recently came on the market.

Built in 1989 as apartments, it has 308 units and a parking garage.

This building was owned by American Invsco and was one of the last apartment buildings converted into condos before the bust.

This unit is two combined units and has custom features.

It has south and east views and a pre-wired a/v system.

There are wood floors and a floor medallion.

The kitchen has custom French-style cabinets with a farmhouse sink.

The unit has 3 bathrooms and in-unit washer/dryer.

It appears that there may be 2 parking spaces included.

The building has an indoor pool and a doorman.

The Loop is booming, with new food halls, the River Walk, new restaurants and apartment buildings.

Can this neighborhood command the million dollar price point for a 3-bedroom?

Courtland Townsley at Touchstone Group has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #3801-02: 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 1800 square feet

• Sold in April 2008 for $832,000 (included 2 parking spaces)
• Sold in January 2010 for $480,000 (included 2 parking spaces)
• Currently listed at $1.099 million (parking included???)
• Assessments of $1130 a month (includes heat, a/c, doorman, pool, exterior maintenance)
• Taxes of $7444
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 13×21
• Bedroom #2: 11×14
• Bedroom #3: 11×14

This 5-bedroom single family home at 826 W. Oakdale in Lakeview came on the market in February 2017.

Built in 1890 on a standard Chicago lot of 25×125, it’s located in the Oakdale Avenue District, which is a Chicago landmark district.

It lasts just a block, from Halsted to Mildred on Oakdale. The street is filled with single family homes and mid-rise apartment buildings in the Queen Anne, Richardsonian Romanesque and Classical Revival styles, among others.

In the past we have chattered about the nearby Terra Cotta Row District, which is also landmarked. It stretches for the 1000 West block of Oakdale.

The listing says this house is a “Brownstone” (is it?) but it has many of its vintage features including an entry foyer, the original woodwork, crown molding, high ceilings and 2 fireplaces.

There’s a formal dining room, a music room and a library.

4 bedrooms are on the second floor with a master suite that has a 20×9 walk-in closet and a marble bathroom.

The lower level is finished and has a recreation room, an office, a big storage room and the 5th bedroom.

It appears that the back of the house was added as it sports the kitchen with white cabinets, granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances, a Dacor double oven and a Bosch dishwasher, and is open to a family room.

There’s a 3-car attached garage, central air and a laundry room on the second floor.

There’s also a back deck.

This house has been reduced about 15% since it first listed in February 2017 and is now listed at $1.699 million.

Is this a deal for the square footage?

Jennifer Mills at Berkshire Hathaway KoenigRubloff has the listing. See the pictures here.

826 W. Oakdale: 5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 5740 square feet

• Sold in September 1988 for $330,000
• Sold in April 2008 for $1.275 million
• Originally listed in February 2017 for $1.999 million
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $1.699 million
• Taxes of $19,495
• Central Air
• Attached 3-car parking
• 2 fireplaces
• Bedroom #1: 24×19 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 18×16 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 13×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 12×10 (second floor)
• Bedroom #5: 19×14 (lower level)
• Walk-in closet: 20×9 (second floor)
• Family room: 20×15 (main level)
• Library: 13×12 (main level)
• Office: 12×11 (lower level)
• Storage room: 20×10 (lower level)

This 2-bedroom at 1325 N. Dearborn Parkway in the Gold Coast recently came on the market.

Built in 1890, this building has 3 units and outside parking behind the building.

If you like vintage features, you’ll get plenty of those with this top floor unit.

It has Moorish Revival stained glass windows, high ceilings with medallions and crown molding and two working fireplaces with the original mantles.

There are inlaid wood floors and pocket doors.

There’s a small office with a window and also a family room.

It has central air, washer/dryer in the unit and 2-car tandem parking which is included in the price.

The kitchen has custom cabinets, luxury appliances and stone counter tops.

The listing says that “dogs are welcome” in the building.

The second floor unit in this building is also on the market but is contingent at $699,000.

See those pictures here.

This unit was last on the market in 2015 but didn’t sell. But it hasn’t changed owners since the 1980s.

Is this a rare chance for vintage lovers to buy into one of the Gold Coast’s most distinctive buildings?

Nancy Joyce at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

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

• Last sold before 1989
• Currently listed for $745,000 (includes 2-car outdoor tandem parking)
• Assessments of $450 a month (includes heat, electric)
• Taxes of $11,360
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• 2 fireplaces
• Bedroom #1: 21×14
• Bedroom #2: 15×9
• Family room: 20×13
• Office: 8×6

This 4-bedroom duplex up condo at 2922 N. Sheffield in Lakeview recently came on the market.

This building was constructed in 2015 and has 3 units and garage parking.

The unit is on the top floor and has dark espresso floors and a glass paneled staircase.

3 of the 4 bedrooms are on the second floor, including the master suite which has a bathroom with a steam shower.

The kitchen, along with the living/dining/and family room is on the main floor. It has custom cabinetry and Subzero and Viking appliances.

The unit has a huge private rooftop deck measuring 18×65.

It has all the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and 1-car garage parking.

This building is among the group of luxury new construction condos that have been built in the last few years all over Lakeview.

It is a block from the Wellington Brown Line stop (and the building is NOT on the El side of the street.)

There are also a bunch of shops and restaurants on this stretch of Sheffield including Barcocina, DMK Burger and Kirkwood.

This unit is listed for $110,000 above the 2015 sales price, at $1,099,000.

With prices rising in the luxury neighborhoods of Lincoln Park and Bucktown, is the million dollar condo buyer increasingly looking at Lakeview?

Ian Halpin at Dream Town Realty has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #3: 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2400 square feet, duplex up

• Sold in June 2015 for $989,000
• Currently listed for $1,099,000
• Assessments of $205 a month (includes scavenger)
• Taxes aren’t listed yet
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Garage parking included
• Private roof deck: 18×65
• Bedroom #1: 17×16 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 10×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 14×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 10×9 (main floor)
• Family room: 21×17 (main floor)

This 3-bedroom in The Peerless at 3026 N. Lincoln in West Lakeview came on the market in February 2017.

This is a new construction 9-unit brick and steel building with an elevator and garage parking.

All of the units in the building are 3-bedrooms, which is somewhat rare for Lakeview, but this was a massive lot so a little bit different type of building could be built.

There are 10 foot ceilings and a recessed balcony that faces Lincoln.

The listing says there is poured concrete between floors (presumably for soundproofing).

There are 4 inch white oak hardwood floors throughout.

The finishes are upscale and modern.

The kitchens have Scavolini cabinets, Subzero, Wolf, Asko appliances and Graff faucets along with quartz counter tops.

The master bathroom has a walk-in shower and heated floors.

Rare 2-car heated attached garage is included.

5 out of the 9 units are already sold.

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

Is this a good townhouse alternative for families?

Ted Nash at Jameson Sotheby’s has the listing. See the pictures here.

Or go to the Open House on Sunday, May 21 from 2-4 PM.

Unit #3B: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1750 square feet

• New construction
• Currently listed for $740,000 (includes 2 car garage parking)
• Assessments of $178 a month (includes exterior maintenance and scavenger)
• Taxes are “new”
• Central Air
• Side-by-side washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 17×12
• Bedroom #2: 12×11
• Bedroom #3: 12×11

This 6-bedroom greystone at 1334 W. Newport in Southport came on the market in April 2016.

Built in 2010 on a larger than standard Chicago lot of 30 x 125, it has a 3-car garage.

The house has 10 foot ceilings, custom millwork, crown moldings and a Control 4 with fully integrated lighting, climate, music, home theater and security.

It has the preferred layout with 4 of the 6 bedrooms on the second level, along with a laundry room.

The kitchen has an L-shaped island with dark wood cabinets and luxury appliances.

There’s also a butler pantry with a Miele coffee machine, wine fridge and wet bar.

The house has even more features on the top floor, which has a media room along with a ventless fireplace, wet bar, dishwasher, refrigerator, ice maker and a massive 700 bottle wine cellar (check out the pictures).

There’s also a walkout terrace on this level with a hot tube and outdoor fireplace.

The other 2 bedrooms are in the lower level along with a recreation room and an exercise room.

It’s listed for $175,000 more than the 2015 sale, at $2.85 million.

Will this house find it hard to compete with the newly constructed and renovated homes in this neighborhood?

Ryan Preuett at Jameson Sotheby’s has the listing. See the pictures here.

1334 W. Newport: 6 bedrooms, 6 baths, 5680 square feet

• Sold in July 2015 for $2.675 million
• Currently listed for $2.85 million
• Taxes of $22,507
• Central Air
• 3-car garage
• Hot tub
• 700-bottle wine cellar
• Bedroom #1: 16×15 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 12×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 12×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 12×9 (second floor)
• Bedroom #5: 12×11 (lower level)
• Bedroom #6: 12×11 (lower level)
• Recreation room: 30×23 (lower level)
• Exercise room: 16×8 (lower level)
• Media room: 23×17 (third level)
• Family room: 23×18 (main level)

This 6-bedroom single family home at 3531 N. Janssen in Southport came on the market in May 2015.

This is a custom new construction home on an oversized Chicago lot measuring 37.5 x 125.

It has the layout most buyers prefer, with 4 out of the 6 bedrooms, including the master suite, on the second floor.

The master bathroom has stone heated floors and a steam shower.

The other two bedrooms are in the lower level along with the recreation room, media room, second laundry room, wet-bar and wine cellar.

The kitchen has white cabinets and a large island with stone counter tops. The listing says there’s a “professional appliance package.”

There’s also a family room on the main level with built-in bookcases.

The house has a heated 3-car attached garage.

It also has a raised terrace with outdoor fireplace.

This house was on the market for a year, between May 2015 and May 2016, before being withdrawn.

It came back on the market at the same price, $3.695 million, in September 2016 and is listed at that today.

Janssen has many vintage homes, including Victorians. And you can see the type of home that is next door to this one in the picture below.

This is a prime block in hot Southport.

How long will it take to sell this?

Richard Kasper at Conlon has the listing. See the pictures here.

3531 N. Janssen: 6 bedrooms, 5 baths, 6930 square feet

• Prior house sold October 2014 for $1.14 million
• New construction listed in May 2015 for $3.695 million
• Withdrawn in May 2016
• Re-listed in September 2016 for $3.695 million
• Currently still listed at $3.695 million
• Taxes aren’t listed
• 3-car heated garage
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 17×17 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 14×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 14×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 14×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #5: 13×12 (lower level)
• Bedroom #6: 13×12 (lower level)
• Recreation room: 19×20 (lower level)
• Family room: 21×18 (main level)

This 5-bedroom single family home at 1217 N. Cornelia in Southport came on the market in February 2017.

Built in 1906 on a 30×125 lot, it was formerly a 2-flat that was completely renovated into a single family home, including with new water and sewer.

It has the layout that buyers like, with 4 out of the 5 bedrooms on the second level, including the master suite.

The master suite has a “spa-like” master bath with dual vanities, heated floors and a steam shower.

The 5th bedroom is in the lower level with a recreation room, home office, the laundry room and a bathroom.

There’s also a family room off the kitchen on the main level.

The kitchen has white cabinets, stone counter tops and luxury appliances.

There’s a new full masonry 2-car garage.

If you drive down Cornelia or Newport, east of Southport, you can see a bunch of dumpsters lining the street as many of the vintage, formerly 2 and 3-flats, are being gutted for new luxury single family homes.

These blocks used to be filled with 20-somethings working their first jobs, who would hang out at Southport bars and go to Cubs games, but these renovations are taking a lot of apartments out of the rental pool.

The listing says this house is in the Hamilton school district.

Since February, it has been reduced $70,000 to $1.925 million.

Is there any limit on the demand for these greystones in this prime part of Southport?

Christine Paloian at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

1217 W. Cornelia: 5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, 4500 square feet, 2 car garage

• Sold as a 2-flat in July 2014 for $880,000
• Originally listed in February 2017 as a single family home for $1.995 million
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $1.925 million
• Taxes of $11906
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 16×16 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 15×10 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 14×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 14×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #5: 16×13 (lower level)
• Family room: 18×15 (main level)
• Recreation room: 31×17 (lower level)