Crib Chatter

This 3-bedroom in 550 N. St Clair in Streeterville came on the market in August 2022.

Built in 2008, just as the Great Recession and housing bust hit, 550 N. St Clair is a modern building with floor-to-ceiling windows and exposed concrete ceilings with 111 units and a parking garage.

It has doorstaff, an indoor pool and exercise room.

This unit is a half floor completely renovated unit designed by Brininstool & Lynch Architects. It has east, south and west views of the city and lake.

It doesn’t have the concrete ceilings that are a signature feature of this building.

There are wide plank solid oak floors throughout with 11 foot floor-to-ceiling windows.

It has a “gourmet kitchen” with white custom cabinets, an oversized island and eat-in breakfast bar with black cabinets, a subway tile backsplash, and luxury appliances by Wolf, Roul, Subzero and Bosch.

There is also a unique large butler’s pantry/second kitchen with a wine and beverage fridge.

The unit has a 600 bottle walk-in wine cellar with French doors.

The primary suite has a fireplace and seating area, walk-in-closet and en suite bath with dual sink vanity, separate tub, and a fully enclosed glass shower for 2. It also has a private balcony.

The other two bedrooms are also en suite.

The unit has a 300 square foot private terrace with city views.

It has the features buyers look for including central air, a laundry room and 2 heated parking spaces included.

This building is near the shops and restaurants of the Mag Mile, the River Walk, Streeterville and River North.

Originally listed in August 2022 for $2.5 million, it has been reduced $51,000 to $2.449 million.

Is this a single family home alternative for those who like highrise living?

Tommy Choi and Joshua Weinberg at KellerWilliams ONEChicago have the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #2502: 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 3200 square feet

• Sold in August 2016 for $1.75 million
• Sold in September 2017 for $2.335 million
• Originally listed in August 2022 for $2.5 million
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $2.449 million
• Assessments of $2296 a month (includes heat, a/c, doorman, cable, exercise room, pool, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal, Internet)
• Taxes of $34,365
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• 2 heated garage spaces included
• Fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 20×19
• Bedroom #2: 12×12
• Bedroom #3: 13×12
• Living/dining combo: 28×26
• Kitchen: 20×16
• Pantry: 13×9
• Walk-in-closet: 20×11
• Laundry room: 13×7
• 2 balconies

This 2-bedroom in The Palmolive at 159 E. Walton in the Gold Coast came on the market in June 2021.

The Palmolive was built in 1929 and has 99 units. This art-deco building used to be a commercial building and was first the home of Colgate-Palmolive-Peet and then was the former home of Playboy and was called the Playboy Building.

It was converted into luxury condos in 2005-2006. It has attached valet garage parking, doorstaff, an exercise room and whirlpool.

During the housing bust, the building’s pricing held up well as it was sold out during the boom and was considered one of the top buildings in the city. Celebrities like Vince Vaughn owned units in the building during that time.

This unit is a southwest corner unit.

It has high ceilings, hardwood floors, custom millwork and a fireplace.

The kitchen is an eat-in kitchen with white Polyform cabinetry, Wolf, Subzero and Miele appliances with an island.

It’s a split floor plan.

The unit has the features that buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and 1 car parking is included.

This building is just steps away from the Mag Mile and Oak Street Beach as well as the restaurants of Streeterville and the Gold Coast.

Originally listed in June 2021 at $1.525 million, it has been reduced $425,000 to $1.1 million. That is $364,000 under the 2006 sales price.

Is this a deal?

Caroline and Matthew Druker at Baird & Warner have the listing. See the pictures here (sorry, no floor plan.)

Unit #14F: 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2347 square feet

• Sold in September 2006 for $1.464 million
• Bank owned in October 2010
• Sold in February 2011 for $961,000
• Originally listed in June 2021 for $1.525 million
• Reduced several times
• Currently listed at $1.1 million
• Assessments of $2381 a month (includes heat, a/c, gas, doorman, cable, clubhouse, exercise room, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $32,832
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• 1 car valet parking included
• Fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 15×13
• Bedroom #2: 16×12
• Dining room: 16×12
• Living room: 15×14
• Kitchen: 15×15

This 3-bedroom duplex up in Ivy Lane at 2843 N. Lincoln in Lakeview came on the market in September 2022.

Built in 1996, Ivy Lane has 23 units surrounding a central courtyard and underground garage parking.

This listing says the unit has new mechanicals, hardwood floors, recessed lighting, “some” new windows, crown molding and composite decking.

The first floor has the living, dining and kitchen along with a full bath and one bedroom.

The second floor has the primary suite and second bedroom along with two outdoor spaces.

The living room has a fireplace.

The kitchen has white cabinets, granite counter tops, a custom backsplash, and a breakfast bar.

The primary bedroom has an en suite bathroom with herringbone marble floors, quartz counter tops, a duble sink and subway tile shower.

There’s a huge private terrace off the primary suite.

This unit has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and 1 indoor garage parking space is included.

This building is near the Lakeview/Lincoln Park border and is near shops, restaurants and coffee shops.

Listed in September 2022 at $559,000, it has been reduced $19,000 to $540,000.

Is this a deal for 3-bedrooms in this neighborhood?

Nancy Tassone at Jameson Sotheby’s has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #211: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1700 square feet, duplex up

• Sold in February 1997 for $249,000
• Sold in May 1999 for $311,000
• Sold in March 2002 for $367,000
• Sold in December 2015 for $415,000
• Originally listed in September 2022 for $559,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $540,000 
• Assessments of $302 a month (includes exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $8715
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• 1 indoor garage parking space included
• Fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 15×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 12×10 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 12×11 (main floor)
• Living/dining room: 16×15 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 10×10 (main floor)
• Deck: 4×14 (second floor)
• Terrace: 12×10 (second floor)

This 2-bedroom duplex up at 40 W. Schiller in the Gold Coast came on the market in September 2022.

40 W. Schiller was designed in 1923 by Andrew Rebori and has 19 units.

It has a shared, central courtyard which the listing calls the “most coveted private garden” in the city.

The building has no parking.

The listing says this duplex has never been available.

This unit has a 2-story living room with vaulted ceilings and a wood burning fireplace.

One bedroom is on the main floor with the primary bedroom on the second level, which overlooks the garden. There was also a third bedroom, also on the second floor, which the listing says was turned into a huge walk-in-closet.

It has a separate dining room.

The kitchen has white cabinets and a combination of white and stainless steel appliances.

It has central air but the listing doesn’t say anything about a washer/dryer. Other units have it in-unit so I’m assuming it does (?).

There is leased parking.

It doesn’t have private outdoor space, but the unit has French doors that lead directly out to the private garden.

This is a co-op building. In the prior listings we’ve chattered about in this building, the taxes were included in the assessments.

This building is near the shops and restaurants of Old Town and the Gold Coast.

Listed in September 2022 at $1 million, it has been reduced $75,000 to $925,000.

What price will it take to sell this co-op?

Sophia Worden at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices has the listing. See the pictures here (sorry, no floor plan).

Unit #1E: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, duplex up, 1700 square feet, co-op

• No prior price but the listing says “never available”
• Originally listed in September 2022 at $1 million
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $925,000
• Assessments of $1729 a month (includes heat, gas, cable, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes are listed at $8532 (included in the assessments or no? Usually included in co-op assessments)
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit??? (unclear)
• Leased parking
• Wood burning fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 12×18 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 10×12 (main floor)
• Living room: 14×22 (main floor)
• Dining room: 12×14 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 12×12 (main floor)
• Walk-in-closet: 8×13 (second floor)

This 4-bedroom duplex up penthouse at 2910 N. Sheffield in Lakeview came on the market in October 2022. (I thought I took a new picture of this building when it was completed, but perhaps I have not.)

This building was built just as the housing bust was ending, in 2012. It was among the first wave of new construction after the bust.

It has 3 units with garage parking.

This unit has brand new hardwood floors and fresh paint throughout.

The main floor has the living and dining rooms, along with the kitchen and family room. It also has 2 large terraces on the main level, one in the front of the unit and a second one in the back.

The kitchen has white modern cabinetry, Viking appliances and an oversized quartz counter island that seats 4.

The second level has all four bedrooms including a primary bedroom with east facing view and a private balcony. It has a spa-like bath and 2 large walk-in-closets.

The top floor has a “penthouse room” with a wet bar which leads to a “tricked out” private rooftop deck with a heated seating area with pergola, TV and surround sound, a full size bar, firepit and a putting green.

In case you are wondering, it is on the non-train side of Sheffield.

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

This building is surrounded by the shops and restaurants of Lakeview and is close to Brown Line El stops and bus lines.

Originally listed in October 2022 for $1.2 million, it has been reduced $50,000 to $1.15 million.

Is this a townhouse alternative?

Patrick Teets at Jameson Sotheby’s has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #301: 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, no square footage listed, duplex up, penthouse

• Sold in December 2012 for $858,500
• Originally listed in October 2022 for $1.2 million
• Reduced
• Currently still listed at $1.15 million
• Assessments of $250 a month (includes exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $17,138
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Garage parking included
• Fire pit
• Putting green
• Bedroom #1: 16×15 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 11×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 10×10 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 10×10 (second floor)
• Family room: 20×18 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 16×12 (main floor)
• Living room: 18×20 (main floor)
• Dining room: 12×18 (main floor)
• Deck: 24×20
• 3 balconies

This 3-bedroom in The Peerless at 3026 N. Lincoln in Lakeview came on the market in November 2022.

Built in 2017, The Peerless has 9 units. It’s a brick and steel elevator building with poured concrete between the floors.

It has heated attached garage parking.

This unit has 4″ white oak hardwood floors throughout and 10 foot ceilings.

There’s an LED fireplace in the living room.

It has a chef’s kitchen with designer 42″ Scavolini Italian cabinets, quartz countertops, Subzero panel fridge, Wolf range, Asko dishwasher and built-in microwave.

The primary suite has a “spa-like” bath with a stone walk-in shower with 2 shower sprays and heated floors along with a walk-in-closet.

The unit has 2 private outdoor spaces including a front balcony and a 1,100 square foot terrace with a custom made pergola and fence installed in 2018 by Reveal Design. It has 5 arborvitaes trees and bushes with designer planters.

The property has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and attached heated garage parking for 2-cars (tandem).

The listing says it’s in the Burley school district.

The building is near the shops and restaurants of West Lakeview including the Art of Pizza.

Listed at $925,000, that’s $125,000 over the 2017 sales price of $800,000.

At 1940 square feet, is this a townhouse alternative?

Carrie McCormick at @properties Christie’s has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #2A: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 1940 square feet

• Sold in June 2017 for $800,000
• Currently listed by $925,000
• Assessments of $386 a month (includes exterior maintenance and snow removal)
• Taxes aren’t listed ???
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• 2-car tandem parking in heated attached garage included
• Fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 17×14
• Bedroom #2: 14×11
• Bedroom #3: 14×11
• Living/dining combo: 28×16
• Kitchen: 16×12
• Terrace: 1,100 square feet

This 4-bedroom single family home in BaseCamp SFH at 3646 N. Kenneth in Irving Park came on the market in November 2022. (Sorry, I don’t have a picture of this house but I DO have a picture of the Lincoln Park waterfall.)

If you recall, BaseCamp SFH was a development of 48 single family homes with a private park with prices beginning around $520,000 to $660,000. They were designed by Pappageorge Haymes Partners.

The development sold out quickly. Here’s more from Curbed.

This home has the layout that buyers prefer with living room, dining room and kitchen on the main floor and 3 out of the 4 bedrooms on the second floor.

It’s an open concept main floor with a kitchen with modern wood cabinets, an island that seats 3, quartz counter tops, a subway tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances.

The architect must have been a Crib Chatter reader because there’s actually a half bath on the main floor as well.

The second floor has cathedral ceilings and 2 full bathrooms, including a primary suite with a walk-in-closet and en suite bathroom.

The lower level has a family room with wainscoting and vinyl herringbone floors along with built-in cabinets and the 4th bedroom and third full bathroom.

It has the features buyers look for including central air and a 2-car garage.

The house has a private back brick patio.

This home is part of a home owners association which owns a nearby private park. The home is fee simple.

The listing says: “A preferred lender offers a reduced interest rate for this listing.”

Will mortgage incentives be the norm going into 2023?

Chris Engelmann at Redfin has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

3646 N. Kenneth: 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, no square footage listed, single family home

• Sold in April 2018 for $499,500
• Currently listed at $630,000
• Assessments of $81 a month (includes lawn care, snow removal)
• Taxes of $9637
• Central Air
• 2-car garage
• I don’t see a lot size
• Bedroom #1: 13×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 12×9 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 12×9 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 11×10 (lower level)
• Living/dining room: 15×15 (main level)
• Kitchen: 15×15 (main level)
• Laundry: 4×3 (second level)
• Family room: 16×14 (lower level)
• Back patio

This 2-bedroom in The Metro at 1200 W. Monroe in the West Loop came on the market in November 2022.

Built in 2003, The Metro has 136 units and heated garage parking.

It has doorstaff and a gym in the building.

This unit has been updated with the listing stating: “Current owners were not intending to sell and spared no expenses when making recent updates.”

It’s a corner unit with floor-to-ceiling windows with North and East views and exposed duct work. It has dark engineered hardwood floors in the main living spaces and new carpet in the bedrooms.

The “updated” kitchen has white cabinets, a quartz marble tile backsplash from Turkey, soft close cabinets, a Bosch dishwasher, Wolf microwave, Bosch refrigerator with water dispenser and ice maker inside the freezer, a chef quality Wolf gas range with a Zephyr exhaust, and an island with unique black cabinets with double thick quartz countertops and room for stools.

The primary suite has room darkening shades and the en suite bathroom has a double vanity, shower and soaking tub.

The second bathroom has an “updated” shower.

It has new RH sconces in the hallway and a gas fireplace with a TV above the fireplace which swivels.

But it’s most unique feature is its massive 2000 square foot private terrace with built-in irrigation system, newer floor tiles and turf area. It also has 2 sheds to store gardening equipment.

In addition to the big terrace, there is also a small balcony off the dining room.

This unit has the features buyers look for including washer/dryer in the unit, central air and one heated indoor parking space is included.

It also has a new Trane furnace.

This building is near dog parks (the listing says there’s no weight limit on pets but you’re limited to 2), restaurants, the highway and public transportation.

Listed at $850,000, that’s $185,000 above the 2020 sales price of $665,000.

Buyers love “new.”

Will this unit sell quickly?

Andrew Tsoukalis and Megan Livatino at @Properties Christie’s have the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #301: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1338 square feet

• Sold in June 2003 for $365,000
• Sold in September 2006 for $445,000
• Sold in November 2010 for $385,000
• Sold in November 2020 for $665,000
• Currently listed at $850,000 (includes heated indoor parking space)
• Assessments of $707 a month (includes heat, gas, doorman, cable, exercise room, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $9447
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Gas fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 14×13
• Bedroom #2: 13×11
• Living/dining room: 23×14
• Kitchen: 12×9
• Laundry: 10×10
• Balcony: 6×10
• Terrace: 39×51

This 3-bedroom vintage cottage at 1338 W. Grace in Southport came on the market in November 2022.

Built in 1891, the house is on a smaller than standard lot measuring 58×40. It has no back alley but instead, has a side driveway which is accessed from the street.

If this house looks familiar, that’s because we last chattered about it in February 2020, just as the coronavirus pandemic was about to hit.

Back in 2020, the house came on the market in February and was under contract within just 5 days.

See our 2020 chatter here.

In the 2020 listing, it said that they made up to $3,000 a year from renting out spots on the side driveway during Cubs games.

If you recall, the kitchen has wood cabinets, white quartz counter tops, a breakfast bar, a white subway tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances.

There’s an enclosed porch off the kitchen that can be used as a mudroom.

The first floor also has a den with a wood burning fireplace and a full bath.

All three bedrooms are on the second floor, with hardwood floors, along with one full bath.

The primary suite has a walk-in-closet and the front guest bath has a closet which has been converted into a work-from-home space with a desk.

The house has a basement which the listing says a third full bathroom can be added as the architectural and engineering plans have already been drawn up.

The house has central air.

The listing also says a carport, or similar structure, could be added by the next owner.

The house is in the Blaine school system, which is just down the street.

It’s near all the shops and restaurants (Dairy Queen!) of Southport and just a few blocks from Wrigley Field.

The house is listed at $879,000, which is $84,000 more than the March 2020 sale of $795,000.

Houses under $1 million are rare in Southport.

Will this house go under contract within the week again even with 7% mortgage rates?

Brad Zibung at Compass has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Or see it at the Open House this weekend on Saturday, November 5, from 12:30 to 2 PM.

1338 W. Grace: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, listing now says it’s 2300 square feet, single family home

• Sold in April 1993 for $206,500
• Sold in September 2001 for $547,000
• Sold in August 2016 for $630,000
• Was listed on Feb 19, 2020 for $825,000
• Under contract on Feb 24, 2020
• Sold in March 2020 for $795,000
• Currently listed at $879,000
• Taxes are now $13,492 (they were $12,992 in February 2020)
• 3-car driveway (no garage)
• Central Air
• Wood burning fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 16×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 17×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 15×12 (second floor)
• Den: 12×11 (main floor)
• Living room: 14×13 (main floor)
• Dining room: 16×14 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 13×11 (main floor)
• Family room: 26×13 (basement)
• Storage: 10×6 (basement)
• Walk-in-closet: 9×8 (second floor)
• Mudroom: 12×6 (main floor)

This 4-bedroom Italianate row house at 1928 N. Lincoln in East Lincoln Park came on the market in November 2022.

Built in 1875, the listing says it was built by Andrew McNally with large blocks of Joliet limestone. The prior listing from last year says that they used limestone because of the Great Chicago Fire in 1871. It also said that just 3 families had lived in the house until the prior sale.

It’s on a corner lot measuring 25×100 and has a 1-car garage.

The row house has some of its vintage features including the grand staircase with the original wood restored and 12 foot ceilings.

In the prior listing there were 2 wood burning fireplaces in the living and dining rooms and it appears that they might still be in place but the listing says there is just one.

The prior listing also said there were plaster walls with picture moldings.

There’s a mix of hardwood floors and laminate wood floors.

The kitchen has blue cabinets and stainless steel appliances with a breakfast bar that opens into the dining room.

3 of the 4 bedrooms are on the third floor with one on the main level which is where a 2 bedroom, 1 bath apartment is located.

The listing says it’s been “rehabbed” and has a separate entrance, a full kitchen and laundry. In the prior listing, the apartment only had 1 bedroom.

The listing says the house was repainted, the bathrooms remodeled and the staircase restored since the prior sale.

It has central air and a wood deck with a “California patio.”

The towels on all the beds indicated that this was probably being used as an Airbnb, or short-term-rental, and it does appear on the Airbnb site.

This row house is near Lincoln Park Zoo, the Green City Market and the shops and restaurants of Old Town.

It also has a unique side alley on one side of the row house.

Listed at $1.295 million, it sold in January of this year for $1.129 million.

Will this seller get the premium 11 months later?

Jeremy Wallace at Volta Investments has the listing. See the pictures here (sorry, no floor plan but taking a look at the prior listing pictures helps.)

1928 N. Lincoln: 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 3309 square feet, row house

• No prior sales price as prior listing said the same family owned it for 70 years
• Sold in January 2022 for $1.129 million
• Currently listed for $1.295 million
• Taxes of $21,631
• Central Air
• 1 (or 2?) wood burning fireplaces
• 1 car garage
• 25×100 lot
• Bedroom #1: 20×17 (third floor)
• Bedroom #2: 14×10 (third floor)
• Bedroom #3: 10×10 (third floor)
• Bedroom #4: 12×9 (main floor)
• Living room: 22×14 (second floor)
• Dining room: 18×14 (second floor)
• Family room: 18×16 (second floor)
• Kitchen: 15×9 (second floor)
• Kitchen in the LL
• Laundry in the LL
• Deck