Crib Chatter

This 3-bedroom row house at 3637 S. Prairie in the Douglas neighborhood of Bronzeville came on the market in September 2021.

I don’t have a picture and by the time I get one, it will probably be under contract.

Built in 1885, it’s on a standard 25×125 Chicago lot but it doesn’t have a garage or parking.

This row house was bank owned in 2013 and sold in 2015.

The listing says it has been “lovingly restored to its former glory.”

It has new plumbing, electrical, HVAC, roof, skylights and heated bathroom floors.

But it still has many of its vintage features, including Old European original millwork, 4 fireplaces including 3 on the main floor, and a wood staircase with what looks like original carvings.

It has 11 foot high ceilings.

The row house has a new kitchen with white cabinets, a kitchen island with a butcher block counter top and stainless steel appliances.

It has two and a half new bathrooms.

One has a walk-in-shower and a second full bath has a vintage claw foot tub.

All three bedrooms are on the second floor.

The primary bedroom has a fireplace.

There are walk-in-closets.

It has an unfinished basement with storage and laundry.

The backyard has a “fully designed” 38×17 brick patio with lush landscaping.

The row house has central air.

According to Crain’s, Bronzeville is one of the hottest neighborhoods for new construction.

Listed at $524,900, is this a deal for a restored vintage row house?

Linda Ross at Baird & Warner has the listing. See the pictures here.

Or see it in person at the Open House on Saturday, September 18 at 10 AM to 12 PM.

3637 S. Prairie: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 1848 square feet, row house

• Bank owned in October 2013
• Sold in March 2015 for $105,000
• Currently listed at $524,900
• Taxes of $3789
• Central Air
• No parking
• 4 fireplaces
• Bedroom #1: 16×15 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 10×9 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 12×10 (second floor)
• Family room: 18×13 (main floor)
• Foyer: 16×4 (main floor)
• Living room: 17×11 (main floor)
• Dining room: 15×13 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 20×13 (main floor)

This 3-bedroom townhouse at 623 W. Drummond in East Lincoln Park came on the market in September 2021.

Built in 1989, this complex has 14 units with attached 1-car garages.

It looks to be fee simple, which means it doesn’t have any assessments.

The listing says this unit has been “newly renovated.”

The first floor has a 1-car garage, a living room and one of the three bedrooms.

The second floor has a “chef’s kitchen” with granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances and a breakfast bar along with a living room with vaulted ceilings.

The primary bedroom is also on the second level and is en suite with his and her showers.

The third bedroom is on the top floor and has a private balcony.

It has central air and skylights.

This townhouse is near shops and restaurants on Clark and Diversey as well as the Landmark movie theater in Lakeview.

The listing says “AirBnb allowed” and “investors welcome.”

Listed at $579,000, would this townhouse make sense as a short-term vacation rental?

Matt Laricy at Americorp has the listing. See the pictures, floor plan and video tour here.

Unit #7: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2200 square feet, townhouse

• Sold in November 1992 for $220,000
• Sold in January 1996 for $250,000
• Sold in January 1999 for $306,500
• Currently listed at $579,000
• No assessments
• Taxes of $8939
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the townhouse
• 1 car attached garage
• Bedroom #1: 17×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 17×13 (third floor)
• Bedroom #3: 12×13 (main floor)
• Living room: 18×13 (second floor)
• Kitchen: 8×15 (second floor)
• Family room: 24×13 (main floor)

This 3-bedroom townhouse in Wolcott Row at 1801 W. Diversey in Lincoln Park came on the market in August 2021.

Built in 1996, Wolcott Row is a gated complex with 36 townhouses.

This is an end unit with windows on three sides.

It has refinished hardwood floors on the first and second floors.

There’s a wood burning fireplace in the living room.

The kitchen has white cabinets, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances including a double oven.

All three bedrooms are on the second floor along with 2 full baths.

The third floor has a fully enclosed family room or office with skylights.

The townhouse has a front patio and a private deck on the second floor.

It also has an attached 2-car garage and a rare third assigned parking space on an adjacent parking pad (see the pictures).

The listing says the schools are Prescott and Lincoln Park High School.

Listed at $550,000, are the 3 parking spaces the key to selling this property?

Edyta Schell at d’aprile properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #8: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2010 square feet, townhouse

• Sold in April 2006 for $448,000
• Sold in May 2018 for $525,000
• Originally listed in August 2021 for $550,000
• Currently still listed at $550,000
• Assessments of $384 a month (includes exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavengers, snow removal)
• Taxes of $8891
• Central Air (except in that loft room which appears to have a window unit)
• Wood burning fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 16×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 15×9 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 13×10 (second floor)
• Family room/office: 15×12 (third floor)
• Living room: 15×14 (main floor)
• Dining room: 11×11 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 15×13 (main floor)
• Front terrace: 15×14 (main floor)
• Deck: 18×10 (second floor)

This 1-bedroom at 2000 N. Lincoln Park West in East Lincoln Park came on the market in September 2021.

Built in 1931 by William Wrigley Jr, this building has 195 units.

It was originally apartments until it was converted to condos during the housing boom in 2004-2005.

The building has full time door and maintenance staff, a roof top deck, exercise room, bike storage and a laundry room.

There’s no parking.

The listing for this east facing unit, says it has been “completely custom rehabbed to perfection in 2019.”

Yet it still has some of its vintage features  including crown molding and wood parquet floors throughout.

The kitchen has white cabinets with a Subzero refrigerator, Bosch dishwasher, Jenn-Air stove/oven with quartzite counter tops and backsplash.

The quartzite waterfall island seats three and a Marvel beverage cooler and storage.

There’s a sliding door to a full utility room and pantry with a side-by-side Bosch washer/dryer and California Closets storage.

There are electronic window shades in the dining room along with a quartzite topped custom dry bar.

The bedroom has a walk-in-closet built out with California Closets.

The bathroom has a walk-in porcelain shower with marble tile flooring and Kohler fixtures.

There’s no central air but it has an installed split A/C system in the bedroom.

This building is directly across from Lincoln Park and this unit has lake views.

The listing says you can get room service from RJGrunts and Starbucks.

You are also steps away from several bus lines.

Is this a dream apartment for vintage lovers?

Brenda Mauldin at Baird & Warner has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #1108: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 950 square feet

• Sold in December 2004 for $401,000
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in September 2009
• Sold in July 2010 for $190,000
• Sold in June 2018 for $280,000
• Currently listed at $400,000
• Assessments of $798 a month (includes heat, gas, doorman, cable, Internet, exercise room, exterior maintenance, scavenger and snow removal)
• Taxes of $5594
• No central air- but split a/c system
• Side-by-side washer/dryer in the unit
• No parking
• Bedroom: 17×11
• Foyer: 11×5
• Living room: 24×14
• Dining room: 10×8
• Kitchen: 13×10
• Laundry room: 7×7

This corner 2-bedroom in SkyTech Lofts at 6 S. Laflin in the West Loop came on the market in August 2021.

6 S. Laflin was built in 2003 and has 150 units and attached parking garage.

It’s a doorman building and has a rooftop deck but no other amenities.

This loft is a northeast corner with views of the downtown skyline from a wall of windows.

It doesn’t have authentic loft features but does have the open floor plan with the kitchen/living and dining rooms as well as exposed duct work.

The listing says it was “remodeled to perfection.”

It has a “custom chef’s kitchen” with white cabinets, gold finishes and stainless steel appliances.

It has what appears to be stone counter tops and a kitchen island that seats four.

It’s a split floor plan with both bedrooms having windows.

There’s also a small den that you walk through to access the second bedroom.

The primary suite has a walk-in-closet and en suite bathroom.

There’s a 8×6 laundry room.

It has the features that buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and rare 2-car garage parking is included.

The loft has a balcony off the living room with views east of downtown Chicago.

Listed in August 2021 at $699,000, it has been reduced $49,000 to $650,000.

The western edge of the West Loop used to be the more affordable part of the neighborhood.

Is it now a mature market?

Ginny Leamy and Ganapati Raman at Compass have the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

You can also see it in person at the Open House on Saturday, Sep 11, from 12 to 2 PM.

Unit #506: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, den, 1900 square feet

• Sold March 2003 for $473,000
• Sold in March 2018 for $550,000
• Originally listed in August 2021 for $699,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $650,000 (includes 2 parking spaces)
• Assessments of $861 a month (includes doorman, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scaveneger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $9947
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 15×15
• Bedroom #2: 14×12
• Den: 8×6
• Laundry room: 8×6
• Foyer: 6×8
• Living room: 21×18
• Dining room: 13×11
• Kitchen: 12×10

This 2-bedroom triplex at 29 W. Chestnut in the Gold Coast came on the market in September 2021. (Sorry about the bad photo.)

Built in 1889, this building has 5 units and one street facing garage space.

This unit is accessed through the central courtyard and has its own private entrance.

The kitchen, dining room and a half bath are on the first floor.

The listing says the kitchen was “remodeled” but the 2011 listing also said it was “remodeled” and the pictures look similar.

It has wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances and soapstone counter tops with an island that seats 3.

The second floor is the living room which has built-in bookcases and a fireplace.

The third floor has both bedrooms and the full bathroom.

There are skylights throughout.

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

Parking is available to rent in the building next door.

The pictures show an outdoor courtyard area. The listing doesn’t say if that’s a private space for this unit, or if it’s shared.

This building is located on a tree line street near shops, restaurants and public transportation.

Historic Washington Square Park is a block away.

We actually chattered about this property in the 2008-2011 time period.

Back during the housing bust, it was called a “carriage townhouse.”

The chatterati got it correct on the price though.

Originally listed at $650,000 in June 2010, it had reduced to $499,000. Many thought it would sell for around $400,000.

See our 2010 chatter here.

It’s 10 years later and the housing market has recovered from the bust.

Listed at $549,900, will it sell fast this go around?

Richard Aronson at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #3: 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, 1800 square feet, triplex

• Sold in April 1989 for $225,000
• Sold in October 1997 for $276,500
• Sold in September 2002 for $450,000
• Sold in July 2011 for $387,500
• Currently listed at $549,900
• Assessments of $125 a month (includes exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $8569 (they were $5908 in December 2010)
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• No parking- but garage parking is available to rent in the building next door
• Fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 14×12 (third floor)
• Bedroom #2: 12×10 (third floor)
• Living room: 17×35 (second floor)
• Dining room: 12×12 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 13×12 (main floor)

This 3-bedroom single family home at 5306 N. Normandy in Norwood Park came on the market in September 2021.

I don’t have a picture of it, but given how quickly single family homes have been selling, I still wanted to crib about it.

Built in 1926, I can’t tell what the housing style is supposed to be.

It appears to be on a lot that is larger than the standard Chicago lot as it has a side driveway that leads to a 2-car garage behind the house, which apparently can also be accessed via the alley.

The listing says it has “vintage charm.”

The front of the house has a unique great room with 14 foot beamed vaulted ceilings with hand painted art detail on the walls and French doors that lead to a balcony overlooking the front yard.

There are two back-to-back wood burning fireplaces, one in the great room and one in the living room.

The dining room has crown moldings, wainscoting and wall moldings.

All three bedrooms are on the second floor.

The house doesn’t have central air. It has window cooling units.

There is an unfinished basement which has a laundry room.

The new Lexington Park townhouses in Norwood Park on Talcott, that are going to be listed for $600,000 to $800,000, are north of I-90 whereas this house is south of I-90.

Listed at $315,000, is this a deal?

Acimina Bachas and Brian Gamboa at Duarte Realty have the listing. See the pictures here.

5306 N. Normandy: 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, 1620 square feet

• Sold in December 2002 for $135,000
• Currently listed at $315,000
• Taxes of $5757
• No central air- window units
• 2 wood burning fireplaces
• 2-car garage
• Bedroom #1: 13×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 11×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 8×12 (second floor)
• Living room: 15×12 (main floor)
• Great room: 15×20 (main floor)
• Dining room: 15×12 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 10×17 (main floor)
• Basement: 25×24 (lower level)

This 2-bedroom in 1150 N. Lake Shore Drive in the Gold Coast came on the market in April 2021.

1150 N. Lake Shore Drive was built in 1957 and has a unique curved facade.

It has 246 units and an attached garage with valet parking.

The building has door staff, an exercise room, and a rooftop deck.

Pets are allowed.

According to the listing, this unit is “recently renovated.”

It has lake and city views.

It has hardwood floors throughout and an electric fireplace in the living room.

The kitchen has custom white cabinets, stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops.

The primary suite has a walk-in-closet and an en suite marble bathroom with a walk-in shower.

The second bedroom also has a walk-in-closet.

It has a Bosch washer/dryer in the unit and wall unit air conditioning.

The unit has radiant heat.

The listing says the HOA includes all utilities, including electricity.

Listed at $460,000 in April 2021, it has been reduced $10,000 to $450,000.

The unit last sold in 2017 for $450,000.

Is this a deal?

Ryan Hardy at Gold Coast Realty has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #9H: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1410 square feet

• Sold in April 2002 for $290,000
• Sold in June 2013 for $257,000
• Sold in July 2017 for $450,000
• Originally listed in April 2021 for $460,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $450,000
• Assessments of $1263 a month (includes heat, a/c, electricity, doorman, cable, exercise room, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $6117
• Wall unit a/c
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Radiant heat
• Valet parking available
• Pets allowed
• Electric fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 19×15
• Bedroom #2: 17×11
• Living/dining room: 16×23
• Kitchen: 10×8
• Laundry room: 3×4

This 1-bedroom in The Carlyle at 1040 N. Lake Shore Drive in the Gold Coast came on the market in June 2020.

The Carlyle was built in 1964 and has 128 units.

It’s a full service building overlooking the Lake with doormen, an exercise room and an indoor rooftop pool.

It has valet garage parking and parking for guests.

We’ve chattered about this building in the past.

It has a luxury pedigree with famous homeowners.

The following is information from one of the chatterati in our 2017 chatter:

This building has:

1. Huge reserves
2. Protected amazing city and lake views
3. Three doorman on duty
4. Elegant Large Lobby
5. Valet Parking and a private driveway
6. A proper ballroom and professional kitchen (Both are finished being remodeled now)
7. No renters
8. Full gym
9. A package receiving room (packages are brought into your unit at your convenience)
10. Separate entrances and elevators for Tradesman

Currently there are 7 units on the market including this large 1-bedroom.

The listing says it’s the highest floor B unit in the building.

It has custom wood and marble floors along with moldings.

There’s a wall of built-ins in the living room along with a fireplace.

The listing says this building has the largest high rise balconies in the city.

This unit has a 6×33 balcony that overlooks Oak Street Beach and East Lake Shore Drive and a second, smaller balcony off the west side of the building, measuring 4×16.

The kitchen has white cabinets and stainless and black appliances.

It’s a unique 1-bedroom unit in that it has 2 full bathrooms as well as a half bath.

This unit has the features most buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and 1-car valet parking is included in the assessment.  A second parking spot is $245 a month.

Originally listed in June 2020 for $1.225 million, it has been reduced to $799,900.

That is $10,100 under the 2003 sales price of $810,000.

The listing says “Seller says sell.”

It’s the cheapest unit on the market in the building.

Is this a deal?

Pamela Miles and Michael Maier at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices have the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #34B: 1 bedroom, 2.5 baths, 2300 square feet

• Sold in December 2003 for $810,000
• Sold in July 2015 for $607,000
• Originally listed in June 2020 for $1.225 million
• Reduced numerous times
• Currently listed at $799,900
• Being sold “as-is.”
• Assessments of $2007 a month (includes doorman, cable, indoor pool, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Assessment includes one parking space. Second space available for $245 a month
• Taxes of $20,299
• Guest parking available
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Fireplace
• Bedroom: 20×15
• Living room: 18×26
• Dining room: 13×15
• Kitchen: 21×17
• WIC: 8×14
• Foyer: 8×5
• Balcony: 6×33
• Balcony: 4×16

This 3 bedroom in 990 N. Lake Shore Drive in the Gold Coast originally came on the market in September 2015, and has been on, and off, the market since.

Built in 1973, 990 N. Lake Shore Drive has 145 units and an attached heated garage.

It’s a full amenity building with 24 hour door staff, an outdoor rooftop pool and large sundeck, a new penthouse party room, a fitness room, and on-site maintenance.

It has direct lake views.

This unit is 2 combined units with 3500 square feet.

It has many unique, custom features including a Biltmore-inspired entry, crown and wall moldings, and 26 closets.

The unit has Aniline dyed ash wood floors and a separate full wet bar.

The dining room is an oval with built-in cabinetry.

The kitchen has wood cabinets, granite counter tops with a fulper tiled backsplash and trompe l’oeil hand painted island which overlooks a great room with a wood beamed ceiling and casual dining area which has lake views.

The unit has an office with ebonized mahogany floors and built-ins.

The primary suite has his and her baths that has onyx and marble floors and a floating shower.

It also has a complete sound proof dressing room.

The unit has features buyers looking for including electric heat, central air, washer/dryer in the unit and unlimited garage parking.

It also has direct views of the Lake, Oak Street Beach, Navy Pier and the city skyline.

Originally listed in September 2015 for $2.8 million, it has now been reduced to $1.499 million.

If you love lake views, is this building where you want to be?

Stacey Grossman and Jamie Ficco at Jameson Sotheby’s has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #29DE: 3 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, 3500 square feet, 2 combined units

• Sold in March 1990 for $2.05 million
• Sold in June 1992 for $800,000
• Originally listed in September 2015 for $2.8 million
• Reduced
• On and off the market
• Currently listed at $1.499 million
• Assessments of $3079 a month (includes doorman, cable, exercise room, pool, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $21,091
• Central Air
• Electric heat
• Unlimited garage parking
• Bedroom #1: 20×13
• Bedroom #2: 14×11
• Bedroom #3: 14×12
• Living room: 30×18
• Kitchen: 16×14
• Dining room: 17×12
• Family room: 24×15
• Office: 14×10
• Sitting room: 9×9