Crib Chatter

This 2-bedroom penthouse at 737 W. Aldine in East Lakeview came on the market in February 2023. I don’t have a picture of this building but I feared if I didn’t crib on it immediately, it would probably be under contract by next week so we’ll look at flowers instead.

Built in 1993, 737 W. Aldine has 11 units and attached garage parking. I can’t find any reference to an elevator in any listings for the building so I’m assuming it has stairs.

This top floor unit has soaring ceilings with fully operable skylights with shade and large French doors.

The listing says the wood floors are newly refinished.

The living room, dining room and kitchen are open concept. There’s a fireplace in the living room.

The kitchen has custom wood cabinets with some open shelving, statement stone countertops and backsplash, a large eat-in island with butcher block and a wine cooler.

The primary suite has a huge walk-in-closet and a primary bath that was renovated in 2018 which has heated floors and towel bar, a soaking tub, separate shower and dual vanity.

The unit has “covetable” storage including a walk-in laundry room and additional storage in the attic.

It has a Lutron lighting system, electric blinds and a tankless on-demand hot water heater.

The unit has outdoor space with a deck off the back of the unit with a retractable awning and watering system.

The building also has a common roofdeck and shared garden.

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

This building is near the shops and restaurants of East Lakeview and near several bus lines and the Belmont el stop.

Listed in February 2023 at $550,000, it this a deal for the penthouse life?

Katharine Waddell at Compass has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Or see it at the Open House on Saturday, Feb 18, from 2 to 3:30 pm.

Unit #4: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed, penthouse

• Sold in April 1994 for $221,500
• Sold in March 2000 for $358,000
• Currently listed at $550,000
• Assessments of $259 a month (includes exterior maintenance, scavenger and snow removal)
• Taxes of $8178
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Garage parking included
• Skylights
• Fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 19×11
• Bedroom #2: 14×10
• Living/dining combo: 12×23
• Kitchen: 15×12
• Laundry room: 9×6
• Walk-in-closet: 11×5
• Foyer: 7×7
• Deck: 12×23

This 2-bedroom loft in Domain at 900 N. Kingsbury on the Near North Side came on the market in February 2023.

Built in 1912, Domain was converted into 298 loft condos in 2002. It has attached garage parking.

It also has door staff, a bicycle room, an on-site engineer, a common roof deck and a fitness center.

This loft faces the interior and has a balcony overlooking the courtyard garden with southern exposure.

The prior listing said it has 14-foot concrete ceilings. It also has authentic loft features like concrete columns and large floor to ceiling windows.

The listing says it has been “newly renovated” and now has luxury vinyl plank Rigidcore HD Flooring which is 100% waterproof and fade resistant throughout.

There’s a new spiral staircase that leads to a lofted space built on top of the second bedroom, which doesn’t have any windows but it does have a wood ceiling.

It has a new kitchen with gray and wood “hand-built slab front custom cabinets” with soft-close drawers and doors by J&A custom cabinetry. It has white subway tile, Whirlpool and GE stainless steel appliances, and a peninsula with seating for 2.

There’s a custom TV built-in in the living room.

The primary suite has a custom walk-in-closet and an en suite bathroom with a double vanity and Italian porcelain marble walk-in-shower.

The listing says the loft has “top of the line” Benjamin Moore paint.

This loft has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and it appears that garage parking may be included.

The loft also has a big south facing balcony.

This building is in far west River North, along the Chicago River, but is north of Chicago Avenue so it’s technically the “near north side”. Shops, coffee shops and restaurants have been making their way west down Chicago Avenue over the last few years.

Is this area now part of River North?

Listed at $569,500, that’s $209,500 above the prior 2022 sales price of $360,000.

Buyers love “new.”

Will the renovation get the sale done quickly?

Natalie Scumaci at BerkshireHathaway HomeServices has the listing. See the pictures here. Sorry, no floor plan but you can see it in the prior April 2022 listing.

Unit #939: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1190 square feet, loft

• Sold in November 2003 for $276,000
• Sold in November 2003 for $351,000
• Sold in April 2022 for $360,000
• Currently listed at $569,500
• Assessments of $893 a month (includes heat, a/c, gas, parking, doorman, cable, exercise room, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal, Internet)
• Taxes of $7157
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Garage parking appears to be included (?)
• Bedroom #1: 15×15
• Bedroom #2: 10×9
• Living room: 15×14
• Dining room: 13×8
• Kitchen: 10×9
• Loft: 10×9 (second floor)
• Balcony: 19×6

This 2-bedroom in One Chicago at 14 W. Superior in River North came on the market in February 2023.

One Chicago is the new 79-story apartment/condo building with 77 condos starting on the 44th floor. It’s the taller building in the picture above.

Developed by JDL Development, it was completed in 2022 and has valet garage parking. It’s a full amenity building with 24-7 door staff, a party room, an amenities deck with grills and seating areas and access to the Lifetime Fitness Resort & Spa.

The building has hands free elevators and residences with “secure Latch Hardware entry systems.”

Several of the units have come onto the MLS in 2023 but I chose this 2/2 because we have chattered about many 2/2 condos over the years.

It has wide plank European oak hardwood floors throughout, full height windows and custom stepped ceilings.

The kitchen is a custom designed O’Brien Harris kitchen with modern black cabinets, stone counter tops and luxury appliances along with an island open to the living/dining space.

The bedrooms have Ketra circadian lighting.

The primary bathroom has floor to ceiling slab porcelain, a custom built vanity and Kalista fixtures.

The listing says the bathrooms also have “Oversized showers are complemented with cantilevered benches, recessed storage niches, fog-free shave mirrors and effortlessly controlled with Kohler’s DTV electronic, programmable system.”

About the Life Time Fitness Resort, the listing says, “Residents will enjoy an exclusive membership to Life Time Athletic Resort and Spa’s diamond level private club.”

The unit has central air, washer/dryer in the unit and there’s parking but I don’t know if it’s included or not. It’s valet at the covered motor court.

This building has the new Whole Foods on the first floor, a Philz Coffee, Kilwin’s, Wells Fargo, and an upscale restaurant which hasn’t opened yet. It’s also in the middle of the shops and restaurants of River North, the Gold Coast and the Mag Mile.

Holy Name Cathedral is also across the street as well as several bus lines and the Red line stop at Chicago Avenue.

Listed at $2 million, how long will it take to sell out this luxury building?

Nancy Tassone and Bradley Brondyke at Jameson Sotheby’s have the listing. See the pictures here. Sorry, no floor plan. I’m sure they can show you all of them though.

Unit #4902: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2279 square feet

• New construction
• Listed in February 2023 for $2 million
• Assessments of $1818 a month (includes heat, a/c, gas, doorman, exercise room, pool, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal, Internet.)
• Taxes are “new”
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 18×14
• Bedroom #2: 10×16
• Living/dining room: 23×16
• Kitchen: 16×14
• Laundry: 19×16

This 3-bedroom in 3161 N. Halsted in East Lakeview came on the market in September 2022.

Built in 2008, 3161 N. Halsted is a boutique building with 8 units and an elevator.

It has attached garage parking.

This is one of the penthouse units which has 12 foot ceilings and 8 foot interior doors.

It has hardwood floors throughout the main living areas and a wood burning fireplace.

The kitchen has been “updated” with 66″ gray cabinets, a massive island with seating for 3 and what looks like a beverage refrigerator, a tile backsplash and luxury appliances from Viking and Bosch.

Two of the bedrooms appear to share a Jack-n-Jill bath.

The primary suite has an “updated” bathroom with 2 separate vanities and walk-in-shower as well as a walk-in-closet.

The unit has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and a connected 1-car garage is included.

It has three outdoor spaces including 2 balconies on the main living floor, one off the front and one off the back.

But it also has a private, south facing 1400 square foot rooftop deck with a pergola, lighting, irrigation for plantings, it’s wired for sound and has gas for grilling.

The rooftop deck is not reached via staircase but is via elevator which the listing says can bring your guests up directly from the lobby to the deck.

The listing also says this building is in the Nettelhorst school district.

The building is in the middle of Lakeview, near the shops and restaurants on Halsted and Belmont, multiple bus lines and subway stops, and apparently across from what will be a new Amazon Fresh grocery store (are they still building this?).

Originally listed in September 2022 for $924,900, it has been reduced $24,900 to $900,000.

Is this the ultimate rooftop deck for summer living?

Alishja Ballard and Glenn Bryant at @Properties Christies have the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #402: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 1600 square feet, penthouse

• Sold in July 2012 for $530,000
• Originally listed in September 2022 for $924,900
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $900,000
• Assessments of $498 a month (includes exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $15,068
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• 1-car connected garage included
• Wood burning fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 16×12
• Bedroom #2: 11×10
• Bedroom #3: 10×10
• Living/dining room: 17×16
• Kitchen: 17×14
• Rooftop deck: 17×85
• 2 balconies

This corner 2-bedroom in 340 On the Park at 340 E. Randolph in Lakeshore East came on the market in February 2022.

340 On the Park was built in 2007 and has 344 units and an attached parking garage.

The building has extensive amenities including a 4000 square foot exercise room, a wintergarden, a 75 foot lap pool, sauna and steam room along with a club room. It also has 24/7 door staff.

This southeast corner unit has a split floor plan with floor-to-ceiling windows which the listing says has unobstructed views of the Lake, Monroe Harbor, Millennium Park and the skyline.

It has wood floors in the main living/dining/kitchen areas and carpet in the bedrooms.

Both bedrooms are en suite and there is a powder room for guests.

It has 2 large walk-in-closets.

The unit has what looks like the original kitchen from 2007 which prior listings said were Snaidero cabinets and stainless steel appliances.

It also has a Millennium Park facing balcony which appears to be accessed off the bedroom.

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

Originally listed in February 2022 for $1.4 million, a year later it has been reduced $100,000 to $1.3 million.

However, that’s still above the 2017 sales price of $1.065 million.

Sixteen years later, do the south facing units in 340 On the Park still get a premium for the views?

Naomi Wilkinson at Magellan Realty has the listing. See the pictures here (sorry, no floor plan.)

Unit #501: 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 1681 square feet

• Sold in July 2008 for $1.05 million
• Sold in September 2017 for $1.065 million
• Originally listed in February 2022 for $1.4 million
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $1.3 million
• Assessments of $1129 a month (includes gas, doorman, cable, exercise room, pool, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal, Internet)
• Taxes of $21,513
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• 1 garage parking space included
• Bedroom #1: 13×17
• Bedroom #2: 13×12
• Living room: 17×14
• Dining room: 16×13
• Kitchen: 10×9
• Foyer: 9×7
• Laundry: 4×3

This 2-bedroom in The Churchill at 1255 N. State Parkway in the Gold Coast came on the market in May 2022.

Built in 1921, The Churchill has 64 units and a shared roof top deck that this listing says is “new.”

It has 24-hour door staff, storage and an elevator. There’s no parking.

This unit is one of the large 2-bedroom units with 1400 square feet.

It has many of its original vintage features including a foyer, original plaster crown moldings, leaded glass, French doors and original door hardware.

There’s a fireplace in the living room (is it wood burning or gas? The listing doesn’t say.)

It has walnut stained hardwood floors throughout.

As is common in many vintage units, it has a separate dining room with a barrel vaulted ceiling.

The kitchen has been updated and has custom bleached white oak cabinets, pigmented stain flamed limestone counter tops, clipped mosaic backsplash and luxury appliances by Subzero, Dacor and Bosch.

The second bedroom has French doors and is being used as an office.

The primary bedroom has a walk-in-closet and an en suite bath. It is the only bathroom in the unit, however.

The unit has space pac A/C and radiant heat but no washer/dryer in the unit or parking. The listing says that a W/D can be installed in the unit and that there is parking options in the neighborhood.

We have chattered about The Churchill many times over the years. It is in the heart of the Gold Coast and is an easy stroll to both Old Town and the shops and restaurants on Division, Rush and State Streets.

This unit was originally listed in May 2022 for $439,000 but has now been reduced $50,000 to $389,000.

Is this a good in-town unit?

Keith Goad at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #2B: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, 1400 square feet

• Sold in April 1992 for $60,000
• Sold in February 1997 for $157,500
• Sold in March 2000 for $329,000 (typo?)
• Sold in November 2002 for $265,000
• Sold in April 2004 for $282,500
• Originally listed in May 2022 for $439,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $389,000
• Assessments of $2070 a month (includes heat, a/c, electricity, gas, doorman, cable, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $8244
• Space pac cooling
• No washer/dryer in the unit (but it can be installed). Laundry in the building.
• No parking but parking available in the neighborhood.
• Fireplace (wood burning or gas???)
• Bedroom #1: 17×12
• Bedroom #2: 17×9
• Living room: 21×17
• Dining room: 14×10
• Kitchen: 10×8
• Walk-in-closet: 8×5

This 3-bedroom at 646 W. Bittersweet in the Buena Park neighborhood of Uptown came on the market in February 2023.

The listing doesn’t say when the building was built but it has 3 units and on-site outdoor parking.

It does not have an elevator but there is a bike room and storage. It is a self-managed building.

This unit is a top floor unit and the listing describes it as “gracious vintage space.”

It has many of its vintage features including an entry foyer, crown molding, some medallions, a wood burning fireplace in the living room which is flanked by stained glass windows and a boxed ceiling in the dining room.

The unit also has vintage rooms common in these smaller buildings including a sunroom, with window seat, and an office.

There are hardwood floors throughout.

The eat-in kitchen has contemporary cabinets, stainless steel appliances including a wine fridge, an island with seating for two, granite counter tops, a white subway tile backsplash and space for a table and chairs.

Glass doors lead to a private deck.

The primary bedroom has a rare, for vintage buildings, en suite spa bath with rain shower.

The hall bath has also been “restored” and has a cast iron tub and honeycomb tile floors.

The unit has some of the features buyers look for including washer/dryer in the unit and on-site parking but there is no central air. There are 3 window units.

This building is only a block from the lake and is close to shops and restaurants in Lakeview and Buena Park.

Listed at $575,000, that is $30,000 above the 2020 sales price of $545,000.

Will this top floor vintage apartment get the premium with inventory so low?

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

Unit #3: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2381 square feet

• Sold in August 1988 for $164,000
• Sold in December 1991 for $195,000
• Sold in April 2000 for $365,000
• Sold in March 2012 for $442,000
• Sold in October 2020 for $545,000
• Currently listed at $575,000
• Assessments of $485 a month (includes heat, gas, exterior maintenance, scavenger, bike room, storage)
• Taxes of $6368
• No central air. Window units.
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• On-site parking included
• Wood burning fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 17×12
• Bedroom #2: 15×12
• Bedroom #3: 15×12
• Living room: 22×14
• Dining room: 18×14
• Kitchen: 17×16
• Sunroom: 9×9
• Office: 16×8
• Foyer: 8×7
• Deck: 13×12

This 5-bedroom single family home at 747 S. Dearborn in Printers Row came on the market in November 2022.

Built in 2019, it was designed and constructed by Filoramo Talsma Architecture on a 50×70 lot across from Dearborn Station.

The listing says: “The exterior finds definition from masonry construction and a steel-and-terra cotta sunscreen by Fabrik that harnesses light and shadow.”

It has an attached 2-car garage and the first floor has 2,000 square feet of commercial space which is currently a market. The listing says it is included in the sale.

In addition to the commercial space, the first floor has the 2-car heated garage which leads to a mudroom with smart storage.

The second floor has the living spaces including the living room, dining room and kitchen as well as a family room.

The Chef’s kitchen has Arclinea custom Italian cabinets, luxury appliances by Wolf, Miele and Subzero, Carrara marble and stainless steel countertops with a massive island with bar seating. There’s also a back kitchen for prep space.

The house has a dramatic floating staircase.

There’s also 2,000 square feet of private outdoor space on the second floor accessed via a sliding glass door wall system with dining and lounging areas, perennial landscaping, a stainless steel swimming pool by Diamond Spas that the listing says it can be heated to 900 (?) – probably means 90- for “year round use.” Winter swimming anyone?

The third floor is the primary suite which has a dressing room, an en suite bathroom with a soaking tub and walk-in-shower and a den/office for work from home.

There’s also a 44×5 balcony on the third floor.

The fourth floor has 4 en suite bedrooms and a recreation room.

The house has custom millwork, a solar power kit on the roof, zoned HVAC with 3 separate systems, and an Otis Gen2 elevator.

It’s located in the heart of Printers Row, near all of the shops, cafes, bookstores and restaurants. Grant Park is just a few blocks away.

Originally listed in November 2022 for $5.95 million, it has been reduced $455,000 to $5.495 million.

Is this a dream city home?

Timothy Salm and R. Matt Leutheuser at Jameson Sotheby’s has the listing. See the pictures here (sorry, no floor plan).

747 S. Dearborn: 5 bedrooms, 5 baths, 7000 square feet plus 2,000 for commercial space

• New construction in 2019
• Originally listed in November 2022 for $5.95 million
• Reduced 
• Currently listed at $5.495 million
• Taxes of $28,875
• Central Air
• 2-car heated garage parking
• 50×70 lot
• 2000 square foot first floor commercial space included
• Solar kit
• Private pool
• Elevator
• Bedroom #1: 23×14 (third floor)
• Bedroom #2: 16×13 (fourth floor)
• Bedroom #3: 16×13 (fourth floor)
• Bedroom #4: 13×11 (fourth floor)
• Bedroom #5: 13×11 (fourth floor)
• Living room: 19×23 (second floor)
• Dining room: 13×25 (second floor)
• Kitchen: 10×25 (second floor)
• Recreation Room: 28×16 (fourth floor)
• Mudroom: 35×6 (first floor)
• Family room: 13×13 (second floor)
• Laundry: 6×9 (third floor)
• Foyer: 20×10 (main floor)
• Office: 23×12 (third floor)
• Balcony: 44×5 (third floor)
• Terrace: 68×18 (second floor)

This 2-bedroom in Aqua at 225 N. Columbus in Lakeshore East came on the market in June 2022.

Built in 2009, Aqua is an award-winning high rise with 264 units and attached garage parking.

It has both indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness center, sundeck, 2-acre private park, running and walking tracks and 24-hour door staff.

The listing says this split bedroom corner unit has been “remodeled.

It has Southeast views of the city and Lake Michigan from the 77th floor with a wraparound balcony.

The unit has a “custom kitchen” with white Snaidero cabinets, Subzero and Miele appliances and stone countertops.

It has a custom banquette dining space, with built-in storage.

The listing says the primary suite can fit a king and has motorized window shades and a spa-like primary bath with a walk-in-shower and separate tub.

The second bedroom has a custom murphy bed and couch.

This unit has the features that buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and 2 parking spaces which are $62,000 extra.

Lakeshore East has a Mariano’s, coffee shops and several restaurants and is a short stroll to the Mag Mile and the Riverwalk.

Originally listed in June 2022 for $1,088,000, it has been reduced to $998,500 plus the $62,000 for parking.

With the custom finishes pay off for this 2-bedroom?

Vickie Liu and Erick Schwab at Corcoran Urban Real Estate have the listing. See the pictures here (sorry, no floor plan).

Unit #7706: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1250 square feet

• Sold in July 2011 for $728,000
• Originally listed in June 2022 for $1,088,000
• Reduced in October 2022
• Withdrawn
• Re-listed in February 2023 for $998,500
• Assessments of $1377 a month (includes heat, a/c, gas, doorman, cable, exercise room, indoor and outdoor pools, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal, Internet)
• Taxes of $16,854
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• 2-car parking available for $62,000
• Bedroom #1: 12×15
• Bedroom #2: 11×13
• Living/dining room: 15×20
• Kitchen: 11×11
• Balcony: 5×63

This 2-bedroom penthouse in the Tower Lofts at 1601 W. School in West Lakeview came on the market in January 2023.

Built in 1916, Tower Lofts is a former Weiboldt’s department store. It was converted into 80 lofts in 1994. It has attached garage parking but no other amenities such as door staff or exercise room. There is a large gym in the building.

This unit is a penthouse loft with 17 foot concrete ceilings and industrial windows with custom window treatments.

It has a split floor plan.

There are hardwood floors throughout the main living/dining area and a wood burning fireplace in the living room.

The kitchen has been renovated since the 2015 sale and has modern wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances including a Fisher & Paykel French door refrigerator, Subzero beverage fridge and Bosch dishwasher with a breakfast bar and a peninsula along with granite counter tops (?- some look like quartz but listing says granite).

The bedrooms have carpet and both have windows.

The primary bedroom is en suite with a double vanity and also has a walk-in-closet.

There’s a lofted storage area in the unit as well.

It has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and 2-car garage parking included.

In 2015, this penthouse had a 20×24 rooftop deck with city views. Now, it just has “unfinished rooftop deck rights.”

This building is near the Brown Line, shops and restaurants of West Lakeview and the Lakeview Whole Foods.

Listed at $575,000, that’s $100,000 over the 2015 purchase price.

It’s currently the only unit in the building that’s for sale.

Is the old standard of the $400,000 2/2 now going to cost you over $500,000 in West Lakeview?

Stefanie Lavelle at @Properties Christie’s has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #702: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1250 square feet, loft

• Sold in January 1995 for $207,000
• Sold in April 2004 for $452,500
• Sold in August 2008 for $495,000
• Sold in July 2015 for $475,000
• Originally listed in January 2023 for $575,000
• Currently still listed at $575,000
• Assessments of $761 a month (includes cable, Internet, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $8882
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• 2-car garage parking included
• Wood burning fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 13×12
• Bedroom #2: 12×10
• Living room: 13×12
• Dining room: 20×12
• Kitchen: 20×11
• Loft: 10×9
• Unfinished roof rights (last deck in 2015 was 20×24)