Crib Chatter

This one bedroom unit at 437 W. Aldine in East Lakeview has been on the market for months.

It seems to have everything buyers would look for in East Lakeview:

Vintage?  Check.

Spacious? Check.

Washer/dryer in the unit? Check.

Deeded parking spot? Check.

The only thing missing is central air, but window units are accepted as the norm in many of these 1920s vintage buildings.

Why hasn’t it sold?

Here’s the listing:

SPACIOUS VINTAGE HOME IN AN ELEGANT 1920S COURTYARD BUILDING WITH GORGEOUS LANDSCAPING CLOSE TO THE LAKE.

HIGH FIRST FLOOR WITH PARQUET FLOORS, HIGH CEILINGS, GAS FIREPLACE W/ CARVED STONE MANTLE, FORMAL DINING ROOM, LARGE EAT-IN KITCHEN W/SS APPLIANCES, FLOWING FLOORPLAN W/ ENTRANCE FOYER W/D IN UNIT, DEEDED GARAGE.

EXCELLENT LOCATION WITH EASY ACCESS TO BUS, SHOPPING AND NIGHTLIFE. SEE INCENTIVES BELOW!

George Koons & Associates has the listing. See more pictures here.

Unit #19: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 1000 square feet, full-size dining room

• Sold in July 1990 for $114,500
• Sold in March 1992 for $118,000
• Sold in August 1999 for $169,000
• Sold in April 2004 for $248,000
• Currently listed for $299,999 (includes the parking)
• Assessments of $297 a month
• Taxes of $2,821
• No central air- window units

We’ve chattered about some enormous spaces in older vintage buildings before.

This 2-bedroom unit in 3750 N. Lake Shore Drive, a 1926 vintage building in Lakeview, isn’t as spacious as some of the others, but it’s not exactly “small” either.

It is 1600 square feet and here are the room sizes:

• Living room: 25×14
• Dining room: 17×14
• Kitchen: 13×11
• Bedroom #1: 17×12
• Bedroom #2: 16×10

The building is a co-op. Yes, it has a large assessment which, in this case, pays for heat, cable and real estate taxes.

Here’s the listing:

RARELY AVAIL HIGH FLOOR 2BR, 2 BATH COOP W/UNOBSTRUCTED LIGHT ON 3 EXPOSURES. SPACIOUS LAYOUT W/SEPARATE DINING ROOM ENSUITE BEDROOMS.

UPDATED BATHS. OAK FLOORS. DOORMAN, EXERCISE ROOM, INDOOR POOL, SUNDECK W/GRILLS & STORAGE. LEASED PARKING OPTIONS CLOSE BY. ASSMT INCLUDES HEAT, CABLE REAL ESTATE TAXES. W/D ALLOWED.

Also from the listing (in case you were wondering about other expenses):

Both baths have been updated. The south bath includes marble tile and recessed lighting. The vintage tile in the north bath has been re-glazed, and a new pedestal sink, medicine cabinet and lighting were added.

A building-wide window replacement is planned. Nine windows have been replaced within the unit and five more need replacing. The seller will pay for the replacement of the remaining five windows.

Jennifer Ames at Coldwell Banker has the listing. (More pictures and a virtual tour available here.)

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

• I couldn’t find any prior sales information
• Currently listed at $219,000
• Assessments of $1,685
• Taxes of $4,709
• No central air- window units
• Board approval required
• 90% financing accepted
• No dogs or cats permitted
• Parking available nearby

We last chattered about 1111 S. Wabash in the South Loop in January 2008. The building started closing on units in 2004.

In January, there were 2 three-bedroom units on the market and one was priced under $400k.

They aren’t large, only 1200 square feet, but they’re still 3 bedrooms. Here are the room  sizes for Unit #1708:

• Bedroom #1: 14 x 10
• Bedroom #2: 13 x 10
• Bedroom #3: 14 x 10
• Living room: 14 x 15
• Kitchen: 11 x 8

Unit #1608 has sold since we chattered about it.

But surprisingly, it has sold TWICE since January.

Here’s the info on Unit #1608:

Unit #1608: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1200 square feet

• Originally sold in January 2004 for $295,500
• Was listed in January 2008 for $399,000
• Sold in January 2008 for $350,000 (I can’t tell if this included the parking)
• Sold again in March 2008 for $382,000

Currently, two other 08 tier units are on the market: #1708 and #1908. They are both priced under $400k.

Eugene Lee at Coldwell Banker has the listing for #1708.

Unit #1708: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1200 square feet

• Sold in January 2004 for $311,500
• Sold in September 2005 for $350,000
• Currently listed for $375,000 (parking $30k extra and must be purchased with the unit)
• Assessments of $444 a month
• Taxes of $4,530

Unit #1908: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1200 square feet

• Sold in January 2004 for $336,000
• Currently listed for $397,000
• Listing says “W/FPO by 8/15 $30k pkg free”
• Assessments of $468 a month
• Taxes of $4264
• Pointer Real Estate has the listing

There are balconies and patios on city residences and then there are terraces. This penthouse unit at 444 W. Belmont in East Lakeview is one of those terraces.

Built in 1928, the building has 13 units.

Unit #7B has central air but no parking (leased parking is available nearby.)

But who cares about parking when you have a 1000 square foot terrace like this?

Here’s the listing:

Stunning 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom penthouse unit in beautiful vintage building with most unbelievable outdoor space in the city. Interior space includes barrel vaulted ceiling, hardwood floors, true butler’s pantry, enormous eat-in kitchen with family room.

Formal living room & dining room with exquisite interiors throughout. Outdoor deck of over 1000 square feet with commercial grill, refrigeration station. Tented pavilion area & unbelievable city & lake views like no other.

Brian Loomis at Coldwell Banker has the listing.

Unit #7B: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1800 square feet

• Sold in July 2000 for $383,000
• Currently listed for $825,000 (leased parking nearby)
• Assessments of $450 a month
• Taxes of $6,313
• Central air

This penthouse at 6030 N. Sheridan evoked much discussion back in May. The building was converted into condominiums in 2003.

Penthouse 01 has a sunroom with a jacuzzi tub as well as a large terrace.

Since we last chattered about it, it has been reduced $161,000.

And now there are pictures of the 1000 square foot terrace that looks over the lake.

Arsiak Raffaelli at Century 21 Sussex & Reilly has the listing (there’s also a virtual tour on the site). 

Unit #PH01: 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 2600 square feet, 1000 sq ft terrace, two car parking

• Sold in April 2003 for $700,000
• Was listed in May 2008 for $1.16 million (2 car parking included)
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $999,000 (2 car parking included)
• Assessments of $755 a month
• Taxes are “new”
• The listing says central air, but in the bedroom pictures you can clearly see window units- but maybe they just can’t get rid of the units even though they have installed the central air

In November 2007, we chattered about this Tuscan-inspired renovated single family home at 2965 N. Sheridan in Lakeview.

It was withdrawn from the market.

It has recently been re-listed and is now reduced $520,000.

If you recall, it has a neat atrium in the middle of the house (but there are no pictures of the atrium in the new listing.)

Here’s the listing:

LUXURY LIVING WITH INTERNATIONAL AMBIENCE IN THE HEART OF CHICAGO’S GREEN COAST. ONE-OF-A-KIND 4BR/4.5 BA W/2STORY ATRIUM

OFFERS 4200 S.F. OF STUNNING OPEN SPACE ON 2 LEVELS.

ALL OF THE ULTIMATE FEATURES, FIXTURES AND SYSTEMS THRUOUT. KITCHEN FEATURES SUBZERO, THERMADOR, BOSCH. GROHE/LA CAVA BATHROOM W/MOSAIC TILE, GORGEOUS HW FLOORS W/ IN LAY & GRANITE. 2 FP. LIVING RM W/CUSTOM BUILT-IN SHELVING OPEN …

Brent Rosenbower at Sudler Sotheby’s has the listing.

2965 N. Sheridan: 5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, 4800 square feet, 2 car garage

• I couldn’t find an original sales price
• Previously listed in November 2007 for $2.8 million
• Currently listed for $2.28 million
• Taxes of $8,481

This small building at 1533 N. Cleveland in Old Town was sold as new construction in 2005- at the peak of the housing boom.

This penthouse unit, Unit #4, is listed for $55,000 less than it sold for in 2005.

Is this a deal?

Here’s the listing:

3yr New Penthouse. Live In The Heart Of Old Town! Extra Wide Floorplan Includes Huge Kitchen W/ 42’cherry Cabs, Granite And Stainless Appliances.

Spacious Living With Fireplace And Dining Area. Marble Master Bath W/ Spa Tub & Sep Shower. Great Closet Space, Private Back Deck W/ Skyline Views And W D In Unit. Garage Pkg Included!

Courtney Welsch at Baird and Warner has the listing.

Unit #4: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1650 square feet

• Sold in August 2005 for $502,500
• Currently listed for $447,500 (parking included)
• Assessments of $124 a month
• Taxes of $7,240

We’ve chattered about the modern new highrise at 1720 S. Michigan in the South Loop before.

CMK, the developer, is still trying to sell units in the building, which began closings in the Summer of 2007.

This two bedroom unit caught my eye. It’s the cheapest two bedroom that has two full baths.

Here’s the listing:

2 bedroom, 2 bath southeast corner unit. Window in each bedroom and living room. Oak hardwood floors. Stainless steel appliances and granite in kitchen. 9×18 terrace off living room is open to east and west for great outdoor living. Garage space additional.

Alan Shultz at Coldwell Banker has the listing.

Unit #608: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1069 square feet

• Sold in September 2007 for $353,000
• Currently listed for $299,500 (parking is $36,900 extra)
• Assessments of $416 a month
• Taxes are “new”

1720 S. Michigan [CMK’s website]

A third-floor two bedroom duplex vintage unit was recently on the market at 1434 N. Astor in the Gold Coast. (This is a different unit from the vintage greystone at 1331 North Dearborn we recently chattered about).

After being listed a few months, a tipster told me it recently sold.

But did it?

It has now been re-listed as a rental. The pictures in the rental listing are the same as the ones that were in the for sale listing.

Apparently, if you missed out on buying it, you can still live in it by renting it.

Peter Tortorello at Koenig & Strey has the rental listing (pictures and virtual tour available).

Unit #3: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1400 square feet, duplex

• Sold in June 1998 for $302,500
• Was listed in Spring 2008 for $729,000
• Sold in July 2008 for $685,000 (?)
• Currently listed for rent at $2850 (parking is leased)
• Assessments of $750 a month
• Taxes of $10,613
• Space pac cooling

There are quite a few terraces in The Churchill, at 1255 N. State Parkway, in the Gold Coast but you wouldn’t know it from walking by.  Most of the terraces are interior to the building or on the roof.

This second floor unit with a terrace just came on the market.  The terrace is 12 x 4.

Here’s the listing:

NEWLY RENOVATED VINTAGE GEM W/ 2 OUTDOOR SPACES AT THE CHURCHILL. SUN-FILLED 2ND FLR HOME W/ LARGE BALCONY + PRIVATE TERRACE. ORIGINAL DETAILS INCL PLASTER WALL & CEILING MOLDINGS, DOOR HARDWARE & BARREL-VAULTED D.R. CEILING.

STUNNING NEW BATH W/ WALK-IN MARBLE SHOWER & HEATED FLR. NEW UPDATED KITCHEN W/ HONED STONE COUNTERS. ABUNDANT CLOSET SPACE. NEWER PELLA WINDOWS. NEW A/C UNIT.

Patrick Lynch at Prudential Preferred has the listing.

Unit #2J: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, no square footage given

• Sold in May 1988 for $99,000
• Sold in January 1995 for $91,500
• Sold in November 1998 for $174,000
• Sold in March 2001 for $240,000
• Sold in January 2004 for $278,000
• Sold in November 2007 for $330,500
• Currently listed for $360,000
• Assessments of $861 a month (assessments include everything except phone)
• Taxes of $3,597
• No central air- window units
• No w/d in the unit
• No parking