Crib Chatter

This 1-bedroom in Marina City at 300 N. State in River North came on the market in August 2016.

Marina City was designed in 1959 by Bertrand Goldberg and completed construction in 1964.

Both towers have 65 stories. There’s also a marina on the river level.

Originally built as apartments, they were converted to condos in 1977.

The corn cob buildings have been the star of many movies and television shows not to mention television commercials.

However, their appearance also makes for a unique “pie shape” layout in the units.

This unit is on the 59th floor and has been completely renovated including removing walls from the original kitchen and opening it up to the living space.

The listing indicates it has north, east and west city views.

The kitchen has white cabinets, new counter tops, a kitchen island, stainless steel appliances and a tile backsplash.

It appears that there are new hardwood floors throughout.

The bathroom has also been renovated with a stand-up shower.

There’s no central air but there are wall units.

There’s also no in-unit washer/dryer and parking is leased in the 896 car parking garage.

The buildings, however, were in the news this summer for some issues with their balconies.

From DNAInfo:

An April 15, 2015, inspection resulted in building code violations including “failure to maintain the exterior walls of a building or structure” at 300 N. State St. It required a “comprehensive inspection of the building’s exterior,” city buildings department spokeswoman Mimi Simon said.

“The building’s management hired an engineering firm to conduct this examination, which found that all of the building’s facades and balconies need to be repaired or replaced to bring them up to code,” Simon said.

In March, the Marina Towers Condominum Association obtained a building permit to make more than $2.1 million in repairs to balconies at all elevations, public records show.

DKcondo, Marina City’s management company, did not respond to a request to be interviewed about the construction project.

Janiec offered vague details about the repairs, saying that it could take up to eight weeks to fix each affected balcony railing.

“Everything is a process. There are eight or nine steps to replace posts and certain grout takes a long time to cure,” Janiec said. “We are trying to get all the [repair] work done this year.”

Some residents, however, say they’ve been banned from balconies since October and they haven’t been given any guarantee the work will be finished this year.

Is a renovated Marina City unit a dream come true for a Millennial new to Chicago?

Dustin Harvey at Alto Realty has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #5918: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 725 square feet

• Sold in November 1991 for $15,500
• Sold in October 2013 for $223,000 (per Redfin)
• Originally listed in August 2016 for $293,500
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $288,000
• Assessments of $539 a month (includes doorman, cable, clubhouse, exercise room, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $4133
• No central air- wall units
• No in-unit washer/dryer
• Parking is leased in the 896 car parking garage
• Bedroom: 12×14
• Living room: 18×16
• Kitchen: 10×12

This 2-bedroom in the John Hancock Center at 175 E. Delaware in the Gold Coast came on the market in July 2016.

Built in 1969, the John Hancock has 700 units above commercial space and includes one of the highest residential units in the world.

This north facing unit has been renovated in the last 3 years.

At 1558 square feet, the prior listings said this is the largest 2/2 with den floor plan in the building.

It has red oak engineered wood flooring.

The kitchen has new St. Thomas custom cabinets, Arabian Nights granite countertops, a white subway tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances.

The bathrooms have new vanities.

It has a 9×8 “terrace” or den space with a window that vents (not all units have windows that vent, apparently.)

The unit has a Nest thermostat and in-unit washer/dryer. Parking is rental in the building.

According to the listing, the building has done a lot of upgrades recently.

The unit has 3 new a/c units, provided by the building, the parking garage was renovated, and the gym and indoor pool were also renovated this year (be sure to check out the picture of the indoor pool in the listing.)

This is a full amenity building with a supermarket.

There’s no doubt when you tell a Chicagoan you “live in the Hancock” they know exactly what you mean. No address required!

This unit originally listed for $599,000 in July and has been reduced $20,000 to $579,000.

Is this an affordable entry point for buyers who want views and the Gold Coast location?

Get ready for more “iconic” Chicago residential high rises all this week.

What do YOU consider to be the iconic residential buildings in the city?

Chime in now, or forever hold your peace.

And, by the way, it’s actually really hard to get a good picture of the outside of the John Hancock. It’s so massive you need to be further away. But then, if you are further away, you’d better have a really good camera in order to really capture it.

This is the best I could do with my crappy camera.

Martin Taradejna at Conlon has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #6304: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1558 square feet

• Sold in January 1981 for $200,000 (per Zillow)
• Sold in March 2000 for $375,000
• Sold in December 2013 for $435,000 (per Zillow)
• Originally listed in July 2016 for $599,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $579,000
• Assessments of $1121 a month (includes doorman, cable, exercise room, pool, scavenger)
• Taxes of $8505
• No central air. 3 wall units
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Parking is rental in the building from $295 to $325 a month
• Bedroom #1: 16×27
• Bedroom #2: 14×11
• Terrace/den: 9×8

This 2-bedroom duplex at 711 W. Gordon Terrace in the Buena Park neighborhood of Uptown came on the market in August 2016.

Built in 1979, it has 90 units with garage parking.

This unit faces north.

The living dining/kitchen and half bath are on the first floor with the 2 bedrooms and full bath on the second floor.

The kitchen has white cabinets and appliances with granite counter tops and a kitchen island open to the living room.

There are hardwood floors on the first floor.

Garage parking is included in the price. There’s no central air but there are wall cooling units.

There’s also no in-unit washer/dryer but there’s coin laundry in the building.

At just $219,900, is this a deal compared to city rents?

Is Buena Park one of the few neighborhoods that even still has deals?

Michael Vesole at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #521: 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, duplex, 1100 square feet

• Sold in December 1998 for $171,000 (per Zillow)
• Sold in May 2003 for $227,000 (per Zillow)
• Currently listed for $219,900 (parking included)
• Assessments of $475 a month (includes cable, internet, heat, doorman, exercise room, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $2410
• No central air- wall units
• No in-unit washer/dryer but coin laundry in the building
• Bedroom #1: 11×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 13×9 (second floor)

This 4-bedroom on the 10th floor at 320 W. Oakdale in East Lakeview came on the market in February 2016.

Built in 1955 and designed by Milton Schwarz, 320 W. Oakdale is considered one of the best examples of Chicago modernist mid-century architecture.

Its floor-to-ceiling windows, for instance, were ahead of its time.

Many architecture buffs move into the building for its heritage.

It has 54 units.

This unit is a combined unit, and at 4400 square feet, is the largest in the building.

It has 200 feet of windows with east, west and southern city views.

The listing says it was once featured in Architectural Digest.

The chef’s kitchen has solid bird’s eye maple cabinets, a large island, a double oven, Subzero appliances and an indoor grill.

There’s a family room, a breakfast room and an 8×6 pantry.

The unit has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and there are 2 covered parking spaces included.

Originally listed for $1.1 million, it has been reduced to $850,000.

Is this a deal for the square footage and location?

Susan Davids at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures and the floor plan here.

Unit #1001: 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, 4400 square feet

• It’s had the same owner since 1987
• Originally listed in February 2016 for $1.1 million
• Reduced twice
• Currently listed for $850,000
• Assessments of $2279 a month (includes complete cable package, Internet, heat, a/c, live-in building engineer, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger and snow removal)
• Taxes of $9319 (senior exemption)
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• 2 covered parking spaces included ($1000 transfer fee for each)
• Bedroom #1: 15×14
• Bedroom #2: 14×11
• Bedroom #3: 16×13
• Bedroom #4: 31×15
• Laundry room: 6×6
• Pantry: 8×6

This house at 1810 N. Orleans in Old Town’s historic landmark district came on the market in August 2016.

It’s being marketed as a chance to build new.

From the listing:

One of the Last Opportunities to build your DREAM HOME in Old Town!!!

The listing says the white and green house was built in 1886.

It’s on a 36×124 lot on one of the most exclusive streets in the Old Town historic district.

According to the listing it is zoned RM5 with alley access.

It seems to be a dream come true, right? A big lot right in the middle of Old Town.

But there’s one little catch. From the listing:

Due to Old Town Association guidelines and Landmark status, the structure on the back of the lot will most likely have to remain with some of the front area/enclosed porch allowed to be altered. All indications are there previously was a home on the front portion of the lot thus possibly establishing precedence. Buyer will have to do the due diligence. Seller does not warrant the feasibility of a newly built structure. Build your dream home in Chicago’s Prestigious Old Town Triangle!

Here’s what the Old Town Association says on its website:

Each month, members consider requests for proposed exterior changes to existing buildings, new construction, and applications for zoning changes in the Triangle. Their deliberations range from the appropriateness of building materials used in rehabbing and construction projects to the height of fences and building additions. The Guidelines for Alterations to Historic Buildings and New Construction, prepared by the Commission on Chicago Landmarks, serves as the guide for their recommendations. These recommendations are sent to the Alderman of the 43rd Ward and to appropriate city commissions and departments for approval. In every instance, the final decision on any rehab project rests with the Landmarks Commission.

This property is listed at $3.2 million.

Given that the back house/structure most likely has to stay, and the other issues with building in a landmark district, will they get this price?

Debbie Maue at Jameson Sotheby’s has the listing. See the pictures here (only shows the exterior of the house)

1810 N. Orleans: built in 1886

• Last sold in or before 1995. A $78,500 mortgage was taken out in 1995.
• Currently listed for $3.2 million
• Taxes of $21,668
• 36×124 lot in a historic district

This vintage 3-bedroom at 626 W. Belden in Lincoln Park came on the market in August 2016.

Built in 1890, this greystone has 3-units.

It has many vintage features, including 10 foot cove ceilings and moldings.

It also has 2 fireplaces, including one in the master bedroom.

The master bedroom also has a marble bath with a steam shower and a rare walk-in closet. Vintage units are usually light on the closets, so having a walk-in is unusual.

The kitchen is in the front of the unit and is open to the living/dining space. It has cherry cabinets, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

It has front and back outdoor spaces.

The unit also has the other criteria that buyers look for, including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and a coveted garage parking space.

This property was the closest thing I could find currently on the market that seemed to fit Anonny’s old “Unicorn Criteria” from 2011.

If you recall, 5 years ago, Anonny was looking for a condo in East Lincoln Park that fit a set of criteria he dubbed the “unicorn criteria” because he didn’t believe they existed.

Here was his list:

1) Absolutely required:

* 2/2
* garage
* LP east of Halsted
* w/d in unit
* not on ground floor or “low first floor” (and no duplex down)
* wood floors (or permitted installation of wood floors, with a corresponding discount in purchase price)

2) Strongly preferred (bordering on required):

* LP east of Clark
* kitchen is not open to the living room (but may certainly be open to the dining area)
* master bath

3) Greatly desired (bordering on strong preference):

* powder room/half bath
* some sort of private outdoor space (at least big enough for a grill, and ideally big enough to also fit a smallish table and four chairs)
* central air
* working fire place

Anonny was willing to pay $3,000 a month (inclusive of assessments and taxes) with 10% down and expected to pay in the mid-$400,000s to get his dream home.

This 3-bedroom on Belden appears to fit most of the criteria with the exception of it being east of Clark. But it is east of Lincoln, so many would consider this East Lincoln Park as well.

Priced originally at $575,000, this unit has been reduced to $550,000.

Doing the calculations on one of the realtor web sites, with a 3.75% 30-year mortgage rate, taxes, PMI, insurance, HOAs and 10% down, his payment on this place would be around $4050 a month.

With this strong housing market, is Anonny’s 2011 price point now completely unrealistic for the unicorn criteria, even with low mortgage rates?

Cindy Wilson at Berkshire Hathaway KoenigRubloff has the listing. See the pictures here.

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

• Sold in April 1995 for $279,000
• Sold in February 1999 for $338,000
• Sold in July 2003 for $445,000
• Sold in October 2006 for $533,500
• Sold in July 2008 for $460,000
• Originally listed in August 2016 for $575,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $550,000
• Assessments of $550 a month (includes exterior maintenance)
• Taxes of $10,103
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Garage parking included
• 2 fireplaces
• Bedroom #1: 12×11
• Bedroom #2: 13×9
• Bedroom #3: 13×9

This 1-bedroom in 60 W. Erie in River North came on the market in August 2016.

Built in 2002, it is a boutique building with just 24 units.

At 1100 square feet, this is one of the extra large one bedrooms that dot River North, Streeterville and the Gold Coast as its square footage is equivalent to many 2-bedroom units in the neighborhood.

It has luxury finishes in the kitchen including Subzero, Bosch and Thermador appliances, cherry cabinets and granite counter tops.

The master bathroom is marble.

It has a south facing balcony.

The unit has a separate laundry room as well as a half bath.

The price includes one deeded parking space and a second one is available if you need two spaces.

Listed at $449,000, that is $6,000 below the 2003 purchase price of $455,000.

However, that is a bit misleading as the 2003 purchase included both parking spaces but in this sale, only one is included.

For someone looking for 2 deeded parking spaces, is this a deal even if you have to pay extra for the second space?

Paulette Rodriguez at Baird & Warner has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #901: 1 bedroom, 1.5 baths, 1100 square feet

• Sold in December 2003 for $455,000 (includes two parking spaces)
• Currently listed for $449,000 (includes just one parking space with a second one available)
• Assessments of $604 a month (but parking is also $121.22 per space)
• Taxes of $7266
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom: 14×13
• Living/Dining room: 20×16
• Kitchen: 20×15
• Laundry Room: 6×3

This top floor 2-bedroom in a vintage greystone at 1348 W. Wellington in Lakeview recently came on the market.

The greystone was built in 1878. The listing says it was originally a mansion for a local physician.

The house now has 4 condo units.

Unfortunately, none of the vintage features survived in this unit.

It does have high ceilings and hardwood floors.

The master bedroom has an ensuite bathroom.

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

There’s also a brand new private roof deck with city views with an entry where you open the hatch on the roof to access it (see the pictures in the listing.)

This unit has the other features buyers are looking for including central air, garage parking and washer/dryer in the unit in its very own separate laundry room.

Some of you may be familiar with this greystone because it sits right next door to the funeral home at the Wellington/Lincoln intersection that was recently purchased and is apparently being converted into apartments and commercial space.

The unit came on the market at $785,000.

No square footage is listed, but can it get that price point without the mention of luxury finishes like Subzero or Viking?

Brian Ban at Re/Max Exclusive has the listing. See the pictures here.

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

• Sold in April 1999 for $284,000
• Currently listed for $785,000 (includes garage parking)
• Assessments of $239 a month (includes exterior maintenance)
• Taxes of $6315
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Private rooftop deck
• Bedroom #1: 13×13
• Bedroom #2: 10×10
• Living room/dining room: 24×27
• Kitchen: 13×11
• Laundry room: 9×7

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

The listing says it has been “completely gutted.”

The kitchen has custom cabinetry, a honed marble counter top and backsplash and brass waterworks fixtures.

The brass fixtures follow through in the dining room chandelier and the bathroom faucets and shower head.

Those of you of a certain age might remember that brass was very popular for faucets in the 1970s and 1980s.

Apparently, brass has been making a national comeback since 2014, as this article in the Atlantic Journal Constitution is 2 years old:

If you haven’t noticed, brass is back. No, not that shiny lacquered brass of the 1980s and early 1990s.

If you elected to get rid of your old shiny brass fixtures, faucets and cabinet knobs, don’t fret, said Kandrac. The new brass doesn’t look like the old.

“The brass being used now has a more muted, matte and weathered finish,” said Kandrac. “The metals in today’s brass will age and become more attractive over time, without the high shine.”

As a warm and timeless metal, brass is not only being used in lighting, it has re-emerged in other areas of interior design, ranging from bath and kitchen fixtures to furniture and decorative accessories.

This unit has the other features buyers look for, including central air and washer/dryer in the unit. Parking is rented in the building for $130 a month, which the listing calls the “best parking deal” in the neighborhood.

Normally, we don’t chatter about the interiors of the properties as this isn’t a design blog.

But this was a gut renovation with specific finishes selected. Most buyers aren’t going to put in all new faucets or pulls on kitchen cabinets so these will be there when you buy it.

Are brass faucets and other fixtures finally making their way to the Midwest?

Will buyers be demanding brass fixtures in 2017?

Ryan Preuett at Conlon has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #20E: 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 1650 square feet

• Sold in May 2002 for $180,000
• Sold in September 2013 for $445,000
• Sold in March 2016 for $430,000
• Currently listed “completely gutted” for $725,000
• Assessments of $1161 a month (includes heat, doorman, pool, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $6341
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Parking is rented at $130 a month
• Bedroom #1: 14×16
• Bedroom #2: 14×13

It was a little delayed, due to my vacation, but here is the update on the July market.

From the Illinois Association of Realtors:

The city of Chicago saw an 11.9 percent year-over-year home sales decrease in July 2016 with 2,714 sales, down from 3,082 in July 2015. The median price of a home in the city of Chicago in July 2016 was $290,000, up 1.8 percent compared to July 2015 when it was $285,000

Here’s the July data since 1997 (thanks, once again, to G for the historic info):

• 1997: 1,694
• 1998: 2,139
• 1999: 2,186
• 2000: 2,013
• 2001: 2,410
• 2002: 2,661
• 2003: 3,105
• 2004: 3,429
• 2005: 3,487
• 2006: 3,088
• 2007: 2,819
• 2008: 2,200
• 2009: 2,040
• 2010: 1,631
• 2011: 1,666
• 2012: 2,088
• 2013: 2,902
• 2014: 2,725
• 2015: 3,082
• 2016: 2,714

It’s the first year over year drop in monthly sales we’ve seen all year.

“The drop-off in home sales in July underscores the fact that a continued lack of inventory is plaguing those who are in the market for a new home,”said Mike Drews, GRI, president of Illinois REALTORS® and broker-associate with Charles B. Doss & Co. in Aurora. “These homebuyers face limited choices and higher prices as a result.”

The average 30-year monthly mortgage rate was 3.44%, down from 4.04% a year ago.

“If you have a home on the market, it’s selling at an incredible pace,” said Dan Wagner, president of the Chicago Association of REALTORS® and senior vice president for government relations at the Oakbrook-based Inland Real Estate Group of Companies, Inc. “In Chicago, the time to sell was just 38 days, and when you pair that number with double-digit annual decreases in inventory, it’s a market where sellers are reaping a premium.”

That time to sell number of 38 days is incredible when you realize it is city-wide. That is averaging the time to sell in, say, the South Shore, or in Pullman, with that in the Gold Coast.

The time to sell in the GreenZone must be incredibly fast for the overall number to be down to just 38 days.

Did lack of inventory slow Chicago’s housing market in July?

Or was it the ever increasing prices?

Illinois home prices increase in July; Sales lower amid tight inventory [Illinois Association of Realtors, Press Release, Aug 24, 2016]