Crib Chatter

This 4-bedroom Block Y townhouse at 28 S. Throop Parkway in the West Loop came on the market in September 2023. (This picture is not one of this particular unit but it is some of the townhouses in the complex.)

Built in 2004, this group of townhouses has some which front the street and some front a “lush” courtyard. These townhouses have attached 2-car garages.

This townhouse has 4 levels and faces the central courtyard which has a pond and mature trees.

It has a front patio with a tree. The main floor has a family room, with carpet, and a full bath as well as the 2-car garage.

On the second floor is the living/dining room, the kitchen and a half bath. There are hardwood floors on this floor and a fireplace.

The kitchen has dark wood cabinets, what looks like granite counter tops, and stainless steel appliances along with an island with seating for 2.

There’s a balcony off the kitchen and living room.

Three of the four bedrooms are on the third floor, including the primary bedroom which has vaulted ceilings and an en suite bathroom.

There’s also a second full bathroom on this floor.

The fourth floor is the fourth bedroom but it could also be an office or flex space with access to a terrace.

This townhouse has central air.

This complex is near Skinner Park, Skinner West Elementary, and the shops, restaurants and coffee shops of the West Loop.

The listing says it was “rarely available.” It’s last sale was 17 years ago in 2006.

Listed at $1.199 million, that’s almost double the 2006 sales price of $629,000.

With inventory low, will the sellers get their price?

Bernadeta Szopinska and Ramunas Skara at Skara Realty have the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #28: 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 2900 square feet, townhouse

• Sold in December 2002 for $575,000
• Sold in May 2006 for $629,000
• Currently listed at $1.199 million
• Assessments of $278 a month (includes scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $20,915
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer
• 2-car attached garage parking
• Fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 16×15 (third floor)
• Bedroom #2: 9×12 (third floor)
• Bedroom #3: 9×12 (third floor)
• Bedroom #4: 13×15 (fourth floor)
• Living room: 18×24 (second floor)
• Kitchen: 13×13 (second floor)
• Family room: 19×19 (main level)
• 2 balconies (second floor)
• Terrace off top floor room

This 1-bedroom in the John Hancock at 175 E. Delaware in the Gold Coast came on the market in September 2023.

Yes, I’m still calling the building the John Hancock until someone else buys the naming rights.

The Hancock was built in 1969 and has 703 units and attached rental parking. It’s one of America’s most iconic condo buildings.

The building has 24/7 door staff, on-site maintenance and engineering, a fitness center, indoor pool, a grocery store, multiple party rooms and the sky lobby.

The listing calls the Hancock the “pinnacle of urban living.”

This unit was renovated in 2023 and some walls were removed.

It is a north facing 61st floor unit with views of the Lake, Lincoln Park and the north side without any diagonals.

It has wide plank hardwood floors throughout.

This is the floor plan that had the den in front of the bedroom. The glass walls to the den were removed but it still has a 10×8 office on the floor plan.

The kitchen has also been opened to the living room and has white custom cabinets, granite counter tops, a tile backsplash, top of the line stainless steel appliances and a peninsula with seating for 3. It also has a wine cooler.

The bathroom has also been renovated with a walk-in-shower and a white vanity.

The Hancock has allowed units to add washer/dryers and this one now has it tucked away behind a kitchen cabinet.

The unit has wall air conditioning and parking is available to rent in the building.

This building is in the heart of everything in the Gold Coast and Streeterville. It’s near the Mag Mile, Oak Street Beach, shopping, restaurants galore and numerous bus routes and the subway.

The listing says this unit “delivers it all.”

Listed at $425,000, that’s $115,000 above the 2019 sales price of $310,000.

Buyers love “new.”

Will the renovation get this unit sold quickly?

Robert Picciariello at Prello Realty has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #6104: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 929 square feet

• Sold in July 1988 for $155,000
• Sold in June 2006 for $365,000
• Sold in January 2019 for $310,000
• Currently listed at $425,000
• Assessments of $880 a month (includes doorman, exercise room, indoor pool)
• Taxes of $6650
• No central air but wall units
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Rental parking in the building
• Bedroom: 11×15
• Office: 10×8
• Living room: 14×21
• Kitchen: 7×11

This 3-bedroom penthouse in Gateway Lofts at 1738 W. Belmont in Roscoe Village came on the market in September 2023.

Built in 2001, Gateway Lofts is a boutique elevator building with 14 units and attached heated garage parking.

It does have some amenities, including an exercise room and club room with a ping pong table along with 2 shared rooftop decks.

This penthouse is a single floor unit with front and back terraces.

It has 11 foot ceilings and exposed brick walls with the living/dining and kitchen in open concept at the front of the unit.

The living/dining room has enough space for a den/office.

There’s a fireplace.

The “upgraded” kitchen has dark cabinets, granite counter tops, Bosch stainless steel appliances, a water filtration system and a huge island with barstool seating.

There is a huge, private front terrace off the dining room with skyline views.

The unit also has an open concept family room.

The three bedrooms are fully enclosed and each has windows.

The primary bedroom has “new” carpet but the other two bedrooms have hardwoods.

The primary has a fireplace, it’s own private terrace and is en suite with dual vanity and whirlpool tub.

This unit has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and 2-car heated side-by-side garage parking which is included.

There’s also a second refrigerator, tucked next to the laundry, and a 5x6x8 storage unit.

This building is near the big Whole Foods in Lakeview, the shops and restaurants of West Lakeview and Roscoe Village as well as transportation with buses and the Brown line.

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

Listed at $859,000, and at 2400 square feet, it is in a rare boutique building that has bigger building amenities like an elevator and exercise room.

Is this a high rise alternative?

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

Or see it at the Open House on Saturday, September 16, 2023 from 11 AM to 1 PM.

Unit #4: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2400 square feet, penthouse

• Sold in September 2002 for $540,000
• Sold in July 2013 for $715,000
• Currently listed at $859,000
• Assessments of $656 a month (includes exercise room, lawn care, exterior maintenance, snow removal, scavenger)
• Taxes of $13,566
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• 2-car side-by-side heated garage parking included
• 2 fireplaces
• Elevator in the building
• Bedroom #1: 16×17
• Bedroom #2: 13×11
• Bedroom #3: 12×11
• Living room: 30×19
• Office: 13×12
• Foyer: 11×7
• Kitchen: 17×12
• Dining room: 14×12
• Family room: 16×16
• Laundry room: 4×7
• Terrace: 29×10
• Balcony: 13×4

This 3-bedroom Sandburg Village townhouse at 1314 N. Sandburg Terrace in Old Town came on the market in August 2023. (The picture above is of some of the Sandburg Village townhouses but not this specific one.)

Thanks to The Cat for requesting that we chatter about this property.

Built in 1965, Sandburg Village was a planned community of high rises, townhouses and the artist lofts.

Village amenities include 2 pools, tennis courts, pickleball courts, a dog run, a package room, a playground, hospitality rooms, onsite cleaners, dentist, barbershop and nail salon. There is an extra fee for many of these amenities for the townhouses.

The listing says this townhouse is “tucked away.”

The main floor has the living/dining and kitchen, a full bath, with a Toto toilet and Sherle Wagner vanity, and a bedroom which is currently being used as a den which has built-ins and overlooks the private patio.

The living area features built-in cabinets and shelving and large floor-to-ceiling windows along with a sliding glass door that opens to the brick private patio, with a tree and landscaping. It’s fully enclosed with walls and fencing.

The living/dining/kitchen has a black and white checkerboard tile floor.

There is a de Guilio kitchen with white cabinets, granite counter tops, a breakfast bar, and luxury appliances including a Subzero refrigerator, a Thermador cooktop, a GE double oven and a KitchenAid dishwasher.

The second floor has the other two bedrooms and a full bathroom.

The primary bedroom has built-in cabinetry and hypoallergenic carpeting. The second bedroom is used as an office.

There is a lower level which the listing says could be used as a family room. There’s also a utility room with the washer/dryer.

The listing also indicates that a third bathroom could be added in the lower level.

It has central air and one car outdoor parking which is covered and has a garage door.

This townhouse is also on a shared landscaped courtyard, if you need even more outdoor space than your private patio.

Sandburg Village is between Old Town and the Gold Coast and is near all the shops and restaurants of both. It’s also near several bus lines and the Red Line subway.

It appears that this townhouse hasn’t sold in several decades.

Listed at $785,000, is this townhouse an oasis in the middle of the city?

Millie Rosenbloom at Baird & Warner has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

1314 N. Sandburg Terrace: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed, townhouse

• I couldn’t find a prior sale going back to 1986
• Originally listed in August 2023 for $785,000
• Currently still listed at $785,000
• Assessments of $443 a month (includes lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)(extra fee for other Sandburg Village amenities)
• Taxes of $11,664
• Central Air
• 1-car covered outdoor parking with garage door included
• Bedroom #1: 12×17 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 11×17 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 11×17 (main floor)
• Living room: 16×20 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 14×18 (main floor)
• Family room: 19×14 (lower level)
• Utility room: 14×17 (lower level)
• Patio: 16×23 (main level)

This 2-bedroom in the Astor Tower at 1300 N. Astor in the Gold Coast came on the market in May 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 78 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 is it 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 unit is a “rarely available” half floor corner unit with “breathtaking” lake and city views from its floor to ceiling windows.

There are “newer” hardwood floors throughout.

The kitchen is “eat-in” with sleek flat panel cabinets, stainless steel appliances and a panel ready integrated refrigerator, granite counter tops, a slab backsplash and a peninsula.

The primary suite is on the southwest corner with skyline and sunset views. It has a walk-in-closet and an en suite bathroom with marble vanities, rain shower and body sprays.

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

This building is near the shops and restaurants of the Gold Coast, Rush Street, and Old Town as well as the beach and parks.

Originally listed in May 2023 for $699,900, it has been reduced $149,900 to $550,000.

That’s below all the sales prices since 2006.

Is this unit a deal?

George Furla and John Kosmopoulos at Dream Town have the listing. See the pictures here (sorry, no floor plan.)

Unit #26A: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1600 square feet

• Sold in October 1999 for $315,000
• Sold in May 2006 for $680,000
• Sold in April 2010 for $810,000
• Sold in October 2014 for $772,000
• Originally listed in May 2023 for $699,900
• Reduced several times
• Currently listed at $550,000 (includes 2-car tandem parking)
• Assessments of $2889 a month (includes heat, a/c, doorman, cable, exercise room, coin laundry in the building, on-site engineer, party room, sundeck)
• Taxes of $11,851
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• OR, you can rent it. Listed on August 31, 2023 for $5750 a month
• Reduced
• Currently listed for rent at $5,000 a month (is THIS a deal?)
• Bedroom #1: 18×13
• Bedroom #2: 15×10
• Living/dining room combo: 18×27
• Kitchen: 11×7

This 2-bedroom in the Michigan Avenue Lofts at 910 S. Michigan in the South Loop came on the market in July 2023.

Built in 1911, it was converted to loft condos in 2001 during the loft boom. It has 262 units and attached garage parking.

The building has 24/7 door staff and an exercise room.

Sorry, but the picture above does not reflect the new Helmet Jahn (his last) high rise apartment building going up directly to the south. I need to update this picture as having a 70 story building next door is a big change for this building.

This unit, however, is a corner unit with north and east exposures. It does not face into the new building. It faces Michigan Avenue and Grant Park and has tree top views.

The listing says this unit has had “impeccable renovations” in 2021 in which “no expense was spared”.

Should it even be called a “loft” anymore?

It still has the 11 foot high ceilings but if you look at the 2011 listing pictures, you can see that they removed the exposed ductwork, one of the “loft” features.

These east facing units have no outdoor space BUT in the original conversion, the developer built in interior “sunrooms” that faced east, had a door and usually tile floors. That sunroom has been removed. (See the 2011 pictures.)

This unit has new hardwood flooring (still diagonal), fresh paint and a fireplace.

The kitchen has been “redesigned” and has a high end Dacor stainless steel appliance package, 2 tone white and wood cabinets, gray glass subway tile backsplash, and an island with seating for 4.

The bedrooms are in a split floor plan. Both have windows.

The primary faces east and has an en suite bathroom which has been renovated and which “rivals the luxurious atmosphere of a spa.”

The unit has the features that buyers look for including central air, in-unit washer/dryer and a tandem 2-spot parking space which is $50,000 extra (see listing picture).

This building is across from Grant Park, near Millennium Park, Buckingham Fountain, the shops and restaurants of the South Loop and Michigan Avenue as well as numerous bus line and the subway.

Listed in July 2023 at $625,000, it has been reduced to $595,000.

Buyers love “new” and this unit has the preferred view in this building.

Why isn’t this selling?

Susan Corcoran at Coldwell Banker has the listing. See the pictures here. Sorry, no floor plan.

Unit #204: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1750 square feet, loft

• Sold in July 2001 for $437,500
• Sold in May 2011 for $485,000
• Originally listed in July 2023 for $625,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $595,000 (plus $50,000 for tandem 2-car garage parking)
• Assessments of $1242 a month (includes heat, a/c, gas, parking, cable, exercise, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $11,535
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 12×17
• Bedroom #2: 1212
• Living/dining room: 22×25
• Kitchen: 8×17

This 2-bedroom in Park Millennium at 222 N. Columbus on the New Eastside came on the market in September 2023.

Park Millennium was built in 2002 and has 480 units and attached leased garage parking.

It’s a full amenity building with door staff, an indoor lap pool, fitness center, sauna, sundeck with outdoor grills, a dry cleaner and even a grocery store.

This listing has been “completely renovated” and is now the “epitome of urban living.”

The unit has wraparound floor-to-ceiling windows.

It has light wide plank laminate wood floors throughout.

There is an “open concept” kitchen with self close white and gray cabinets, a breakfast bar with seating for three, white quartz countertops, a deep sink, brand new stainless steel appliances, and a herringbone backsplash.

The primary bedroom is en suite with an organized walk-in-closet.

The bathrooms have “contemporary” bathroom fixtures.

This unit has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and there is rental garage parking attached to the building.

This building is near Millennium Park, the Loop and Michigan Avenue as well as shops, restaurants and the Mariano’s and the Lakeshore East park.

It has come on the market for $479,950 after selling in May for $320,000.

Buyers love “new.”

Will this sell quickly?

Shawn Jones at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices has the listing. See the pictures here (no floor plan).

Unit #1609: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1170 square feet

• Sold in August 2005 for $390,500
• Sold in May 2023 for $320,000
• Currently listed at $479,950
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 12×12
• Bedroom #2: 12×10
• Living room: 18×17
• Dining room: 11×7
• Kitchen: 10×7

This 1-bedroom duplex up Sandburg Village Artist Loft at 1535 N. Sandburg Terrace in the Gold Coast came on the market in September 2023.

I have two pictures of these artist lofts in two different locations. I’m not sure if the picture above is the correct group but they all look similar.

I knew we had chattered about at least one of these unique artist lofts in the past, but imagine my surprise when I discovered that we actually chattered about this very unit when it was last on the market in 2011.

It had its original features and, boy, was the chatterati not having any of it. Some of the comments included:

Wilson: If someone were to give me this place for free, I would think twice before taking it. This place looks like a money pit to me.

miumiu: This place need a gut rehab as is it is depressing.

sonies: Don’t know why but this place reminds me of a bird house

To see even more of the comments, and pictures of the interior, check out our 2011 chatter here.

The Sandburg Village Artist Lofts were built in 1969 (not 1978 as the 2011 chatter says). There are 9 of them in this row. They have their own separate entrances, like a townhouse, and are duplex up.

These units apparently have access to the Sandburg Village north pool. The listing doesn’t say if there is an extra cost, however.

Apparently, the 2011 buyer was in agreement with the chatterati as this artist loft has been renovated.

There are dark hardwood floors on the main level and carpet in the bedroom which is on the second level.

A half-bath on the first floor was added.

The kitchen and full bath were “completely renovated” and the kitchen has white, European styled cabinets and stainless steel appliances.

The unique feature of this artist loft is a 17 foot span of paneled windows.

It also has a large private enclosed patio.

The listing says the north pool is out the back gate and parking is available in the Sandburg Village north lot.

The artist loft has features buyers look for including central air and washer/dryer in the unit.

Sandburg Village is near the shops and restaurants of Old Town, Lincoln Park, and the Gold Coast. It’s close to public transportation and parks.

The listing calls this unit “dramatic yet cozy.”

Listed at $450,000, do you now wish you had been the buyer in 2011 after all?

Caroline Moellering at @properties Christie’s has the listing. See the pictures here.

Or, you can see it in person at the Open House on Sunday, September 10, 2023, at 12 pm to 1:45 pm.

1535 N. Sandburg Terrace: 1 bedroom, 1.5 baths, duplex up, no square footage listed

• Sold in May 1988 for $87,000
• Sold in September 1996 for $160,000
• Sold in October 2011 for $190,000
• Currently listed at $450,000
• Assessments are now $201 a month (they were $140 a month in September 2011)
• Taxes are now $4307 (they were $3464 in September 2011)
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Rental parking nearby in the north lot
• Bedroom: 14×11 (second floor)
• Living room: 17×14 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 10×6 (main floor)
• Laundry: 3×3 (second floor)
• Terrace: 17×14 (main floor)

This top floor 2-bedroom at 1637 W. Olive in Andersonville/Edgewater came on the market in September 2023. Sorry, I don’t have a picture of this building but I wanted to crib on it anyway. Fountain above is in Lincoln Park.

Built in 1924, 1637 W. Olive was converted into condos in 2004. It is a walk-up with 3 units and outdoor assigned parking. It has a communal garden and there’s separate storage.

This unit has 3 exposures with treetop views and some of its vintage features including trim and solid doors.

The listing says the hardwood floors are “newer” as of 2019.

The listing also says the entire unit has been repainted.

It has a separate dining room which is open to the kitchen which has white cabinets, black granite counter tops, and stainless steel appliances including a new KitchenAid range with hood. There’s also an “herb garden” deck off the kitchen with room for a grill.

There’s a sun room off the living room which leads to a private south facing deck.

The listing has flipped the floor plan on the bedrooms with the second bedroom now being called the “primary” which is connected to a renovated bath (2022) with a refinished vintage tub with shower, white subway tiles and a heated towel rack.

French doors lead to bedroom 2 (which is the primary in the floor plan).

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

The listing says it’s available furnished.

It’s one block from popular Andersonville Clark Street shops and restaurants and less than 1/2 mile from the Peterson Ridge Metra Station which is expected to open this fall.

Listed at $400,000, that’s $90,000 above the 2021 purchase price.

Will this seller get full price?

Alex Till at Baird & Warner has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

You can also see it at the Open House this Saturday, September 9, 2023, from 11 AM to 2 PM.

Unit #3: 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, 1225 square feet

• Sold in August 2004 for $255,000
• Sold in August 2014 for $240,000
• Sold in September 2016 for $287,500
• Sold in April 2021 for $310,000
• Currently listed for $400,000
• Assessments of $250 a month (includes exterior maintenance)
• Taxes of $5831
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Outdoor parking space
• Bedroom #1: 16×12
• Bedroom #2: 13×10
• Sunroom: 8×8
• Living room: 14×10
• Kitchen: 13×8
• Dining room: 14×11
• Deck: 10×9

This 3-bedroom coach house at 119 W. Chestnut in the Gold Coast came on the market in September 2023.

Built in 1920, there are 9 units in the building including this coach house in the back.

There is a private dog park next to the building and a shared rooftop deck with city views.

If this unit looks familiar it’s because we chattered about it in 2020. It ended up selling in 2021.

See our chatter here.

If you recall, the coach house has been remodeled since the 2012 sale (you can see those pictures on Redfin.)

It has two entrances, front and back.

The first floor has a family room with a fireplace and heated marble floors. The listing says it could be a fourth bedroom or an office. There’s also a full bathroom.

The second floor has the living room, dining room, and kitchen along with a powder room. It has dark hardwood floors throughout.

The kitchen has been “remodeled” and has contemporary cabinets, stainless steel appliances and a large kitchen island with seating and what look like stone counter tops. If you look at the 2012 sales pictures, it appears that the wall between the kitchen and dining room was removed.

All three bedrooms are on the third floor, including the remodeled primary suite which has a professionally designed walk-in-closet and an en suite bath with heated floors, dual vanities, and spa-like marble shower. There’s also a second full bathroom on this floor.

The fourth floor has a private roof deck with city views, although you also have access to the front building’s shared rooftop deck, also with city views. In 2012 it had a pergola but that has been removed.

The coach house has central air.

But it’s most important feature appears to be the parking. It has a 2-car heated attached garage AND 2 tandem outdoor spaces.

This building is near parks, restaurants and shops of the Gold Coast and River North, including the new Whole Foods.

In 2020, this coach house was listed at $1.049 million and sold for $995,000. It’s come back on at $1.29 million.

Will this coach house finally get its million dollar price tag?

Matt Laricy at Americorp has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan and video here.

Unit #5: 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 3603 square feet, coach house

• Sold in January 1987 (no price)
• Sold in November 2012 for $885,000
• Sold in July 2021 for $995,000
• Currently listed at $1.29 million
• Assessments are now $902 a month (they were $785 a month in July 2020) (includes cable, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes are now $17,062 (they were $16,501 in July 2020)
• Central Air
• 2-car attached garage
• 2 tandem outdoor parking spaces
• 2 fireplaces
• Bedroom #1: 13×21 (third floor)
• Bedroom #2: 10×12 (third floor)
• Bedroom #3: 10×13 (third floor)
• Living room: 21×14 (second floor)
• Dining room: 11×19 (second floor)
• Kitchen: 10×16 (second floor)
• Family room: 21×15 (main floor)
• Storage: 19×18 (lower level)
• Deck: 22×43 (fourth floor)