Crib Chatter

This 3-bedroom top floor unit in the greystone at 1130 W. Armitage in Lincoln Park just came on the market.

Built in 1900, this greystone has 8 units and garage parking.

We’ve chattered about several units in this building in the past, including the first floor duplex down.

This unit is the penthouse and has 18 foot cathedral ceilings in the open concept living/dining room and kitchen.

Alas, it doesn’t have any of its vintage interior features except a wood burning fireplace in the living room.

There are hardwood floors throughout.

The kitchen is open to the living area and has 60″ cabinets, granite counter tops, a new backsplash, and Viking appliances along with a wine fridge.

The primary bedroom is en suite, which is rare in vintage units.

The primary bathroom has marble floors, a dual vanity and a “spa-like” shower with rain head and body sprays.

There’s a terrace off the primary bedroom which leads to a private 500 square foot private roof top deck with views of downtown.

This unit has a large storage unit in the basement.

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

This building is in the heart of the Armitage corridor, near shops, restaurants and the Brown Line stop.

At $725,000, does this unit check all the Lincoln Park boxes?

Melissa Siegal at @Properties  has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #3: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1335 square feet, penthouse

• Sold in January 1995 for $266,500
• Sold in March 2001 for $420,000
• Sold in May 2004 for $500,000
• Sold in March 2008 for $550,000
• Sold in September 2011 for $557,000
• Currently on the market at $725,000
• Assessments of $187 a month (includes exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $9659
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Heated garage parking
• Wood burning fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 15×12
• Bedroom #2: 8×12
• Bedroom #3: 9×11
• Living room: 11×22
• Dining room: 10×18
• Kitchen: 17×11
• Storage: 8×10
• Balcony: 12×7
• Roof top deck: 14×34

This 2-bedroom on the 69th floor in the John Hancock at 175 E. Delaware in Streeterville came on the market in February 2021.

Built in 1969, the Hancock has 705 units as well as commercial space along with a rental parking garage.

It’s a full amenity building with an indoor pool, exercise room 24-hour doormen and a Potash grocery store.

This unit faces east, with Lake and sunrise views, and the listing said it has had a “stunning renovation.”

It has medium-blonder wide plank floors throughout.

The listing says the kitchen was taken “down to the studs” in 2017 and now boasts modern cabinets, stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops with a custom solid glass backsplash, corner Lazy Susans and double cutlery and knife drawers.

The bathrooms have “new” euro-style wood hanging vanities with new tiles.

The primary bedroom has custom wood shelving and a pocket door along with an en suite bath.

The closets have been customized.

The listing says there is a “newer” window HVAC and “newer” wall thermostats.

It has 2 operable windows.

It doesn’t appear to have washer/dryer in the unit. I believe the building allows it now. Additionally, there’s coin laundry in the building. I thought it used to be on every other floor, but those of you who have lived in this building can fill us in.

Rental parking is available in the attached garage.

Listed in February 2021 at $625,000, it’s still listed at $625,000.

Will sales in one of the flagship condo buildings in the downtown improve now that the city has reopened?

Kevin Snow at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #6906: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1420 square feet

• Sold in March 1997 for $248,000 (per Redfin)
• Sold in January 2003 for $440,000 (per Redfin)
• Sold in December 2015 for $565,000 (per CCRD)
• Sold in July 2018 for $580,000 (per CCRD)
• Listed in February 2021 for $625,000
• Currently still listed at $625,000
• Assessments of $1,061 a month (includes doorman, cable, exercise room, pool, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal, coin laundry)
• Taxes pf $7568
• Window HVAC
• No washer/dryer in the unit- coin laundry in the building
• Attached rental parking available
• Bedroom #1: 18×13
• Bedroom #2: 15×10
• Living room: 20×14
• Dining room: 11×14
• Kitchen: 11×8

This 46th floor 2-bedroom in Newberry Plaza at 1030 N. State in the Gold Coast came on the market in December 2020.

Newberry Plaza was built in 1974 and has 555 units and attached parking.

It has 57 floors and according to Wikipedia, was the 6th tallest all-residential skyscraper in the world when completed (the Hancock has commercial space so it wasn’t in the competition).

Wikipedia also says it was the first in the city to have townhomes built on the pedestal of the building. Those are known as “skyhomes.”

It’s a full amenity building with a 24-hour doorman, outdoor pool, fitness center and package room.

This 46th floor corner unit has north and west views, including of Lincoln Park and the Lake.

The listing says it has been “completely renovated.”

It has hardwood floors throughout.

The kitchen has either light blue or gray cabinets (what’s your guess?) with white stone counter tops and backsplash along with stainless steel appliances, including a wine refrigerator, and a 2-person breakfast bar.

The listing says the unit has “spa-like baths.”

The primary bedroom has an en suite bathroom with a double vanity and walk-in-shower.

It also has a walk-in-closet.

The unit has a unique wine closet in the foyer.

It also has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and parking is available to rent for $285 a month.

The listing says these assessments are “low” and the building hasn’t raised them in 11 years.

It also says the hallways are being remodeled with no special assessment.

This building is in the heart of the shops/restaurants of the State/Rush corridor.

Is this a perfect high rise city home for those who want to be in the heart of everything, with views?

Christian Pezzuto at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #46B: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1000 square feet

• Sold in January 2020 for $366,500
• Originally listed in December 2020 for $619,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $589,000
• Assessments of $671 a month (includes heat, a/c, Internet, cable, doorman, outdoor pool, fitness center, package room)
• Taxes of $703
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Rental parking available for $285 a month
• Bedroom #1: 11×13
• Bedroom #2: 9×10
• Living room: 25×14
• Kitchen: 10×10
• Foyer: 8×6
• Walk-in-closet: 4×10

This 4-bedroom red brick Queen Anne at 1505 W. Jackson in the Jackson Boulevard historic district in the Near West Side came on the market in March 2021.

Built in 1883, it’s on a larger than standard Chicago lot measuring 25 x 188.

It has a 2-car garage.

This home has many of its original vintage features including a carved full length mirror in the entry foyer, a carved wood banister on the staircase, a 20 foot wood arch separating the living and dining room, and crown moldings.

It has skylights including one that has stained glass (see pictures).

The home has 6 fireplaces, with one on each floor.

The main floor has 2 fireplaces, one in the living room and one in the dining room.

The kitchen has white cabinets and has “upgraded” appliances and beveled granite counter tops along with a painted tin ceiling with a breakfast nook.

There’s a powder room on the main floor.

The second floor has 2 bedrooms including the primary suite which has a fireplace, a walk-in-closet, a full bath with double sinks and rain and standard shower heads.

The second bedroom on that floor also has a fireplace.

There’s also a second full bathroom on the second floor, with a clawfoot tub.

There’s a washer/dryer on the second floor.

The third floor has the fourth bedroom, with skylights, a bath, a bonus room which could be a gym or office and another large room used as a family room which has a fireplace.

The lower level has a complete 1500 square foot garden apartment with both front and back private entrances.

It has one bedroom and an office with a full renovated bath and a powder room.

The kitchen has wood cabinets and stainless steel appliances.

The garden apartment also has a washer/dryer and, of course, a fireplace.

The house has central air.

Originally listed in March 2021 at $1.875 million, it’s still listed at that price.

Is this a deal for the size and location?

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

1505 W. Jackson: 4 bedrooms, 5 baths, no square footage listed, single family home

• Sold in December 1979 for $100,000 (per Redfin)
• Sold in June 1985 for $90,000 (per Redfin)
• Sold in May 1997 for $545,000 
• Sold in December 2012 for $1,110,000
• Originally listed in March 2021 for $1.875 million
• Currently still listed at $1.875 million
• Taxes of $22,571
• Central Air
• 2-car garage
• 25×188 lot
• 6 fireplaces
• 1500 square foot 1-bedroom/1.5 bath Garden Apartment
• Bedroom #1: 23×15 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 23×16 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 23×15 (third floor)
• Bedroom #4: 15×12 (third floor)
• Living room: 32×13 (main floor)
• Dining room: 23×12 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 28×10 (main floor)

This 2-bedroom in 5000 S. East End in Kenwood came on the market in March 2021.

Built in 1927, 5000 S. East End has 98 units. It was designed by Robert S. De Golyer and built by Avery Brundage.

According to Chicago Apartments: A Century of Lakefront Living, it was the first, and largest, of the buildings on the Chicago Beach site.

It’s a gray brick and terra-cotta building with a five-story stone base.

The building has 2 “bungalows” on the top floors which are two story penthouses.

At the time it was built, it was the tallest structure south of the Loop and remained the tallest until just after World War II.

Originally a co-op, it was converted into condos in 2010.

It has a doorman and an exercise room. There’s no parking.

This unit is a high floor which has Lake and city views.

It has been extensively remodeled/restored and the listing says it’s an award winning restoration.

This unit has Vermont 10″ wide hickory hardwood flooring surrounded by 6-piece wainscoting.

The listing says it has never been lived in after the extensive remodeling.

The plaster legacy mouldings throughout were preserved and restored.

The en suite bathrooms were remodeled with floor-to-ceiling ceramic tile from Spain.

It has a South African volcanic stone freestanding soaking tub, Hydrology wash surface Australian quartz sink, a Japanese Toto toilet and a digital controlled towel warmer.

The kitchen has custom-made Arclinea floor-to-ceiling black kitchen cabinets with 2-inch Carrara marble counter tops.

It also has Transceramica ultra-thin kitchen flooring from Italy along with Wolf and Subzero appliances.

There are California closets throughout.

This unit used to be a 3-bedrooms but was transformed into a 2-bedroom in the renovation.

It has the features buyers look for including central air and washer/dryer in the unit. There’s no parking but it’s available to rent in the neighborhood.

Listed at $499,000, is this a vintage lover’s dream?

Charles Lochotzki at Compass has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #23C: 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2200 square feet

• Converted to condos in 2010
• Sold in April 2016 for $186,000
• Originally listed in March 2021 for $499,000
• Currently still listed at $499,000
• Assessments of $2420 a month (includes heat, gas, doorman, cable, exercise room, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavengers, snow removal, Internet)
• Taxes of $3373
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• No parking but available for rent in the neighborhood
• Bedroom #1: 17×15
• Bedroom #2: 16×13
• Kitchen: 22×18
• Living room: 28×25
• Dining room: 19×14
• Foyer: 20×7

This 3-bedroom duplex up at 811 W. Webster in Lincoln Park just came on the market.

Built in 1930, this building has 6 units and garage parking.

The listing says this is the largest unit in the building.

This unit has what some would call loft-like features with exposed brick walls, timber beams and skylights with hardwood floors throughout.

The living room, dining room and kitchen, along with a half bath are on the main floor along with the first outdoor space.

There’s a wood burning fireplace.

The eat-in kitchen has white cabinets, an island with seating, a double oven, a Wolf gas cook top and a double refrigerator.

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

The listing calls the primary bedroom a “retreat” with an en suite bath with a separate shower and tub, and a double vanity.

You can also access the private rooftop terrace from the primary bedroom.

If you need more outdoor space, there’s also 2 common outdoor spaces.

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

It’s near shops and restaurants on Halsted as well as just a few blocks to popular Oz Park.

Listed at $835,000, is this a townhouse alternative?

Laura Bibbo Katlin at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #E: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, duplex up

• Sold in December 1993 for $299,000
• Sold in March 1996 for $321,000
• Sold in September 2008 for $713,000
• Sold in September 2017 for $725,000
• Currently listed at $835,000
• Assessments of $402 a month (includes exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $14,291
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Garage parking included
• Wood burning fireplace
• 4 outdoor spaces- 2 private and 2 common
• Bedroom #1: 14×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 13×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 12×12 (second floor)
• Living room: 19×13 (main floor)
• Dining room: 17×10 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 13×9 (main floor)
• Deck: 9×22 (second floor)
• Deck: 8×11 (main floor)

This 2-bedroom duplex up at 2000 W. Haddon in Wicker Park came on the market in May 2021.

Built in 1928, this building has 14 units and heated garage parking.

It was converted into condos in 1992 and has a common rooftop deck.

This duplex has 15 foot ceilings, a fireplace in the living room, and hardwood floors throughout.

One bedroom is on the main floor, which has a built-in Murphy bed.

The primary bedroom is on the second floor and has a wall of glass that overlooks the living room. The listing says the bedroom is fully enclosed.

The primary bedroom is en suite with a “spa-like” bath and a walk-in-closet.

The kitchen has French style modern cabinets, quartz counter tops, including on the island, and stainless steel appliances.

The listing says the unit has RH lighting and you can get it with the furniture included such as a suede couches and abstract luxury art paintings.

It has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and heated garage parking is $25,000 extra.

This condo is located just two blocks south of the hot Division street corridor with all its restaurants and shops.

Listed at $525,000, will it get its price?

Tiffany Vondran at Fulton Grace Realty has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #210: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed, duplex up

• Sold in December 1992 for $110,000
• Sold in December 1995 for $120,000
• Sold in July 2000 for $215,000
• Sold in August 2003 for $265,000
• Sold in June 2013 for $262,500
• Sold in April 2015 for $275,000
• Sold in May 2016 for $458,000
• Originally listed in May 2021 for $525,000 
• Currently still listed at $525,000 (plus $25,000 for parking)
• Assessments of $304 per month (includes exterior maintenance, lawn care, snow removal)
• Taxes of $4783
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 19×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 13×13 (main floor)
• Living/dining room combo: 22×14 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 12×9 (main floor)
• Bar: 13×9 (main floor)

This 3-bedroom at 1526 W. Monroe in the West Loop came on the market in April 2021.

I don’t know the year this building was built (pre-1900?) but it has 14 units and indoor garage parking.

It also has 3 common outdoor spaces including a rooftop deck.

It was converted into condos in 2008.

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

It has Brazilian cherry floors and new carpet in the bedrooms.

Unfortunately, although this is a vintage building, the unit has no original vintage features.

The listing says the kitchen has been upgraded. It has white soft close cabinets, high end counter tops, GE Cafe Series smart fridge and convection microwave oven, a stove hood and a tile backsplash as well as an island with seating for 2.

The primary bedroom is en suite and the bathroom has a double vanity, walk-in shower and jetted tub. It also has a walk-in-closet.

The other two bedrooms share the second bathroom.

The unit has Elfa organized closets and 2 private balconies.

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

Listed at $569,000, it went under contract quickly in April 2021 but fell out and is now back on the market.

Is this a good alternative to all the loft condos found in the West Loop neighborhood?

John Eargle at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #302: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed

• Sold in March 2008 for $400,000
• Sold in July 2013 for $392,000
• Originally listed in April 2021 for $569,000
• Under contract
• Re-listed in May 2021 for $569,000
• Currently still listed at $569,000
• Assessments of $374 a month (includes exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $5338
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Garage parking included
• Bedroom #1: 13×13
• Bedroom #2: 14×10
• Bedroom #3: 12×10
• Kitchen: 14×8
• Living/dining room combo: `18×13
• Walk-in-closet: 6×6
• 2 balconies: 8×5 each

This 2-bedroom corner unit at 809 W. Wellington in Lakeview just came on the market.

Built in 1892, this building has 15 units.

The listing says this unit is “not your cookie-cutter condo.”

It has newly refinished hardwood floors and exposed brick along with a bay window in the dining room.

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

The listing calls the kitchen “updated” with 42″ shaker style cabinets, stainless steel appliances and what look like stone counter tops.

There is an over sized primary bedroom measuring 14×21.

There is a back deck area which has space for a small table and chairs as well as a common courtyard with a shared grill.

The unit has central air and heat but no in-unit laundry although the listing says you can install an all-in-one in lieu of the dishwasher.

The building has coin laundry.

There’s no parking with the unit but the listing says there is rental parking 2 blocks away for $177 a month.

This building is near the brown line, bus lines, and shops and restaurants of central and east Lakeview.

Listed at $350,000 for 1300 square feet, is this a deal for the neighborhood?

Lauren Bergiel at Dream Town has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #2: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1300 square feet

• Sold in September 1991 for $145,000
• Sold in June 1995 for $146,000
• Sold in May 2002 for $275,000
• Sold in April 2005 for $330,000
• Currently listed at $350,000
• Assessments of $333 a month (includes exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavengers, snow removal)
• Taxes of $7172
• Central Air
• No washer/dryer in the unit. Coin laundry in the building.
• No parking. Rental available for $177 a month 2 blocks away.
• Wood burning fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 14×21
• Bedroom #2: 13×11
• Living/dining room: 23×17
• Kitchen: 13×6
• Office: 11×7
• Deck: 4×3
• Foyer: 17×4

We have an update on the first quarter luxury apartment rental market and it’s a doozy.

Defying experts who believed it would take until 2023 for occupancy, and rental prices, to re-take pre-pandemic levels, the Chicago Class A luxury rental market has come storming back in 2021.

Crain’s reports:

In one sign of the market’s stunning recovery, absorption, or the change in the number of occupied apartments downtown, jumped to 2,667 units in the first quarter, according to the Chicago office of Integra Realty Resources, a consulting and appraisal firm. That’s a record for a single quarter and a halfway decent figure for an entire year’s worth of leasing.

“People were probably feeling that they’re going to be going back to work downtown in the near future, and these fire sales aren’t going to last forever, so let’s go get an apartment,” said Integra Senior Managing Director Ron DeVries.

After dropping as low as 86.5 percent at the end of 2020, the downtown occupancy rate rebounded to 91.1 percent in the first quarter, according to Integra. That’s still a few percentage points below 2019 levels, but you won’t hear many landlords complaining.

Class A rents rose to $2.98 per square foot in the first quarter, up 18% from the pandemic bottom in the third quarter of 2020 when rents fell to $2.53 per square foot. These rents include incentives.

It’s still below the all-time high which was in the second quarter of 2019 when Class A rents hit $3.31 per square foot.

But the “V” recovery in the apartment market appears to be in full swing.

Rents tumbled last year as the market shifted in reverse, with absorption totaling minus 238 units, the first year of negative absorption in downtown Chicago since 2005, according to Integra. After such a strong first quarter, Integra now forecasts that downtown absorption will jump to 5,400 units this year, the most absorbed on an annual basis since at least 1999. But tenants won’t be able to find the tantalizing deals that were available just months ago.

“I think rising pricing (rents) is going to slow absorption a little bit, but if you were sitting on the fence, now is the time to move,” DeVries said.

One of the largest downtown apartment projects since the South Loop’s NEMA, One Chicago across from Holy Name Cathedral, is getting ready to finish construction and the developer now sounds bullish.

The market is turning around at the right time for Chicago-based JDL Development, which plans to begin leasing this weekend at One Chicago, a two-tower project with 735 apartments it’s wrapping up in River North. Rents will exceed $4 per square foot, and JDL CEO Jim Letchinger doesn’t initially plan to offer any free rent to tenants, a strategy many developers use to fill up new buildings. The development’s first residents should move in by October.

“The timing worked out well. We’re seeing tremendous demand,” Letchinger said. “By the time every office says, ‘This fall you’ve got to be in the office,’ it will be the perfect time to have all those units available.”

Will the absorption rate of apartment rentals, and lack of new construction in the pipeline, put pressure on the downtown condo market in the next few years as renters look for alternatives?

Good times rolling again for downtown apartment landlords [Crain’s Chicago Business, by Alby Gallun, June 2, 2021]