Crib Chatter

This 3-bedroom duplex down at 1418 W. Elmdale in Edgewater Glen came on the market in June 2022.

Built in 1920, this vintage building has 6 units and private garage parking behind the building.

The listing says that this unit was the developer’s unit.

It has south facing windows in the living room/sunroom.

Two of the bedrooms are on the main level with the third in the lower level.

The two main level bedrooms share a full bath and there’s a second full bath in the lower level.

The unit has a formal dining room with a dry-bar and built-in storage.

There’s a gas fireplace in the living room along with built-in bookcases.

The kitchen has wood cabinets, exposed brick, an island, quartz counter tops and stainless steel appliances along with original built-ins.

There’s a 3 season heated and insulated porch off the kitchen that is currently being used as a work from home space.

In addition to the third bedroom, the lower level also has a big space the listing says could be a family room and an office like space.

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

The listing says its in the Pierce Elementary school district and its back decks were replaced 6 years. It also says that the courtyard was updated last summer.

The property is near Whole Foods, the beach and the El as well as the shops and restaurants of Andersonville and Edgewater.

Listed at $524,900, is this duplex a townhouse alternative?

Benjamin Tregoning at Coldwell Banker has the listing. See the pictures and 3D walk through here.

Unit #1E: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2550 square feet, duplex down

• Sold in May 2018 for $450,000 (per Redfin)
• Currently listed at $524,900
• Assessments of $490 a month (includes scavenger)
• Taxes of $7604
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Garage parking included
• Gas fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 13×13 (main floor)
• Bedroom #2: 14×11 (main floor)
• Bedroom #3: 14×12 (lower level)
• Living room: 15×14 (main floor)
• Dining room: 16×13 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 14×12 (main floor)
• Family room: 18×15 (lower level)
• Laundry room: 6×3 (lower level)
• Sittin groom: 11×10 (main floor)

This top floor 1-bedroom in Crilly Court at 210 W. Eugenie in the Old Town Triangle neighborhood of Lincoln Park came on the market in June 2022.

Crilly Court is one of the most famous apartment complexes on the North Side. It has 90 apartments but there is also a row of Queen Anne townhomes.

It was converted into condos in 2006-2007. There’s some parking spaces in the central courtyard, but they were reserved for the large 3-bedroom units.

From Digital Research Library of Illinois History Journal:

Crilly Court Apartments were built in 1877 by a south-side developer named Daniel Crilly who is credited with developing much of Chicago’s Old Town. In 1885, Crilly purchased all of the property between Eugenie and St. Paul from Wells Street to North Park and proceeded to construct his very own planned community, leasing only to young married couples and personalities connected with the arts: writers, actors, musicians, dancers, and painters. He and his son Edgar kept to this plan, for the most part, until the area fell on hard times after World War I ended (November 11, 1918).

This unit has south facing windows and the listing says it was “freshly painted” has new tile work, bathroom fixtures and all new light fixtures.

It has some of its vintage features including tall ceilings, crown molding and there is a decorative fireplace.

The kitchen has blue cabinets and black granite counter tops, a breakfast bar, and stainless steel appliances including a wine fridge.

There appears to be either a pantry or storage closet off the kitchen.

There’s no dining room.

This unit has some of the features buyers look for including central air and washer/dryer in the unit. The listing says the washer/dryer and A/C are both from the 2007 conversion but the seller will provide a home warranty.

The unit has no parking but it does have an 8×4 deeded storage unit with taxes of $148.06.

This building is in the heart of one of the most popular neighborhoods in Chicago. It’s near all the shops and restaurants on Wells in Old Town, near Lincoln Park, the Zoo and Farmers Market.

Listed at $365,000, with 20% down (of $73,000) and a 6% mortgage rate, Redfin tells me this property has a $2583 monthly payment.

Is this a good starter condo for someone who doesn’t want to pay the record high rental prices?

Courtney Kennedy at @properties Christie’s has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #4S: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, no square footage

• Sold in April 2007 for $234,500
• Currently listed at $365,000
• Assessments of $259 a month (includes exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $5092
• Taxes on storage unit are $148.06
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• No parking
• Listing says association has reserves of $171,000
• Decorative fireplace
• Bedroom: 10×14
• Living/dining room: 16×16
• Kitchen: 9×10

This 5-bedroom vintage single family home at 511 W. Armitage in Lincoln Park came on the market in June 2022.

Built in 1890, this Victorian house is on a shorter than standard Chicago lot of 25×100 but still has a 2-car garage.

The listing says this house has been “renovated.”

It still has vintage features including high ceilings and 4 fireplaces in the family room, living room, primary bedroom and the kitchen.

There are built-in bookcases in the living room.

The listing says the kitchen has been “updated” and has white and black cabinets, granite counter tops, and stainless steel appliances along with a big island.

There are skylights.

3 of the 5 bedrooms are on the second floor, including the primary suite which has a walk-in-closet and en suite bathroom.

The other 2 bedrooms on that floor share a hall bathroom.

The lower level has the other two bedrooms, a large family room, the laundry room and another full bath along with access to the garage.

There are several outdoor spaces including a front patio with a wrap-around brick wall, a main floor balcony off the living room seen in the picture above, a patio off the kitchen and a large deck on top of the garage.

It has central air.

This house is near the shops and restaurants on Armitage and Halsted along with those in Old Town and East Lincoln Park. It’s also near Lincoln Park and the Zoo.

Listed at $1.45 million, is this a deal for a single family house with a garage in Lincoln Park?

Timothy Sheahan at Compass has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

511 W. Armitage: 5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, no square footage listed, single family home

• Sold in July 1993 for $429,000
• Sold in June 2004 for $765,000
• Currently listed at $1.45 million
• Taxes of $34,323
• Central Air
• 2-car garage
• 4 fireplaces
• Bedroom #1: 21×17 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 10×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 12×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 18×9 (lower level)
• Bedroom #5: 10×9 (lower level)
• Living room: 21×23 (main level)
• Dining room: 11×9 (main level)
• Kitchen: 25×10 (main level)
• Family room: 32×13 (lower level)
• Pantry: 9×8 (main level)
• Laundry: 12×11 (lower level)
• Walk-in-closet: 9×7 (second level)
• Balcony: 9×4
• Deck: 22×19
• Terrace: 21×14

This 4-bedroom condo at 2126 N. Lincoln Park West in East Lincoln Park came on the market in May 2022.

Built in 2002 it appears to be a 2 unit condo association that shares a garage. These are fee simple but there is monthly HOA.

The listing says it’s a “condo that lives like a single family home.”

The unit is four levels and has been “recently renovated” with open concept living.

The main floor is accessed from the street or the garage and has a storage room and wine cellar.

The second floor has the living and dining rooms along with the kitchen all in open concept. If you look at the older listing pictures before the renovation, there used to be distinct rooms for the living, dining rooms and kitchen but the walls were removed.

The kitchen is a “chef’s kitchen” with black custom cabinetry, a Blue Star oven and a large island with gold light fixtures.

There’s a private west facing terrace off the kitchen.

The unit has an architectural spiral staircase and skylights.

There’s a custom limestone fireplace in the living room.

The third floor has 3 bedrooms including the primary suite which has 2 custom walk-in-closets and a spa bathroom.

The two other bedrooms are also en suite.

The fourth floor has a fourth bedroom which could also be a family room, home theater or gym, as well as a den which opens to an east facing private terrace and a huge spa-like bathroom.

It has all the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and 2-car attached garage parking.

This property is located directly across from Lincoln Park and the Zoo, has views of the Lake and the downtown skyline and is near the shops and restaurants of East Lincoln Park and Old Town.

Listed at $4.95 million, it last sold just last year, in August 2021, for $4 million.

Will it get the premium thanks to the red hot luxury market?

Harold Blum and Ivan Petrov at @Properties Christie’s has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

2126 N. Lincoln Park West: 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, no square footage listed

• Sold in August 2002 for $2.55 million
• Sold in October 2007 for $3.15 million
• Sold in November 2019 for $2.8 million
• Sold in August 2021 for $4 million
• Listed in May 2022 for $4.95 million
• Currently still listed at $4.95 million
• Assessments of $240 a month (includes parking)
• Fee simple
• Taxes of $45,175
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Fireplace
• Skylights
• 2 car garage parking
• Bedroom #1: 23×15 (third floor)
• Bedroom #2: 15×12 (third floor)
• Bedroom #3: 13×12 (third floor)
• Bedroom #4: 25×14 (fourth floor)
• Living room: 20×21 (second floor)
• Dining room: 17×16 (second floor)
• Kitchen: 25×15 (second floor)
• Walk-in-closet: 10×13 (third floor)
• Den: 25×7 (fourth floor)
• Storage: 13×9 (main floor)
• Foyer: 25×9 (main floor)
• Laundry: 5×7 (third floor)
• Balcony: 16×4 (second floor)
• Terrace: 22×21 (second floor)
• Deck: 26×15 (fourth floor)

This 3-bedroom townhouse in the Piano Factory Lofts at 1335 W. Altgeld in Lincoln Park came on the market in June 2022.

Built in 1939, the Piano Factory Lofts has 15 units and attached garage parking.

The townhouse has loft features included exposed ductwork, timber ceilings and exposed brick walls.

This listing says it has been “completely and thoughtfully renovated” and has all new windows, lighting, doors, bathrooms, kitchen and decks along with a sourced vintage fireplace mantel.

The chef’s kitchen has dark black (gray?) cabinets and stone counter tops along with a “massive” island, stainless steel appliances and a walk-in coffee bar or pantry.

All three bedrooms are on the second level along with the 2 full baths. The primary suite is en suite and also has a walk-in-closet.

The top floor, or penthouse, level has a wet bar with a Subzero fridge along with 3 decks.

The townhouse has skylights and pocket doors.

It comes with the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and one garage parking space.

The listing says it’s in the Oscar Meyer school district.

Listed at $1.1 million, is this townhouse a good choice for those who still desire the loft style of living but need more space and desire the privacy of the different levels?

Clare Spartz at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #2G: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2200 square feet, townhouse

• Sold in 1999 but doesn’t list the price
• Sold in August 2016 for $725,000
• Currently listed at $1.1 million
• Assessments of $569 a month (includes exterior maintenance, scavenger and snow removal)
• Taxes of $13,731
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Garage parking included
• Fireplace
• Skylights
• Bedroom #1: 20×16 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 16×15 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 16×10 (second floor)
• Living room: 23×16 (main floor)
• Dining room: 16×13 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 17×12 (main floor)
• Den: 9×11 (third floor)
• Foyer: 7×3
• Laundry room: 6×6 (second floor)
• 3 decks

This 3-bedroom at 1814 N. Lincoln Park West in the Old Town neighborhood of Lincoln Park came on the market in June 2022.

Built in 1890, this building has 4 units and rear parking spaces along with extra storage.

We’ve chattered about this building several times over the years as various units have come on the market because they are bigger than what they appear when you just look at the building.

The listing says it has had a “meticulous and significant” renovation but still has its vintage features like crown moldings, door and window moldings and ceiling medallions.

It’s a rare condo that has 3 fireplaces, one in the living room, one in the dining room and one in the family room, which appear to be gas starters.

The kitchen has white cabinets, a white farmhouse sink, what looks like stone counter tops, stainless steel appliances and an island with seating for 2.

There’s a family room off the kitchen and an office/den next to the living room that overlooks the street.

The primary bedroom is en suite with a walk-in-closet and the bathroom has a walk-in-shower.

The unit has the features buyers look for including space pak cooling, washer/dryer in the unit and a rare, for Old Town, 1-car outdoor parking space behind the building.

The listing says the building has new windows and the roof gets checked annually.

It’s located in the heart of Old Town, near all the shops and restaurants, as well as the activities of East Lincoln Park including the zoo.

It hasn’t changed hands in 17 years.

Listed at $890,000, compared to new construction in the neighborhood with similar square footage, is this a deal?

Janelle Emalfarb-Gordon at @Properties Christie’s has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #2: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2000 square feet

• Sold in February 1999 for $462,500
• Sold in July 2005 for $617,000
• Sold in December 2005 for $620,000
• Currently listed at $890,000
• Assessments of $350 a month (includes heat)
• Taxes of $14,307
• Space pak cooling
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• 1 outdoor parking space included
• Storage included
• 3 gas starting fireplaces
• Bedroom #1: 19×13
• Bedroom #2: 13×11
• Bedroom #3: 10×9
• Living room: 20×14
• Kitchen: 14×13
• Dining room: 14×17
• Family room: 11×13
• Laundry: 4×6
• Office: 8×7 (? font is very small on the floor plan.)

Those who bet against America’s biggest cities 2 years ago when the pandemic hit are looking rather foolish right now.

New York City rents have surged to all-time highs of $4,000 a month while home sales have rebounded in every major city.

In Chicago, both luxury apartments and luxury sales remain red hot despite the worst start to the stock market in decades and a city-wide rise in crime.

From Crain’s:

As of June 9, there have been 55 homes in the Chicago area sold for $4 million or more, according to Crain’s tracking of the upper-end market. In the six years prior to 2021, an average of 52 homes in that price range sold per year. In 2021, amid the pandemic era’s surge in homebuying at all price points, the $4 million-and-up category leaped to a record 101 sales.

The demand for upper-end homes is largely coming from “people in the financial growth phase of their life,” said Emily Sachs Wong, an @properties Christie’s International Realty agent. She represented buyers who on June 6 paid $5.8 million for a six-bedroom house on Burling Street in Lincoln Park. The house was on the market just 13 days before Sachs Wong’s clients put it under contract at $5,000 more than the asking price.

While declining to give any details on these buyers, Sachs Wong said the buyer pool she has witnessed in the high-end boom is people who “are proficient in their careers and making money and they don’t have a lot to wait for. Spend it now to upgrade to their forever home.”

It’s so hot that several $8 million properties sold before they were even listed.

According to Crain’s, if this sales pace continues, luxury sales will hit a new record of 124 this year.

Not all of those are in the city of Chicago, as Winnetka has been hot so far this year with 12 sales. In 2021, Winnetka only saw 9 home sales over $4 million for the entire year.

Luxury Apartment Leasing Fast

In luxury apartments, there have been some doubts about demand for the high-end buildings that have come on the market in the last 2 years, including One Chicago, the latest mega-tower.

One Chicago, in River North at the intersection of Chicago, Dearborn and State, has two towers. The shorter one is all rental and the taller one is a mix of luxury apartments and luxury condos.

Leasing began last fall for the shorter tower and in 2022 for the taller tower. Closings are just beginning on the luxury condos.

From Crain’s:

The first five condos at the 75-story One Chicago building have been delivered to buyers, setting a benchmark for new condo prices. That’s despite the new tower being a neighbor of a notorious, recent violent crime episode.

The sales, at prices ranging from about $2.29 million to $6.1 million, averaged out to $1,366.20 per square foot.

The 75-story One Chicago has 77 condos on its upper 30 floors. Below them and in a second tower on the site are 735 rental apartments. Letchinger said the rentals on floors below the condos are about 40% leased and those in the other 49-story tower are 90% leased.

Chicago’s rental market has tightened dramatically in the last year. Even a mega-tower like NEMA along Grant Park in the South Loop appears to only have a handful of available units to lease even though it has over 700 units.

Wolf Point East, one of the most popular buildings in Youtube apartment hunting videos, is giving away a half month free rent if you apply for an apartment in the next 48 hours.

It has 698 apartments and it looks like about 50 are available if their website is accurate.

Can anything slow Chicago’s red-hot luxury market?

High-end homes sold like crazy last year. The market’s even hotter this year. [Crain’s Chicago Business, by Dennis Rodkin, June 9, 2022]

Nearby crime aside, this condo tower is now Chicago’s priciest (Crain’s Chicago Business, by Dennis Rodkin, June 2, 2022]

This corner 3-bedroom townhouse at 436 E. North Water in Streeterville came on the market in May 2022.

Built in 1997, this complex has 56 townhomes tucked between the Chicago River and the Ogden Slip.

It’s best known for having a land lease, where you own the structure, but not the land. However, the listing for this townhouse says there is NO land lease with this townhouse.

“The land is owned, no land lease associated with property.”

The prior 2020 listing for this townhouse said it is only one of 4 corner townhouses with Ogden Slip/water views in the complex.

The listing says it’s “newly renovated” and has water views from every level.

The townhouse has three exposures and is “extra wide.”

It has new white oak floors throughout.

The first floor has a two car garage and a bedroom and full bath along with a brick terrace that overlooks the Ogden Slip.

The second floor has 11 foot ceiling and the living/dining room and kitchen along with a powder room and 2 fireplaces.

The “renovated chef’s kitchen” has blue/gray(?) custom cabinets, Brazilian Quartzite counter tops and Wolf and Subzero appliances along with a Subzero wine refrigerator.

The third level has the other 2 bedrooms, with one bedroom being lost in the recent renovation to create a huge primary suite.

The primary suite has a new Porcelanosa primary bathroom with built-in sauna, matching vanities, custom floor and shower tile and a walk-in-closet with 9 foot custom glass wall.

The second bedroom is also on the third floor and it is en suite and the bath has Carrera floors and bath tile.

Along with the brick terrace on the first floor, there are two other outdoor spaces including a south facing balcony off the kitchen and a rooftop deck, which is described as “new” in the listing, with 360 degree views of the city.

It has central air.

Bought in August 2020 for $1.412 million, it has been completely renovated and was listed in May 2022 for $2 million.

Buyers love “new.”

With all the time people are spending at home now, is living on the Ogden Slip ideal city living?

Luke Reilly and K.C. Lau at @properties Christie’s have the listing. See the pictures, video and floor plan here.

Unit A: 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 3639 square feet, townhouse

• I couldn’t find an original sales price
• Sold in October 2007 for $294,000 (looks like the land sold)
• Sold in August 2020 for $1.412 million
• Originally listed in May 2022 for $2 million
• Still listed at $2 million
• Assessments of $556 a month (includes cable, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal, Internet)
• Taxes of $27,115
• Central Air
• 2-car attached garage
• 2 fireplaces
• Bedroom #1: 16×21 (third floor)
• Bedroom #2: 12×18 (third floor)
• Bedroom #3: 15×20 (lower level)
• Living room: 20×14 (second level)
• Dining room: 17×17 (second level)
• Kitchen: 9×20 (second level)
• Pantry: 6×5 (second level)
• Walk-in-closet: 12×9 (third level)
• Laundry: 5×8 (lower level)
• Terrace: 11×23 (lower level)
• Balcony: 5×18 (second level)
• Rooftop deck: 34×23 (fourth level)

This 2-bedroom duplex (or townhouse?) in Parkview at 505 N. Mcclurg Ct in Streeterville came on the market in May 2022.

Built in 2008, Parkview is a high rise tower which also has 6 “townhouses” along the base. It has 268 units and attached garage parking.

This is a full amenity building which has doorstaff, a clubhouse, exercise room and outdoor pool.

This unit is one of the 6 townhouses.

It has 18 foot ceilings and a wall of windows with a private terrace that overlooks Bennett Park.

The listing says there are new hardwood floors on the main level.

The unit has a “newly updated” white open kitchen with an island and stainless steel Kitchen Aid appliances.

There is a living room/dining room combo and a half bath on the main level along with the primary suite which has a walk-in-closet and a bathroom with dual vanities, a walk-in-shower and separate tub.

The second floor has the second bedroom, a walk-in-closet and a bath along with a terrace that overlooks the outdoor pool.

It has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and garage parking is $40,000 extra.

The listing says Parkview is a non-smoking building.

This unit is in the middle of all the shops and restaurants of Streeterville, Northwestern Memorial Hospital and is near the Target, Whole Foods and AMC River East movie theater.

Originally listed in the summer of 2021 at $980,000, it came back on the market in May 2022 at $849,000.

It has been reduced $50,000 to $799,000.

For those who want the privacy, and levels, of a townhouse, but all the amenities of a high rise, is this the perfect combination?

Michael Maier at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices has the listing. See the pictures here.

There’s no floor plan but you can see it for Unit #203, which sold in 2017. See it here.

Unit #204: 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 1770 square feet, duplex/townhouse

• Sold in July 2012 for $666,815 (according to Zillow)
• Originally listed in June 2021 for $980,000
• Removed in August 2021
• Listed in May 2022 for $849,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $799,000 (parking is $40,000 extra)
• Assessments of $1134 a month (includes a/c, gas, doorman, cable, clubhouse, exercise room, outdoor pool, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal, Internet)
• Taxes of $16,050
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 22×13 (main floor)
• Bedroom #2: 13×16 (second floor)
• Living/dining room: 20×16 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 12×6 (main floor)
• Laundry room: 4×5 (main floor)
• Terrace: 11×32 (main floor)
• Terrace: 9×29 (second floor)

This 2-bedroom in The Marlborough at 400 W. Deming Place in East Lincoln Park came on the market in April 2022.

The Marlborough Apartments were built in 1922-24 and have 106 units. The building has two address, 400 W. Deming and 2600 N. Lakeview.

According to Chicago Apartments: A Century of Lakefront Luxury, 400 W. Deming, which faces south, was built with “servantless” floor plans. The Lakeview section contained larger apartments and had setbacks that overlooked Lincoln Park.

There are several entrances to the building but it has door staff.  Originally, it also had a dining room and room service.

The listing says this unit has been “fully rehabbed” but it has some of its vintage features including high ceilings and crown moldings.

There are refinished oak hardwood floors throughout.

The “brand new” kitchen has been opened to the living room and has an island that seats 2. It also has custom white cabinets, porcelain tile floors, granite counter tops, a subway tile backsplash, an under-mount sink and stainless steel appliances.

There’s room for a separate dining room.

The unit has 2 large bedrooms and walk-in-closets.

The bathroom has also been “fully rehabbed” and has heated concrete tile floors, subway tile shower and a marble tile vanity.

The unit has a 4×5 storage in the basement.

The building has brand new windows and the listing says there is rental parking next door. It’s also a “cats only” building.

It doesn’t have central air or washer/dryer in the unit. There is coin laundry in the building.

This building sits across the street from Lincoln Park and is near the shops and restaurants on Clark.

Originally listed in April 2022 for $394,900, it went under contract but then fell out.

It has reduced $25,000 to $369,900.

Buyers love “new.”

Will the sellers get $369,900?

D. Waveland Kendt at @Properties Christie’s has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #8J: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, 1150 square feet

• Sold in August 1988 for $145,000
• Sold in February 1996 for $147,500
• Sold in June 1997 for $158,500
• Sold in July 2003 for $315,000
• Sold in June 2006 for $324,500
• Sold in June 2013 for $252,000
• Originally listed in April 2022 for $394,900
• Under contract
• Reduced
• Re-listed at $369,900
• Assessments of $898 a month (includes heat, gas, doorman, cable, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal, Internet)
• Taxes of $5476
• No central air
• No washer/dryer in the unit- coin laundry in the building
• No parking but rental next door for $240 a month
• Bedroom #1: 18×10
• Bedroom #2: 14×12
• Living room: 11×13
• Dining room: 6×11
• Kitchen: 12×14