Crib Chatter

It’s time for some fun in the sun, although with summer weather in Chicago, who needs to leave?

But it’s time to sit on the beach. This is a good time to get away as Chicago’s real estate market is very tight this spring. Inventory remains near record lows. There’s not a lot of cool properties that stay on the market for very long.

The next couple of months should be interesting.

Additionally, there are some new developments that I will be covering this summer. Buyers love “new.” Are they still jumping in even with 5.3% mortgage rates?

I’ll see you next week.

Sabrina

This 3-bedroom penthouse in LP2550 at 2550 N. Lakeview in Lincoln Park came on the market in August 2020.

It had also been listed in 2019 but I’m choosing to show listing histories that are post the start of the pandemic as the real estate market really was pre-pandemic v post-pandemic.

Built in 2011, LP2550 was the first new high rise constructed on Lincoln Park  in decades. It has 201 units and attached parking.

From the listing:

LP2550 is staffed with the best of the best and offers valet parking, in-house dry cleaning, an oversized swimming pool and sauna, steam rooms, a whirlpool, yoga room and sun deck. Other amenities include a state-of-the-art fitness center, movie theater, game room, club room and library. The building also has a private and lushly landscaped 1.25-acre park with a designated lounge area and dog run.

This unit is one of 2 penthouses. The listing said it was raw space when purchased and custom built.

It has 12 foot ceilings, arched windows and doors along with oversized white oak flooring.

There is custom steel shelving and a fireplace.

The kitchen has modern wood cabinets, Bertazzoni, Subzero and Bosch appliances along with a kitchen island with a porcelain marble slab.

The bathrooms also have porcelain marble slabs.

All 3 bathrooms are en suite.

There’s an office and a workroom with built in cabinetry.

The unit also has a family room.

It has all the features buyers look for including central air, a laundry room with in-unit washer/dryer and 4 deeded parking spaces are included.

According to the listing, the HVAC is a Daikin Hydronic 10-zone system that allows any room to be heated or cooled independently.

It also comes with a large bike or storage unit.

There’s a 13×6 covered terrace off the kitchen and 4 small balconies.

Listed at $6.75 million, this penthouse was under contract earlier in 2022 but has come back on the market.

Is this the ultimate in Lincoln Park city living?

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

Unit #S3802: 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 4250 square feet, penthouse

• Sold in December 2015 for $2.35 million (per Zillow)- raw space
• Originally listed in August 2020 for $6.75 million
• Under contract in February 2022 
• Currently listed at $6.75 million
• Assessments of $5002 a month (includes gas, doorman, cable, clubhouse, exercise room, pool, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $89,575
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• 4 deeded parking spaces included
• Bike/storage unit included
• Fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 24×15
• Bedroom #2: 17×14
• Bedroom #3: 16×13
• Living/dining room: 32×26
• Kitchen: 17×17
• Family room: 17×15
• Gallery: 23×7
• Work room: 20×9
• Laundry: 9×8
• Terrace: 13×6
• 4 balconies

This vintage 3-bedroom at 725 W. Sheridan in Lakeview came on the market in April 2022.

Built in 1927, 725 W. Sheridan is a courtyard elevator building with 52 units and outdoor parking behind the building.

The building has a laundry room but many units has washer/dryers.

This unit has a wall of windows which face the courtyard and white oak floors with walnut stain.

The kitchen is open to the living/dining room and has dark wood Omega soft close cabinets, and what looks like blue granite counter tops (per the prior listing) and a white kitchen island with white quartz countertops, a breakfast bar, stainless steel appliances, a pantry and a kitchen bar with wine fridge.

There appears to be a built in banquette in the dining room.

The primary suite has a walk-in-closet and a marble en suite bath with a large shower.

The unit has the features buyers look for including a laundry room in the unit with a utility sink and cabinets, “new” space pak cooling and 2 outdoor parking spaces are included.

There’s no outdoor space with this unit but it’s just a block to the lake front.

Listed at $550,000, is this a deal for a 3-bedroom unit in this popular neighborhood?

Austin Weiss at Keller Williams Infinity has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #607: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1650 square feet

• Sold in November 1998 for $165,000
• Sold in January 2005 for $380,000
• Sold in June 2006 for $345,000
• Sold in May 2017 for $436,000
• Listed in April 2022 for $550,000
• Currently still listed at $550,000
• Assessments of $618 a month (includes heat, gas, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $6970
• Space pak cooling
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• 2 car outdoor parking included
• Bedroom #1: 18×18
• Bedroom #2: 17×17
• Bedroom #3: 16×10
• Living/dining room: 26×14
• Kitchen: 18×12
• Foyer: 11×10
• Laundry: 7×6

This 3-bedroom duplex penthouse in 201 E. Chestnut in Streeterville came on the market in May 2022.

Built in 1969, 201 E. Chestnut has 120 units and attached, leased valet parking.

It has an indoor pool, exercise room and doorstaff.

We’ve chattered about other of these unique duplex penthouses in the past, but they were 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom units.

This 3-bedroom is 2300 square feet on 2 levels.

One of the bedrooms is on the main floor, along with the living/dining rooms, kitchen and a full bath.

Check out that staircase.

The second level has the primary suite with a walk-in-closet and spa bath with steam shower, whirlpool and double vanity.

The kitchen has white cabinets, what looks like stone counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

This unit has the features that buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and valet parking is available.

It also has a large private balcony with room for a dining table.

Listed at $889,000, is this a townhouse alternative?

Sophia Worden at BerkshireHathaway HomeServices has the listing. See the pictures here (sorry no floor plan).

Unit #24A: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2300 square feet, duplex penthouse

• Sold in August 2007 for $717,500
• Sold in June 2013 for $775,000
• Currently listed at $889,000
• Assessments of $2050 a month (includes cable, exercise room, indoor pool, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $16,531
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Valet parking available
• Bedroom #1: 23×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 25×12 (main floor)
• Bedroom #3: 12×17 (second floor)
• Living room: 27×21 (main floor)
• Dining room: 11×13 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 11×9 (main floor)
• Balcony: 27×8

This 3-bedroom in Millennium Centre at 33 W. Ontario in River North came on the market in March 2022.

Built in 2003, Millennium Centre has 363 units and an attached parking garage.

It’s a full amenity building with doorstaff, a clubhouse, exercise room, and outdoor pool.

This unit is on the 57th floor and the listing says it has “postcard” skyline and lake views from what appears to be 3 exposures.

It has a large entry foyer which opens into the living room with custom millwork and boxed ceiling along with heated marble floors.

The chef’s kitchen has what looks like gray cabinets with Wolf and Subzero appliances along with marble counter tops and a breakfast bar with seating for 3. It also has a pantry.

There’s a separate dining room which is open to the kitchen and has two walls of windows.

The unit has “spa-caliber” stone baths including the primary suite which has a double vanity, steam shower with body sprays, heated floors and a soaking jet tub with city views.

The primary suite also has 2 walk-in-closets.

This unit also has a family room and two other bedrooms.

There’s no outdoor space with the unit.

It has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and 2 attached garage spaces are included.

Listed in March 2022 for $1.9 million, it has been reduced $100,000 to $1.8 million.

In the recent Jennifer Lopez/Owen Wilson movie “Marry Me”, JLo’s character lives in a New York City penthouse. There’s a scene at night where she is in the tub with the city lights twinkling out the window below. (Sorry, I couldn’t find a picture of this scene to link to it.)

Is this primary suite tub a similar vibe?

Is this the perfect unit for those who want “views”?

Mario Greco and Olga Shtern at BerkshireHathaway HomeServices has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #57AB: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 3400 square feet

• I couldn’t find an original sales price
• Sold in September 2013 for $1.35 million
• Originally listed in March 2022 for $1.9 million
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $1.8 million
• Assessments of $2952 a month (includes heat, a/c, gas, doorman, cable, clubhouse, exercise room, pool, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal, Internet)
• Taxes of $33,185
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• 2 garage spaces included
• Bedroom #1: 18×21
• Bedroom #2: 13×16
• Bedroom #3: 12×12
• Living room: 17×30
• Dining room: 14×21
• Kitchen: 13×23
• Family room: 16×22
• Laundry: 5×5

This 2-bedroom in Maple Tower at 1035 N. Dearborn in the Gold Coast came on the market in March 2022.

Built in 2006, Maple Tower is a boutique high-rise with just 27 units and attached garage parking.

It has doorstaff and an exercise room.

This unit is a half-floor residence with rare 3 exposures and 10 foot ceilings.

It has a foyer, RH window treatments, and hardwood floors.

The kitchen has white cabinets with crown molding, a custom tile backsplash, Caesarstone countertops, Subzero and Wolf appliances and a Culinary hood.

There’s a gas fireplace in the living room.

The primary suite has a walk-in-closet, a spa-like bath with Italian granite heated floors, all Kohler fixtures, a floating dual vanity a separate shower and tub and blue tooth surround.

The second bath has Italian granite and subway tile shower.

The unit has the features buyers look for including central air, garage parking included and a laundry room with cabinets and its own sink.

It has outdoor space in a 18×7 covered balcony off the dining room.

This building is near all the shops and restaurants of the Gold Coast.

Most of the 2 bedroom condos we chatter about are 1100 to 1400 square feet but this one is 2000 square feet.

Is this a great city home for entertaining?

Chris Bauer and Patrick Natale at Compass has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #6E: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2000 square feet

• Sold in January 2006 for $950,000
• Sold in March 2015 for $972,500
• Originally listed in March 2022 for $999,000
• Still listed at $999,000 (garage parking included)
• Assessments of $1,612 a month (includes air conditioning, gas, doorman, cable, exercise room, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $18,271
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Gas fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 21×12
• Bedroom #2: 14×9
• Living room: 21×16
• Dining room: 17×10
• Kitchen: 16×10
• Laundry room: 8×5
• Foyer: 10×9
• Walk-in-closet: 13×5
• Balcony: 18×7

This 3-bedroom duplex up in the Seminary Flatiron building at 1920 N. Seminary in Lincoln Park came on the market in April 2022.

If it looks familiar, that’s because we have chattered about it several times over the years, the last time being in 2016.

Jenny was most correct on the pricing last time. Listed at $599,000, she commented: “I think this place will go for close to asking.”

It sold for $600,000.

See our chatter here.

Built in 1883, the Seminary Flatirons is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has 8 units and an attached garage.

It has hardwood floors on the main level and exposed brick.

This unit has an open living and dining room, along with the kitchen and a full bath, on the first floor.

The kitchen has white cabinets with marble countertops, a peninsula with seating and stainless steel appliances including a 5-burner gas stove.

All three bedrooms are on the second floor and have custom closet organizers.

The primary bedroom has vintage decorative moldings and a bay window.

The third bedroom has a unique loft space accessed by a ladder.

The listing says the second floor bathroom has recently been renovated with a new walk-in-shower.

There is a new rooftop deck which is large enough to fit a seating and dining area and has city views.

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

The listing says this building is just 1/4 mile from the Armitage brown line stop and is near the shops and restaurants of Clybourn. Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and Aldi are nearby.

Listed at $675,000, is this a deal for 3-bedrooms with parking in Lincoln Park?

Lyn Harvie at Baird & Warner has the listing. See the pictures here.

Or see it at the Open House on Saturday May 7, from 10 am to 12 pm.

Unit #A: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1600 square feet (was 1550 square feet in 2009), duplex up

• Sold in March 1993 for $236,000
• Sold in February 2001 for $385,000
• Sold in June 2014 for $524,000
• Sold in August 2016 for $600,000 
• Listed in April 2022 for $675,000 (includes garage parking)
• Assessments are now $428 a month (they were $343 a month in 2016 and $312 a month in 2009) includes exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger
• Taxes are now $11,613 (they were $9148 in 2016 and $5767 in 2009)
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 18×15 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 14×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 11×10 (second floor)
• Living/dining room: 20×17
• Kitchen: 10×12
• Laundry room: 12×7 (third floor)
• Rooftop deck (2016’s listing said it was 21×13)

This 4-bedroom in 840 N. Lake Shore Drive in Streeterville came on the market in February 2022.

Built in 2004 by star architect Lucien Lagrange, 840 N. Lake Shore Drive has 66 units and an attached parking garage.

It has 24-hour door staff, an exercise room, wine storage and on-site management.

The listing says it’s been renovated and calls it, at 3900 square feet, a “single-family condo.”

The living and entertainment space wraps around the kitchen, which has white cabinets, a full slab marble backsplash, a marble topped island, Wolf, Subzero and Miele appliances and a walk-in-pantry.

There’s a family room with built-ins and a WFH study.

The bedrooms are in two separate wings of the apartment, with the primary suite in the east wing. It has a walk-in-closet and a “spa-like” primary bathroom with a dual Robern interior lit vanity, floor-to-ceiling marble tile and a soaking tub.

The other 3 bedrooms are in the other wing and have en suite bathrooms. The third bedroom has a Murphy bed and the listing says it could be used as a den.

It has a “designer laundry room” with a full size washer/dryer and a mudroom.

The listing says the home is wired for Sonos throughout via “discreet” ceiling speakers.

The unit has an outdoor terrace that overlooks Lake Shore Park and Lake Michigan.

2 parking space, either self-park or valet, are available.

Originally listed in February 2022 for $2.95 million, it has been reduced to $2.795 million.

Is this condo really a single family home alternative for those who want to live downtown?

Timothy Salm at Jameson Sotheby’s has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #303: 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths. 3900 square feet

• Sold in October 2009 for $2.175 million
• Originally listed in February 2022 for $2.95 million
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $2.795 million
• Assessments of $3142 a month (includes doorman, exterior maintenance, snow removal, exercise room, scavenger)
• Taxes of $20,380
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• 2 parking spaces, either self-park or valet, are available (extra or included in price?)
• Fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 16×14
• Bedroom #2: 14×21
• Bedroom #3: 13×12
• Bedroom #4: 13×12
• Living/dining room combo: 41×17
• Kitchen: 16×15
• Library: 14×12
• Family room: 16×15
• Foyer: 13×6
• Laundry: 6×5
• Storage: 4×6
• Balcony: 15×5

This top floor 4-bedroom at 5052 S. Woodlawn in Kenwood came on the market in December 2021.

Built in 1910, 5052 S. Woodlawn has 12 units. I found one former listing that said there were 3 parking spaces with the building available on a first come, first served basis.

The listing for this unit says it has been “completely remodeled.”

There are hardwood floors throughout, custom millwork, including a beamed ceiling, internal window, wainscotting and crown molding in the living and dining rooms and 9.5 foot ceilings.

It has the big vintage layout common in that era with a foyer and a sunroom.

The kitchen has white cabinets and subway tile along with Viking appliances.

The listing says the unit has Mitsubishi electric air conditioners, washer/dryer in the unit but no parking.

The primary bedroom is en suite with the bathroom having both a separate tub and walk-in-shower.

This building is across the street from popular Madison Park and within walking distance of University of Chicago and Whole Foods.

Listed in December 2021 at $685,000, it has been reduced $20,100 to $664,900.

At 3600 square feet, is this a townhouse or single family home alternative?

Tom Pavljasevic at Coldwell Banker has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #3B: 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 3600 square feet

• Sold in October 1986 for $85,000 (per Redfin)
• Sold in September 2015 for $160,000
• Originally listed in December 2021 for $685,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $664,900
• Assessments of $839 a month (includes heat, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $4639
• Central Air
• Laundry room
• Fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 17×15
• Bedroom #2: 18×15
• Bedroom #3: 13×13
• Bedroom #4: 14×13
• Living room: 24×19
• Dining room: 24×15
• Kitchen: 29×11
• Laundry room: 13×11
• Sunroom: 10×7
• Foyer: 14×10
• Office: 10×8

This 4-bedroom condo at 1625 N. Burling in Lincoln Park came on the market in April 2022.

Built in 2017, 1625 N. Burling has 13 units, an elevator and an attached heated garage.

This unit is on the first floor and has a completely built-out and landscaped terrace which the listing says was designed by Groundwork Design.

It has multiple levels of stone and teak terraces with numerous seating and entertaining options, along with a resistance pool, a custom pergola with limestone fireplace, built-in planters with irrigation and an outdoor kitchen.

3 of the 4 bedrooms have access to the terrace.

The primary suite is in its own, separated wing, has terrace access and has motorized window treatments, a custom walk-in-closet, a “resort-caliber” bathroom with separate soaking tub, an oversized shower, heated flooring, and a double vanity.

The other 3 bedrooms are in the other wing of the unit and 2 have terrace access.

The kitchen is “commercial grade” with “sleek” Zecchinon cabinetry, Wolf double ovens, a Subzero refrigerator, quartz countertops with waterfall edge, and a walk-in pantry with wine fridge.

There’s a wet bar in the living room and the dining room has a built-in banquette.

The unit has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and 2 heated parking spaces which are included.

It’s in the Oscar Meyer school district.

Listed at $2.795 million, is this the most amazing condo terrace ever featured on Crib Chatter?

Jeff Lowe at Compass has the listing. See the pictures here (sorry no floor plan).

Unit #104: 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, no square footage listed

• I couldn’t find an original sales price
• Currently listed at $2.795 million
• Assessments of $1290 a month (includes exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger and snow removal)
• Taxes of $43,013
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Gas fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 21×20
• Bedroom #2: 12×11
• Bedroom #3: 13×12
• Bedroom #4: 15×14
• Living room: 27×17
• Dining room: 23×16
• Kitchen: 18×14
• Laundry room: 8×5
• Walk-in-closet: 12×7
• Office: 6×5
• Foyer: 19×5
• Terrace