Crib Chatter

This 6-bedroom Beaux-Art style mansion at 1521 N. State Parkway came on the market in August 2018.

Built in 1894 by architect George Maher, it is on a larger than standard Chicago lot measuring 28.5 x 130 lot.

It has a one-car garage plus a parking pad for a second car.

The listing says it has “modern interiors with advanced Crestron-Lutron technology” which were completely gut renovated by Hewitt Horn Ltd.

It’s plaster moldings have been restored.

The house has 5 fireplaces.

The kitchen has white cabinets and an island with natural wood cabinets along with luxury appliances.

The listing says it has “new baths.”

6 bedrooms are on the second, third and fourth floors but the listing also says there is a bedroom/exercise room in the lower level as well.

The lower level, which isn’t shown in the pictures, also includes a recreation room and a “huge” laundry room which the listing says can double as a catering space.

However, there IS a second kitchen and a den/entertainment room on the fourth floor which leads to the fully built-out roof deck which has a fireplace and built-in grill along with lush plantings.

In addition to the rooftop terrace, there are two other outdoor spaces including one off the kitchen.

The house has central air and space pak cooling.

It’s located at the north end of the Gold Coast. It’s near Lincoln Park and the shops and restaurants of Old Town.

Originally listed at $10.3 million, it has been reduced to $9.95 million.

Does this house satisfy vintage lovers AND modern lovers?

Jennifer Ames at Engel & Voelkers has the listing. See the pictures, floor plan and video here.

1521 N. State Parkway: 6 bedrooms, 7 baths, 9700 square feet

• Sold in January 2012 for $4.625 million
• Originally listed in August 2018 for $10.3 million
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $9.95 million
• Taxes of $79,185
• Central Air and Space Pak
• 1 car garage and one space parking pad
• 5 fireplaces
• 3 outdoor spaces
• Bedroom #1: 26×15 (third floor)
• Bedroom #2: 15×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 17×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 17×12 (third floor)
• Bedroom #5: 17×12 (fourth floor)
• Bedroom #6: 22×13 (third floor)
• Bedroom #7/Exercise room: lower level
• Office: 10×11 (third floor)
• Library: 20×20 (second floor)
• Den: 17×10 (or 17×16?) (fourth floor)
• Living room: 17×14 (main floor)
• Dining room: 14×19 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 23×16 (main floor)
• Family room: 22×18 (main floor)
• Recreation room: lower level
• Laundry room: lower level
• Second kitchen: fourth floor

This 2-bedroom in the Drake Tower at 179 E. Lake Shore Drive in the Gold Coast came on the market in October 2021.

The Drake Tower was designed by Benjamin Marshall in 1927. It’s a co-op with 68 units.

The building has attached rental parking, an exercise room and door staff.

The listing for this unit says it is a “new renovation.”

It has new plumbing and new space pak air.

It has wainscoting and crown molding as well as a built in buffet in the dining room.

The foyer has a cove ceiling and what appears to be a wine refrigerator.

The galley kitchen has white cabinets with Wolf, Miele and Subzero appliances.

While there are two bedrooms, it’s the second bedroom that has an en suite bath, and NOT the primary bedroom.

There are 3 walk-in-closets.

The unit has the features buyers look for including in-unit washer/dryer and rental parking in the garage for $200 a month along with space pak air.

The building’s exercise room has a pilates reformer.

There is also a wine locker and the unit has a large storage room.

The listing says you get “white glove service” in the Drake Tower and “true security.”

Listed at $799,000, will being “new” on historic East Lake Shore Drive get this sold quickly?

Curt Ratcliff at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #603: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1435 square feet, co-op

• Sold in September 2018 for $555,000 (according to Zillow and Redfin)
• Currently listed at $799,000
• Assessments of $3100 a month (includes heat, gas, taxes, doorman, cable, exercise room, exterior maintenance, scavenger and snow removal)
• Taxes are included in assessment as it’s a co-op
• Parking is rental in the building for $200 a month
• Dogs and cats allowed
• Space Pak cooling
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 13×20
• Bedroom #2: 16×15
• Living room: 11×19
• Dining room: 6×12
• Foyer: 5×6
• Kitchen: 12×6
• Laundry: 3×5

I need a break so Crib Chatter will be on vacation this week.

I’ll check into the comments so please be kind to each other.

There’s a lot going on in Chicago real estate right now. I’m looking forward to doing updates on all the new construction going on. There are closings going on on several new condo towers.

New condos are back. And are selling.

See you later in October.

Sabrina

This 2-bedroom at 1024 W. Armitage in Lincoln Park came on the market in July 2021.

Built in 1890, the building has 5 units.

It’s on the corner of Armitage and Kenmore and has a garage on Kenmore.

There’s extra storage in the building’s basement.

This unit is a second floor south and west corner unit with a turret sitting area.

The listing says it has 19 windows.

It also says it was “recently remodeled.”

It doesn’t appear to have many of its original vintage features but it does have a fireplace and hardwood floors throughout.

The eat-in kitchen has white cabinets, honed marble counter tops with a double oven.

The dining room has a bay window.

The listing says both bathrooms have been remodeled with Grohe fixtures and white subway tile.

The primary bedroom is en suite and also has a small office, with a window, that leads to a 12×5 private balcony.

The unit has the features buyers look for in 2021, including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and one garage parking space is included plus a parking pad space for a second car.

This building is located right in the middle of shops and restaurants on Armitage, is a few blocks to the shops and restaurants on Clybourn and is near the Brown Line El stop.

It this a dream unit for a vintage lover?

Jordan Chalmers at Baird & Warner has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

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

• Sold in June 1998 for $377,500
• Sold in November 1999 for $368,000
• Sold in April 2003 for $467,000
• Bank owned in July 2011
• Sold in January 2012 for $441,000
• Sold in July 2017 for $640,000
• Originally listed in July 2021 (I couldn’t find the price)
• Currently listed at $719,000
• Assessments of $372 a month (includes scavenger)
• Taxes of $12,825
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• One garage parking space included plus a second space on a parking pad
• Fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 14×13
• Bedroom #2: 15×13
• Living room: 22×14
• Dining room: 17×13
• Kitchen: 20×13
• Office: 8×7
• Foyer: 5×10
• Balcony: 12×5

This 2-bedroom at 1445 N. Wells in Old Town came on the market in August 2021.

If this building looks familiar, that’s because we chattered about this unit back in 2014, where its location next to a popular bar was the gist of the discussion.

See our chatter here.

Built in 2000, this building has 3 units.

The listing says it has parking, and in our old crib on this unit, it apparently has outdoor parking.

The listing says this property is “custom designed luxury” with a private elevator that opens directly into the unit.

It has 12 foot ceilings with 10 inch crown moldings and built-ins.

There are hardwood floors throughout, remote control blinds and surround sound.

The unit has a “gourmet” kitchen with Viking, Bosch and Samsung stainless steel appliances with custom solid cherry cabinets.

The baths are marble and granite.

The primary bedroom has an en suite bathroom.

There are three outdoor spaces: a balcony off the front of the building overlooking Wells Street, a deck off the back of the unit accessed through the primary bedroom and a balcony off the second bedroom, which isn’t pictured.

The unit has the features that buyers look for including central air, a Miele washer/dryer in the unit and a parking space.

This property is in the heart of the popular Old Town restaurant and shopping corridor.

Listed at $690,000, that is $45,000 over the 2016 sales price of $645,000.

Old Town was hot during the housing bust years but that was nearly a decade ago.

Is Old Town still a top neighborhood for condo buyers?

Eric Newman at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

• Sold in June 2006 for $602,500
• Sold in July 2008 for $620,000
• Sold in June 2014 for $580,000
• Sold in February 2016 for $645,000
• Originally listed in August 2021 for $690,000
• Currently still listed at $690,000
• Assessments of $350 a month (they were $452 a month in May 2015)(includes exterior maintenance, scavenger and snow removal)
• Taxes of $11,614 (they were $10,079 in May 2015)
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• One parking space (outdoor?)
• Fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 16×13
• Bedroom #2: 12×10
• Living room: 25×13
• Dining room: 9×7
• Kitchen: 12×10

This 3-bedroom top floor vintage unit at 513 W. Aldine in East Lakeview came on the market in September 2021.

Built in 1924, this European-style courtyard building has 24 units.

It’s a walk-up.

The listing says this unit has a “designated parking space” but it’s unclear if it’s on site or not.

This unit has many of its vintages features including French windows in the living and dining rooms, hardwood floors throughout and crown and wall moldings.

It has a wood burning fireplace with a gas starter in the living room with built-in bookcases.

The listing says it has an “updated” kitchen with white cabinets, quartz counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

It has some of the features buyers look for including in-unit washer/dryer and the “designated parking space”. It doesn’t have central air but it looks like it has window unit cooling.

The building is near shops and restaurants of East Lakeview.

This unit hasn’t sold in 41 years.

With many people now working from home, is a three bedroom home now a “must”?

Brad Lippitz at Compass has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #3H: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1500 square feet

• Sold in March 1979 for $90,000 (per Redfin)
• Sold in December 1980 for $105,000 (per Redfin)
• Currently listed for $519,000
• Assessments of $442 a month (includes heat, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $9088
• No central air- but window a/c units
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• “Designated” parking space (attached to the building?)
• Wood burning fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 14×12
• Bedroom #2: 11×10
• Bedroom #3: 8×11
• Living room: 20×13
• Dining room: 12×13
• Kitchen: 14×7
• Balcony: 9×3 (no pictures of it)

This 2-bedroom at 2500 N. Lakeview in East Lincoln Park came on the market in September 2021.

Built in 1974, 2500 N. Lakeview has 155 units and attached valet parking.

It has a door staff, an outdoor pool and an exercise room.

This unit is a rare southeast corner unit with wrap around floor to ceiling windows with “forever” unobstructed views of the Lake, Lincoln Park and the downtown skyline.

It has diagonal oak hardwood floors throughout and ceiling height doors.

The unit has a “Chef’s kitchen” with Demeter Millwork, white and ceruse walnut custom cabinetry with pocket doors, a Miele steam/convection oven, Miele induction cooktop, integrated Subzero, Bosch dishwasher and a Miele coffee system.

There’s an Ann Sacks limestone accent wall.

It has the features buyers look for today, including washer/dryer in the unit and valet garage parking for $180 a month.

The unit has wall unit cooling.

This building is one of the few along Lincoln Park that has balconies and this home has an east facing one with Lake views.

At $730,000, is that a deal for the views from the 31st floor?

Joshua Lipton and Christine Tepper at Compass have the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #3102B: 2 bedroom, 2 baths, 1338 square feet

• Sold in February 1988 for $222,500
• Sold in November 1992 for $284,000
• Sold in November 2012 for $389,000
• Currently listed at $730,000
• Assessments of $1187 a month (includes doorman, exercise room, pool, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $8964
• No central air – wall unit cooling
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Valet parking at $180 a month
• Bedroom #1: 17×13
• Bedroom #2: 12×11
• Living/dining: 22×14
• Kitchen: 10×9

The Illinois Association of Realtors is out with the August sales data. The market cooled from last year’s 4-year high.

Chicago home sales (single-family and condominiums) in August 2021 totaled 2,831 homes sold, down 1.4 percent from August 2020 sales of 2,870 homes.

In the city of Chicago, the median price of a home in August 2021 was the same as in August 2020: $335,000.

August sales since 2007:

• August 2007: 2923 sales
• August 2008: 2078 sales
• August 2009: 1927 sales
• August 2010: 1486 sales
• August 2011: 1787 sales
• August 2012: 2209 sales
• August 2013: 2850 sales
• August 2014: 2414 sales
• August 2015: 2701 sales
• August 2016: 2844 sales
• August 2017: 2791 sales
• August 2018: 2754 sales
• August 2019: 2601 sales
• August 2020: 2870 sales
• August 2021: 2831 sales 

August median price since 2007:

• August 2007: $305,000
• August 2008: $297,500
• August 2009: $229,900
• August 2010: $200,000
• August 2011: $192,500
• August 2012: $200,000
• August 2013: $245,000
• August 2014: $269,500
• August 2015: $271,000
• August 2016: $271,000
• August 2017: $284,000
• August 2018: $280,000
• August 2019: $289,900
• August 2020: $335,000
• August 2021: $335,000

“After an anomaly of a year, we may be seeing seasonality come back into play,” said Nykea Pippion McGriff, president of the Chicago Association of REALTORS® and vice president of strategic growth at Coldwell Banker Realty. “During the month of August, sales prices held steady, and residents settled into their homes as the school year began. As summer turns to fall, this could be a great time to reach out to your REALTOR® and start, or restart, your search.”

Average time it took to sell statewide dropped to 24 days from 46 days in August 2020.

In Chicago, it dropped to 29 days from 35 days last year.

Statewide, inventory continued to decline. The number of homes for sale fell 28.9% to 31,054 from 43,653 homes last year.

In Chicago, inventory plunged 18.6% to 8,537 from 10,485 properties last year.

“Last month, the law of supply and demand once again manifested itself in the state’s housing market,” said Sue Miller, president of Illinois REALTORS® and designated managing broker of Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group in McHenry. “What few homes that were available got snapped up quickly – with sellers getting more than their asking price due to the low inventory.”

The average 30 year fixed rate mortgage was 2.84% in August down from 2.87% in July and lower than August 2020, which was 2.94%.

In Chicago, it was another strong month for condo sales as they were up 7.1% to 1837 properties compared to last year.

Single family home sales, however, fell 13.9% to 994.

Are we seeing a return to normal seasonality?

Or is limited inventory crimping sales?

Homes sold fast and prices rose during August in Illinois [Illinois Association of Realtors, Press Release, by Bill Kozar, September 22, 2021]

This 3-bedroom duplex up penthouse in 33 E. Bellevue in the Gold Coast came on the market in May 2020.

Built in 1910, this Beaux Arts building has 11 units and an attached parking garage.

It appears the building has an elevator but no other amenities.

The 3 bedrooms are all on the main level including the primary suite with 2 walk-in-closets and a new primary bath.

There’s also a family room on the main level.

The kitchen, dining room and living room are all on the second floor.

The eat-in kitchen has white cabinets and stainless steel appliances.

It has two fireplaces and built-in cabinets.

The penthouse has two outdoor spaces including a large front facing terrace measuring 54×10.

The unit has space pac cooling, laundry in the unit and 1 garage space, which is included in the price.

This building is in just minutes from the Gold Coast’s popular restaurants and shopping areas.

Originally listed in May 2020 for $2.475 million, it has been reduced to $2.245 million.

The east side penthouse is also currently on the market. It’s a 3/3 with 3094 square feet and is listed for $2.995 million.

See that listing here.

Does this penthouse have it all for buyers looking in a boutique building?

Julie Harron at Jameson Sotheby’s has the listing. See the pictures here (no floor plan)

Unit PH-W7: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 3500 square feet, duplex, penthouse

• Sold in November 1994 for $850,000
• Sold in September 1996 for $1.125 million
• Sold in June 2008 for $1.95 million
• Originally listed in May 2020 for $2.475 million
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $2.245 million
• Assessments of $2378 a month (includes heat, gas, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $47,488
• Space pac cooling
• Laundry in the unit
• 1 garage parking space included
• 2 fireplaces
• Bedroom #1: 17×16 (main floor)
• Bedroom #2: 14×11 (main floor)
• Bedroom #3: 12×11 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 17×14 (second floor)
• Living room: 19×19 (second floor)
• Dining room: 19×16 (second floor)
• Family room: 18×12 (main floor)
• Foyer: 11×7 (second floor)
• Laundry room: 8×6 (main floor)
• Terrace: 54×10 (main floor)
• Balcony

The 89th floor penthouse in Trump Tower at 401 N. Wabash in River North came on the market in September 2021.

Trump Tower was built in 2008 and has 486 units and an attached parking garage.

The hotel is on the lower floors and the condos are on the higher floors.

The building has a 14,000 square foot spa health club with a pool, outdoor space available to residents on the 16th floor, a club room and room service available directly to the condos.

It has door staff.

The condos have a separate entrance and elevators.

The listing says this penthouse has a private elevator accessed through a fob.

It has the entire top floor and has 360 degree views of the city and the Lake.

The penthouse has 19 foot ceilings in the living area with 18 foot floor-to-ceiling glass windows.

The listing says it is a “vanilla box” with just the walls and ceilings finished.

The buyer should “bring your own designer.”

There is no kitchen, bathrooms etc.

The listing says “Nothing like this has ever been or will ever be on the market again.”

According to Crain’s, the penthouse originally sold in 2014 for $17 million, which was a 53% reduction off the original asking price of $32 million.

The buyer was Sanjay Shah, the CEO of a suburban software firm.

According to Dennis Rodkin at Crain’s, Shah intended to finish building out the penthouse by 2018, but he never did.

Rafaeli also represented the penthouse at that time, and he told Chicago magazine that he expected finishing it into living space to cost between $4.2 million and $9.8 million at the going price for high-end finishes, up to $700 a square foot. Upper-end finishes now go for more like $1,000 a square foot, if not more, so finishing the space could run about $14 million, on top of the purchase price.

Rafaeli said in an email that Shah “did not complete the property because he became more focused on his business, which took a lot of time away from him. In addition, his two children are now grown and moved on, so it is a very large space for just two people.”

This unit has central air and heating and includes 4 parking spaces.

Listed for $30 million, is 2021, with the stock market near record highs, the perfect time to sell this penthouse?

Chezi Rafaeli at Coldwell Banker has the listing again. You can see the pictures and the floor plan here.

Unit #PH89A: 5 bedrooms, 8 baths, 14,260 square feet, penthouse

• Sold in December 2014 for $17 million
• Currently listed for $30 million
• Assessments of $16,635 a month (includes heat, a/c, gas, doorman, cable, exercise room, pool, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $257,391
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• 4 parking spaces included
• Private elevator access with fob
• Bedroom #1: 51×22
• Bedroom #2: 30×30
• Bedroom #3: 30×21
• Bedroom #4: 30×21
• Bedroom #5: 21×19
• Living room: 54×24
• Dining room: 30×20
• Kitchen: 21×20
• Family room: 38×29
• Exercise room: 48×26
• Gallery: 25×14
• Laundry room: 10×9