Crib Chatter

This 2-bedroom at 1518 W. Olive in Andersonville just came on the market.

But if it looks familiar that’s because we last chattered about it all the way back in December 2010 wondering how hot Andersonville was- even during the bust.

In 2010, some of you couldn’t believe that Andersonville prices were similar to Lakeview’s. See our chatter here.

If you recall, the building was constructed in 1925 and has 8 units.

The kitchen has 42 inch maple cabinets, stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops.

It has two bathrooms, one being slate and the other being marble.

There is a large 13×9 front terrace as well as a back deck.

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

It never sold in the 2010-2011 time frame and was simply delisted in 2011.

But it came back on the market in the hot 2013 market and appears to have sold over the list price at $330,000.

The unit is listed for $70,000 more just 2 years later.

Will this property set a new record high price when it sells?

Elizabeth LaTour at Dream Town has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #1E: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1 car parking, no square footage listed

• Sold in March 2002 for $300,000
• Sold in February 2005 for $372,000
• Originally listed in September 2010 for $389,000
• Reduced
• Delisted in March 2011
• Re-listed in April 2013 for $280,000
• Sold in July 2013 for $330,000
• Currently listed for $400,000
• Assessments still $333 a month (same as in 2010)
• Taxes now are $5424 (they were $4693 in 2010)
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 12×14
• Bedroom #2: 10×10

This 3-bedroom single family home at 3521 N. Marshfield in the Roscoe Village neighborhood of Lakeview came on the market in August 2015.

Built in 1890, it is on a standard Chicago lot of 25×125 and has a 2-car garage.

The listing says it has had “cosmetic” and “infrastructural” updates including a newly added master bathroom on the second floor which has a walk-in shower, natural stone and heated floors.

The kitchen is “newer” with maple cabinets, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances, however, it’s the same kitchen as the 2013 sale.

The house has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms on the second floor along with a half bath on the main floor and in the basement, which also has a family room.

This house isn’t in one of the “B” school districts. Its neighborhood school is Hamilton.

This house last sold in April 2013 for $596,000, when the market was also red hot.

It came on the market, with a new master bathroom, for 38.4% above the 2013 sales price, at $825,000.

Can these sky-high prices hold up in West Lakeview?

Christopher Chesne at Redfin has the listing. See the pictures here.

3521 N. Marshfield: 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, 2 half baths, 1940 square feet

• Sold in July 1986 (no price listed)
• Sold in January 2002 for $425,000
• Sold in March 2011 for $546,000
• Sold in April 2013 for $596,000
• Originally listed in August 2015 for $825,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $800,000
• Taxes of $9661
• Central Air
• 2-car garage
• Bedroom #1: 22×16 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 13×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 12×11 (second floor)
• Office: 11×9 (main floor)
• Family room: 19×14 (basement)

This 1-bedroom at 73 E. Elm in the Gold Coast most recently came on the market in December 2014 but it has been on and off the market since 2012.

At 1200 square feet, it has just about the same square footage as the large east facing 1-bedroom units in the new construction 2550 Lincoln Park.

This unit, however, has a dining room, that many owners, like this one, convert into a family room/media room. The new construction unit does not.

It has many of its original features including original rope moldings and a barrel vaulted entry.

The kitchen has white cabinets, black granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances but it is not open to the rest of the unit. It is galley style with a window for natural light.

The one bathroom is slate and appears to only have a big walk-in shower, but no tub.

This unit has central air but no washer/dryer in the unit. There is a building laundry room. It also doesn’t have parking.

Are you a fan of this older style of apartment layout, with the kitchen not the main focal point of the apartment?

Or is this layout a relic of a different era?

Victoria Amoroso at Baird & Warner has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #8D: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 1200 square feet

• Sold in September 1989 for $149,000
• Sold in July 2004 for $320,000
• Originally listed in June 2012
• On and off the market from 2012-2014
• Re-listed in December 2014 for $354,999
• Reduced several times
• Currently listed at $309,000
• Assessments of $1108 a month (includes heat, water, cable, internet, doorman, snow removal, exterior maintenance)
• Taxes of $5243
• Central Air
• No washer/dryer in the unit
• No parking
• Bedroom: 15×12
• Living room: 13×23
• Dining room/family room: 17×12
• Kitchen: 15×7
• Gallery: 12×5
• Walk-in closet: 6×6

This 1-bedroom in Lincoln Park 2550 at 2550 N. Lakeview in Lincoln Park came on the market in January 2015.

It is one of the large 1-bedroom units, at 1167 square feet, which also faces east so it has lake and park views.

The unit has 11 foot ceilings and oak floors.

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

The bathroom is a large master bath with a tub and shower. There’s no half bath in this unit.

The unit does have the rare side-by-side washer/dryer.

The kitchen, at 11×10, and the large bathroom, take up a sizable chunk of the space in this unit, which otherwise would be enough square footage for a 2 bedroom, 2 bath.

Are the large American-style open concept kitchens in condos a fading trend?

Or are large kitchens with big islands ingrained in the design psyche of buyers for ever?

Barbara Proctor at Baird & Warner has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit A7-16: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 1167 square feet

• Looks like it was never sold from the developer
• Originally listed in January 2015
• Currently listed for $899,000 (parking is extra)
• Assessments of $686 a month (includes heat, a/c, gas, doorman, cable, pool, exercise room, snow removal)
• Taxes are “new”
• Central Air
• Side-by-side washer/dryer
• Bedroom: 19×11
• Living room: 23×13
• Kitchen: 11×10

This 2-bedroom at 646 W. Bittersweet Place in the Buena Park neighborhood in Uptown came on the market in March 2015.

The listing calls it a “cottage by the lake” because it has some unique features including exposed brick walls, parquet flooring and skylights.

The eat-in kitchen has honey oak cabinets, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances along with a wet bar.

The bathrooms have been recently renovated with the master bathroom sporting a cherry vanity.

There is a private walled in patio for the building.

It looks like the unit is in the back of building with north and west exposures.

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

It appears that it has a parking spot on the concrete driveway but I can’t tell for sure from the listing. The 2011 and 2007 listings both had the parking spot, however.

Listed in March 2015 for $275,000, it has been reduced $10,000 to $265,000.

Is this a deal for this neighborhood?

Jayne Alofs at Berkshire Hathaway KoenigRubloff has the listing. See the pictures here.

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

• Sold in May 1988 for $40,000
• Sold in July 1991 for $120,000
• Sold in September 1995 for $115,000
• Sold in April 1999 for $190,000
• Sold in April 2003 for $283,000
• Sold in July 2007 for $275,500
• Sold in June 2011 for $260,000
• Originally listed in March 2015 for $275,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $265,000
• Assessments of $299 a month (includes heat, water)
• Taxes of $4402
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• I think there’s parking on a concrete driveway
• Bedroom #1: 17×14
• Bedroom #2: 15×11

This 2-bedroom unit at 1737 W. Division in Wicker Park came on the market in June 2015.

It’s on a prime area of Division near popular shops and restaurants.

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

There is no kitchen island, however there appears to be room for a dining room table as the kitchen/dining area measures 9×18.

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

There’s no parking but you’re just 3 blocks from the Division Blue Line el stop.

The listing says it’s just 900 square feet.

The “small home” movement is now a big deal.

Could you live in a 900 square foot 2/2?

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

Unit #403: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 900 square feet

• Sold in June 2007 for $312,500
• Originally listed in June 2015 for $309,900
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $299,900
• Assessments of $236 a month (includes water, garbage)
• Taxes of $4094
• Bedroom #1: 14×10
• Bedroom #2: 10×10
• Living room: 19×14
• Kitchen: 9×18

This 2-bedroom in the vintage high rise at 5000 S. East End in Kenwood came on the market in April 2015.

5000 S. East End was built in 1927 and, until the 1960s, was the tallest building on the south side of the city.

Some of you might remember it from a few years ago when Crain’s reported that it was being converted to condos from co-ops.

We chattered about it here.

The conversion is complete so these are now condo units.

The listing says this unit has been completely renovated.

It has a new kitchen with dark cabinets, granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances and porcelain tile floors.

The two bathrooms are also new and one has a walk in shower.

It has dark hardwood floors, crown molding, French doors, archways and a decorative fireplace.

The unit has east/west views with views of the Lake.

It appears to have space pac cooling (although some of the other units in the building have central air) and washer/dryer in the unit.

The building also has an outdoor parking lot with assigned spaces for $120 a month.

Assessments are $1348 a month but include heat, water, gas, and cable, along with an exercise room.

Originally listed in April 2015 for $397,500, it has been reduced to $369,750.

Is the Kenwood neighborhood a good alternative for those looking for more space for their money?

Lauren Schreyer at Related Realty has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #22B: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1600 square feet

• Sold in June 2014 for $60,000
• Originally listed for $397,500
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $369,750
• Assessments of $1348 a month (includes heat, water, gas, cable, doorman, exercise room, exterior maintenance)
• Taxes of $1925
• Space Pac cooling(?)
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Assigned leased outdoor parking for $120 a month
• Bedroom #1: 12×20
• Bedroom #2: 15×16

This 2-bedroom duplex at 235 W. Eugenie in Old Town came on the market in July 2015.

235 W. Eugenie is a mid-century modern building designed by Chicago architect Harry Weese (who also designed DC’s metro system.)

It was built in 1963 and has 23 units.

This unit duplexes up and has two decks on the second level, one facing north and one facing south.

It appears the bedrooms are also on the second level.

The listing says the kitchen has been renovated. It has white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, quartz counter tops and a kitchen island.

There is exposed brick in the living room (but you can’t see it in any of the listing pictures.)

This unit has 3 wall air conditioners but it does have in-unit washer/dryer.

It also comes with a coveted outdoor parking space, which is rare for Old Town.

It’s been reduced $5,000 in the last 30 days.

Given its prime location, why isn’t this selling?

Jason Rowland at Fairgreen Real Estate has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #T6: 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, 1300 square feet

• Sold in February 2010 for $352,500
• Originally listed in July 2015 for $429,500
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $424,500
• Assessments of $242 a month (includes exterior maintenance and snow removal)
• Taxes of $5926
• No central air- 3 wall units
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Exterior parking spot included
• Bedroom #1: 12×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 15×13 (second floor)

This top floor 3-bedroom at 31 E. Elm in the Gold Coast just came on the market.

The building was built in the pre-war era, in 1912, and has 12 units.

But if you’ve dreamed about running away to Paris, but it’s just not practical, perhaps buying a Parisian-like apartment is the next best thing.

The listing says this apartment has recently been renovated.

This unit has tall ceilings with crown molding and custom built-ins and millwork.

It has 2 custom stone wood burning fireplaces, one in the living room and one in the master bedroom.

The kitchen has white cabinets and appliances except for a stainless steel stove. Are luxury white appliances that blend in with the cabinetry the next appliance trend?

The bathrooms are white marble.

There’s also a lower level bonus room which the listing says has been finished with new windows, lights and rubber flooring so it can be a playroom or an exercise room.

But it is the French windows which are most Parisian like. New construction builders rarely build with them. The listing says they were just replaced.

This unit has central air and washer/dryer in the unit but there’s no parking with this building. It is available to rent directly across the street at the condo building at 30 E Elm for $315 a month.

Will there be a quick sale of this property in this hot market?

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

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

• Sold in May 1989 for $360,000
• Sold in October 1995 for $356,000
• Sold in November 2006 for $732,500
• Sold in November 2010 for $752,000
• Currently listed at $878,000
• Assessments of $721 a month (includes water, gas, cable, exterior maintenance, snow removal)
• Taxes of $10,993
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• No parking- but available across the street for $315 a month
• Bedroom #1: 15×15
• Bedroom #2: 10×20
• Bedroom #3: 15×9

This 6-bedroom single family home at 1542 W. Nelson in Lakeview came on the market in June 2015.

Built in 2011 on an oversized lot measuring 35.8 x 124, it has 6600 square feet and an attached 3-car garage.

The house has 4 fireplaces and built-in bookcases as well as multiple terraces 4 of the bedrooms are on the second floor with the fifth on the third and the sixth in the lower level.

The kitchen has white cabinets and appliances with a large kitchen island with stone counter tops.

If the house looks familiar it’s because we chattered about it 4 years ago in August 2011.

See our chatter here.

Back then, the house had newly been built, but the market was much different.

Listed for $2.25 million, it was reduced and then finally sold in November 2011 for $1,534,500.

It came back on the market in June of this year for 60% higher, at $2,690,000.

The house has since been reduced to $2.595 million.

This is the hottest luxury market since the boom years.

Will the recent stock market correction slow luxury sales?

Or will it take an even bigger stock market sell off to put a damper on the upper bracket?

Linda Shaughnessy at Jameson Sotheby’s has the listing. See the pictures here.

1542 W. Nelson: 6 bedrooms, 5 full baths, 2 half baths, 6600 square feet, 3 car garage

• Old frame house being sold for the land value originally listed in September 2008 for $745,000
• Reduced numerous times
• Sold in January 2010 for $480,000
• New construction home listed in May 2011 for $2.25 million
• Reduced
• Sold in November 2011 for $1,534,500
• Originally listed in June 2015 for $2,690,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $2.595 million
• Taxes are $27,086
• Central Air
• 4 fireplaces
• Bedroom #1: 18×18 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 17×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 14×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 12×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #5: 21×15 (third floor)
• Bedroom #6: 18×15 (lower level)
• Media room: 15×12 (lower level)
• Recreation room: 28×18 (lower level)