Crib Chatter

I don’t cover many rental units, but I couldn’t resist this penthouse unit at 215 E. Chestnut in the Gold Coast.

They just don’t build them like this anymore.

This 1920s top floor vintage unit in this apartment building has vaulted wood beamed ceilings, a stone fire place and arched door ways.

Those are french doors going out to the private terrace with gas grill.

The kitchen and baths have been renovated to today’s standards with marble and stone. There is also an in-unit washer/dryer and parking.

Keller Williams Gold Coast has the rental listing. See the pictures here.

#PH: 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, 3900 square feet, duplex

• Currently listed for $9,000 a month (heat and air included)
• Parking included
• Hardwood floors
• In-unit washer/dryer
• Bedroom #1: 17×17
• Bedroom #2: 9×14
• Bedroom #3: 9×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 9×14 (second floor)

When the Vetro had its auction in February 2009, we chattered about possible better deals in 1255 S. State, or Vision on State, a new construction building that started closings in 2007.

Now we’ve had the auction in 1400 S. Michigan. But the short sales also continue in 1255 S. State.

It appears that the 1-bedrooms priced under $200,000 in short sale, with parking included, are selling. Several recently went under contract.

But there are also some two bedroom units, with the parking included, that appear to be available for the price of a 1-bedroom at 1400 S. Michigan.

According to the listing, this 2-bedroom has an upgraded kitchen with stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops. It also has central air and a washer/dryer in the unit.

Is 1255 S. State the best deal in the south loop?

Mark Ahmad at Coldwell Banker Leader Realty has the listing.  See the pictures here.

Unit #1117: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, 945 square feet, west facing

• Sold in April 2008 for $438,000
• Short Sale
• Originally listed in January 2009 for $279,000 (parking included)
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $239,000 (parking included)
• Assessments of $519 a month (includes water, doorman) – listing says it will pay assessments until April 2010
• Taxes are “new”
• Bedroom #1: 13×11
• Bedroom #2: 11×11
• Living room: 15×10
• Kitchen: 10×7

This 1-bedroom modern unit at 340 W. Diversey in Lakeview is the result of a 6-month down to the studs complete renovation that took it into the new century.

The unit was formerly a two bedroom but now is a spacious one bedroom with a huge 20×34 living/dining space.

There are no traditional cherry cabinets here. The kitchen has european flair with Scavolini cabinets, and Bosch, Liebherr and Grohe finishes.

The two bathrooms have also been updated.

While the unit has central air, it doesn’t have a washer/dryer in the unit (it’s not allowed by the building.) Parking is also rental in the building.

Vik Wadhwa at Modern Chicago Homes has the listing. (It is agent owned.) See more pictures here.

Unit #2018: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed

• Sold in August 1993 for $167,250
• Sold in July 2005 for $260,000
• Currently listed for $379,900
• Assessments of $727 a month (includes heat, a/c, cable, doorman, pool)
• Taxes of $3547
• Central Air
• No in-unit washer/dryer
• Rental parking
• Bedroom: 14×11
• Living/dining: 20×34
• Kitchen: 12×10

The only authentic French Market in Chicago is expected to open on December 3 in the Metra Market, the newly renovated portion of the Ogilvie Transportation Building in the West Loop.

Randolph Place at 165 N. Canal, a big industrial building which was converted into condos in 1998, is right across the street.

What could be more convenient?

There are several large 1-bedroom units currently on the market in the building including this one, Unit #1303, which at 1200 square feet, has more space than many 2-bedroom units.

It also has an attached 11×11 “bonus room.”

The kitchen has been upgraded with stainless steel appliances (original appliances in the building were black) and has cherry cabinets and granite countertops.

It has hardwood floors and a gas fireplace.

These units are considered “soft lofts” as they have high ceilings and some of the rooms do not have floor to ceiling walls but there are no “authentic” loft features such as exposed brick or timber. The duct work is also hidden.

The French Market will feature 25 local vendors and will be open Monday through Friday until 7:30 pm and on Saturdays from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm.

Read all about the French Market here.

Will the French Market become a food destination and bring West Loop real estate along for the ride?

Nancy Finley at Keller Williams Lincoln Park has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #1303: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 1200 square feet, bonus room

• Sold in May 1999 for $168,500 (included the parking)
• Sold in April 2007 for $322,000
• Currently listed for $289,000 (plus $30,000 for parking)
• Assessments of $323 a month (includes cable, water, doorman)
• Taxes of $3488
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Central Air
• Bedroom: 14×11
• Living/dining: 21×15
• Kitchen: 14×18
• Bonus room: 11×11

We’ve chattered about this 2-bedroom vintage unit in a 2006 conversion at 2734 N. Kimball in Logan Square several times before.

See our May 2009 chatter here.

It’s now been reduced by $47,500 since it was first listed in March 2009.

It is now also listed below the 2006 purchase price.

The top floor unit has high ceilings and a fireplace. The kitchen has granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

It also has central air and a washer/dryer in the unit.

There is no deeded parking with the unit.

Is this property now priced to sell?

Greg Whelan at Redfin still has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #3: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1000 square feet

• Sold in July 2006 for $244,000
• Was listed in March 2009 for $285,000
• Reduced
• Was listed in May 2009 for $274,900
• Reduced several times
• Currently listed for $237,500
• Assessments of $207 a month
• Taxes are $3240
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Gas fireplace
• No parking- but the listing says it’s “available”
• Bedroom #1: 12×13
• Bedroom #2: 10×9

You could live in one and rent out the other two units in this magestic greystone 3-flat at 914 N. Winchester in the East Village (or is this the Ukranian Village???)

Many of the original wood work features are still intact including the wood archways in between the living and dining rooms and the decorative fireplaces.

The kitchens and baths have been updated.

The units have separate central air and all three kitchens have dishwashers. The tenants pay their own separate gas, electric and heat.

All three units are currently rented:

1. Unit #1: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, rented for $1150 – including a parking space
2. Unit #2: 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, rented for $1150 – including a parking space
3. Unit #3: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, rented for $1200

Ivona Kutermankiewicz at Koenig & Strey has the listing. See more pictures here.

914 N. Winchester: 7 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2 car garage

• I couldn’t find an original sales price- but sometime in 1987
• Currently listed for $679,900
• Rental income of $42,000
• Electric: $3600
• Insurance: $2800
• Maintenance: $2000
• Water: $600
• Full basement

Most of us have probably passed by the 3-bedroom modern mansion at 2474 N. Lakeview in Lincoln Park at some point.

It is one of the few single family homes that sits directly on Lincoln Park.

The home has been for sale for over three years.

In that time period it was reduced just $875,000.

It has finally gone under contract.

Designed in 1991 by architect Perry Jenke, the glass and steel home has a 42 foot high center atrium. The listing says it was designed to display an art collection.

This sale, if it is completed, would be among the most expensive properties to sell in the city in 2009. Is this a sign that the luxury market is re-awakening?

Gayle Tepper at Prudential Rubloff has the listing. See the pictures here.

2474 N. Lakeview: 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, no square footage listed, 2 car garage

• I couldn’t find an original sales price
• Originally listed in June 2006 for $6.575 million
• Reduced in July 2008 to $5.7 million
• Currently still listed at $5.7 million
• Under contract
• Taxes of $36,465
• Third floor terrace

This 4-bedroom penthouse unit at 1250 S. Michigan in the South Loop has been on the market a few months.

It has been reduced by $140,000 since September 2009.

The unit is now listed for $350,100 under the 2006 purchase price.

The listing says it has a “spectacular” view from every room. It also has two balconies.

The pictures don’t show the kitchens or baths and the listing doesn’t reference them, so we don’t know any details about the finishes.

There are dark hardwood floors in what appears to be the main living area.

With 3,000 square feet, the unit is now listed at only $283 a square foot.

Is this a deal?

Michael Fields at Jax Realtors has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #2900: 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 3000 square feet

• Sold in August 2006 for $1.2 million
• Was listed in January 2009
• Was re-listed in September 2009 for $989,900
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $849,900 (2 car parking included)
• Assessments of $1600 a month (doorman, pool)
• Taxes of $15,000
• Central Air
• Washer Dryer

We last chattered about the ParkView at 505 N. McClurg in Streeterville in September 2009.

See our prior chatter here.

Back then, several investors were trying to flip 2-bedroom units in the building.

Unit #2402 was one of the units we chattered about.

It is still on the market and has been reduced by another $59,500.

The unit is also now priced below the 2008 purchase price.

The listing says it has upgraded finishes. The kitchen has stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops.

Is it now “priced to sell”?

Francesca Rose at Prudential Rubloff now has the listing. See more pictures here.

See the property website here.

Unit #2402: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1464 square feet

• Sold in June 2008 for $795,000
• Originally listed in June 2008 for $869,000
• Reduced several times
• Was listed in September 2009 for $759,000 (plus $60,000 for parking)
• Reduced
• Was listed in November 2009 for $739,000 (plus $60k for parking)
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $699,500 (plus $60k for parking)
• Assessments of $661 a month
• Taxes are “new”
• Bedroom #1: 15×13
• Bedroom #2: 13×10
• Living room: 17×16
• Kitchen: 12×8
• Dining room: 17×11

This 5-bedroom new construction single family home at 2665 N. Burling in Lincoln Park has been reduced by over $1.2 million since it was first listed about 11 months ago.

It is now in short sale.

The listing calls it the “deal of the year” in Lincoln Park.

The new owner will have to finish the interiors as it is missing the kitchen and baths.

It has a top floor master suite with private balcony and master bath. It also has a two car garage.

Is this a steal at this price and location?

Ruta Usaviciute at Coldwell Banker has the listing. See the pictures here.

2665 N. Burling: 5 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, 3585 square feet, 2 car garage

• Sold in February 2006 for $937,000
• Originally listed in January 2009 for $1,999,900
• Reduced several times
• Was listed on Nov 23, 2009 for $1,290,090
• Reduced on Nov 24, 2009 to $784,769
• Taxes of $12,203