Crib Chatter

This 3-bedroom in the mid-rise at 322 W. Belden in East Lincoln Park recently came on the market.

The building was built in 1914 and the unit retains much of its vintage charm including wood paneling, built-ins, crown molding and french doors.

At 2200 square feet, the south facing unit has a full size dining room.

The kitchen has cherry cabinets, stainless steel appliances and what look to be stone counter tops.

There is space pac cooling and washer/dryer in the unit. However, there isn’t any parking. It is rental down the street.

Does having a deeded parking space matter at this price point in this neighborhood?

Craig Isacson at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #3W: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2200 square feet

• Sold in May 1994 for $315,000
• Sold in May 2003 for $640,000
• Currently listed at $675,000
• Assessments of $861 a month (includes heat)
• Taxes of $9809
• Space pac cooling
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• No parking- but available for rent in the neighborhood
• Bedroom #1: 16×11
• Bedroom #2: 12×12
• Bedroom #3: 15×7

We’ve chattered about “The Pratt Mansion”, as I’m calling it, at 2100 W. Pratt Boulevard in West Ridge several times over the last couple of years.

See our January 2012 chatter here.

It was in distress as the bank had filed a lis pendens foreclosure all the way back in 2010. The house had been previously listed as a short sale in 2010 and 2011.

In our last chatter in January, I asked if the house would sell BEFORE the bank took it back.

We now have the answer to that: No.

112 years after it was built, the bank has now taken the 8,865 square foot house (plus chauffeur’s apartment) back.

And yes, it’s now cheaper than ever.

The bank has reduced it to just $749,900.

Built in 1900, the previous listing said it was a summer home and took 4 years to complete.

The 5-bedroom home has hardwood floors throughout and 5 fireplaces.

Built on an oversize 187×150 lot, there is a 3-car garage which the prior listing said was also the original chauffeur’s quarters.

20 years ago an indoor pool was also added to the house (you can check it out in the pictures- it has now been drained.)

The kitchen has white cabinets, black counter tops but the appliances are now missing.

There is central air.

The house sits across from Warren Park’s golf course.

The old listing said it was a “home with a lot of history.”

Is this house finally a steal at this price?

Richard Babula at Century 21 Rainbo Realty now has the listing. See the latest pictures here. (These are “new” pictures. Yipee!)

2100 W. Pratt Boulevard: 5 bedrooms, 4 baths, 3 half baths, 12,000 square feet (new listing says 8865 square feet- so maybe it is excluding the chauffeur’s apartment), 3 car garage

• Last sold in 1900
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in October 2010
• Originally listed in January 2011 for $2.45 million
• Was still listed in March 2011 for $2.45 million
• Reduced
• Was listed in June 2011 at $1.89 million
• Reduced several times
• Was listed in January 2012 at $1.29 million
• Reduced
• Was listed in April 2012 at $848,000
• Withdrawn
• Re-listed as “bank owned” at $749,900
• Taxes now $16036 (they were $14,225 previously)
• Central Air
• Indoor Pool
• 5 fireplaces
• Bedroom #1: 20×26 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 15×15 (main floor)
• Bedroom #3: 14×12 (main floor)
• Bedroom #4: 20×19 (second floor)
• Bedroom #5: 17×10 (second floor)

We last chattered about this 3-bedroom in the Mies Van Der Rohe high rise the Commonwealth Plaza at 340 W. Diversey Parkway in Lakeview in February 2012.

See our prior chatter here.

Many of you liked the unit but thought there was just too much furniture and/or the paint colors were too distracting.

But there wasn’t too much discussion of the actual price, which was recently reduced $20,000 to $694,900.

Built in 1957, the unit has North and East views which means you get city (but no downtown views) and the lake.

The listing says it has 100 feet of floor to ceiling windows facing the lake.

This unit was originally 2 units but has been combined.

That’s why there are 2 master suites and 4 bathrooms. It also has an office and an exercise room in 2500 square feet.

The kitchen also apparently has 2 refrigerators and 2 dishwashers.

The unit does have a washer/dryer in the unit and it does have central air. Parking is leased in the building.

This is a full service building with a doorman and a pool.

Will it take more than a $20,000 price cut to get this property sold in 2012?

Justin Paul at Baird & Warner has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #1920: 3 bedrooms, 4 baths, 2500 square feet

• It looks like it last sold before 1985? (or maybe some kind of change in ownership in 2002???)
• Was listed in February 2012 for $714,900
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $694,900
• Assessments of $1628 a month (includes heat, a/c, gas, cable, doorman, pool)
• Taxes of $8854
• Parking is rental for $150 to $205
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 20×17
• Bedroom #2: 18×11
• Bedroom #3: 17×11
• Office: 14×11
• Exercise Room: 13×11

This 1-bedroom in Fulton House on the River at 345 N. Canal on the Near West Side recently came on the market.

It has loft like features including a unique barrrel vaulted ceiling and support columns.

The unit has river views, including a balcony where you can sip a drink after work and watch the boats go by.

The kitchen is all white, including the cabinets, except for a stainless steel stove.

The unit also has carpet.

The listing seems to indicate that there is a washer/dryer hook-up in the unit. There’s also central air.

There’s no parking in the building but there is a space, which is included, next door at River Bend (isn’t that valet parking in that building?)

Is this a deal for the space and the view in a downtown location?

Chris McComas at @Properties has the listing. See more pictures here.

Unit #907: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 1055 square feet

• Sold in August 1992 for $121,000
• Currently listed for $230,000
• Assessments of $655 a month (includes doorman and cable)
• Taxes of $2506
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer hook-up in the unit
• Parking included (but next door at River Bend)
• Bedroom #1: 13×19

Why live with someone above or below you when you can buy a 2-bedroom rowhouse like this one at 2010 W. Potomac in Wicker Park and never hear anyone walking overhead again?

The rowhouse was built in 1997 but there are no dimensions given for the lot in the public listing.

It has a much sought after 2-car attached garage and a 400 square foot private rooftop deck.

Both bedrooms are on the second floor with the family room on the lower level. There is even a bathroom on every level.

The kitchen has a combination of white and cherry cabinets, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

It has central air.

The rowhouse is located smack dab in between the Bucktown bars/restaurants and those of hot and trendy Division Street.

Is this a better deal than just buying a duplex in a 3-flat?

Nancy Gaspadarek at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #B: 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2200 square feet, 2 car garage

• Sold in April 1996 for $215,000
• Sold in September 1998 for $287,000
• Sold in April 2001 for $390,000
• Sold in September 2004 for $429,000
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in November 2011
• Currently listed for $459,000
• Assessments of $75 a month
• Taxes of $7433
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 17×16 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 13×10 (second floor)
• Family room: 16×20 (lower level)

We’ve chattered about nearby studios on “sale” but this junior 1-bedroom (studio?) at 4240 N. Clarendon in the Buena Park neighborhood of Uptown is priced just as low.

On the market since December 2011, it appears to be a short sale (though it doesn’t say that in the public listing.)

The building was built in 1912 and there are 100 units. It appears these were remodeled with nicer finishes sometime in the early 2000s.

At just 320 square feet, it has a remodeled kitchen with 42 inch maple cabinets, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

There’s central air but no in-unit washer/dryer or parking.

The listing says “no FHA” and there is a waiting list to use it as a rental.

The listing calls it a “junior 1-bedroom” and there is a bed in the unit in the pictures, but there is no bedroom listed in the listing. However theres is a 9×7 dining room- so I’m assuming that this unit is really a studio that is big enough to have a bed.

Originally listed at $107,000 in December 2011, it has been reduced to just $39,000.

It is the cheapest unit currently available in the building.

These used to be 1-bedroom alternatives for buyers during the boom.

Is it a deal now?

Judith Archer at Coldwell Banker Honig-Bell has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #413N: studio (?), 320 square feet

• Sold in September 2002 for $98,500
• Sold in September 2005 for $113,000
• Sold in July 2008 for $114,000
• Originally listed in December 2011 for $107,000
• Reduced several times
• Currently listed at $39,000
• Public listing doesn’t say it’s a short sale
• Assessments of $242 a month
• Taxes of $1725
• Central Air
• No washer/dryer in the unit (coin laundry)
• No parking
• Living room: 16×14
• Dining room: 9×7
• Kitchen: 6×7

We last chattered about this 3-bedroom duplex up loft in The Village Lofts at 612 N. Oakley in the Ukrainian Village neighborhood of West Town in May 2012.

See our prior chatter here.

(And yes, all we did was argue about what sub-neighborhood of West Town it is.)

If you recall, it has exposed brick and timber ceilings in about 1950 square feet.

There are two bedrooms and two baths on the main floor along with the main living area.

A steel staircase takes you to the second floor where a master suite and a 25 foot landscaped west facing terrace awaits.

The kitchen has maple cabinets and stainless steel appliances.

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

Last May, we were wondering how hot this neighborhood would be this spring (and especially among lofts.)

Is this reduced price now more realistic for the neighborhood?

Jordan Chalmers at Baird & Warner still has the listing. See more pictures here.

Unit #207: 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, duplex up, (I’ve been told it’s about 1950 square feet)

• Sold in June 1999 for $260,000
• Sold in December 2001 for $350,000
• Was listed in May 2012 for $475,000 (parking included)
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $448,000 (parking included)
• Assessments of $362 a month
• Taxes of $5828
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 21×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 25×10 (main floor)
• Bedroom #3: 12×11 (main floor)

We’ve chattered about this unique 2-bedroom triplex in the historic Carl Street Studios at 155 W. Burton in Old Town several times before including, most recently, in May 2011.

See our May 2011 chatter here.

It has been on and off the market since September 2007, when I first started this blog, with no luck. (In fact, it was among one of my very first posts.)

The Carl Street Studios is one of the most unique properties in Old Town.

Originally built as a mansion in the 1880s, it was converted into the “studios” in 1927. There are only 16 units.

This triplex has ornate mosaic multicolor tile work, stained glass windows and the original Edgar Miller frescoes.

It also has a 2-story wood beamed ceiling, 3 fireplaces and a private 700 rooftop deck (which also is where one of the fireplaces is located).

Not everything is “historic” as the unit has central air and an in-unit washer/dryer.

However, there is no parking. You have to rent it nearby.

The bedrooms are also split- with one on the second floor and the master on the third level.

The unit has now been reduced $200,000 from its first listing in September 2007.

It is also $136,000 under the 2005 purchase price.

Last May, at least one of you thought this would eventually sell for around $450,000.

Will this unique unit finally find the right buyer in 2012?

Mario Greco at Prudential Rubloff now has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #15: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1600 square feet

• Sold in September 1999 for $360,000
• Sold in November 2005 for $635,000
• Was listed in September 2007 for $699,000
• Cancelled
• Was listed in November 2009 for $599,000
• Cancelled
• Was listed in May 2012 for $549,000
• Cancelled
• Currently listed at $499,000
• Assessments now $921 a month (they were $935 a month last year) (includes heat)
• Taxes of $9404
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• No deeded parking- leased in the neighborhood
• 3 fireplaces- including one on the roofdeck
• Bedroom #1: 17×20 (third floor)
• Bedroom #2: 11×17 (second floor)
• Office: 7×4

This 2-bedroom at 535 N. Michigan right on the Mag Mile in Streeterville recently came on the market.

It is a rare 2-bedroom unit (as the building has more 1-bedrooms.)

At 1000 square feet, it is a southwest corner unit with views of the Wrigley Building.

The building was built in 1962 and is a full amenity building with a doorman, rental parking, an indoor pool and an exercise room with city views.

The listing says the kitchen and bath have been “remodeled.”

The kitchen has white appliances and tile kitchen counters.

There is no washer/dryer in the unit (coin laundry only) but there is central air.

No dogs are allowed.

This unit, at 1000 square feet, is currently the most expensive for sale in the building at $329 a square foot.

Have some sellers read the bullish headlines and gotten too optimistic?

Or is the market hot enough to support rising prices in the GZ?

Gail Spreen at Streeterville Properties has the listing. See the pictures and a floorplan here.

Unit #2501: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, 1000 square feet

• Sold in December 1988 for $71,000
• Sold in June 1991 for $105,000
• Sold in May 1997 for $128,000
• Currently listed for $329,000
• Assessments of $750 a month (includes heat, a/c, doorman, cable, pool, exercise room)
• Taxes of $3737
• Central Air
• No in-unit washer/dryer
• Parking is rental for $245 a month in the building
• Bedroom #1: 13×14
• Bedroom #2: 12×14

This 2-bedroom loft at 1728 N. Damen in Bucktown just recently came on the market.

The lofts in movies or on television are always these big expansive spaces with high ceilings and multiple levels. Yet, it’s always so hard to find one of those properties in “real life.”

This 3000 square foot loft just might fit the bill.

It has 16 foot timber ceilings and exposed brick.

Even though the building was converted into lofts in the mid-1990s, the finishes in this loft have been updated.

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

The master bathroom has a steam shower and double vanity.

There is a lower level custom-built office with shoji screens.

It has central air, washer/dryer in the unit and parking is included.

And it is smack dab in the heart of Bucktown’s restaurant/shopping scene.

Before you all complain about the assessment, it includes both heat and a/c.

Is this a deal for this square footage at this location?

Connie Grunwaldt at Baird & Warner has the listing. See more pictures here.

Unit #107: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 3000 square feet

• Sold in June 2004 for $407,000
• Currently listed for $539,000 (parking included)
• Assessments of $751 a month (includes heat, a/c)
• Taxes of $9611
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 27×19 (main level)
• Bedroom #2: 15×13 (lower level)
• Laundry: 8×6 (lower level)