Crib Chatter

This 2-bedroom duplex up at 1760 N. Wells in Old Town came on the market in June 2015.

It has 10-foot ceilings and exposed brick walls, which appear to be painted white.

There are 2 wood burning fireplaces, including one in the master bedroom, and 3 skylights.

Both bedrooms are on the second floor.

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

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

It also has that rare feature that is so unique in the center of Old Town you don’t even want to say it out loud: 2 car tandem parking behind the building.

Listed at $475,000, the unit recently reduced to $449,000.

Normally, Old Town is super hot.

Why isn’t this selling?

Eudice Fogel at Berkshire Hathaway KoenigRubloff has the listing. See the pictures AND the floor plan here.

Unit #2A: 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, no square footage listed

• Sold in June 1993 for $198,000
• Sold in August 1995 for $188,000
• Sold in August 1998 for $231,000
• Originally listed in June 2015 for $475,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $449,000
• Assessments of $311 a month (includes snow removal, exterior maintenance)
• Taxes of $6242
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• 2-car tandem parking included
• Bedroom #1: 15×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 12×10 (second floor)

This 2-bedroom at 1300 N. Lake Shore Drive in the Gold Coast just came on the market.

It has dead on Lake Michigan views from the 21st floor.

Bought from a long-time owner in 2014, it has had a “contemporary renovation” with finishes fitting the period of the building, which was constructed in 1963.

There’s a chef’s kitchen with walnut cabinets, Bosch appliances, a double convection oven and a built in banquette which overlooks the lake.

The master bathroom has a aroma/chromatherapy rain shower and heated floors.

It has all new electric, plumbing and ventilation.

There is now an in-unit washer/dryer.

The unit also has unique Terrazzo floors and remote control window shades.

There’s valet rental parking for $239 a month in the building along with guest parking.

It’s a full amenity building with a 24-hour doorman, pool and exercise room.

Buyers love “new.”

Will this sell quickly?

Leslie Glazier at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #21B: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1500 square feet

• Sold before 1986
• Sold in April 2014 for $530,000 (no pictures on the listing which said to “bring your designer”)
• Currently listed for $799,000
• Assessments of $1139 a month (includes heat, a/c, doorman, pool)
• Taxes of $9456
• Valet parking is $239 a month
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 20×12
• Bedroom #2: 15×12

This 2-bedroom in The Manor House at 1031 W. Bryn Mawr in Edgewater has been on and off the market since August 2014.

There are few buildings with the uniqueness and the grandeur of The Manor House at 1021 and 1031 W. Bryn Mawr.

Built in 1908, in the Tudor Revival style, it has 16 units. It’s located in the Bryn Mawr Historic District and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

This unit is a duplex penthouse and the living room is in the “ballroom” with 14-foot beamed ceilings.

It also has a walk-out turret roof top patio.

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

The listing says the unit has new Marvin windows, a new furnace and a new air conditioning unit.

It has central air and a side-by-side in-unit washer/dryer. Garage parking is available for extra in the building.

After being bank owned in 2009-2012, it is again listed near its 2004 sales price.

Have prices returned to the boom year prices in this building?

Michael Barz at City Front Realty Group has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #3B: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, duplex penthouse, 1930 square feet

• Sold in April 2000 for $291,000
• Sold in May 2003 for $350,000
• Sold in December 2004 for $422,500
• Bank owned in November 2009
• Sold in April 2012 for $172,500
• Originally listed in August 2014 for $415,000
• Withdrawn in November 2014
• Re-listed in May 2015 for $435,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $399,900 (parking is extra)
• Assessments of $518 a month (includes exterior maintenance)
• Taxes of $4428
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 14×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 20×17 (second floor)
• Living room: 35×17

This 3-bedroom in 1400 N. Lake Shore Drive in the Gold Coast recently came on the market.

Built in 1927, this building has 398 units.

It was apartments which were converted into condominium units right at the peak of the boom in 2006.

The building was marketed to investors given it’s location in the Gold Coast neighborhood overlooking the Lake.

By 2010, after the bust, the developer was auctioning off 30 of its remaining 80 units. See our chatter about the auction here.

This is one of the larger units in the building at 1600 square feet.

It is a corner unit with lake views.

The kitchen has been opened up to the rest of the unit and has stone counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

The listing says it has “remodeled baths.”

There is a washer/dryer hook-up in the unit. Most of the smaller units do not have w/d in the unit.

There is no central air but this unit has window a/c.

There’s no parking in the building but there’s a landscaped sundeck on the roof.

This unit is leased until the end of August 2015.

This property came on the market at $550,000, or $94,000 above the 2006 purchase price.

Will it get the premium now that the market is hot again?

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

Unit #5N: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1600 square feet

• Sold in January 2006 for $456,000
• Currently listed at $550,000
• Assessments of $680 a month (includes doorman, sundeck)
• Taxes of $3818
• No central air- window a/c units only
• Washer/Dryer hook-up in the unit
• No parking
• Bedroom #1: 13×11
• Bedroom #2: 12×14
• Bedroom #3: 10×12

This 3-bedroom loft at 1235 N. Honore in Wicker Park came on the market in July 2015.

It’s part of a 13-unit loft complex but it’s like a freestanding structure as it’s on street level with a 36 foot wall of windows.

It has exposed brick and 17-foot timber ceilings as well as a skylight.

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

The master bedroom is on the second level with a spa bath.

It has central air, washer/dryer in the unit and 2 car parking in a secure lot.

There is a common patio and garden as well.

This space may remind you of this apartment from the movie “The Vow”, with Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams, which took place in Chicago (although it was actually filmed in Toronto.)

You can see those interior set pictures on Apartment Therapy here.

It has come on the market at $799,000.

Will buyers have to pay in the $700,000s for 3-bedrooms in hot Wicker Park?

Susan Berman at Susan Berman Broker has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #1W: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2500 square feet

• Sold in June 1991 for $183,000
• Sold in December 1997 for $310,000
• Sold in April 2002 for $450,000
• Sold in December 2005 for $570,000
• Currently listed at $799,000 (includes 2-car parking)
• Assessments of $305 a month (includes exterior and scavenger)
• Taxes of $5453
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 16×13 (2nd level)
• Bedroom #2: 18×12 (2nd level)
• Bedroom #3: 18×12 (main level)
• Loft: 9×9

This 2-bedroom loft at 3151 N. Lincoln in West Lakeview came on the market in May 2015.

The west facing loft has authentic loft features including exposed brick and 12 foot ceilings.

It has a spiral staircase to private rooftop deck as well as a skylight in the second bedroom.

The kitchen has maple cabinets and stainless and white appliances.

This loft has the other features buyers look for including central air, in-unit washer/dryer and garage parking.

It is located just a few steps from the soon-to-be built mega-Whole Foods at the Ashland/Belmont intersection.

At 1700 square feet, it is also considerably larger than most of the basic 2/2 lofts in the neighborhood.

Originally listed for $435,000, it has reduced to $389,000 plus $25,000 for the parking.

Is this a deal for the location and square footage?

Jenna Smith at Dream Town has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #316: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1700 square feet

• Sold in September 1996 for $220,500
• Sold in March 2000 for $300,o00
• Sold in September 2006 for $415,000
• Originally listed in May 2015 for $435,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $389,000 plus $25,000 for parking
• Assessments of $496 a month (includes cable)
• Taxes of $6634
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 16×15
• Bedroom #2: 16×14
• Laundry: 8×6

This 2-bedroom in The Breakers at 1200 W. Sherwin in East Rogers Park just came on the market.

Built in 1923 as 50 apartments, in 2005, the building was converted into 27 luxury condos.

From what I understand, an underground parking garage was also added during the conversion.

The huge east facing deck remains as does the private beach access. According to the listing, the beach has a shower hose and use of water craft.

This unit has east facing direct Lake Michigan exposures from the kitchen and the living/dining room.

The two bedrooms have southern exposure.

The listing says the unit has a “custom” chef’s kitchen with stainless steel appliances.

It also has crown molding, a gas fireplace and venetian plaster walls.

The master bedroom is en-suite with a custom steam shower.

The unit has all the other features buyers look for including in-unit washer/dryer, space pac cooling and garage parking.

There is no prior sales price listed in the public record so this appears to still be owned by the developer. It is rented until September 2015.

This is a unique building with unique views and amenities.

Will this sell quickly in this hot market?

Sharon Kozak at Coldwell Banker has the listing. See the pictures and the floorplan here.

Unit #2A: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1600 square feet

• No prior sales price- building converted in 2005
• Currently leased until September 2015
• Listed at $599,000 (includes parking)
• Assessments of $505 a month (includes heat, gas, exercise room)
• Taxes of $8214
• Space pac cooling
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 12×16
• Bedroom #2: 11×11

This 2-bedroom condo at 930 N. Wood in West Town first came on the market in December 2014.

We chattered about it in January 2015 as it was listed for $52,000 more than the peak 2005 price. See that chatter here.

Seven months later, it is still on the market.

Built in 2000, the kitchen has maple cabinets, granite counter tops and black appliances.

It has hardwood floors in the main living areas and a fireplace.

In 2011, the listing said it was 991 square feet. This time around, it says 1110 square feet.

The unit has the features buyers look for, including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and deeded parking – although it’s an outdoor space.

It is just a few blocks from the hot Division street restaurant scene

Since January, it has been on and off the market.

It has also reduced $10,000 to $365,000 but that price is still $42,500 above the peak price.

Why isn’t this selling in this hot market?

Linda Metz at Berkshire Hathaway KoenigRubloff still has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #2: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1110 square feet

• Sold in January 2001 for $229,000
• Sold in April 2002 for $266,900
• Sold in April 2005 for $322,500
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in February 2009
• Bank owned in October 2010
• Sold in July 2011 for $236,000
• Originally listed in December 2014 for $375,000 (including outdoor parking space)
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $365,000 (includes the parking space- which the listing now says is 2-car tandem parking)
• Assessments now $116 a month (they were $119 a month in 2011)
• Taxes are $4888 (they were $4833 in 2011)
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 12×17
• Bedroom #2: 10×12

This studio in The Flats on LaSalle at 1140 N. LaSalle in the Gold Coast just came on the market.

The building was constructed in 1924 as a luxury hotel. All of the units are either small one bedrooms or studios. There is no parking.

And there are no washer/dryers in the units as there is no space for them.

Long time housing market watchers will remember this building from its former ads during the boom describing the conversion as “Mini Condos @ Mini Prices”. They also gave away Mini Coopers at one point as a promotion.

This studio is just 281 square feet.

The main living spaces is 15×11 and is carpeted.

The kitchen is a Pullman kitchen with a stainless steel refrigerator and stove.

There is window units for air conditioning.

The building has a doorman.

The listing says the “Lincoln Park Zoo and the Lake” are a half a mile away.

With all the new construction going up in the area, and therefore producing a LOT of competition for renters, would you buy in this building as an investor?

Zack Ivanovic at The Building Group has the listing. See the pictures here.

1140 N. LaSalle: studio, 281 square feet

• Sold in June 2010 for $83,000
• Currently listed for $85,000
• Assessment of $269 a month (includes heat, water, gas, cable, doorman)
• Taxes of $803
• Window unit air conditioning
• No washer/dryer in the unit
• No parking
• Studio: 15×11

This 3-bedroom penthouse in the Urban Sandbox at 1615 N. Wolcott in Bucktown came on the market in early June 2015.

If it looks familiar, it’s because we chattered about this unit in May 2012.  See our chatter here.

Back then, it was listed at $1.2 million.

Many of you wondered how Bucktown could support a $1.2 million penthouse in a 4-story midrise building.

The Urban Sandbox is an 8-unit mid-rise modern building with an elevator which was originally marketed in 2007, just before the bust hit.

The architect was Miller Hull and in 2009 it won the Builder’s Choice Urban Infill Grand Award and Project of the Year.

See the architect’s website here.

The penthouse is 70 feet wide and has a 490 square foot wrap around terrace as well as a 500 square foot rooftop deck with a hot tub and sauna.

It has 10 foot ceilings and floor to ceiling windows.

The kitchen has Arclinea cabinets with Subzero and Miele appliances.

It also has 2-car garage parking.

This unit ended up selling for $1.085 million in August 2012.

It came back on the market this year listed at $1.5 million and went under contract almost immediately.

After Lincoln Park, is Bucktown now the most prestigious neighborhood in the city?

Unit #402: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, no square footage listed, 2 car garage parking

• Sold in August 2009 for $1.1 million
• Was listed in May 2012 for $1.2 million
• Sold in August 2012 for $1.085 million
• Originally listed in June 2015 for $1.5 million
• Under contract in 9 days
• Assessments now $491 a month (they were $379 a month in 2012)- includes water
• Taxes are now $14371 (they were $17,522 in 2012)
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 14×19
• Bedroom #2: 11×15
• Bedroom #3: 11×10