Crib Chatter

This 2-bedroom duplex loft in the Prairie District Lofts at 1727 S. Indiana in the South Loop came on the market in August 2022.

Built in 1905, the listing says Prairie District Lofts was a former Kodak factory. It has 116 units but no parking. Some units have transferable outdoor rental spaces in the lot next door for $165 a month.

The building has a landscaped atrium, common roof deck, onsite manager, storage, bike room and fitness center.

It was originally apartments and wasn’t converted into condos until 2007, which was at the very end of the bubble. Looking at old listings, the developer was still selling units as late as 2011.

The listing for this duplex says it was gut rehabbed in 2022.

It has exposed brick walls, industrial windows with southern exposure and 18 foot timber ceilings in the living/dining room.

A new custom spiral staircase by Paragon was added and both bedrooms are now fully enclosed.

The kitchen has refinished sage cabinets, a farmhouse sink,  Quartz countertops, a white tile backsplash and Beko stainless steel appliances.

The primary bedroom is on the second floor and has a skylight as well as an en suite bath.

The second bedroom is on the main floor and it has windows.

The listing says the bathrooms are “spa-like” and have floor-to-ceiling Daltile tile, RH vanity, LED mirrors and Kohler fixtures.

The loft has a dry bar with a wine fridge which the listing says can be removed to make the space an office.

The unit has motorized shades, barn doors, Lightology lighting, an electric fireplace in the living room, a new furnace and a/c as well as new in-unit laundry.

The loft has a private rooftop deck with lake views which can be expanded further if desired.

It has central air but there’s no parking indicated with the unit, just permit street parking, so you’d have to find parking in the neighborhood.

This building is near the Museum Campus, Soldier Field, the Prairie District and the shops and restaurants of the South Loop.

Buyers love “new” and move-in ready.

Is this the perfect authentic loft?

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

Unit #407: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1500 square feet, duplex loft

• Sold in September 2007 for $342,000
• Sold in August 2018 for $325,000
• Sold in June 2019 for $360,000
• Currently listed at $500,000
• Assessments of $464 a month (includes exercise room, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal, Internet)
• Taxes of $6452
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• No parking- street parking only
• Electric fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 13×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 13×13 (main floor)
• Living/dining room combo: 18×17
• Kitchen: 11×8
• Dry bar: 8×7
• Rooftop deck: 12×10

This 4-bedroom penthouse on the 92nd floor, the highest residential floor, in the John Hancock (yes, I’m still calling it that) at 175 E. Delaware in Streeterville came on the market in June 2022.

Built in 1970, the Hancock, which doesn’t have a name anymore because no one has bought the naming rights, was built in 1970 and has 705 units.

It’s a full amenity building with an indoor pool, exercise room, 24-hour doorstaff and attached rental parking. There is a grocery store in the building. The lower floors are commercial and retail space.

This is a southeast corner unit with 65 linear feet of windows with views of the Lake, Navy Pier, and most of Chicago and the suburbs.

The listing says it has “never before on the market” and is 3 combined units.

It’s been remodeled by designer Danielle Richter with some unique features including 2 fireplaces, specialty lighting from France and a 200+ bottle built-in wine cave.

The main living space is open concept with views.

The kitchen is De Giulio with German Silver and Ivory Lacquer cabinetry, Artistic Tile backsplash in Calcutta and Mother of Pearl, a 13 foot island with bar seating and 2.5″ natural Quartzite counterops, paneled Subzero in antique mirror that reflects the lake views, and a Wolf induction range and microwave.

The primary suite has a 12 foot tray ceiling and a two-toned marble ecosmart fireplace, a walk-in-closet and an en suite bathroom that the listing says is a “rejuvenating work of art with a Calcutta Gold soaker tub carved from a single block in Italy, heated floors with custom mosaic tile, Calcutta counters with hammered polished nickel sink, Waterworks fixtures, and large separate shower with body sprays.”

The second and third bedrooms are also en suite and the third bedroom has a Murphy bed.

The fourth bedroom is next to the living room and can be used as a den and has a suspended multi-panel door.

The unit has a laundry room with a Miele front loading washer/dryer, deep sink, storage and 8-foot Carrara marble countertop.

There is electric heating and cooling and rental parking in the building.

Originally listed in June 2022 for $4.5 million, it has been reduced $705,000 to $3.795 million.

Despite all the other new tall residential high rises built in Chicago since 1970, is the Hancock still the ultimate in skyscraper living?

Keith Wilkey at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices has the listing. See the pictures, video and floor plan here.

Unit #9207: 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, 3308 square feet, penthouse

• It has multiple pins so the sales history is not as clear
• Sold in April 1983 for $75,235 (per Redfin)
• Sold in August 1990 for $530,000 (unit 9207)
• Sold in April 2005 for $1.8 million (units 9206 and 9207)
• Sold in March 2012 for $275,000 (unit 9205)
• Originally listed (all 3 units combined) in June 2022 for $4.5 million
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $3.795 million 
• Assessments of $3101 a month (includes doorman, cable, exercise room, pool, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $22,529 (not sure if this includes all three units)
• Wall A/C
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• 2-fireplaces
• 200 bottle wine cave
• Bedroom #1: 24×14
• Bedroom #2: 14×13
• Bedroom #3: 22×12
• Bedroom #4: 15×14
• Living room: 22×20
• Dining room: 22×11
• Kitchen: 26×11
• Family room: 16×21
• Laundry room: 10×7
• Walk-in-closet: 13×8

This 4-bedroom townhouse at 3631 N. Pine Grove in East Lakeview came on the market in June 2022.

Built in 1978, this complex is all brick and gated. It has 6 units and onsite parking.

It has had an “exquisite rehab” of the floors, lighting, baths and kitchen.

The main floor has the kitchen, living room and dining room.

The kitchen looks to have gray cabinets, stainless steel appliances and a tile backsplash.

The listing says there is matte black hardware throughout.

3 of the 4 bedrooms are on the second floor including the primary suite which has a walk-in-closet and an en suite bath.

The townhouse has the original wood burning fireplaces in both the living room and lower level family room.

The fourth bedroom and laundry room are also in the lower level.

There are skylights, including in some of the bedrooms.

It has central air and parking is available.

This townhouse is near the shops and restaurants on Broadway and Addison, close to Wrigley Field and Belmont Harbor and multiple means of public transportation.

Listed in June 2022 at $825,000, it has been reduced $27,000 to $798,000.

This appears to the be the first sale of this townhouse in 30 years.

Is this a rare opportunity to get a renovated 4 bedroom townhouse under $800,000 in popular East Lakeview?

Kristin Bird and Alfredo Medina at Kale Realty have the listing. See the pictures here (sorry, no floor plan).

Unit #C: 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 2700 square feet, townhouse

• Sold in May 1986 for $200,000 (per Redfin)
• Sold in July 1988 for $215,000
• Sold in October 1992 for $235,500
• Originally listed in June 2022 for $825,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $798,000
• Assessments of $308 a month (includes exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $11,882
• Central Air
• Parking available
• Gated community
• 2 wood burning fireplaces
• Bedroom #1: 17×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 14×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 12×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 14×12 (lower level)
• Living room: 17×13 (main floor)
• Dining room: 16×13 (main floor)
• Family room: 19×11 (lower level)
• Kitchen: 14×11 (main floor)
• Laundry: 12×11 (lower level)

This 3-bedroom in 40 E. Delaware in the Gold Coast came on the market in June 2022.

Built in 1926, this building has 75 units but no attached parking.

It has 24 hour doorstaff and an exercise room.

This is a corner unit with natural hardwoods throughout and a wood burning fireplace.

The listing says it has an “updated” kitchen with new white Carrara quartz countertop, subway tile backsplash and refurbished cabinets.

It has a dining room.

The primary suite has an en suite bathroom with new stone counter tops, new lighting, mirrors, fixtures and a marble steam shower and a walk-in-closet.

The second bath has been “updated” with new stone countertops, new fixtures and new subway tile in the shower.

All three bedrooms have windows.

It has washer/dryer in the unit, wall air conditioning units but there’s no parking in the building. You can rent it across the street.

This building is in the middle of the Gold Coast, near shops and dining and the Mag Mile.

Listed in June 2022 at $500,000, it has been reduced $5,000 to $545,000.

Is this a deal for a 3 bedroom?

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

Unit #1602: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1700 square feet

• Sold in August 1996 for $305,000
• Sold in January 2002 for $435,000
• Sold in March 2020 for $430,000
• Originally listed in June 2022 for $550,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $545,000
• Assessments of $1761 a month (includes doorman, cable, exercise room, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal, Internet)
• Taxes of $10,298
• No central air but wall units
• No parking but available across the street
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Wood burning fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 16×12
• Bedroom #2: 14×12
• Bedroom #3: 11×12
• Living room: 19×15
• Dining room: 19×14
• Kitchen: 8×10

This 3-bedroom penthouse in 2136 W. Armitage in Bucktown came on the market in July 2022.

Built in 2007, this building has 5 units and garage parking.

This unit is the entire top floor and has 10 foot tall ceilings and Brazilian teak floors.

The kitchen has modern cabinets, an island, high end appliances including a Subzero refrigerator and Wolf gas range along with quartz and CeaserStone countertops and a tile backsplash.

There’s a wet bar and a gas fireplace.

The primary bedroom has an en suite bath with an air spa tub and custom walk-in-shower.

The third bedroom has a custom built-in Murphy bed with access to a private deck.

There are 4 outdoor spaces including a balcony off the kitchen, a bigger terrace with a pergola off the living room, a balcony off the primary bedroom and a private deck off the third bedroom.

If you need more outdoor space, the unit also shares the garage rooftop space.

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

This building is in the heart of Bucktown near all the shops and restaurants as well as public transportation.

I couldn’t find a list price from July, but it’s currently listed at $669,899 which is just under the 2007 purchase price of $671,000 but higher than the last sale in 2014 at $642,500.

Is this a deal for Bucktown?

Jim Moore at Re/Max NEXT has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #PH: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1800 square feet

• Sold in September 2007 for $671,000
• Sold in August 2014 for $642,500
• Originally listed in July 2022
• Currently listed at $669,899
• Assessments of $371 a month (includes scavenger)
• Taxes of $11,807
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Garage parking included
• Fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 15×13
• Bedroom #2: 12×12
• Bedroom #3: 12×11
• Living room: 14×19
• Dining room: 13×12
• Kitchen: 16×12
• 4 private outdoor spaces

This 4-bedroom duplex down at 17 E. Division in the Gold Coast came on the market in August 2022.

This building was built in 1900 and has 6 units and outdoor parking behind the building.

This unit was on the market earlier this year, was bought in February 2022 and had a complete renovation.

It has white oak herringbone hardwood floors on the main level and wide-plank white oak on the lower level.

There is custom millwork, arches and built-ins and 2 fireplaces, one in the living room and one in the lower level’s “second living room.”

The unit now has a “chef-caliber” kitchen with custom white oak cabinets, a large island that can seat 4 with quartzite countertops and waterfall edge. It has Dacor paneled refrigerator and freezer, Cove dishwasher, Wolf range, with Best hood with fresh air return and a Wolf microwave.

The main level has a powder room with custom marble sink and 2 bedrooms, including the primary suite.

The primary suite has a walk-in-closet and en suite bathroom with heated dolomite floors, dual vanities, matte black free standing tub and walk-in-shower.

There’s a new staircase to the lower level which has exposed brick and beams.

It has a recessed wine room and wet bar with Subzero refrigerator. There’s also two more bedrooms and a full bathroom.

This unit has central air, washer/dryer in the unit and one outdoor parking space behind the building.

This building is near the shops and restaurants of the Rush Street and Division Street corridor and in the heart of the Gold Coast.

Buyers love “new” because they don’t want to renovate anything.

It sold in February 2022 for $524,000 and has come back on the market at $1.3 million.

Will this “new” property sell quickly?

Vincent Anzalone and Brad Soltwisch at Dream Town have the listing. You can see the pictures and floor plan here.

If you are a Redfin subscriber, you can also see pictures of the original unit before the renovation in the pricing timeline.

If you want to see it in person, there will be an open house on Saturday, August 13 from 12 pm to 2 pm.

Unit #1E: 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, no square footage listed, duplex down

• Sold in 1985 but no price listed
• Sold in February 2022 for $524,000
• Currently listed after the renovation at $1.3 million (includes outdoor parking space behind the building)
• Assessments of $589 a month (includes exterior maintenance, scavenger, parking)
• Taxes of $11,463
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• 2 fireplaces
• Bedroom #1: 11×16 (main level)
• Bedroom #2: 12×10 (main level)
• Bedroom #3: 18×13 (lower level)
• Bedroom #4: 12×11 (lower level)
• Living room: 15×16 (main level)
• Dining room: 10×13 (main level)
• Kitchen: 15×14 (main level)
• Recreation Room: 22×19 (lower level)
• Walk-in-closet: 4×19 (main level)
• Laundry: 8×3 (lower level)

This 4-bedroom duplex in Jackson Towers at 5555 S. Everett in Hyde Park came on the market in August 2022.

Jackson Towers was designed by architect Walter Ahlschlager who was, according to Chicago Apartments, A Century of Lakefront Luxury, a hotel and theater designer who also designed the Peabody Hotel in Memphis and what is now the Intercontinental Hotel in Chicago.

Across from the Museum of Science and Industry, it was “conceived in a late Spanish Renaissance style with an 18-story central tower and two 15-story wings. It has 72 apartments, with about 25% of them duplexes.

The building is famous for its cathedral-like arched windows in some of the duplexes, including this one.

Jackson Towers has doorstaff and an on-site engineer but there’s no attached parking or other amenities.

This unit has a 2-story living room with 20 foot ceilings, a big chandelier, arched beams, a grand gas fireplace and “newly replaced” cathedral windows.

There are wood beams, bookcases, wood doors and boxed wood ceilings throughout.

The family room has built-ins and a dry bar and are those stained glass windows as well?

3 out of the 4 bedrooms are on the second floor, including the primary suite which has an en suite marble bathroom with Jacuzzi tub and separate shower and walk-in-closet with built-ins.

There are two other bathrooms on that level.

The fourth bedroom is on the main floor along with a dining room and 1.5 baths.

The eat-in kitchen has white cabinets, stainless steel appliances including a double oven and granite counter tops.

The listing says the unit has Pella windows.

It has the features buyers look for including “newer” space pac, washer/dryer in the unit but there’s no parking with the building. It’s available in the neighborhood.

This building is steps from the beach, close to the University of Chicago, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods and the shops and restaurants of Hyde Park, not to mention the museum across the street.

Listed at $750,000, is this unit a single family home replacement?

Joanna Olszynska and Casey Ann Reid at Compass have the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #B3-4: 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, 3800 square feet, duplex up

• Sold in November 2014 for $185,000
• Currently listed at $750,000
• Assessments of $2600 a month (includes heat, gas, doorman, cable, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $6224
• Space pac cooling
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• No parking with the building
• Fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 27×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 16×15 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 15×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 8×16 (main floor)
• Living room: 25×18 (main floor)
• Dining room: 20×14 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 24×17 (main floor)
• Foyer: 11×8 (main floor)
• Family room: 13×14 (main floor)
• Walk-in-closet: 9×7 (second floor)

This 3-bedroom on the 41st floor in The Sterling at 345 N. LaSalle in River North came on the market in August 2022.

Built in 2002, The Sterling was originally expected to be apartments but the condo boom had started raging so it was converted to condos before anyone moved in.

It has 389 units and attached rental garage parking which is $290 a month.

The building is a full amenity building with a “24-hour door staff, outdoor pool, party room, bbq area, two tennis courts, and recently-renovated sundeck area.”

The listing for this unit says it has had a $110,000 renovation including $20,000 for 1/2″ soundproof windows.

It has a “brand new floor” which is an AquaGuard walnut wire-brushed water resistant engineered hardwood with a lifetime warranty.

The kitchen has been “fully renovated” but the 2017 listing says it was “renovated” in 2015. The cabinets are white and the listing says it has a new refrigerator and induction range/oven.

The AC has been deep cleaned.

It has a primary suite with a custom walk-in-closet and en suite bath with dual sinks, quartz tub, walk-in-shower, custom walnut vanity, Italian tile and Grohe and Toto fixtures.

The second bathroom also has similar finishes.

It has features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and you can rent garage parking in the attached garage. It is managed separately from the building.

It does not have private outdoor space.

The Sterling is near the shops and restaurants of River North and the River Walk and is an easy walk to the Loop.

Listed at $765,000, with many working from home, are three bedroom units suddenly more valuable?

Michael Marin at Signature Homes Realty has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #4102: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1630 square feet

• Sold in September 2004 for $830,000
• Lis pendens filed in November 2005
• Bank owned in September 2006
• Sold in January 2008 for $459,000
• Sold in July 2017 for $695,000
• Currently listed at $765,000
• Assessments of $1055 a month (includes heat, a/c, doorman, cable, exercise room, pool, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $12,551
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Rental parking in attached garage at $290 a month
• Bedroom #1: 13×20
• Bedroom #2: 12×12
• Bedroom #3: 11×13
• Living/dining room combo: 16×18
• Kitchen: 8×10

This 2-bedroom in the Dearborn Schiller at 1366 N. Dearborn in the Gold Coast came on the market in August 2022.

Built in 1926 by McNally & Quinn Architects, the Dearborn Schiller currently has 40 units. There’s no attached parking but it’s available in the neighborhood.

According to Chicago Apartments, a Century of Lakefront Luxury, the building has a 3-story stone base and invokes Italian Renaissance palazzo features. It has a brick and cut stone exterior.

It originally had 2 six-room apartments and one four-room apartment per floor. There was an opportunity to combine units as well.

The building was converted into condos in 1980 selling from $83,000 to $198,500.

It does not have a doorman or other amenities.

The listing for this fourth floor unit says it has been “meticulously renovated from the ground up.”

It’s also unique in the building in that it is the only floor that has the french doors as windows throughout the living/dining room which the listing says “feels like living in Paris.”

The elevator opens directly into the unit’s private foyer.

It has the original fireplace but new Chevron quartersawn white oak floors.

The dining room has a custom mural and built-in cabinets.

The primary suite has custom closets and a spa-like primary bath with a walk-in-shower and linen storage.

The chef’s kitchen has been “completely redone” and has custom white cabinets, honed limestone countertops, natural marble hard finishes, a breakfast bar which seats 2 and an oven range imported from Paris.

The listing says there’s a breakfast nook which could be a second bedroom.

It has features that buyers look for including a full size laundry room with a sink and storage and central air. The listing says there is “garage parking nearby.”

It also has custom-made doorknobs and 10 karat gold leaf accents on the doors.

This building is on a tree lined street easily accessible to the Rush Street and Old Town restaurants and shops.

Listed at $1.45 million, is this the Gold Coast vintage dream?

Victoria Rezin and Dawn McKenna at Coldwell Banker have the listing. See the pictures here. Sorry, no floor plan.

Unit #4A: 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 1920 square feet

• Sold in October 2013 for $709,000 (per Zillow)
• Currently listed at $1.45 million
• Assessments of $2050 a month (includes heat, security, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $16,851
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• “garage parking nearby”
• Fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 18×14
• Bedroom #2: 17×9
• Living room: 21×15
• Dining room: 18×14
• Kitchen: 15×12

This corner 3-bedroom in The Marquee at 1464 S. Michigan in the South Loop came on the market in July 2022.

Built in 2008, just as the housing boom was ending, The Marquee has 214 units and attached garage parking.

It has 24-hour doorstaff, an on-site engineer, fitness and exercise rooms, a bike room, dog run and theater room.

This is a Northeast corner unit with Brazilian cherry floors.

The kitchen is open to the living and dining rooms and has wood cabinets, an island with seating for 3, granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances, a wine/beverage refrigerator and a reverse osmosis water system.

It has 3 bedrooms.

The primary suite, which has access to the terrace, has a walk-in-closet and an en suite marble bath with dual sinks, a soaking tub and separate shower.

The second bedroom has 2 closets while the third has a floating desk and built-in shelving.

It has a NEST thermostat, additional storage and motorized window coverings.

The unit also has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and 2 car side-by-side parking spaces on the same floor as the unit are included.

But for those looking for outdoor space, it has a 740 square foot wraparound terrace with artificial grass and planters with multiple areas for dining, lounging and hanging out.

This building is near the shops and restaurants of the South Loop, Mariano’s, and Trader Joe’s as well as multiple forms of public transportation.

Listed at $545,000, is this a deal for 3-bedrooms and a large private terrace?

Sarah Ziehr at Redfin has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #301: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed

• Sold in February 2008 for $515,000 (per Zillow because the CCRD was being updated)
• Sold in April 2018 for $530,000 (per Zillow)
• Currently listed at $545,000 (includes 2 side-by-side parking spaces)
• Assessments of $820 a month (includes doorman and exterior maintenance)
• Taxes of $9579
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 19×12
• Bedroom #2: 13×12
• Bedroom #3: 13×11
• Living/dining combo: 16×25
• Kitchen: 12×12
• Walk-in-closet: 9×6
• Foyer: 8×6
• Terrace: 48×38