Crib Chatter

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

This 3-bedroom penthouse in Harbor House at 3200 N. Lake Shore Drive in East Lakeview came on the market in June 2022.

Harbor House was built in 1967 and has 178 units and attached garage parking.

It’s a full amenity building with 24-hour door staff, an exercise room and pool.

If it looks familiar, that’s because we actually chattered about it in 2016 before it went through it’s big renovation. Many of you thought it could be cool if renovated so now’s your chance to see it.

See our 2016 chatter here.

This unit was updated after the 2016 sale but was also updated again by the current owner.

The chef’s kitchen has white cabinets and Miele and Subzero appliances. It used to have an island open to the rest of the space, but there is now a dining banquette. (See the prior listing pictures.)

The living room is still sunken, as it was in 2016, and there’s a library with built-in bookcases, all with views of the Lake.

The listing says all the bathrooms have been updated with “high quality” fixtures and the unit has custom doors.

The unit has a den/office which opens directly onto the 1000 square foot private south facing rooftop terrace which has been landscaped with 18 large irrigated planters with lighting, a fire pit, a dining area and a hidden lounge for reading or napping.

The terrace has a granite outdoor kitchen with built-in grill.

It has views east over the park and Belmont Harbor, west for sunsets and south for the skyline.

There’s also a few unique features with this unit including a private elevator that opens directly into the foyer and a massive 33×11 storage unit on the same level. See the prior listing for the floor plan.

It has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and 2 garage parking spaces, but I believe parking is rental in the building.

It has listed at $1.395 million.

Is this unit the Chicago penthouse dream?

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

Unit #2901: 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, no square footage listed, penthouse

• Sold in August 2002 for $1.025 million
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in April 2010
• Bank owned in May 2013
• Originally listed in May 2015 for $1.1 million
• Reduced several times
• Sold in August 2016 for $700,000
• Sold in April 2017 for $1.03 million
• Sold in August 2019 for $1.075 million
• Currently listed at $1.395 million
• Assessments are now $2486 a month (they were $1923 a month in 2016) (includes heat, a/c, gas, doorman, cable, exercise room, indoor pool, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal, Internet)
• Taxes are now $11,168 (they were $8906 in 2016)
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• 2 car garage parking which is valet and rental in the building
• Bedroom #1: 16×15
• Bedroom #2: 13×11
• Bedroom #3: 12×11
• Living room: 16×15
• Dining room: 15×11
• Kitchen: 13×13
• Study: 16×10
• Foyer: 10×7
• Storage: 33×11
• Terrace: 45×21

This 2-bedroom townhouse at 1353 W. George in West Lakeview came on the market in May 2022.

Built in 1949, this building has a brick base with a rooftop addition. It has 4 units and garage parking.

The listing calls this property “one of a kind.”

This unit has 12 foot ceilings on the main floor with an open concept living and dining room along with the kitchen and a half bath.

The listing says the kitchen has been “updated” and has white cabinets and stainless steel appliances along with a breakfast bar with seating for two.

Both bedrooms are on the second floor and both are en suite with “updated” bathrooms.

The primary suite has a walk-in-closet and a unique reading or office nook with 3 skylights.

Both bedrooms open to a 17×6 private terrace overlooking the tree-lined street.

The third floor has a private roof deck measuring 26×15. The listing says the decks were just re-done.

The unit has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the townhouse and garage parking is included. It also has large private storage.

This area of West Lakeview is just north of shops and restaurants on Diversey and a short stroll to those on Lincoln and Southport.

Originally listed in May 2022 for $649,000, it has been reduced $24,000 to $625,000.

Are the two big outdoor spaces the big selling point of this property post-pandemic?

Emily Smart Le Mire and Lydia Smart Fields at Compass have the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit B: 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, no square footage listed, townhouse

• Sold in June 1992 for $227,000
• Sold in September 2007 for $420,000
• Sold in June 2019 for $550,000
• Originally listed in May 2022 for $649,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $625,000
• Assessments of $167 a month (includes exterior maintenance)
• Taxes of $8160
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Wood burning fireplace
• Garage parking included
• Bedroom #1: 19×10 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 15×10 (second floor)
• Living room: 17×14 (main floor)
• Dining room: 17×14 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 13×9 (main floor)
• Laundry room: 8×9 (main floor)
• Storage 8×10 (main floor)
• Terrace: 17×6 (second floor)
• Rooftop deck: 26×15 (third floor)

This 1-bedroom duplex up at 2011 N. Kenmore in Lincoln Park came on the market in May 2022.

Built in 1893, this coach house is part of a 5-unit condominium association that includes the vintage building that fronts on Armitage.

This unit has no parking but there is a garage next to the coach house which is for the front part of the association.

This coach house is freestanding and the listing calls it an “urban chalet.”

It has wood ceilings and exposed brick walls.

The main floor includes the living and dining rooms, along with the kitchen, a half bath, washer/dryer and an office niche.

The kitchen has white cabinets, stone counter tops (a prior listing said was black limestone) and stainless steel appliances.

The unit comes with a working potbelly stove and an 84″ screen using the Optoma projector/home theater with Sonos sound system.

It has built-in bookcases and the listing says a “brand new” red oak staircase.

The bedroom is on the second level which has skylights, even in the full bath.

The listing says it has “newer” (within past 3 years) A/C, furnace and updated HVAC.

The unit has a Nest thermostat, smoke alarm and doorbell.

It has the features buyers look for including central air and washer/dryer in the unit. But it doesn’t have parking.

The unit also has outdoor space but it’s unclear how you access it from the pictures.

This unit is near the shops and restaurants on Armitage as well as the Brown line stop.

If it looks familiar that’s because we chattered about it numerous times in the 2010 to 2012 time period. One of those old listings said it “feels like Aspen.”

Many of today’s regulars chimed in when it finally sold in 2012.

Jenny: While this place has a lot of faults, I would still choose it over a similarly priced/sized condo. Not having to share a hallway is valuable.

jp3Chicago: Closed on Halloween. Seems appropriate as over time we will tell if it was a trick or treat!

Dan #2: Feels like Aspen? I’ll go along with that. And it looks like a place I’d love to rent for a one-week ski vacation (assuming it’s actually in Aspen, and is ski-in, ski-out). But to live in permanently? In an alley behind Armitage? Not for me.

anonny: Oh, yes, Aspen. I guess it is on the western slope of LP.

The 2012 buyer bought for $260,000 and sold in 2017 for $315,000 so buying in 2012 didn’t turn out too poorly even though many of the Chatterati were dubious. Over the years we chattered about it, many thought it should have sold under $200,000.

See our chatter here.

It sold again in 2020 for $325,000 and now, nearly 2 years later, is on the market again for $372,000.

Will this urban chalet condo sell at a new record high price in 2022?

Catherine Arslanian at @Properties Christies has the listing. See the pictures here (sorry, no floor plan).

Unit #A: 1 bedroom, 1.5 baths, 1106 square feet, duplex up

• Sold in June 2000 for $169,000
• Sold in July 2003 for $241,000
• Sold in May 2007 for $295,000
• Sold in October 2012 for $260,000
• Sold in August 2017 for $315,000
• Sold in October 2020 for $325,000
• Currently listed at $372,000
• Assessments are now $155 a month (they were $110 a month in 2012)
• Taxes are now $5406 (they were $3358 in 2012)
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• No parking
• Skylights
• Potbelly stove
• Bedroom: 15 x 13 (second floor)
• Living room: 14×16 (main floor)
• Dining room: 8×8 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 10×10 (main floor)
• Deck: 16×5 (main floor)

This 2-bedroom in Addison Station at 1811 W. Addison in the Roscoe Village neighborhood in North Center came on the market in April 2022.

Built in 2002, Addison Station has 24 units and assigned outdoor parking.

This unit has hardwood floors, except in the primary bedroom, crown molding and bay windows.

The kitchen has white cabinets, granite counter tops, a tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and a breakfast bar.

There’s a fireplace in the living/dining room.

The listing says the primary bedroom can fit a king bed. It has dual closets and an en suite bath with a jacuzzi tub, dual vanity and walk-in-shower.

The listing says the spare bedroom could be a home office.

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

It also has a private rear terrace.

This building is across from the Addison Brown Line stop (yes, that’s the El running next to the building) but is also near Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Target and the shops and restaurants of Roscoe Village, North Center and Lakeview.

Listed at $429,000, is this a better deal than renting?

Ryan McKane at Redfin has the listing. See the pictures here.

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

• Sold in May 2003 for $325,000
• Sold in September 2006 for $350,000
• Sold in March 2016 for $300,000
• Originally listed in April 2022 for $429,000
• Currently still listed at $429,000
• Assessments of $327 a month (includes exterior maintenance, security, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $7566
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Outdoor parking space included
• Fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 22×11
• Bedroom #2: 12×12
• Living/dining room: 24×19
• Kitchen: 14×9
• Terrace