Crib Chatter

This 2-bedroom penthouse loft in the Anchor Lofts at 215 W. Illinois in River North came on the market in June 2021.

Built in 1925, Anchor Lofts has 17 lofts and garage parking.

It was converted into lofts in the 1980s.

It does not have a doorman nor other amenities.

This penthouse has a lot of authentic loft features includes 14 foot ceilings, timber columns, exposed brick and a unique stone archway that frames the foyer.

It has an open concept layout with a “recently renovated” kitchen with light wood cabinets, high end stainless steel appliances and quartz waterfall counter tops on the island, which seats 3.

There’s a wall of built-in bookcases and a wood burning fireplace.

The primary bedroom has a renovated en suite bath.

There’s a spiral staircase that accesses the second floor office and the 54×27 terrace, which has not been developed. You have to build out your rooftop terrace.

The loft has skylights.

It has the features that buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and one “unassigned garage space.”

The last time this loft sold was in 1996.

Listed at $895,000, do you expect the rooftop deck to be built out at this price?

Marc Kaufman and Jean Emeson at Baird & Warner have the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Or see it at the Open House on Sunday, July 18, from 11 AM to 1 PM.

Unit #6A: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2000 square feet, loft

• Sold in September 1984 for $222,500 (per Redfin)
• Sold in August 1996 for $277,500
• Originally listed in June 2021 for $895,000
• Currently still listed at $895,000 (includes one unassigned garage space)
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Wood burning fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 12×14
• Bedroom #2: 12×13
• Foyer: 13×9
• Loft office: 12×17 (second floor)
• Living room: 29×17
• Dining room: 25×10
• Kitchen: 9×16
• Undeveloped rooftop terrace: 54×27 (second floor)

This 2-bedroom in 1400 N. LaSalle in Old Town came on the market in July 2021.

Built in 1920s, this corner building has 6 units.

It does not have parking but does have a back garden.

This unit has some of its vintage features including 12 foot ceilings, crown moldings, hardwood floors.

It has a decorative fireplace with a marble mantle.

The kitchen has been “completely redone” by raising the kitchen’s ceiling, and has white cabinets (or gray?), gold handles and faucet, stone counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

Both bathrooms have been “gutted” and have current popular finishes including white subway tile, gold faucets and handles.

The primary bathroom has a dual vanity, the gold finishes and an oversized shower with dual shower head.

There has been an in-unit washer/dryer installed and HVAC with electric furnace.

It also has RH lighting.

There’s a private balcony overlooking the garden.

It doesn’t have parking but the listing says there is permit parking on Schiller or rental in the neighborhood.

This building is near the shops and restaurants of Old Town and the Gold Coast and is close to the Jewel and the Plum Market.

Buyers like “new.”

Will this go under contract by the end of the weekend?

Natalie Renna at Dream Town has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

You can also see it at the Open House on Sunday, July 18 from 10 AM to 12 PM.

Unit #2S: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed

• Sold in June 2018 at $420,000
• Currently listed at $600,000
• Assessments of $547 a month (includes exterior maintenance, scavenger)
• Taxes of $8375
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• No parking
• Decorative fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 14×15
• Bedroom #2: 14×10
• Living room: 15×17
• Dining room: 16×17
• Kitchen: 10×10
• Balcony: 13×7

This 4-bedroom in 3400 N. Lake Shore Drive in East Lakeview came on the market in May 2021.

Built in 1922 in the Beaux Arts style, this building has 46 condo units.

It’s a full service building with a doorman and an engineer along with an exercise room.

The listing says it has an indoor and outdoor garage.

This unit does not face the Lake. It has south and west views.

The listing says it has been “totally rehabbed” in 2017.

If the unit looks familiar, that’s because we chattered about it in April 2016, the last time it was on the market.

See the 2016 chatter here.

But it still has many of its original vintage features including a foyer with mahogany millwork and paneling and a living room with woodwork, including crown molding, and a gas burning fireplace.

There is restored plaster moldings and ceilings in the living and dining rooms.

The unit has a paneled library with a second gas fireplace and built-in bookshelves.

The kitchen is a “cook’s dream” with grey cabinets, a huge center island and luxury appliances.

There is a laundry room with pantry off the kitchen which also has an extra stainless steel refrigerator.

The unit has a dry bar with a wine fridge.

There is a new powder room.

Also, all four bedrooms have en suite bathrooms, which is rare for a vintage building.

The primary bedroom has a large bathroom with two vanities and walk in shower along with a bath.

It has features buyers look for including central air and one parking space transfers with the unit. The seller also rents a second parking space.

The unit is in the Nettlehorst school district.

For vintage lovers, is this a dream home?

Suzanne Gignilliat at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #8EF: 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, 4000 square feet

• Sold in September 2000 for $852,500
• Sold in April 2002 for $1,050,000
• Sold in June 2005 for $1,425,000
• Sold in May 2017 for $1,450,000
• Originally listed in May 2021 for $1,749,000
• Currently still listed for $1,749,000
• Assessments of $3611 a month (they were $2760 a month in 2016)(includes heat, gas, doorman, exterior maintenance, exercise room, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $26,408 (they were $18,500 in 2016)
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• 2 gas fireplaces
• One parking space transfers with the unit and seller rents a second space
• Bedroom #1: 18×16
• Bedroom #2: 15×13
• Bedroom #3: 14×17
• Bedroom #4: 13×17
• Living room: 16×27
• Dining room: 18×17
• Kitchen: 18×20
• Foyer: 10×22
• Library: 19×14
• Laundry room: 8×13

This 2-bedroom in the greystone at 1120 W. Armitage in Lincoln Park came on the market in June 2021.

I don’t know when this building was constructed but it has 8 units and garage parking.

There’s also a common shared rooftop deck above the garage.

This unit has some if its vintage details including moldings around the windows (yes the wood moldings have been painted white- see the 2017 listing photos for comparison).

It has a custom fireplace surround in the living room with new tile and built-in shelving.

there’s a custom barn door that leads to the second bedroom.

There are hardwood floors throughout.

The primary bedroom has a custom closet.

The kitchen has wood cabinets, granite counter tops, a tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances, including a gas stove.

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

This building is in the heart of the Armitage retail corridor and is just 2 1/2 blocks to the Armitage brown line stop.

Listed in June 2021 at $397,000, it has been reduced $12,000 to $385,000.

Are vintage 2/1s still popular among first time buyers?

Anna Huls at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #201: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, no square footage listed

• Sold in May 1992 for $165,500
• Sold in October 1994 for $187,000
• Sold in July 1998 for $218,500
• Sold in November 2000 for $275,000
• Sold in April 2014 for $325,000
• Sold in May 2017 for $369,000
• Originally listed in June 2021 for $397,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $385,000 (includes garage parking)
• Assessments of $211 a month (includes exterior maintenance, scavenger)
• Taxes of $6587
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 12×11
• Bedroom #2: 12×8
• Living room: 16×11
• Kitchen: 11×9
• Dining room: 11×10

This 1-bedroom at 539 W. Roscoe in East Lakeview came on the market in July 2021

This courtyard building was constructed in 1923 and has 26 units.

It apparently does not have an elevator, nor does it have parking.

This vintage unit has French windows in the living room along with a wood burning fireplace with a carved cherry wood mantle.

It has dark mahogany stained wood floors in the living and dining room.

The kitchen has dark Thomasville cabinets, stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops.

The listing says it has a new bathroom with a reglazed bathtub.

There’s a storage locker in the basement.

It has in-unit washer/dryer, which is rare for many vintage 1-bedroom units, but no central air. There are window units.

Parking is leased in the neighborhood.

It has a small deck off the kitchen which can fit a bistro table (see pictures).

It’s near the shops, restaurants and bus lines of East Lakeview.

If inflation actually does take hold, will it make more sense to buy a 1-bedroom than rent?

Thomas Sillitti at Baird & Warner has the listing. It is broker owned. See the pictures here.

Unit #2S: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 780 square feet

• Sold in November 1991 for $56,500
• Sold in October 1992 for $81,000
• Sold in September 1996 for $102,000
• Sold in June 1998 for $126,000
• Sold in April 2004 for $225,500
• Sold in January 2014 for $225,000
• Currently listed at $219,950
• Assessments of $310 a month (includes heat, gas, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $2166
• No central air- window units only
• In-unit washer/dryer
• No parking- available to rent in the neighborhood
• Wood burning fireplace
• Bedroom: 12×11
• Living room: 20×14
• Dining room: 10×8
• Kitchen: 10×8
• Balcony

This 4-bedroom condo in Adler on the Park at 2700 N. Lakeview in East Lincoln Park came on the market in November 2020. (The picture above is from 2018, when they were still doing the renovation.)

Built in 1915 by David Adler, the mansion has been divided into two luxury condo units with an elevator.

This one is the two upper floors which are 5200 square feet.

It has crown and wall moldings and a wood burning fireplace in the living room with custom marble surround.

The kitchen has custom built white cabinets with walnut interiors and 3 inch Carrera marble countertops, Subzero, a Best paneled dishwasher, Wolf range and microwave and a Miele coffee station.

The dining room seats 20.

There’s a family room on the main level as well as one bedroom.

The other three bedrooms, including the primary suite, are on the second floor. The primary bathroom has a double vanity and steam shower.

The other two bedrooms shares a Jack-n-Jill bathroom.

French doors on the main level lead out to an 800 square foot terrace with park views.

There are skylights, space pak air conditioning and a 2.5 car heated garage.

Listed at $5.65 million, will the buyer be a David Adler fan?

Wendy Berg at Baird & Warner has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #2: 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 5200 square feet

• Sold in March 2017 for $2.7 million (for the house)
• Listed in November 2020 for $5.6 million
• Currently still listed at $5.6 million
• Assessments of $378 a month (includes exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger)
• Taxes of $28,693
• Space Pak air conditioning
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• 2.5 heated garage parking
• Elevator building (or private stairwell)
• Skylights
• Wood burning fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 16×16 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 13×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 13×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 18×13 (main floor)
• Laundry room: 10×7 (second floor)
• Mud room: 8×10 (main level)
• Living room: 14×16 (main floor)
• Family room: 21×20 (main floor)
• Dining room: 24×13 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 18×13 (main floor)
• Terrace: 24×31 (main floor)

This 7-bedroom single family home at 4130 N. Greenview in the Graceland West neighborhood of Lakeview came on the market in February 2021.

Built in 2016, the listing says it’s on 5 lots measuring 100 x 161 and took 5 years to acquire the land.

The 11,000 square foot home sits on one 50 x 161 lot and a side yard sits on the other.

There are 7 parking spaces including a bunch in an underground, attached heated garage and several in 2 garages on the side yard.

It has 2 heated mudrooms and 3 laundry rooms.

There are 4 fireplaces, two indoors and two outdoors, including one on the 48×12 patio which also has a Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet Kitchen.

The house’s indoor kitchen has white and wood cabinets and a La Cornue range with a large kitchen island.

There’s a wine cellar in the lower level along with a recreation room and two bedrooms.

4 bedrooms are on the second level and the final bedroom is on the third floor.

The top floor has cathedral ceilings.

There’s a sports court on the side yard along with an outdoor television and fireplace on the patio.

It has central air.

Graceland West has gotten more exclusive since the housing bust. There’s a 5-bedroom home just north of this one on Berteau that is listed at $5.5 million.

Is Graceland West the new millionaire row?

Marlene Granacki at Re/Max 10 Lincoln Park has the listing. See the pictures here.

4130 N. Greenview: 7 bedrooms, 7 baths, 11,000 square feet, single family home

• One of the lots sold in May 2013 for $1.675 million
• I don’t know what was paid for the other lots
• Originally listed in February 2021 for $7.995 million
• Currently still listed at $7.995 million
• Taxes of $50,118 
• Central Air
• 3 laundry rooms
• 2 mudrooms
• 4 fireplaces (2 indoors and 2 outdoors)
• Outdoor television
• Sports court
• 100 x 161 lot
• 7 parking spaces including an underground heated garage and 2 other garages on the side yard
• Bedroom #1: 18×17 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 14×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 15×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 16×17 (second floor)
• Bedroom #5: 14×11 (lower level)
• Bedroom #6: 13×11 (lower level)
• Bedroom #7: 38×21 (third floor)
• Living room: 17×13 (main floor)
• Dining room: 17×16 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 23×11 (main floor)
• Recreation room: 32×27 (lower level)
• Exercise room: 21×15 (lower level)
• Family room: 32×26 (main floor)

This 4-bedroom condo at 432 W. Grant in East Lincoln Park came on the market in September 2019.

Built in 2006, this building has 7 units and garage parking.

It doesn’t have amenities except for a rooftop deck and shared sports court.

This is a single floor condo with 4300 square feet and floor to ceiling windows.

The listing says the floor plan has been “masterfully reconfigured.”

The kitchen has wood cabinets, luxury stainless steel appliances and an island that seats 6.

It has 4 en suite bedrooms and the primary suite has a walk-in-closet.

The unit has a media room and a den.

It has private outdoor space with a wrap around garden with a seating and dining area.

The property has central air, washer/dryer in the unit and 3 car parking is included.

Originally listed in September 2019 at $4.3 million, it has been reduced to $3.499 million.

Is this a single family home alternative in this neighborhood?

Caryl Dillon at Compass has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #1E: 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, 4300 square feet

• Sold in October 2009 for $2.275 million (per Zillow)
• Sold in June 2015 for $3.199 million (per Zillow)
• Originally listed in September 2019 for $4.3 million
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $3.499 million 
• Assessments of $1708 a month (includes exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, and snow removal)
• Taxes of $18,000
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• 2 fireplaces
• 3 indoor parking spaces included
• Bedroom #1: 22×15
• Bedroom #2: 13×13
• Bedroom #3: 16×14
• Bedroom #4: 12×11
• Living room: 25×16
• Dining room: 25×17
• Kitchen: 26×19
• Media room: 16×11
• Office: 21×12
• Walk-in-closet: 11×9
• Laundry room: 10×7
• Terrace: 29×16
• Terrace: 95×12

This 4-bedroom in Park Newberry at 55 W. Delaware in the Gold Coast came on the market in April 2021.

Built in 1998, Park Newberry has 183 units and garage parking.

It has a doorman and an exercise room and overlooks Washington Park and the Newberry Library.

This unit is on the second floor and has 6400 square feet of indoor and outdoor space with what appears to be north, east and west exposures.

The listing says the unit has been “gut renovated” with new millwork, crown molding, Chevron floors and Hansgrohe fixtures.

The kitchen has white Leicht cabinetry, Miele appliances, Subzero wine tower, a hidden pantry and quartz and walnut butcher block island with seating.

The primary suite has a custom dressing room and spa bath.

The other 3 bedrooms are also en suite.

The listing says the unit has Elan home automation with speakers throughout and 7 incorporated TVs.

But the big selling feature is the massive terrace that stretches across the entire condo and has an outdoor kitchen with a pizza oven, pergola dining, landscaping, and a gas fire pit overlooking the trees and Washington Park.

It has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and 2 heated garage parking spaces on the first floor.

Listed at $3.195 million in April 2021, it has been reduced $195,000 to $3 million.

For those who love outdoor space, is this a dream terrace?

Ryan Preuett at Jameson Sotheby’s has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #202: 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, 3900 square feet

• Sold in October 1999 for $1.064 million (no parking)
• Sold in July 2011 for $1.95 million (two parking spaces included)
• Originally listed in April 2021 for $3.195 million 
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $3 million (two heated garage parking spaces included)
• Assessments of $3427 a month (includes heat, a/c, gas, doorman, cable, Internet, exercise room, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $43,526
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• 3 fireplaces
• Elan home automation
• Private terrace: 75×31
• Bedroom #1: 14×18
• Bedroom #2: 12×17
• Bedroom #3: 14×17
• Kitchen: 26×15
• Living room: 38×17
• Dining room: 15×11
• Walk-in-closet: 13×12
• Walk-in-closet: 9×13
• Laundry room: 6×6

This 2-bedroom loft at 300 W. Grand in River North came on the market in June 2021.

I don’t know when this building was built but a Google search says it used to be a former macaroni factory.

It’s a brick and timber loft building with many authentic loft features.

There’s 51 units and garage parking. It doesn’t have a doorman but it does have a shared rooftop deck.

This loft faces south, over Grand, and has 12 foot timber ceilings and walls of brick.

There are hardwood floors in the living/dining/kitchen and new carpet in the bedrooms.

The listing says it has been “renovated” and has a two-toned open concept kitchen with white cabinets, a white subway tile backsplash, quartz counter tops, a black island that seats two, and stainless steel appliances.

The primary bedroom, which has a window, has an en suite bath which has a double vanity.

It doesn’t appear that the second bedroom has a window.

The listing says both bathrooms have been “updated.”

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

It also has a balcony off the living room.

Listed at $475,000, does this loft compete against the new luxury apartments in the neighborhood?

Sidrah Atiq at Lofty LLC has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

• Sold in July 1998 for $226,500
• Sold in April 1999 for $272,000
• Sold in June 2001 for $342,000
• Sold in June 2005 for $353,000
• Sold in April 2012 for $305,000 (included the parking)
• Sold in June 2018 for $425,000 (included the parking)
• Currently listed at $475,000 (plus $25,000 for parking)
• Assessments of $605 a month (includes cable, Internet, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $7878
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 11×16
• Bedroom #2: 10×14
• Living room: 13×19
• Kitchen: 10×11
• Laundry room: 3×6
• Balcony