Crib Chatter

This 2-bedroom in the Park Shore at 195 N. Harbor Drive in Lakeshore East came on the market in August 2016.

I don’t have a direct on view of this building in my archive, but you can see it peaking out just behind the high rise building in the front/right of the picture above. That midrise building in the front of the picture is some of the newer construction in Lakeshore East.

But before there was the Lakeshore East development and Millennium Park, there were the high rises along Randolph Street and Harbor Drive.

The Park Shore is a 482-unit high rise that was built along Lake Shore Drive and the Lake in 1991.

It is a full service building with a rooftop outdoor pool, outdoor tennis courts, a day spa, dry cleaner, bike storage and gym.

The building seemed to be ahead of its time as it boosts floor to ceiling windows. Some of the units also have the amenities of the newer Lakeshore East buildings such as central air, deeded parking and an in-unit washer/dryer.

This unit has the in-unit washer/dryer.

The listing says the kitchen is “designer.” It has white cabinets, stainless steel appliances and a tile backsplash.

The listing says it has custom closets and custom window treatments.

The unit has views of the lake and city.

It also has central air and parking is available in the building.

This property is listed for $534,000. Most of the units currently on the market in the building are under contract.

Is this building a secret deal compared to the rest of Lakeshore East?

David Porter at Jameson Sotheby’s has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #4305: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1225 square feet

• Sold in February 1996 for $187,500
• Sold in February 2010 for $429,000
• Originally listed in August 2016 for $499,000
• Raised
• Was listed in October 2016 for $534,000
• Currently still listed at $534,000
• Assessments of $720 a month (includes doorman, cable, exercise room, outdoor pool, tennis courts, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $7226
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Doesn’t look like parking is included. It’s available in the building
• Bedroom #1: 12×13
• Bedroom #2: 12×15

This 2-bedroom townhouse at 24 S. Aberdeen in the hot West Loop came on the market in May 2016.

At 2000 square feet, it has a private rooftop deck and a 2-car garage.

The two bedrooms are on the third floor along with a den.

The kitchen has wood cabinets, black appliances and granite counter tops.

The townhouse has central air.

It is fee simple but there’s a monthly HOA of $262.

The West Loop remains one of the hottest neighborhoods in the city with McDonald’s beginning construction of its new headquarters and the expansion of the entertainment district in Fulton Market.

However, this townhouse has been reduced twice since May.

What will it take to sell this property?

Carl Zweig-Driscoll at Jameson Sotheby’s has the listing. See the pictures here.

Or see it in person this weekend on Saturday, Dec 10 from 12-2 PM and Sunday, Dec 11 from 12-4 PM.

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

• Sold in December 2003 for $350,500
• Sold in December 2005 for $430,500
• Originally listed in May 2016 for $699,500
• Reduced twice
• Currently listed for $637,500
• Assessments of $262 a month
• Fee simple
• Taxes of $6554
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer
• 2-car private garage
• Bedroom #1: 13×13 (third floor)
• Bedroom #2: 13×10 (third floor)
• Den: 8×8 (third floor)
• Family room: 18×12 (main level)

This 1-bedroom in the Elysee at 111 E. Chestnut in the Gold Coast came on the market in November 2016.

On the 50th floor with west city views, it has solid oak floors and crown molding.

The listing says the unit has custom doors and Hunter Douglas window treatments.

The kitchen has cherry cabinets, stainless steel appliances, and granite counter tops along with a granite backsplash.

It has a washer/dryer in the unit, wall air conditioning units and parking is available in the building for $40,000 extra.

This building was built in 1972 and has 444 units.

I’ve been told that this building is expected to go non-smoking as of January. That means no smoking in the common areas or in your unit.

Is this is big selling point in the condo market, especially with Millennial buyers?

Will we see a bunch of other buildings following suit?

Harold Gerber at forsalebyowner.com has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #50G: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 1000 square feet

• Sold in February 1998 for $189,500
• Sold in August 2000 for $234,000
• Currently listed for $394,600
• Assessments of $607 a month (includes doorman, cable, Internet, exercise room, outdoor pool, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger and snow removal)
• Taxes of $4671
• No central air- wall units
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Parking available for $40,000 in the building
• Bedroom: 17×16

This extra-large 1-bedroom on the 74th floor in Trump Tower at 401 N. Wabash in River North has been on the market nearly a year, since January 2016.

At 1314 square feet, the unit also has an extra 8×10 den.

The unit has 10 foot ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows with south and west views.

It has Brazilian cherry floors.

The kitchen has Snaidero cabinets, granite counter tops and Miele, Wolf and Subzero appliances.

The listing says it has a spa-like master bath.

The unit has central air, washer/dryer in the unit and garage parking is available in the building.

You also get use of all the amenities in the hotel portion of the building.

There are 486 units in the building with 41 condo units currently on the market.

But will the election of Donald Trump to the presidency put a damper on sales in the building?

Bloomberg recently wrote about Trump buildings, worldwide, being the possible targets of terrorist attacks.

Who pays to protect them?

“They’re landmark targets,” he said. “You suddenly have a normal crowded place that becomes a high risk place. Most of the properties will be in places where you can’t get people away.”

Colin Clarke, a terrorism expert at the Rand Corporation, added, “Al-Qaeda is into symbolic attacks. Then you have the added bonus of having Trump’s name slapped on these buildings and all his divisive rhetoric on Muslims.”

While Trump’s U.S. properties face a heightened risk — New York City police are now a full-time presence outside Trump Towers in Manhattan — the overseas buildings pose the thorniest problem. For one, Trump doesn’t own his foreign properties outright, apart from three golf courses in remote parts of Ireland and Scotland. In other cities, real estate developers pay him a licensing fee to use his name and have responsibility for arranging security independently of Trump.

Additionally, DNAInfo has reported on an idea to float gold pig balloons in the Chicago River which would obscure the Trump name on the side of the building.

A Chicago architect wants to hide the massive Trump Tower sign with a row of strategically placed flying golden pigs, a display aimed at providing “visual relief to the citizens of Chicago.”

The idea, a self-described “folly” from Jeffrey Roberts at Chicago-based New World Design Ltd., isn’t part of a formal proposal, but his renderings of “flying pig” balloons tethered to the Chicago River aim to address Chicago’s objections to the tower’s 20-foot-tall letters, which were in place long before the real estate mogul was a contender for the presidency.

See the artist renderings of the pigs at this link.

There’s no plan to actually go through with this but it is one of many ideas that have been thrown around about Trump Tower Chicago in recent weeks.

Are all these issues a distraction for buyers or will they be a non-event in a few months after Trump takes office?

Lina Shah at Coldwell Banker has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #74G: 1 bedroom, 1.5 baths, 1314 square feet

• Sold in April 2013 for $680,000 (no parking included)
• Originally listed in January 2016 for $1,050,000 (no parking)
• Currently still listed for $1,050,000 (no parking)
• Assessments of $1042 a month (includes a/c, gas, doorman, cable/internet, exercise room, pool, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $15,834
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom: 14×16
• Den: 8×10

This 1-bedroom at 20 E. Goethe in the Gold Coast recently came on the market.

It is a vintage 700 square foot apartment with exposed brick walls.

The listing says it is “turnkey” with some of the designer furnishings available for purchase.

It has refinished hardwood floors.

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

There’s a dining room space and a separate den.

There’s no central air, no washer/dryer in the unit and no parking.

But it is in the heart of the Gold Coast, just a short stroll from the new Restoration Hardware Gallery store and restaurant as well as the other amenities of the Gold Coast.

Is this a perfect Gold Coast pied-a-terre?

Kate Rizzo at Keller Williams Premiere has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #303: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 700 square feet

• Sold in August 1999 for $135,000
• Sold in March 2002 for $155,000
• Sold in August 2014 for $221,500
• Currently listed for $234,900
• Assessments of $287 a month (includes exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $2136
• No central air- window units only
• No washer/dryer in the unit- but coin laundry in the building
• Bedroom: 14×13
• Living room: 12×11
• Dining room: 16×10
• Den: 9×7
• Kitchen: 9×5

The Chicago Tribune recently reported on people who keep second homes in Chicago.

Some used to live here and simply kept their apartments.

Others buy because Chicago has great restaurants, museums and culture and it’s still affordable compared to “comparable” large cities with the same amenities.

O’Hare Airport, and its many international routes, doesn’t hurt either.

The Gold Coast used to be the most in-demand area for pied-a-terres, Malkin said. But she added that River North is also popular, as are areas near Grant Park that are walking distance from museums and summer concerts.

Liz Brooks, vice president of sales and marketing for developer Belgravia Group, said many out-of-state apartment owners live in driving-distance states like Michigan.

“They come in with friends and relatives to entertain or for a quick weekend getaway,” she said.

One couple, for example, has a home in Ann Arbor, Mich., but keeps an apartment to visit their son and grandchildren in Lincoln Square. Another couple’s primary home is in Houston, yet one spouse regularly travels to Amsterdam and often stays in Chicago.

Pied-a-terres vary from a one-bedroom to apartments with extra bedrooms to entertain family for the holidays.

Key on the second-home shopping list? Amenities and a management company to take care of anything that needs fixing. For example, when a toilet exploded in Jones’ apartment.

“When you’re not living there on a full-time basis, it’s rather nerve-wracking,” Jones said. “What if there’s a leak going on, and you don’t find it until you go home weeks after it started?”

Some even come to stay during the, gasp, winter.

Joe Hanauer lived in Chicago for decades before moving to Laguna Beach, Calif., in the 1980s.

He and his spouse often returned, staying in hotels.

“We recognized how much we missed Chicago,” he said. “Not just because we have a lot of friends, but also the culture, the feeling of the city.”

So 15 years ago, they bought a two-bedroom condo at the Drake Tower on East Lake Shore Drive. Hanauer had always loved the view of the city from that street, and its walking distance to downtown hot spots.

Ahead of visits, they call Treasure Island and get groceries delivered, which building personnel stock in the refrigerator.

When winter strikes, they love the convenience of simply walking downstairs to dine.

Now, unable to travel as often, the Hanauers have put the condo up for sale.

Over the years on Crib Chatter, many commenters have noted that Chicago is “cheap” compared to [fill in the blank]: New York, Washington DC, London, Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco etc.

Is Chicago the best deal in the country for high rise living?

Is the Gold Coast still the place to be or will Streeterville, River North or even the South Loop eventually take the second home crown?

Chicago’s diverse appeal as a second home city [Chicago Tribune, by Alison Bowen, November 30, 2016]

This 2-bedroom at 2110 W. North Avenue in Bucktown just came on the market.

This complex of 38 units in a cluster of midrises was built in 1910.

The listing says this unit has been “recently remodeled.”

It has crown molding and new light fixtures along with a fireplace.

The kitchen has dark wood cabinets, granite counter tops and white appliances.

There’s also a dining room and recessed balcony.

It has the features buyers look for including central air and a new bosch washer/dryer. There’s no parking but the complex is just a block away from the Damen blue line stop.

This unit is in the heart of all of Bucktown and Wicker Park’s shopping and restaurants.

At $299,000, is this a deal for the neighborhood?

Hunter Andre at Coldwell Banker has the listing. See the pictures and the floor plan here.

Unit #2N: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, 1060 square feet

• Sold in September 1994 for $89,500
• Sold in November 1996 for $85,000
• Currently listed for $299,000
• Assessments of $253 a month (includes exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $3403
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• No parking
• Bedroom #1: 14×12
• Bedroom #2: 10×9
• Dining room: 13×9

This 2-bedroom townhouse at 1125 W. Newport in the Southport neighborhood of Lakeview came on the market in October 2016.

This townhouse association was built in 1995 and has 25 units.

The townhouse is 3-levels with direct access to a one-car garage.

At 1300 square feet, the living/dining and kitchen are on the second floor, along with a half bath, while the 2 bedrooms and the full bathroom are on the third floor.

The kitchen has maple cabinets, stainless steel appliances and quartz countertops.

It has the central air and a balcony off the living room.

It’s just a few blocks from the shops and restaurants on Southport, as well as the Brown Line El stop, and is also just a few blocks from Wrigley Field.

The townhouse has been reduced $10,000 to $379,000.

Is this a good starter home for someone who wants levels and a private garage in this red hot neighborhood?

Mark Jak at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit M: 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, 1300 square feet, 1 car attached garage

• Sold in July 2001 for $349,500 (per Redfin because the ccrd was down)
• Sold in July 2006 for $422,500 (per Redfin because the ccrd was down)
• Originally listed in October 2016 for $389,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $379,000
• Assessments of $195 a month (includes exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $5881
• Central Air
• Skylights
• Bedroom #1: 14×11 (third floor)
• Bedroom #2: 11×10 (third floor)

This 3-bedroom at 65 E. Goethe in the Gold Coast came on the market in May 2016.

The building was designed by Lucien LaGrange and was inspired by French architecture.

It was constructed in 2000 and has just 15 units. The building has lake views and a rooftop garden along with parking.

This unit is larger than many single family homes in the neighborhood at 5200 square feet.

It has north, east and west facing views which includes views of Lake Michigan.

The unit has a DeGuilio kitchen with light wood cabinets and stainless steel appliances.

The master bath is a retreat with a steam shower and bench.

There is a Parenti and Raffaelli paneled library, family room and office. There are also Birger Juell wood floors throughout the kitchen, laundry room, bar area and living room.

The unit has central air and 2-car parking is included.

The building has a 24-hour doorman.

It hasn’t been reduced since it was listed in May. The property is still listed at $6.2 million.

With the stock market soaring, is the upper bracket about to get hot again?

Helaine Cohen at Berkshire Hathaway KoenigRubloff has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #4N: 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2 half baths, 5200 square feet, 2 car parking

• Sold in October 2004 for $3.5 million
• Originally listed in May 2016 for $6.2 million
• Currently still listed for $6.2 million (includes the parking)
• Assessments of $7,147 a month (includes gas, doorman, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $51,653
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 17×17
• Bedroom #2: 15×11
• Bedroom #3: 10×11
• Laundry room: 15×8
• Library: 13×9
• Family room: 19×17

This 1-bedroom townhouse at 1009 W. Dickens in Lincoln Park came on the market in October 2016.

It is bank owned and being sold “as-is.”

The picture above is of unit 1003 W. Dickens which we chattered about in 2012 when it was also bank owned. This is a group of 6 townhouses.

See that chatter here.

The listing says it “needs TLC.”

The kitchen, however, looks intact with white cabinets, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

There are two bathrooms and the pictures also indicate that those are mostly intact.

It has central air and a 1-car garage.

The bedroom is on the third floor with a family room on the second floor.

There is also a basement.

This townhouse is just a block away from the Armitage brown line stop and all the shops and restaurants on that street.

Originally listed for $419,900, it has been reduced to $399,900.

Is this a deal?

Liam O’Brien at Robert Anthony Real Estate has the listing. See the pictures here.

1009 W. Dickens: 1 bedroom, 2 baths, 1222 square feet

• Original sale was prior to 1992 but CCRD doesn’t have a sales price
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in February 2012
• Bank owned in February 2016
• Originally listed “as-is” in October 2016 for $419,900
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $399,900 (includes 1-car garage)
• Assessments of $8 a month (or the listing says $100 yearly– although the other Dickens townhouse listing in 2012 said they were $100 a month. Who knows?)
• Taxes of $6305
• Central Air
• Bedroom: 15×14 (third floor)
• Family room: 15×10 (second floor)
• Basement