Crib Chatter

This 2-bedroom duplex loft at 1530 S. State in the South Loop just came on the market.

It has a south exposure with a two story living room and exposed ductwork.

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

There is one bedroom on the main floor and the master suite is on the second level, open to the living room below.

The loft has all the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and 1 car deeded parking with another space available for $30,000.

The South Loop has dramatically changed since this loft’s last sale in 2001, including prices.

This loft is listed 86.5% higher than the 2001 purchase price.

Is that normal appreciation for a property held for 14 years?

Millie Rosenbloom at Baird & Warner has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #1021: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed

• Sold in July 2001 for $268,000 (included the parking)
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in April 2012
• There was a deed transferred in March 2015 but I can’t tell if it’s bank owned
• Currently listed for $499,900 (includes a parking space but second space available for another $30k)
• Assessments of $718 a month (includes heat, a/c, water, parking, doorman, cable, exercise room, scavenger)
• Taxes of $4992
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 12×13 (second level)
• Bedroom #2: 9×13 (main level)

This 2-bedroom in 1500 N. LaSalle in Old Town came on the market in September 2015.

But if it looks familiar, that’s because it last sold just a year ago, in October 2014.

This 24-unit elevator building was constructed in 1892. It was designed by Edmund Krause (1859-1935) who designed 61 buildings in his lifetime. He specialized in mid-rise apartment buildings such as this one and also designed The Commodore at Surf and Broadway in Lakeview.

Krause’s best known building is the Majestic Building at 22 W. Monroe in the Loop, better known as the Schubert Theater.

There are just 2 units per floor.

This unit has a gas fireplace and dark hardwood floors.

The kitchen has white cabinets and stainless steel appliances.

The master bedroom has an ensuite bath.

There’s no parking with the unit.

It does have the other features buyers look for including central air and washer/dryer in the unit, but the washer/dryer is a front-loading combo unit and is located in the kitchen.

Does it matter if the washer/dryer is in the kitchen?

Or is it enough to just have one, no matter where it is located?

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

Unit #4B: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1500 square feet

• Sold in April 1996 for $165,000
• Sold in February 1999 for $247,000
• Sold in November 2006 for $370,000
• Sold in March 2011 for $355,000
• Sold in August 2014 for $436,000
• Originally listed in September 2015 for $485,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $449,900
• Assessments of $487 a month (includes water, exterior maintenance, scavenger and snow removal)
• Taxes of $6350
• Central Air
• Combo washer/dryer in the unit
• No parking
• Bedroom #1: 15×12
• Bedroom #2: 16×10
• Den: 13×10

This 2-bedroom loft in the Sangamon Lofts at 411 S. Sangamon in the West Loop recently came on the market.

At 1445 square feet it has an open concept with a wall of industrial windows stretching across one wall.

The ceilings are concrete and it has exposed brick, which looks as though it has been painted.

The kitchen is uniquely shaped in a triangle configuration with maple cabinets, stainless steel appliances and gray counter tops (are they concrete?).

The listing says the unit was designed by an architect.

The loft has central air and washer/dryer in the unit but parking is rental for $135 a month.

This building was converted into condos in the early 1990s so these lofts tend to have the larger, open loft concept which loft buyers love.

With inventories so low, is this the perfect time to list a unique industrial loft in this neighborhood?

Kayla Gelsomino at Berkshire Hathaway KoenigRubloff has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #3E: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, 1445 square feet

• Sold in September 1991 for $120,000
• Sold in June 2005 for $279,000
• Currently listed for $380,000
• Assessments of $333 a month (includes cable, scavenger and snow removal)
• Taxes of $3177
• Parking is rental for $135 a month
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 12×21
• Bedroom #2: 11×11

This 1-bedroom in 1550 N. Lake Shore Drive in the Gold Coast came on the market a year ago, in October 2014.

It has been under contract once, in April 2015.

The unit is on the fourth floor and faces North with Lincoln Park and Lake Michigan views.

The listing says the kitchen is “updated”. It has white cabinets, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

It also says the bathroom is updated with marble

There is no washer/dryer in the unit nor central air but it has window units. There is also parking available to rent in the building.

Originally listed at $249,995 in October 2014, it has been reduced to $214,900.

In what other big city in America can you get a 1-bedroom overlooking a prestigious park and lake on a coveted road for under $225,000?

Is Chicago the most affordable big city in America?

Scott Rife at Berkshire Hathaway KoenigRubloff has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #4E: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, no square footage listed

• Sold in March 1999 for $119,000
• Sold in November 1999 for $175,000
• Sold in March 2002 for $247,000
• Sold in December 2009 for $229,500
• Originally listed in October 2014 for $249,995
• Reduced
• Under contract in April 2015
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $214,900
• Assessments of $646 a month (includes heat, water, cable, doorman, exercise room, exterior maintenance, lawn, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $3552
• No central air- window units only
• No in-unit washer/dryer
• Parking available to rent
• Bedroom: 15×13
• Living room: 15×17
• Kitchen: 10×6

This 3-bedroom in the Metropolitan Tower at 310 S. Michigan in the Loop came on the market in July 2014.

While it is not a penthouse unit, it still has some unique features starting with 14-foot vaulted ceilings in the living and dining room.

It has a custom Christopher Peacock kitchen with white cabinets, white marble countertops and stainless steel appliances.

There’s a matching Butler’s pantry as well.

There are dark Asian walnut hardwood floors in the living/dining room.

The master suite has suede walls and a luxury bathroom with walk-in shower.

The listing says there are 3 storage rooms included and deeded garage parking is available for $50,000.

The living/dining area as well as the master suite overlook the extensive north facing terrace which measures 405 square feet and has city views.

Originally listed at $2.65 million, it has been reduced $651,000 to $1.999 million.

Is this the perfect Loop home?

Millie Rosenbloom at Baird & Warner has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #2209: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2482 square feet

• Sold in January 2009 but no price was listed in the public record
• Originally listed in July 2014 for $2.65 million
• Reduced several times
• Currently listed at $1.999 million
• Parking is extra at $50,000
• Assessments of $1447 a month (includes heat, a/c, gas, water, cable, internet, doorman, exercise room, exterior maintenance, scavenger, and snow removal)
• Taxes of $11332
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Terrace: 45×9
• Bedroom #1: 21×15
• Bedroom #2: 18×15
• Bedroom #3/Den: 12×12

This 3-bedroom in 1426 N. Orleans in Old Town came on the market in June 2015.

The building was constructed in 2001 and has just 18 units and a parking garage.

This penthouse unit has 10.5 foot ceilings.

The master suite has custom California Closets.

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

The listing says the third bedroom is currently being used as an office.

In addition to the east facing balcony that overlooks the Brown line El tracks, there is a private rooftop deck that has views of the entire downtown Chicago skyline.

Since June, this unit has been reduced $40,000 to $849,000.

Is this a deal for a 3-bedroom in the hot Old Town market?

Louise Study at Baird & Warner has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #602: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2256 square feet

• Sold in July 2002 for $721,500
• Originally listed in June 2015 for $889,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $849,000 (includes 2 deeded garage spaces)
• Assessments of $640 a month (includes water, exercise room, exterior maintenance, scavenger, and snow removal)
• Taxes of $8607
• Central Air
• Side-by-side washer/dryer in the unit
• Private rooftop deck: 720 square feet
• Bedroom #1: 21×19
• Bedroom #2: 12×12
• Bedroom #3: 21×11

This studio in The Constellation at 1555 N. Dearborn Parkway in the Gold Coast came on the market in June 2015.

Located on the 23rd floor, the 450 square foot studio has floor-to-ceiling windows with Lincoln Park and Lake Michigan views.

The listing says the kitchen has been “updated”. It has maple cabinets, granite counter tops and a smaller than normal-size white refrigerator and stove.

There is laundry in the building as well as a roof deck.

It has a doorman and I believe there’s a rental garage in the building as well.

The unit has been reduced $5,000 to $155,000 since June.

This studio has only sold 3 times in the last 24 years.

Is this a deal for someone who wants an in-town in a prime location?

Suzanne Beu at Coldwell Banker has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #23C: studio, 450 square feet

• Sold in December 1991 for $42,000
• Sold in December 1996 for $48,000
• Sold in September 2005 for $165,000
• Originally listed in June 2015 for $160,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $155,000
• Assessments of $483 a month (includes heat, a/c, water, cable, doorman, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $2344
• Central Air
• No washer/dryer in the unit- laundry room in the building
• No parking- but I think there’s a rental garage in the building
• Living space: 20×13

This 3-bedroom in the Urban Sandbox at 1615 N. Wolcott in Bucktown recently came on the market.

We’ve chattered about this 8-unit modern building constructed in 2007 before but it was in relation to one of the penthouses which was listed over the summer for $1.5 million.

See that June 2015 chatter here.

This southeast facing unit is not a penthouse.

But it has luxury finishes such as Arclinea cabinets in the kitchen with Subzero and Miele appliances and quartz counter tops.

The master suite has dual vanities and an oversized shower.

While this unit is listed as a 3-bedroom, the listing says the “owner did not build out 3rd bedroom.”

You can see where the third bedroom was supposed to be (looks like it would eat into the living room space) on the floor plan in the listing.

It has central air, washer/dryer in the unit and heated garage parking is included.

The unit is listed for $216,000 more than the 2009 sales price at $850,000.

How high will Bucktown prices go?

Debra Dobbs at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #301: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed

• Sold in September 2009 for $634,000
• Currently listed for $850,000
• Assessments of $299 a month (includes water, parking, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $8678
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Heated garage parking included
• Bedroom #1: 12×15
• Bedroom #2: 10×11
• Bedroom #3: 9×11 (but it’s not built out- there are no walls)
• Walk-in closet: 8×8

This large corner 1-bedroom at the Park Alexandria at 125 S. Jefferson in the West Loop came on the market in August 2015.

It has cherry hardwood floors throughout the main living areas.

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

There’s washer/dryer in the unit, central air and parking is available for $35,000 extra.

With south and west exposures, this unit has views for miles across the city.

Are views the most important criteria for downtown buyers?

Colin Hebson at Dream Town Realty has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #1406: 1 bedroom, 1.5 baths, 1051 square feet

• Sold in December 2003 for $268,000
• Sold in June 2004 for $268,000
• Originally listed in August 2015 for $299,999 (parking at $35,000 extra)
• Currently still listed at $299,999 (with parking at $35,000 extra)
• Assessments of $540 a month (includes heat, a/c, water, parking, doorman, cable, exercise room, scavenger, snow removal, exterior maintenance)
• Taxes of $3824
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom: 12×14

This 1-bedroom in River Bend at 333 N. Canal in River West came on the market in July 2015.

It has floor-to-ceiling 12 foot windows that face down the Chicago River and have east views of Wolf Point.

The unit has a loft-like feel with concrete ceilings.

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

There is stone tile in the bathroom.

Garage valet parking is included and it has washer/dryer in the unit.

If you’re an investor, the building allows 12-month leases.

Most of the units in this building have River facing balconies but this unit does not.

Is the lack of outdoor space a deal killer for buyers in Chicago?

Do buyers HAVE to have a balcony?

Laura Meier at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #1406: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 1047 square feet

• Sold in January 2002 for $337,000
• Sold in July 2004 for $295,000
• Sold in May 2013 for $320,000
• Sold in December 2014 for $325,000
• Originally listed in July 2015 for $390,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $354,000 (includes valet garage parking)
• Assessments of $680 a month (includes a/c, water, gas, parking, doorman, cable, exercise room, scavenger, lawn maintenance, snow removal, exterior maintenance)
• Taxes of $5676
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom: 12×14