Crib Chatter

This 2-bedroom corner duplex penthouse in 400 W. Ontario in River North came on the market in April 2023, but it has been on, and off, the market since September 2019.

We actually chattered about this unit when it was last on the market in February 2018. See our chatter here.

400 W. Ontario was built in 1923 and has 117 units and an attached parking garage.

The building has door staff, on-site management, a package room and an exercise room.

You may recall that this unit is marketed as a “penthouse” but it is on the top floor of the base of this building. That’s the part that was built in 1923. A tower was added in the recent decades on top of that older base.

This unit has loft features including exposed concrete ceilings, industrial windows and exposed brick walls.

It has north and west views.

It appears that both bedrooms have a window. The primary bedroom has a walk-in-closet.

One of the bathrooms has a double vanity (primary?).

The kitchen has gray cabinets, stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops and a breakfast bar or peninsula which may have room for seating.

This unit has the features that buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and 2-car tandem parking is included.

This building is near the shops and restaurants of West River North.

Originally listed in September 2019 for $580,000, it was on and off the market for nearly 4 years and was withdrawn in April of last year.

Re-listed this April for $465,000, that is $55,000 under the 2018 sales price of $520,000.

Is this a deal?

Alberto Canaveral and Rosalba Salinas at A&R Realty have the listing. See the pictures here. Sorry no floor plan.

Unit #701: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1550 square feet, duplex up

• Sold in July 2000 for $252,500 (included parking)
• Sold in April 2001 (no price listed)
• Sold in October 2012 for $380,000 (included parking)
• Sold in June 2015 for $410,000 (included parking)
• Sold in April 2018 for $520,000 (included parking)
• Originally listed in September 2019 for $580,000 (per Zillow)
• Withdrawn in April 2022
• Re-listed in April 2023 for $465,000 (includes tandem parking)
• Assessments are now $840 a month (they were $691 a month in February 2018) (includes doorman, cable, Internet, exercise room, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger and snow removal)
• Taxes are now $9107 (they were $6527 in 2018)
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 13×11 (main level)
• Bedroom #2: 14×10 (main level)
• Living room/dining room combo: 18×14 (main level)
• Kitchen: 15×8 (main level)
• Den: 14×12 (second level)
• Terrace: 14×12 (second level)

This 4-bedroom penthouse loft at River Bank Lofts at 550 N. Kingsbury in River North came on the market in April 2023.

Built in 1910, River Bank Lofts has 150 units and an attached parking garage. It was converted into condos in 1995.

The building has door staff, an exercise room and a common shared rooftop deck.

This loft is a corner unit with east facing city views.

It has authentic loft features including 12 foot timber ceilings and timber beams and exposed brick walls.

The main floor has three bedrooms, a family room, the living room, dining room and kitchen, an office and laundry room and 2 full baths, including one with dual vanity jacuzzi tub and heated floors.

The loft has skylights and soundproofing windows.

The gourmet kitchen has 42 inch custom cabinets in white and wood, quartz countertops, a central island with waterfall edge and seating for 3, a smart 6-burner gas double oven cooktop with electric griddle, a breakfast nook with a climate controlled glass enclosed wine cellar.

The main floor has two gas fireplaces, one in the living room and one in the family room.

The second floor has the primary suite with a gas fireplace, a custom wet bar with a mini wine fridge, a bathroom with 2 sinks, dual shower and whirlpool tub, a walk-in-closet and a sun room with access to a roofdeck.

The loft has 3 outdoor spaces including 2 private balconies on the main floor and the rooftop deck on the second floor.

The listing says the rooftop deck: “includes a gas grill, beverage fridge, gas fire pit, water, irrigation, electric and gas hookups and built in storage.”

Speaking of storage, the listing says this unit also comes with two big storage units measuring 14’7″ x 19’5″ and 10’5″ x 19’4″.

It has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and one garage parking space is included with a second available.

This building is just steps away from 2 dog parks, the East Bank Club and all the shops and restaurants of west River North.

Listed at $1.5 million, this loft, at 3700 square feet, is as big as many single family homes.

Could this be a single family home alternative?

Benyamin Lalez and Rebecca Snyder at Compass have the listing. See the pictures here (sorry, no floor plan).

Unit #619: 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 3700 square feet, duplex up, penthouse loft

• Sold in November 2013 for $1.42 million
• Currently listed at $1.5 million
• Assessments of $1798 a month (includes doorman, exercise room, exterior maintenance, lawn care, snow removal, Internet, cable)
• Taxes of $27,362
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• 3 fireplaces
• Wine cellar
• Wine fridge
• Bedroom #1: 17×15 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 15×12 (main floor)
• Bedroom #3: 15×11 (main floor)
• Bedroom #4: 13×12 (main floor)
• Living room: 19×15 (main floor)
• Dining room: 19×13 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 18×16 (main floor)
• Office: 11×11 (main floor)
• Laundry: 13×7 (main floor)
• Breakfast room: 9×9 (main floor)
• Family room: 17×15 (main floor)
• Bonus room: 13×12 (second floor)
• Walk-in-closet: 12×8 (second floor)
• Rooftop deck: 45×23 (second floor)
• 2 balconies: 12×5
• 2 storage units

This 4-bedroom triplex maisonette at 210 E. Walton in the Gold Coast came on the market in April 2023.

Built in 1929, 210 E. Walton has 5 units. It was converted into condos in 1994. The building has an elevator and a shared courtyard.

This unit has it’s own private front entrance with a foyer.

The listing says it has been “redesigned” by Adina Hall, a top architect. It has many built-ins including televisions, a sound system and bookcases.

The first floor has two of the bedrooms, an office, the laundry room and “flex space” which is being used for an exercise room.

There’s a full bath on this floor.

The second floor has the living room, dining room, kitchen and a family room along with a powder room. The dining room has an RH light fixture.

There’s a gas fireplace in the living room.

The gourmet kitchen has white modern cabinets, high end stainless steel appliances including a beverage fridge, a backsplash and an island with seating.

The primary suite is on the third floor with an accent wall of 3D effect sculptural flowers, a sitting room, a walk-in-closet with custom built-ins and a spa-like marble bath with dual vanities, a jacuzzi tub, a steam shower with overhead rain shower head and body sprays.

There is also a second bedroom on the third floor with a moss wall with rustic wood design.

The third floor also leads to a private walk-out terrace which overlooks the central manicured shared courtyard.

This home has central air and a mudroom which the listing says “leads to an attached heated garage space.” But is this with the building or in a building next door?

The listing says this home “lives like a single family home.”

It is near Oak Street Beach, the shops and restaurants of Streeterville, the Mag Mile and the Gold Coast.

Listed at $1.95 million, is this a good single family home alternative in this neighborhood?

Tommy Choi and Joshua Weinberg at Keller Williams OneChicago have the listing. See the pictures, 3D tour and floor plan here.

Unit #C: 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, 4400 square feet, triplex

• Sold in September 2008 for $2,009,500
• Sold in September 2016 for $1.968 million
• Sold in October 2021 for $1.76 million
• Parking space at 180-190 E Walton also sold in August 2021 for $28,000
• Currently listed at $1.95 million (includes attached heated garage space)
• Assessments of $2020 a month (inclues exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, parking, snow removal)
• Taxes of $32,268
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• 1 gas fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 16×14 (third floor)
• Bedroom #2: 14×14 (third floor)
• Bedroom #3: 15×15 (main floor)
• Bedroom #4: 12×8 (main floor)
• Living room: 19×18 (second floor)
• Dining room: 16×17 (second floor)
• Family room: 18×15 (second floor)
• Kitchen: 22×14 (second floor)
• Mudroom: 14×14 (main floor)
• Exercise room: 20×12 (main floor)
• Foyer: 15×15 (main floor)
• Laundry: 12×9 (main floor)
• Office: 14×11 (main floor)
• Walk-in-closet: 14×6 (third floor)
• Terrace (third floor)

This 3-bedroom in The Hayden at 1109 W. Washington in the West Loop came on the market in March 2023.

Built in 2019, The Hayden is a boutique elevator building designed by Booth Hansen Architects with 28 units and attached garage parking.

It does not appear to have any amenities other than door staff and a receiving room.

The listing says this 3163 square foot condo “feels like a single family home in the heart of the West Loop.”

It has private in-unit elevator access and a foyer.

There are hardwood floors throughout.

The kitchen has white Bentwood cabinetry, a 60″ Subzero fridge with a Subzero wine tower, a 48″ Wolf range, a built-in Wolf Espresso machine and a 10’4″ gray island finished with a Bianca Perla Quartzite countertop.

There are built-ins in the living room and a gas fireplace. The main living area also has a unique room with 3 walls of windows that is just labeled “other room” in the listing but is called a billiard room on the floor plan.

There is a nano wall which opens to a private covered terrace.

Each bedroom is en suite.

The primary bedroom is a suite with a walk-in-closet and a bathroom with a separate shower and spa style soaking tub.

The unit has an extensive tech package including Lutron shades and Creston Home Automation.

This unit has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and there are 2 side-by-side garage parking spaces included.

The listing says that the unit has “all custom built furnishings and design” and that the unit can be purchased with or without the furnishings.

Additionally, if you don’t want to purchase the unit, it appears to be available for rent at $13,900 per month.

Listed at $2.59 million, that’s $390,000 above the 2019 purchase price of $2.2 million.

The Hayden sold out quickly in 2018-2019. All the units are larger, family size units with 3 and 4 bedrooms. The building is also near the shops and restaurants of the West Loop, Randolph Street, Fulton Market and Greektown.

Is this unit a single family home alternative for those who want to live in the West Loop?

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

Unit #3B: 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 3163 square feet

• Sold in August 2019 for $2.2 million
• Listed in March 2023 for $2.59 million
• Currently still listed at $2.59 million
• Assessments of $1689 a month plus $49.69 a month for each garage space
• Taxes are $37,359
• Or you can rent it for $13,900 a month
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• 1 fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 16×12
• Bedroom #2: 12×10
• Bedroom #3: 12×11
• Living room: 28×26
• Dining room: 14×11
• Kitchen: 15×14
• Foyer: 13×7
• Bar: 11×8
• Laundry room: 11×9
• “Other room”: 16×11
• Terrace: 16×14

This 6-bedroom single family home at 550 W. Oakdale in East Lakeview first came on the market in May 2010.

We’ve chattered about it several times over the years, with the last time in April 2018.

You can read our 2018 chatter here.

If you recall, this is a rehabbed greystone which was built in 1900. It is on a 25×140 lot and has a heated brick 2-car garage which has “a commercial 8-foot entry door, and 15-foot inside height allowing lifts for two additional parking spaces.” It also has an EV charging port.

The house no longer appears to have any of its interior historic features. It doesn’t even have crown molding. A prior listing said the house had 12 foot ceilings and 8 foot doors.

It has skylights.

The most unique feature in the 7000 square foot home, however, is the custom atrium staircase with a 53 foot view, topped by a custom fitted dimming Lightology chandelier that spans 35 feet in length.

The kitchen has wood cabinets, luxury appliances by Viking, Zephyr, Subzero and Wolf. It does not have an island but has a breakfast bar and a separate dining area.

Four bedrooms are on the second floor along with 2 full baths, the laundry room and a gas fireplace.

The primary suite is on the third floor and has an en suite bath, a walk-in-closet and a long composite closets along the hallway.

The third floor also has a family room/party room which opens onto a 240 square foot deck with a outdoor fireplace and a powder room. It appears to be a street facing deck as you can see the bricked fireplace in the picture above.

The house has a finished basement which has the sixth bedroom, a full bath and a powder room.

The listing also says it is “one of the rare homes that has never flooded since it has been rehabbed.”

Other features of this home include: “Radiant heated tile floors and Brazilian Cherry floors throughout, oversized water heater, 4 air handlers, 4 roof mounted AC units, and 4 separate thermostats and 8 floor heating zones, heated out door walkway/staircase, triple vented gas sealed windows, spray foam insulation throughout, central vacuum, 600 amp service (which is triple of what most homes this size have), and wired for smart house technology.”

It is also fully sprinkled.

The listing says this home is in the Nettlehorst school district. It is near the shops and restaurants of East Lakeview, numerous bus lines, the Landmark movie theater and several grocery stores.

It was listed at $3 million in 2010 and has been reduced to $2.195 million. When we last chattered about it, in 2018, it was listed at $2.199 million.

Should the seller:

• Stage it with furniture, plants, artwork?
• Rent it out so that it comes off the market and has some humans living in it?
• Lower the price until it finds a buyer?
• Update the kitchen and baths with new finishes?
• Build a pergola?

Inventory is at record lows. There are just 7 homes on the market in Lakeview priced between $1.8 million and $2.5 million, including 579 W. Hawthorne that we recently chattered about. See that house here.

Is this the year it will finally sell?

Myroslava Dysko at Core Realty & Investments now has the listing. See the pictures here (sorry, no floor plan)

550 W. Oakdale: 6 bedrooms, 4 baths, 3 half baths, 7000 square feet, 2 car parking

• Original property sold in June 2007 for $907,500
• Originally listed in May 2010
• Was listed in June 2012 for $3.2 million
• Reduced
• Was listed in April 2018 at $2.199 million
• Currently listed in April 2023 at $2.95 million
• Taxes are now $23,929 (they were $29,859 in 2018 and $37,897 in 2013)
• Central Air
• 4 Decks
• 2 fireplaces
• 2 car heated brick garage with EV charging port and space for 4 cars
• Bedroom #1: 19×15 (third floor)
• Bedroom #2: 18×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 15×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 13×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #5: 10×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #6: 18×11 (basement)
• Laundry room: 8×10 (second floor)
• Living room: 16×13 (main floor)
• Dining room: 13×13 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 27×18 (main floor)
• Family room: 20×15 (third floor)
• Recreation room: 31×12 (lower level)
• Storage: 17×8 (lower level)

Sales continue to be anemic in 2023 as 30-year mortgage rates remain over 6%. Sales were the lowest in February since 2011, which was, gulp, during the housing bust.

From the Illinois Association of Realtors:

The city of Chicago saw a 37.3 percent year-over-year home sales decrease in February 2023 with 1,207 sales, down from 1,924 in February 2022.

The median price of a home in the city of Chicago in February 2023 was $312,500, down 2.3 percent compared to February 2022 when it was $320,000.

Here is the sales data for February going back to 1997 (courtesy of G):

• 1997: 881 sales
• 1998: 991
• 2000: 1383
• 2001: 1151
• 2002: 1677
• 2003: 1566
• 2004: 1814
• 2005: 2228
• 2006: 1855
• 2007: 1703
• 2008: 1454
• 2009: 870
• 2010: 1257
• 2011: 1092
• 2012: 1250
• 2013: 1411
• 2014: 1361
• 2015: 1497
• 2016: 1567
• 2017: 1529
• 2018: 1535
• 2019: 1449
• 2020: 1496
• 2021: 1658
• 2022: 1924
• 2023: 1207

Here is the Median Price Data also going back to 1997 (thanks G!):

• 1997: $117,000
• 1998: $132,000
• 1999: $143,750
• 2000: $161,500
• 2001: $180,200
• 2002: $212,000
• 2003: $215,000
• 2004: $229,900
• 2005: $268,900
• 2006: $267,500
• 2007: $270,000
• 2008: $290,000
• 2009: $218,125 (with 31% being REO/Short Sales)
• 2010: $176,000 (with 46% being REO/Short Sales)
• 2011: $150,250 (with 50% being REO/Short Sales)
• 2012: $140,300 (with 52% being REO/Short Sales)
• 2013: $158,000
• 2014 $175,000
• 2015: $212,000
• 2016: $236,000
• 2017: $246,000
• 2018: $272,000
• 2019: $272,500
• 2020: $290,000
• 2021: $320,000
• 2022: $320,000
• 2023: $312,500

“Based on the February data, interest rates continue to impact the volume of transactions in the market,” said Sarah Ware, president of the Chicago Association of REALTORS® and principal and designated managing broker for Ware Realty Group in Chicago. “Still, we’re seeing a lot of negotiations happening, and days on the market and median sales price are steady.”

Statewide inventory fell 11.4% year-over-year to 17,684 from 19,956 last year. For comparison purposes about just how low inventory is, in February 2021, statewide inventory was 26,791.

In Chicago, inventory also fell 18.3% to 5084 from 6225 last year. In February 2021, it was 8055.

Days on the market fell to 47 days from 49 last year.

“Prices and sales increased month-over-month in both Illinois and the Chicago PMSA,” said Dr. Daniel McMillen, head of the Stuart Handler Department of Real Estate (SHDRE) at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Business Administration.

“Although the number of year-over-year sales is lower than at this time last year, the housing market appears to have begun its rebound from the winter downturn somewhat early. Our forecast is that the number of sales and the median price will continue to rise through May in both Illinois and the Chicago PMSA, and we expect the monthly sales growth rate to be higher this year than in 2022 in both locations.”

The 30-year fixed rate mortgage averaged 6.26% in February down from 6.27% in January. But in February 2022, it was 3.76%.

The Chicago market remains in a deep freeze but prices aren’t doing much, either up or down.

Is this going to be the norm for as long as rates are over 6%?

Are we in a low inventory market for the foreseeable future?

Illinois median home prices stayed the same in February while sales decline [Illinois Association of Realtors, Press Release, by Bill Kozar, March 21, 2023]

This 2-bedroom penthouse in Astor Tower at 1300 N. Astor in the Gold Coast came on the market in March 2023.

Astor Tower Condos was built in 1962 by Bertrand Goldberg. It was originally the Astor Tower Hotel and had some famous customers including the Beatles.

It now has 74 condo units and garage parking. It has 24-hour door staff, on-site maintenance and management, a fitness center and a rooftop 360-degree deck.

Apparently, the building is not on the historic register nor landmarked. Block Club Chicago has more on how it was built:

In 1959, Bertrand Goldberg began designing a strikingly modern high rise for Astor Street, juxtaposed by the surrounding classical revival townhouses and apartments. The Astor Tower featured a structural center core of poured concrete upon which twenty-four residential floors were hung, and further supported by twelve parameter columns. The core and columns rise for a full five stories before the residential floors begin, giving the building the shape of an “ice pop.”

This innovative design required Bertrand Goldberg Associates structural engineer Bert Weinberg to revise the building’s structural calculations, requiring three more stories to be added to the design, delaying the start of construction. Meanwhile, Marina City had broken ground beside the Chicago River in 1960 and was constructed as scheduled, with its first residents moving in to the finished first tower in 1962, a year prior to the opening of the Astor Tower Hotel.

This penthouse is a half floor unit with skyline and lake views from floor-to-ceiling windows facing south, east and west.

It has limestone floors and unique features such as a ceiling mounted wood sliding door that can be shut to close off the second bedroom from the living room.

The second bedroom has an integrated desk, a hidden television and a built-in floating settee, which is also a hideaway sleeper.

The primary suite has south and west views with a laurel wood bed wall with built-in floating night stand and an en suite bath with a soaking tube with skyline views and a marble walk-in shower.

The kitchen has chestnut hued cabinets, Carrara marble countertops and backsplash and high end appliances from Subzero, Gaggenau and Miele along with a concealed pantry.

This unit has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit, a built-in sound system, and garage parking is included.

Astor Tower is in the heart of the Gold Coast with restaurants and shops nearby on Rush and Division and in Old Town, along with a smattering within the Gold Coast itself.

Originally listed in March 2023 for $1.2 million, it has been reduced $100,000 to $1.1 million.

If you love views, is this mid-century penthouse a dream home?

Jonathon Spradling and Jason Roberts at @properties Christie’s have the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #28A: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1600 square feet, penthouse

• Sold in May 1986 (no price listed)
• Sold in September 1999 for $370,000
• Sold in January 2003 for $435,000
• Sold in April 2007 for $1 million
• Sold in July 2012 for $700,000
• Sold in July 2015 for $816,000
• Originally listed in March 2023 for $1.2 million
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $1.1 million
• Assessments of $2299 a month (includes heat, doorman, cable, exercise room, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $11,935
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Built-in sound system
• Garage parking included
• Bedroom #1: 14×19
• Bedroom #2: 17×15
• Kitchen: 12×9
• Foyer: 6×8
• Dining room: 14×19
• Living room: 15×15

This 5-bedroom single family home at 579 W. Hawthorne in East Lakeview came on the market in March 2023.

579 W. Hawthorne was built in 1928 (in 2011 the listing said it was built in 1924) on a rare double lot measuring 50×130. It has a front facing 2-car garage and a brick paver driveway, with room for 2 more cars.

It is also all brick and limestone construction.

This home is located on the landmarked Hawthorne Place District which consists of a block of single family mansions on large lots.

Here’s more from the Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce on what the street is all about:

Hawthorne Place is one of the few streets along the city’s north shore that was developed for-and has largely retained-large residences on large lots. After a shoreline drive began to be constructed in the 1890s, the McConnell brothers created large lots to attract buyers who wanted proximity to downtown but with larger yards than typically found in the city. Both brothers built their own homes on the street and set the tone for subsequent development, which includes works by such architects as Burnham & Root and Pond & Pond. The openness of the district makes it an oasis between the density of the Broadway retail district and the high-rises along Lake Shore Drive.

We actually chattered about this home in 2011, after it had undergone a “renovation.”

See our chatter here.

It appears that none of the vintage features inside the house remain.

The house has a custom skylight in the entryway as well as an oversized living room and a dining room with a tray ceiling.

The kitchen has white custom Scavolini cabinets and professional-grade appliances including a Wolf 6-burner range, a Subzero paneled full sized fridge and freezer, a warming drawer and 2 Bosch dishwashers, along with an oversized island with prep sink and a breakfast bar.

There’s a separate breakfast area and a family room.

All three full baths are on the second level and have skylights and radiant heated floors.

All 5 bedrooms are on the second floor including the primary suite which has vaulted ceilings, a fireplace with gas starter, a large terrace, a 15×12 walk-in-closet along with an en suite bath with a steam shower and a Kohler jetted tub.

There are 4 other bedrooms with one of them also en suite and a lofted den/study.

The laundry is on the second floor.

There’s a patio on the back of the house and the front yard is fully fenced in with a sprinkler system.

It has central air.

This house is near the shops and restaurants of East Lakeview and is a quick stroll to Wrigley Field. Would you rent out the two spaces on your driveway to make extra money during the games?

The house was originally listed in May 2022 for $2.995 million but was removed in July 2022. It came back on this March at $2.5 million.

Is that a deal?

Jennifer Gordon at Compass has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

579 W. Hawthorne: 5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 5000 square feet, 2 car garage, single family home (It was just 4 bedrooms in 2011)

• Sold in May 1988 for $530,000
• Sold in January 2006 for $2.224 million
• Originally listed in March 2011 for $3.25 million
• We chattered about it in December 2011 and it was listed at $2.995 million
• Sold in May 2020 for $2.8 million
• Originally listed in May 2022 for $2.995 million
• Reduced
• Withdrawn in July 2022 at $2.75 million
• Re-listed in March 2023 for $2.5 million
• Taxes are $48,390 (they were $8449 in December 2011)
• Central Air
• Double lot of 50×130
• 1 fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 21×18 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 15×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 14×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 14×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #5: 10×9 (second floor)
• Living room: 27×19 (main floor)
• Dining room: 19×15 (main floor)
• Family room: 25×19 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 16×15 (main floor)
• Breakfast room: 15×10 (main floor)
• Mud room: 8×7 (main floor)
• Laundry room: 10×8 (second floor)
• Walk-in-closet: 15×12 (second floor)
• Loft: 18×15 (second floor)
• Terrace: 20×20 (second floor)

This 2-bedroom vintage unit in 405 W. Briar in East Lakeview came on the market in March 2023.

Built in 1912, this building has 15 units. There’s no parking or amenities but it does have private storage units.

The listing says this unit has been “completely redone in 2021” and now has a modern, contemporary layout and finishes.

It has a dramatic gallery entrance with barreled ceilings, hardwood floors and extensive moldings.

The listing says the “sellers have completely changed the previous floorplan.”

The kitchen is now in the former dining room and is open to the extra wide living/dining room which has a wood burning fireplace and built-ins.

The kitchen is “single family home sized” with white cabinets, upscale finishes including stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops and matching backsplash and a black contrasting island with a farmhouse sink and seating for 3.

The unit has a jumbo primary suite with a spa caliber bath complete with a separate shower and soaking tub along with a walk-in-closet.

There’s a second full bath and an office separated by sliding pocket doors.

The unit has the features buyers look for in 2023 including space pak cooling, all new electric and in-unit washer/dryer. There’s no parking with the building but there is rental parking in the neighborhood.

This unit has a private 10×20 storage unit  in the building as well.

The building is near Belmont Harbor, the Lakefront Trail, the shops and restaurants of East Lakeview, and several bus lines.

Buyers love “new.”

Listed at $590,000 for 1600 square feet and the unit “completely redone,” will they get their asking price?

Emily Moore at Compass has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Or see it at the Open House this Saturday, April 1, from 10 am to 1 pm.

Unit #C1: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1600 square feet

• Sold in May 1989 for $117,500
• Sold in August 1998 for $201,000
• Sold in June 1999 for $275,000
• Sold in October 2005 for $365,000
• Sold in November 2007 for $343,500
• Sold in November 2016 for $274,000
• Sold in October 2020 for $301,500
• Currently listed at $590,000
• Assessments of $954 a month (includes heat, gas cable, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal, Internet)
• Taxes of $4826
• Space pak cooling
• In-unit washer/dryer
• No parking
• Wood burning fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 16×15
• Bedroom #2: 12×9
• Office: 12×9
• Living/dining combo: 18×12
• Kitchen: 16×12
• Walk-in-closet: 15×9

This 2-bedroom at 823 W. Oakdale in Lakeview came on the market in March 2023.

823 W. Oakdale was built in 1929 and has 10 units. The building does not have parking and is in the Oakdale historic landmark district, with its famous terra cotta wall and homes and buildings. The block was landmarked in 2006.

This top floor unit has many of its vintage features including wood trim (not painted), moulding, medallions and arched windows in the living and dining rooms.

It has solid core doors, except for tri-fold French doors between the living and dining room.

The chef’s kitchen has green cabinets, and some open shelving, with a Viking stove with an outside venting hood, Fisher Paykel dishwasher drawer, wood counter tops and an “elegant” apron sink.

There’s also a butler’s pantry.

There are arched doorways.

The primary bedroom has Elfa closets.

The unit has some of the features buyers look for including space pak cooling and a recently installed (2021) in-unit Miele washer/dryer. There is no parking with the unit but it is available on the street.

There is a back deck and a large storage unit in the basement.

This building is near the shops and restaurants of Central and East Lakeview as well as several bus line and the Diversey brown line stop.

Listed in March 2023 at $399,900, that’s $27,900 above the 2021 purchase price of $372,000.

After adding the in-unit washer/dryer since the last purchase, will it get the premium?

Michael Greco at Baird & Warner has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #3A: 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, no square footage listed

• Sold in March 1986 but no price in the CCRD
• Sold in June 2003 for $270,000
• Sold in July 2021 for $372,000
• Currently listed at $399,900
• Assessments of $357 a month (includes heat, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $6368
• Space Pak cooling
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• No parking
• Bedroom #1: 12×11
• Bedroom #2: 13×10
• Living room: 19×14
• Dining room: 16×15
• Kitchen: 15×13
• Foyer: 15×5
• Deck