Crib Chatter

This 2-bedroom on the 37th floor in The Buckingham at 360 E. Randolph in Lakeshore East came on the market in August 2020.

Built in 1982, The Buckingham has 302 units and garage parking.

It’s a full amenity building with a doorman, exercise room, and heated, indoor swimming pool.

No pets are allowed in the building.

This unit is one of the coveted south facing units which overlooks Millennium and Grant Parks, Buckingham Fountain, the Lake, the Museum Campus and the Michigan Avenue “wall” skyline.

The listing says this unit has been “completely renovated in high end finishes.”

It has crown molding.

It has a “gourmet kitchen” but doesn’t show it in the pictures. It appears to have modern wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances and an island.

The floors look to be in the herringbone pattern but the listing details says they are stone (porcelain tiles?).

It has the finishes buyers look for including central air and washer/dryer in the unit. Parking is included in the price.

Listed at $879,000 in August 2020, it has gone under contract once in 2021 only to be re-listed.

It continues to be listed at $879,000.

But with 340 On the Park next door and the nearby newly finished St. Regis, also a “view” building, selling for much higher prices, is this unit a deal for the square footage?

Izetta Carroll at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #3702: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1479 square feet

• Sold in June 2008 for $710,000 (per Redfin- as the PIN isn’t showing up on the CCRD)
• Originally listed in August 2020 for $879,000
• Under contract in March 2021
• Re-listed at $879,000
• Assessments of $1512 a month (includes gas, doorman, cable, exercise room, pool, exterior maintenance, on-site management, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal, Internet)
• Taxes of $12,238
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 17×12
• Bedroom #2: 15×11
• Living room: 25×14
• Dining room: 12×8
• Kitchen: 13×8
• Laundry room: 5×5
• Foyer: 14×7

(Apparently, I don’t have a picture of this building even though I have one of the “sister” building across the street, 3033 N. Sheridan, which was also a condo conversion and sold in a frenzy in the housing bubble as well.)

This 2-bedroom in 2930 N. Sheridan in East Lakeview came on the market in May 2021.

Built in 1968, 2930 N. Sheridan has 252 units in 16 stories and a parking garage.

Originally an apartment building, it was converted into condos during the housing bubble in 2008.

It has a night time doorman, an exercise room and a roof deck.

Valet parking is available.

The listing for this unit says it was just renovated.

It has light wood wide plank hardwood floors throughout.

the kitchen has 42 inch custom white cabinets, premium stainless steel appliances, quartz counter tops, including on the “chef’s island”, a black tile backsplash, a dry bar and a wine fridge.

The bathroom has an updated vanity and mirror.

The second bedroom is fully enclosed and has French doors.

The listing says the primary bedroom would fit a king bed.

It has window a/c units, washer/dryer in the unit and valet parking is available.

This unit is listed at $244,995, which is $19,005 below the 2010 sales price of $264,000.

Is this a deal?

Michael Mandele and Tim Lorimer at Compass has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #305: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, no square footage listed

• Sold in August 2010 for $264,000
• Listed in May 2021 for $244,995
• Assessments of $316 a month (includes doorman, exercise room, exterior maintenance, snow removal)
• Taxes of $3782
• Parking is $200 to $275 a month
• Window a/c units
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 14×12
• Bedroom #2: 8×8
• Kitchen: 10×8
• Living room: 15×13

This 2-bedroom duplex loft in the Lincoln Theater Lofts at 3160 N. Lincoln in Lakeview came on the market in May 2021.

The Lincoln Theater Lofts was converted into “soft” lofts in 2001 and has 33 units. It has exposed duct work but no exposed brick or other authentic loft features.

It has garage parking.

The listing calls this unit “newly renovated.”

It has two new bathrooms with “top of the line” finishes.

The kitchen has a mix of white cabinets, with black cabinets on the island, along with quartz counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

There’s a private balcony off the living room.

The two bedrooms are on the second floor.

There’s also a unique den with industrial black interior windows.

It has central air, washer/dryer in the unit and heated garage parking is included.

This building is just across the intersection from the large Lakeview Whole Foods and the shops and restaurants of West Lakeview.

Listed at $519,000, is this duplex a townhouse alternative?

Antonio Giamberduca at Baird & Warner has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #202: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1700 square feet, duplex, loft

• Sold in March 2004 for $378,000
• Sold in March 2018 for $385,000
• Listed in May 2021 for $519,000 (includes the parking)
• Assessments of $468 a month (includes exterior maintenance, snow removal and scavenger)
• Taxes of $8652
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 12×10 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 12×10 (second floor)
• Kitchen: 15×13 (lower level)
• Living room: 25×14 (lower level)
• Family room: 11×15 (lower level)
• Laundry room: 10×5 (main level)
• Balcony

This top floor 2-bedroom at 3842 N. Sheffield in Lakeview came on the market in May 2021.

Built in 1910, this building has 6 units and assigned parking spaces behind the building along with a common roof deck space.

The listing says this unit has been “beautifully updated.”

It has a wood burning fireplace in the living room along with built-in bookcases and crown molding.

There are hardwood floors throughout and it looks like there’s a skylight in the kitchen.

The listing says the unit has a “chef’s kitchen” with white Shaker cabinets, stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops, a custom white tile backsplash and a white farmhouse sink.

The primary suite has a walk-in-closet, which is rare for vintage units, along with an en suite bath which has a double vanity and glass shower.

The unit has a back deck with room for a table and chairs.

It has the features buyers look for in 2021 including central air, washer/dryer in the unit, with its own laundry room, and an assigned parking space.

Listed at $515,000, that’s $185,000 over the 2015 price of $330,000.

With inventory tight, will they get their price?

Stefanie Lavelle at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #303: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1500 square feet

• Sold in July 1989 for $145,000
• Sold in May 1996 for $192,000
• Sold in April 2006 for $374,000
• Sold in June 2015 for $330,000
• Currently listed at $515,000 (includes one assigned parking space)
• Assessments of $183 a month (includes scavenger)
• Taxes of $5873
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Wood burning fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 18×17
• Bedroom #2: 13×12
• Kitchen: 14×13
• Living/dining room: 26×16
• Balcony/deck

I will attempt to join the rest of America out partying on the beach this week.

Palm trees, here I come.

The Chicago housing market remains red hot with properties going under contract within days of listing.

Even with the pandemic and the looting/rioting downtown, even downtown condos are back selling again.

I’m looking forward to covering all the interesting properties all summer long.

Be nice to each other while I’m away.

Sabrina

This 4-bedroom in The 555 Collection at 559 W. Armitage in Lincoln Park came on the market in March 2021.

Built in 2020-2021,  The 555 Collection is a new 4-unit red brick building with grid windows, iron details and cornice in a “nod to Chicago’s Industrial Revolution.”

It has garage parking.

This unit is one of two triplex units.

It has white oak hardwood floors.

The main floor has the living/dining combo and the kitchen, which has luxury finishes including a waterfall island and professional grade appliances.

The second floor has the primary suite and a second bedroom.

The primary suite has a walk-in-closet and a bath with a large, black metal framed shower, marble tile inlay dual vanity with RL lighting and heated floors.

The lower level has the other two bedrooms along with a family room.

The listing says this triplex has a private entrance and private yard.

It has central air and 1-car garage parking.

There is an HOA which covers water and exterior maintenance.

The listing says this is the last available unit (i.e. they have sold 3 out of the 4 units).

Both of the triplexes were listed at $1.45 million.

This industrial, or warehouse style of architecture, is somewhat limited in most of Lincoln Park.

With the quick sale of these units, will developers build more in this style in this neighborhood?

Samantha Porter and Lauren Goldberg at Jameson Sotheby’s has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

559 W. Armitage: 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 3000 square feet, triplex

• Originally listed in March 2021 for $1.45 million
• Currently still listed at $1.45 million
• Assessments of $200 a month (includes water and exterior maintenance)
• Taxes are “new”
• 1 car garage
• Bedroom #1: 16×15 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 12×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 12×12 (lower level)
• Bedroom #4: 12×11 (lower level)
• Living room: 28×18 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 19×10 (main floor)
• Family room: 21×15 (lower level)
• Terrace: 12×12 (main level)

This 3-bedroom townhouse at 515 W. Belden in East Lincoln Park just came on the market.

Built in 1968, this complex of townhouses has 18 units and exterior parking spaces.

This townhouse is a street facing end-unit, which is next door to the unit with the for sale signs in the picture from 2012 above (which is Unit #14).

The main floor has hardwood floors throughout along with the living/dining rooms and the kitchen.

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

The kitchen has white cabinets, granite counter tops, a subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances including 2 ovens and a bar area with seating.

The townhouse has a spiral staircase.

Two bedrooms and a full bath are on the second floor, including the primary bedroom.

The second bedroom has a skylight.

The third bedroom is in the lower level, apparently located in a large walk-in-closet which the listing says could be a third bedroom.

There is carpeting in the lower level along with a family room, the laundry room and a second full bathroom.

It has outdoor space on the main level, with a large street-facing private fenced in patio.

This townhouse has central air and an exterior parking spot is included.

These are fee simple townhouses. The HOA appears to only cover scavenger fees.

Listed at $629,900, is this a deal for its location near Lincoln Park and the shops and restaurants on Lincoln Avenue and on Clark?

Daniel Pape and Catherine Tahmassebi at Compass have the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Or you can see it in person at the Open House this weekend on Saturday, May 8 from 11 am to 1 pm.

Unit #13: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, no square footage listed, townhouse

• Sold in April 1998 for $255,000
• Sold in January 2001 for $345,000
• Sold in June 2008 for $416,000
• Currently listed at $629,900 (includes one car exterior parking)
• Assessments of $40 a month (includes scavenger)
• Fee simple ownership
• Taxes of $9754
• Central Air
• Gas fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 17×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 12×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 12×9 (lower level)
• Living room/dining room combo: 22×15 (main level)
• Kitchen: 15×10 (main level)
• Family room: 19×15 (lower level)
• Laundry room: 10×9 (lower level)
• Patio: 16×13 (main level)

This 3-bedroom in The Columbian at 1160 S. Michigan in the Loop came on the market in September 2020.

Built in 2007, at the height of the housing bubble, The Columbian has 221 units and attached garage parking.

It has a doorman and an exercise room.

This is a 9th floor unit which faces east, with views of Grant Park and the Lake as well as the Grant and Millennium Park skylines.

The listing says it has 10-foot ceilings and new wide plank hardwood floors.

It has a separate dining room.

The kitchen has white cabinets, granite counter tops, including on the breakfast bar, and stainless steel appliances.

The unit has a primary suite with a walk-in-closet and en suite bath with a walk-in-shower and whirlpool tub.

It also has a second full bathroom and a half bath.

It has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and deeded parking is available for $35,000.

But the big selling point is the large, private terrace which overlooks the lake and Grant Park.

It has some landscaping and is large enough to have several dining tables.

Originally listed at $799,000 it has been reduced to $775,000.

At 1929 square feet, and with the private terrace, is this a deal?

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

Unit #907: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 1929 square feet

• Sold in August 2010 for $705,000 (included the parking space)
• Originally listed in September 2020 for $799,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $775,000 (plus $35,000 for parking)
• Assessments of $824 a month (includes heat, a/c, gas, doorman, cable, clubhouse, exercise room, exterior maintenance, scavenger and snow removal)
• Taxes of $12,977
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 19×13
• Bedroom #2: 13×11
• Bedroom #3: 15×12
• Living room: 18×22
• Dining room: 14×12
• Kitchen: 15×9
• Laundry room: 4×4
• Walk-in-closet: 11×8
• Terrace: 10×20

This 2-bedroom loft in Epicenter Lofts at 1000 W. Washington in the West Loop came on the market in April 2020.

Built in 1910 and converted into lofts in the late 1990s, Epicenter Lofts has 180 units and heated garage parking.

It has a doorman.

The listing for this brick and timber authentic loft says it has been renovated.

It has 12 foot exposed timber ceilings and a wall of repurposed barn wood.

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

The loft has hardwood floors throughout.

The kitchen has white upper cabinets and grey lower cabinets including on the island, along with quartz counter tops and a full quartz backsplash with Bosch and Wolf stainless steel appliances.

The primary suite has French doors that open to the living/dining room along with a walk-in-closet and an en suite bathroom has a quartz dual vanity and rain shower with bench.

The second bedroom has wainscoting.

There’s no floor plan with the listing, but it appears from the pictures that neither bedroom has a window.

This loft has a balcony which looks out on Randolph Street.

It has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and tandem heading garage parking for two cars which is included in the price.

Originally listed in April 2020, during the first COVID lock down, at $1,089,999, it has been reduced $174,999 to $915,000.

Has the COVID pandemic finally cooled the West Loop’s luxury housing market?

Nicholas Colagiovanni at Baird & Warner has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #238: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2050 square feet, loft

• Sold in September 1997 for $261,000
• Sold in April 2005 for $437,500
• Sold in June 2009 for $550,000
• Sold in January 2016 for $587,500
• Originally listed in April 2020 for $1,089,999
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $915,000 (includes tandem heated garage parking for 2 cars)
• Assessments of $995 a month (includes doorman, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow, Internet)
• Taxes of $16,571
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 18×14
• Bedroom #2: 12×12
• Living room: 27×30
• Dining room: 26×16
• Kitchen: 14×16
• Laundry room: 9×7
• Balcony: 6×8

This 2-bedroom penthouse duplex at 1800 W. Grace in North Center came on the market in March 2021.

Built in 2013, 1800 W. Grace has 91 units and heated garage parking. (Sorry for the older picture. I DO have an updated one somewhere but I couldn’t locate it.)

The listing says this unit is a “move-in ready” duplex with 21 foot ceilings and a wall of windows.

The main floor has the living/dining space, the kitchen, a full bath and one of the two bedrooms.

That bedroom doesn’t appear to have windows.

The kitchen has modern appliances with “gourmet stainless steel appliances” and a new marble backsplash.

The unit has a suspended lofted den which leads to the primary suite which has windows, a walk-in-closet and an en suite bath with double vanities, a spa shower and tub.

There’s a private balcony on the main floor and a custom work from home space on the second floor that appears to have been a bar with a wine fridge in the prior listing.

The pictures of the rooftop deck are of the common, shared deck.

Heated garage parking is $25,000 extra.

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

Originally listed in March 2021 at $795,000, it has been reduced to $749,000.

With inventory low in the neighborhood, what’s holding back a sale on this duplex?

David Posegay at Corcoran Urban Real Estate has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #519T: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2000 square feet

• Sold in April 2013 for $681,000 (included the parking space)
• Sold in April 2017 for $670,000 (included the parking space)
• Originally listed in March 2021 at $795,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $749,000 (plus $25,000 for the heated garage parking space)
• Assessments of $853 a month (includes gas, security system, cable, exercise room, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $12,526
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 12×19 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 11×12 (main floor)
• Living/dining room combo: 16×20 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 13×16 (main floor)
• Laundry room: 9×10 (second floor)
• Family room/loft: 9×14 (second floor)
• Balcony: 5×20 (main floor)