Crib Chatter

This 2-bedroom in Astor Villa at 1430 N. Astor in the Gold Coast came on the market in December 2022.

Built in 1974 by Arpen Group Architects, Astor Villa is a boutique condo building with just 50 units and attached garage parking.

It has door staff, an exercise room and a rooftop deck with city views.

There are only 3 units per floor.

According to the listing, this unit was fully renovated in 2015 and got new electrical, plumbing, windows and walls were removed.

It has an oversized foyer with porcelain floors and there are also porcelain floors in the kitchen. The living/dining room have cherry floors.

The kitchen has cabinets in wenge high gloss, KitchenAid appliances, quartz counter tops and a glass backsplash.

It has a primary suite which has black parquet wood floors, auto control shades, a walk-in-closet and an en suite bathroom with a double vanity, porcelain floors, quartz counter tops and a separate shower.

The second bedroom is being used as a library/media room and also has black parquet floors.

The second bathroom has quartz and porcelain tiles.

It has an east facing balcony and the listing says the unit has “views of Lake Michigan, the Gold Coast and the Chicago skyline.”

The unit has the features that buyers look for including washer/dryer in the unit and it looks like garage parking is included. It doesn’t have central air but does have wall heating/cooling.

Listed at $550,000, another unit on this floor is under contract listed at $525,000. You can see the pictures of #17B here.

Is this property priced to sell?

Craig Hogan and Rodolfo Zavala at Coldwell Banker have the listing. You can see the pictures here (sorry, no floor plan.)

Unit #17A: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1500 square feet

• Sold in September 1992 for $45,000
• Sold in August 2015 for $322,000
• Currently listed at $550,000
• Assessments of $1715 a month (includes doorman, cable, exercise room, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $8378
• No central air but wall units
• Full size stackable washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 20×12
• Bedroom #2: 14×11
• Kitchen: 18×9
• Dining room: 13×10
• Living room: 25×16
• Laundry room: 3×3
• Balcony

This 1-bedroom in 450 W. Briar in East Lakeview came on the market in December 2022.

Built in 1969 (although some listings say 1968 and others say 1972), 450 W. Briar has 142 units and an attached parking garage.

It has an exercise room and a rooftop pool. The building was converted to condos in 2005, during the housing boom.

This unit is a junior 1-bedroom which is 475 square feet.

The living room and bedroom have hardwood floors and the listing says there is new tile in the kitchen.

The kitchen has wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops along with a breakfast bar.

The listing says it has new track lighting and outlets and has been painted before listing.

It has wall heating/cooling, no parking and no washer/dryer in the unit. But some units in the building DO have it in-unit. There is a laundry room in the building.

It does not have private outdoor space.

This building is near the shops and restaurants of East Lakeview, including the Mariano’s, as well as Belmont Harbor and the lakefront trail.

Listed as a short sale in December 2022 at $160,000, that’s just $5,000 more than the 2009 purchase price of $155,000.

Is this a deal?

Ryan Kissinger at 33 Realty has the listing. It appears to be agent owned. See the pictures here. Floor plans are available if you google the building.

Unit #4L: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 475 square feet

• Sold in October 2005 for $355,000 (typo? Really $155,000?)
• Sold in February 2009 for $155,000
• Listed in December 2022 as a “short sale” at $160,000
• Assessments of $292 a month (includes exercise room, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal, pool, laundry room)
• Taxes of $3017
• No central air but wall units
• No washer/dryer in the unit but laundry room in the building
• No parking
• Pets allowed
• Bedroom: 7×14
• Living room: 10×17
• Kitchen: 7×11

This 2-bedroom duplex down in the Oak Club at 125 W. Oak in the Gold Coast came on the market in March 2022.

Built in 1992, The Oak Club has 52 condos with a gated central courtyard. There is garage parking. I always assumed these were townhouses, given that some have attached garages, but this property is listed as a condo.

This unit has 1770 square feet on two levels.

The main level has the living room, dining room, half bath, kitchen and primary suite.

The second bedroom is on the lower level along with the laundry and access to the garage.

There is a fireplace in the living room.

The listing says the kitchen has been “updated” and has granite counter tops, a breakfast bar that seats 3, wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances.

There is a bar area with a wine refrigerator in the dining room.

The primary bedroom has an en suite bathroom with a walk-in-shower and separate tub along with 2 walk-in-closets, one of which was turned into a home office.

The lower level bedroom has a custom closet and en suite bath.

I don’t see any private outdoor space on the floor plan but the Oak Club is across the street from Washington Park, which is popular with neighborhood residents and is dog friendly.

This unit has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and private attached garage parking, which has storage.

The listing says there was a new furnace in 2021 and the association put on a new roof only “a few years ago.”

The listing also says: “Seller is providing a one year home warranty at closing.”

This complex is near the shops and restaurants of the Gold Coast and River North, near the Mag Mile, Oak Street Beach and other amenities.

Originally listed in March 2022 for $729,900, it has been reduced to $664,900. That is under the 2007 purchase price of $685,000.

Is this a deal?

Lauren Dayton and Burt Bhairoo at Jameson Sotheby’s have the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit F: 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 1770 square feet, duplex down

• Sold in October 1995 for $325,000
• Sold in May 1998 for $347,500
• Sold in May 2005 for $592,500
• Sold in August 2007 for $685,000
• Originally listed in March 2022 for $729,000
• Reduced several times
• Currently listed at $664,900
• Assessments of $602 a month (includes cable, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal, Internet)
• Taxes of $14,120
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 16×13 (main level)
• Bedroom #2: 16×15 ( lower level)
• Living room: 17×14 (main level)
• Dining room: 15×12 (main level)
• Kitchen: 13×10 (main level)
• Office: 7×5 (main level)
• Walk-in-closet: 7×5 (main level)
• Laundry room: 4×8 (lower level)

This 3-bedroom in The Montgomery at 500 W. Superior in River North originally came on the market in April 2019.

The Montgomery was built in 1972  as part of the corporate headquarters of department store Montgomery Ward. It’s architect was Minoru Yamasaki, who also designed the World Trade Center in New York City. He designed both around the same time.

It was converted into condos in 2006 during the housing boom. The building has 245 units and attached garage parking.

The building has door staff, an exercise room, a roof deck, and a sundeck with seating, firepits, grills, and a dog run.

This unit has 10 foot ceilings with south and west city and skyline views from floor to ceiling windows.

There’s a gallery foyer to enter the unit with a guest bath.

It has custom window treatments and a gas fireplace in the living room.

The kitchen has modern wood cabinets and a massive island that seats six, with new quartz counter tops, a Thermador gas range with dual ovens and indoor grill, a built-in Thermador professional wok cooktop, a commercial exhaust hood, a Subzero refrigerator and beverage fridge.

The kitchen also has a walk-in food pantry with a Thermador refrigerator and wine cooler.

The primary suite has an oversized bedroom with seating area, a spa bath with dual vanity, a Grohe system steam shower, a whirlpool tub and upgraded commode, a walk-in-closet, and a rare private balcony (this building only has balconies on the east and west ends.)

The second bedroom is also en suite.

The third bedroom is currently being used as a office/library and is open to the living room.

The unit has a Bang & Olufsen audio system throughout which is included in the sale.

It has the features buyers look for including central air, a Miele side-by-side washer/dryer in the unit and 2-car tandem parking space is available for $65,000.

This building is near the shops and restaurants of the western part of River North and the Chicago River.

Originally listed in April 2019 for $2.499 million, it has been reduced $900,000 and is now listed at $1.599 million.

The listing says: “An incredible value at less than $500 per sqft, this highly upgraded 3,550 sqft Montgomery condo lives like a home on a grand scale!”

Is this a deal?

Jennifer Ames at Engel & Voelkers has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #2401: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 3500 square feet

• Sold in July 2006 for $1.561 million
• Originally listed in April 2019 for $2.499 million
• Reduced several times
• Currently listed at $1.599 million
• Assessments of $3501 a month (includes heat, gas, doorman, cable, exercise room, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal, Internet)
• Taxes of $30,062
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• 2-car tandem parking available for $65,000 extra
• Gas fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 26×22
• Bedroom #2: 15×12
• Bedroom #3: 22×12
• Living room: 16×39
• Dining room: 27×13
• Kitchen: 16×20
• Pantry: 8×13
• Walk-in-closet: 9×16
• Foyer: 9×6
• Laundry: 11×9
• Balcony: 18×5

This 3-bedroom in 900 N. Lake Shore Drive in Streeterville came on the market in May 2022.

Built in 1956, 900 N. Lake Shore Drive is one of the two Mies van der Rohe high rises on the lake front. It has 371 units.

The building has door staff and leased garage parking on site.

This 3-bedroom unit is a combination of two units. The listing says it is the “finest renovation of any residence” with no detail overlooked or expense spared.

The listing says it has seen over $500,000 in extensive redesign to combine the two units.

The renovation was done by the design team at Boffi Chicago.

The kitchen is separate from the living/dining room and has white custom Boffi cabinetry, paneling and trim along with Miele, Gaggenau and Subzero appliances, quartzite counter tops and smart lighting, along with some open shelves.

The living and dining room has floor to ceiling windows that overlook the Lake.

According to the listing, the primary suite was once a studio apartment and the suite opens to the living room space with a full height pivoting wall. The suite also has a custom dressing room and bathroom with walk-in-shower.

The unit has custom sound/HVAC and in-unit washer/dryer. Parking is leased in the building.

Originally listed in May 2022 for $1.025 million, it has been reduced to $949,000.

For mid-century modern lovers, is this a dream unit?

Brad Lippitz and Anne Killarney at Compass have the listing. See the pictures here. It says there is a floor plan but the picture is missing.

Unit #1109-11: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 1779 square feet

• Sold in June 1989 for $147,000 
• Sold in February 2022 for $355,000
• Sold in March 2014 for $800,000
• Originally listed in May 2022 for $1.025 million
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $949,000
• Assessments of $1253 a month (includes heat, a/c, doorman, cable, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $9737
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Leased parking
• Bedroom #1: 21×16
• Bedroom #2: 18×10
• Bedroom #3: 12×11
• Living/dining room: 21×20
• Kitchen: 13×8
• Walk-in-closet: 11×7
• Foyer: 9×5

This 2-bedroom in the Tower Residences at 680 N. Lake Shore Drive in Streeterville came on the market in September 2022.

680 N. Lake Shore Drive is a unique building.

According to Wikipedia, it was completed in 1926. it was originally called the American Furniture Mart and was the largest building in the world when finished.

It has a total of 415 units in 3 different condo associations: The Tower, The Lake and the South Residences.

The South Residences has 120 units, the Tower has 131 units, and the Lake, 264.

This is a full amenity building with a pool, exercise room and 24-hour door staff.

There is commercial space in the building as well as a shopping concourse with a coffee shop, Walgreens, a bank and other amenities. Has it all reopened after COVID?

This unit is a full floor unit in the tower with 360 degree lake and city views.

Created by Vinvi/Hamp architects, the listing says that “no expense” was spared.

It has a private elevator that opens into the resident’s vestibule which is clad in cerused oak paneling.

The kitchen has Parenti & Raffaelli custom Macassar ebony millwork, honed granite countertops, a concealed cooktop and Subzero refrigerator.

The primary suite has walls covered in Belgian linen, a Poliform closet system and a spa bath with Calacatta marble slabs and Dornbracht hardware.

The second bedroom is currently being used as a library but can be restored to a bedroom.

The listing lays out the special features including: “a full Lutron HomeWorks System, multi-media visual & audio systems, Iris lighting, computerized pocket window shades, zoned HVAC, and HEPA air purification system.”

It also has the features that buyers normally look for, including washer/dryer in the unit and garage parking, which is included.

Listed in September 2022 at $1.775 million, it was last on the market in 1998.

Is this a rare opportunity to get a home in the sky without sharing any walls with others?

Brad Lippitz and Stewart Smith at Compass have the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #2300: 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, 2575 square feet

• Sold in October 1991 for $415,000
• Sold in October 1998 for $500,000
• Originally listed in September 2022 for $1.775 million
• Currently still listed at $1.775 million
• Assessments of $1403 a month (includes heat, a/c, doorman, cable, exercise room, pool, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal, Internet)
• Taxes of $9085
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 13×16
• Bedroom #2: 9×12
• Foyer: 25×9
• Gallery: 22×9
• Living room: 24×17
• Dining room: 24×14
• Kitchen: 15×8
• Laundry room: 8×6

This 2-bedroom in the Clinton Street Lofts at 226 N. Clinton on the Near West Side came on the market in October 2022.

This building was converted into loft condos in 1998. It has 176 units and attached garage parking.

There is no 24/7 door staff, but it does have evening front desk, on-site management, an exercise room, a bike room, extra storage and a courtyard garden.

This loft has authentic loft features including a 13 foot timber beam ceiling and exposed brick walls.

The bedrooms are fully enclosed in a split floor plan and both have arched windows.

The listing says the diagonal hardwood floors have recently been refinished.

The loft also has a renovated kitchen with new stainless steel appliances, white and gray cabinets, an island with waterfall edge, and quartz counter tops.

It has a gas fireplace and a balcony with city views.

The unit has 3 walk-in-closets and a lower level storage room.

It has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and garage parking is included.

This building is near hot Fulton Market and there continues to be construction nearby in the Near West Side, mostly in new apartments.

Originally listed in October 2022 at $475,000, it was under contract, but has now been relisted and reduced $5,000 to $470,000.

Is this a good starter property in this neighborhood?

Megan Kinnahan at @properties Christie’s has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #202: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed, loft

• Sold in August 1998 for $182,500
• Sold in September 1999 for $245,000
• Originally listed in October 2022 for $475,000
• Under contract
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $470,000 (garage parking included)
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Gas fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 13×17
• Bedroom #2: 14×13
• Living room: 11×19
• Dining room: 10×14
• Kitchen: 10×14
• WIC: 6×6
• Laundry room: 5×5
• Balcony: 4×14

This corner 3-bedroom in 1400 Museum Park at 100 E. 14th in the South Loop came on the market, originally, in October 2020.

Built in 2008, at the height of the housing bubble, 1400 Museum Park has 260 units and an attached parking garage.

The building has door staff, an indoor pool, exercise room, party room and bike storage.

This unit has wraparound floor to ceiling windows and east, north and west views including some of the Lake, Soldier Field and Willis Tower.

It has Italian tile flooring throughout, including in the bedrooms.

The kitchen is open to the living/dining room and has wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops.

The primary suite has a walk-in-closet and bathroom with both a large tub and walk-in-shower with a double vanity.

The listing says the third bedroom could be a home office or den.

It has a balcony.

The unit also has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and one car garage parking is included with a second space available for $35,000.

This building is near the shops and restaurants of the South Loop as well as Grant Park, Soldier Field, the Shedd and other museums of the Museum Campus.

Originally listed in October 2020, which was during COVID but before a vaccine was announced, for $784,000, it has been reduced multiple times over the last 2 years and is now at $699,000.

That is under the original 2008 purchase price of $714,500.

Is this a deal?

Stefanie D’Agostino at Redfin has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #2301: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1695 square feet

• Sold in July 2008 for $714,500
• Originally listed in October 2020 for $784,000
• Reduced several times
• Currently listed at $699,000
• Assessments of $1060 a month (includes heat, a/c, doorman, exercise room, pool, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $16,132
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit? (It doesn’t list it but a condo building from 2006 would have had it in the unit and there appears to be a spot for it on the floor plan.)
• One car parking included
• Second parking space available for $35,000
• Bedroom #1: 16×11
• Bedroom #2: 15×12
• Bedroom #3: 13×10
• Living/dining combo: 23×16
• Kitchen: 20×10
• Balcony: no dimensions provided

This 1-bedroom in Walton Colannade at 100 E. Walton in the Gold Coast came on the market in August 2022.

Built in 1972, the Walton Colannnade has 240 units and attached leased garage parking.

It’s a full amenity building with doorstaff, a rooftop pool, exercise room, party room, and full-time manager and assistant manager on-site.

The listing says this unit has south skyline views with “brilliant” city lights.

It has cherry hardwood floors throughout and 8 floor-to-ceiling windows with custom screen roller shades.

The kitchen is “U” shaped and has white cabinets, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

The unit has a marble bathroom with a linen closet.

It also has the features that buyers look for including central air and washer/dryer in the unit. Garage parking is available for lease in the building.

The listing says the building has no special assessment and $1.2 million in reserves and just completed tuckpointing, putting in new elevators, hallways, new circuit breakers in the condos, and refurbished the pool and sundeck.

Thinking of renting it out? The listing says you have to live in it for 18 months before doing so.

The listing agent is apparently the owner. She writes: “I own this condo. After selling my home I hurriedly bought here as a “temporary fix” until I decided where to move. 12 years later I am still living here. I have loved it. You will too.”

Originally listed in August at $235,000, it went under contract in September. But it has come back on the market again at $235,000.

This building is near Oak Street Beach, the Mag Mile, Rush Street and all the shops and restaurants of the surrounding neighborhoods.

If you want to be in the heart of the pulse of the city, and like views, is this a better deal than renting 670 square feet?

Connie Atterbury at Dream Town has the listing (and agent owned). See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #36E: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 670 square feet

• Sold in January 1993 for $65,000
• Sold in September 2006 for $258,500
• Originally listed in August 2022 for $235,000
• Under contract in September 2022
• Re-listed in December 2022 for $235,000
• Assessments of $815 a month (includes heat, a/c, doorman, exercise room, pool, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal, basic cable)
• Taxes of $3365 a month 
• Leased parking in the building
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom: 12×12
• Kitchen: 10×7
• Living room: 19×14
• Laundry: 3×4

This 2-bedroom loft in the Pencil Factory Lofts at 1800 W. Roscoe came on the market in August 2022.

The Pencil Factory Lofts were built in 1916. It was converted into 140 loft homes plus attached indoor, and outdoor, parking.

The elevator building has a dog wash and car wash station, fitness room, laundry room, roof deck, and park like BBQ area. It used to have a part-time doorstaff, but the listing doesn’t say anything about that so maybe they got rid of it.

This loft is a concrete loft with high ceilings, exposed ductwork, and some exposed brick. It has a split floorplan with the coveted southern exposure with 2 walls of industrial windows.

The listing says there is “luxury vinyl flooring” throughout.

The kitchen has had a complete gut, with new kitchen plumbing and updated electrical, and has white cabinets, new stainless steel appliances, quartz counter tops, under cabinet lighting, soft close hardware, and exterior ventilation.

It appears that only one of the bedrooms has windows. And I can’t tell if the bedrooms are enclosed or not.

The unit has the finishes buyers look for including central air, indoor parking is available for $25,000 and a laundry room with a LG ThinQ stackable washer/dryer, which is plumbed for a utility sink.

It doesn’t have private outdoor space.

This building is located near the shops and restaurants of Roscoe Village and West Lakeview, as well as being just a few blocks from the Paulina brown line stop.

Originally listed in August 2022 for $499,000, it has been reduced to $475,000.

Does this need to be staged to get the sale?

Paul Waitz at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices has the listing. See the pictures here.

• Sold in April 1993 for $153,500
• Originally listed in August 2022 for $499,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $475,000
• Assessments of $557 a month (includes exercise room, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $7343
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Indoor parking is available for $25,000 extra
• Bedroom #1: 14×11
• Bedroom #2: 12×12
• Living room/dining room combo: 20×24
• Kitchen: 12×10
• Laundry: 3×4