Crib Chatter

This 2-bedroom at 3205 N. Paulina in Lakeview came on the market in May 2024.

I’m not sure when this vintage building was built but it was converted into condos at the height of the housing bubble in 2007-2008.

It has 8 units and outdoor parking.

We’ve chattered about other units in this building previously. Those chatters are under the Belmont street address at 1658 W. Belmont.

The listing calls this unit a “vintage gem.”

It’s a top floor unit that has crown moldings, hardwood floors throughout, and a brick enclosed fireplace in the living/dining room.

The kitchen has cherry cabinets, granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances and an island with seating for 2.

The kitchen also has a separate built-in desk also with a granite counter top. Could this be a home office?

The primary bathroom has a “Parisian” style skylight (not sure what that means).

Both bathrooms have granite counter tops on the vanity and marble and ceramic finishes.

There’s also a private deck off the back.

This unit has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and one outdoor parking space is included in the price.

The building is also the home to the famous Scooter’s Frozen Custard on the first floor.

It is near the shops and restaurants on Belmont, including a Walgreens, and is just a few blocks from the large West Lakeview Whole Foods. Southport and Roscoe Village restaurants and shops are also nearby.

The Brown line stop at Paulina is just a few blocks away. The Redfin “commute” feature tells me it is a 6 minute walk.

Listed at $440,000, this is a rare 2/2 in this neighborhood that has parking and is listed under $450,000.

At this price, will this unit be under contract by the end of the month?

Susan Radzinowicz at Baird & Warner has the listing. See the pictures here. (the prior 2016 listing has a floor plan)

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

• Sold in June 2007 for $378,000
• Sold in May 2016 for $373,000
• Currently listed at $440,000
• Assessments of $386 a month (includes heat, a/c, gas, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $6765
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Parking space included
• Fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 13×11
• Bedroom #2: 11×10
• Living/dining combo: 24×17
• Kitchen: 20×11
• Laundry: 3×4
• Deck: 9×7

This 2-bedroom at 1216 N. Astor in the Gold Coast came on the market in April 2024.

Built in 1891, 1216 N. Astor has 9 units. The listing says it has a recently renovated lobby and elevator.

The building does not appear to have any parking.

Although this is a vintage building, the unit does not have any of its vintage features.

It has wood laminate floors throughout along with a marble gas fireplace in the living room.

The unit has a separate dining room.

The listing says the kitchen and baths have been “recently renovated”.

The kitchen is “sophisticated” with white Shaker cabinets, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, a tile backsplash and a pantry.

There is a primary suite with a spacious closet and a “luxurious” spa-like bathroom with a double vanity.

The unit has a deck off the living room.

It has the features that buyers look for including central air and laundry in the unit but there’s no parking. The listing says that there are “parking options within a 1-block radius.”

The listing says that this building is “one of the lowest” HOA buildings in the Gold Coast. It has a monthly HOA of $688 a month.

This property is near the shops and restaurants of the Gold Coast, including Rush Street and Division Street.

Originally listed in April 2024 for $600,000, it has been reduced $25,000 to $575,000.

Buyers love “new.”

Will the renovated kitchen and baths make the sale?

Hayley Westhoff and Anna Theofanous at Compass have the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

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

• Sold in January 1993 for $185,000
• Sold in January 2016 for $260,000
• Originally listed in April 2024 for $600,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $575,000
• OR, it had been listed for rent in February 2024 for $4,000 a month
• Reduced
• Had been listed for rent for $3995 a month but was withdrawn in April 2024
• Assessments of $688 a month (includes exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $9049
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• No parking
• Fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 15×13
• Bedroom #2: 14×13
• Living room: 19×15
• Dining room: 15×12
• Kitchen: 13×10
• Laundry: 5×6
• Balcony: 5×15

This 3-bedroom at 223 E. Delaware Place in Streeterville came on the market in April 2024.

223 E. Delaware Place was built in 1919 and is a co-op. It has 10 units and assigned parking, including 3 free guest spots. There are only 2 units per floor.

It has an elevator and an exercise room. There is no door staff.

The listing says this unit has been “recently renovated” and is a “vintage masterpiece.”

It has some of its vintage features including a foyer, separate dining room, high ceilings, and crown moldings.

There is a fireplace in the living room.

The unit has a family room and a bespoke bar area.

The Chef’s kitchen has white and black custom cabinetry with Subzero, Miele and Wolf appliances with an island.

There’s a butler’s pantry with black cabinetry to the ceiling and a 140 bottle wine cooler, ice maker, beverage center and a second dishwasher .

The unit has a laundry room with a window off the kitchen.

All three bedrooms are en suite but the third bedroom has been turned into a den and is missing its fourth wall. From the prior listing, it does, apparently, still have a closet so it can be returned to its bedroom status if need be.

The primary suite has two walk-in-closets and an en suite bathroom with heated floors.

The unit has the features buyers look for including central air and one assigned parking space.

This building is near all the shops and restaurants of Streeterville, including the Mag Mile, and Oak Street Beach.

We last chattered about this building last year when the sister unit to this one, 5W, came on the market. That listing described the HOA this way:

“TAXES PRORATED AND PAID MONTHLY WITH ASSESSMENTS. ADDTIONAL STORAGE IS LOCATED ON GROUND FLOOR. NO PLANNED OR UNFINISHED ASSOCIATION PROJECTS. THE BUILDING’S ROOF WAS NEW IN 2012. HEAT IS INCLUDED IN ASSESSMENTS, AND THE BUILDING’S BOILER WAS REPLACED IN 2020. THE UNIT’S A/C COMPRESSOR WAS REPLACED IN 2018.”

5W was listed at $1.195 million but did not sell. It was withdrawn from the market in December 2023.

5E has come on the market at $1.35 million, or just $50,000 above the 2020 sales price of $1.3 million.

It’s rare to see a pre-war building with parking in Streeterville.

Is this a deal for vintage lovers?

Mike Larson at Gold Coast Realty has the listing. See the pictures, floor plan, and video here.

Unit #5E: 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 3400 square feet

• Sold in October 2010 for $900,000 (per Redfin due to it being a co-op)
• Sold in October 2016 for $1.565 million (per Redfin)
• Sold in October 2020 for $1.3 million (per Redfin)
• Listed in April 2024 for $1.35 million 
• Currently still listed at $1.35 million 
• Assessments of $4077 a month (or $2,083 a month without the taxes) which includes heat, parking, cable, exercise room, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal, exterior maintenance
• Taxes of $23,889 (includes in monthly assessments)
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 21×16
• Bedroom #2: 19×12
• Bedroom #3: 16×14 (being used as a den)
• Office: 11×9
• Kitchen: 28×16
• Family room: 17×14
• Living room: 25×16
• Pantry: 10×10
• Foyer: 13×8
• Dining room: 14×13
• Laundry room: 13×6

This 3-bedroom duplex in the Metropolitan Tower at 310 S. Michigan in the Loop came on the market in July 2023.

Metropolitan Tower was built in 1924. It was converted into condos in 2008 and has 210 units and attached garage parking.

It has 24/7 door staff, an exercise room, a party room and sundeck.

This unit is a southeast facing unit with “forever views” that includes the Lake, Buckingham Fountain, Grant Park, the Art Institute and Millennium Park as well as the lakefront skyline.

It has a grand foyer with a rotunda style steel staircase along with custom moldings, crown moldings and a fireplace in the living room.

The living room faces east and southeast with views of the Lake.

The unit has a separate dining room with a walnut built-in with a hidden bar space.

The kitchen is not open to the rest of the unit. It has white custom inlay cabinetry, marble counter tops, commercial appliances and storage as well as a unique feature for a condo as the sink has a window over it.

There’s also a half bath on the main floor.

The 3 bedrooms are on the second floor along with 3 full bathrooms.

The primary suite has sitting area, a dressing room with a vanity, a huge closet with an island and a en suite bathroom with a soaking tub and separate steam shower.

This unit has a private elevator that is just for 2 residences which will take you directly to your 3 first floor garage spaces, which are included in the price.

It has the features buyers look for including central air and the laundry room is located on the second floor, with the bedrooms.

But the most unique feature of this property is the 1900 square foot private terrace on the first floor. It was designed by acclaimed Hoerr Schaudt and has imported limestone, a fountain, irrigated planters with full landscaping and a custom copper pergola with lighting.

The listing calls it an “outdoor oasis.”

This building is near Millennium Park, Grant Park, the Art Institute, Buckingham Fountain, the shops and restaurants of the Loop, too many bus lines and subway stops to count.

Originally listed in July 2023 for $4.649 million, it has been reduced $200,000 to $4.449 million.

It has also come on the market for rent at $20,000 a month.

Will this unit rent before it sells?

Joy Larkin at Coldwell Banker has the listing. See the pictures, floor plan and video here.

I also recommend checking out Redfin’s “redesign” feature if you want to know what the rooms would look like in a “redesign. For instance, if the furniture was in the Boho or Scandinavian design style, among others.

Unit #2502: 3 bedroom, 3.5 baths, 3817 square feet, duplex

• Sold in October 2008 for $3,246,500
• Originally listed in July 2023 for $4.649 million
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $4.449 million
• Assessments of $4118 a month (includes parking, cable, doorman, exercise room, party room, sundeck)
• Taxes of $43,398
• OR Listed for rent in April 2024 for $20,000 a month 
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• 3 parking spaces included
• 2 large storage rooms included
• Fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 14×20 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 13×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 13×12 (second floor)
• Foyer: 12×10 (main floor)
• Living room: 36×18 (main floor)
• Dining room: 19×13 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 20×11 (main floor)
• Gallery: 20×8
• Laundry room: 8×13 (second floor)
• Other room: 14×12 (second floor)
• Terrace: 36×51

Sorry, but some family things have come up this week and there’s no way for me to get to Crib Chatter. Therefore, I’m taking the week off.

I’ll leave you with some of the inventory numbers from the GreenZone. Chicago inventory remains among the lowest of any major city.

• Lincoln Park: 1989
• Lakeview: 192
• Bucktown: 71
• River North: 362
• Streeterville: 347
• Loop: 305

Move fast if you’re a buyer.

This 1-bedroom in the Mews at 1368 E. 57th in Hyde Park came on the market in April 2024 and just recently went contingent.

Normally, I don’t post on contingent properties, but this building is so special, I wanted to feature it.

The Mews was built in 1914 and has 24 units. Designed by Robert Spencer in the Prairie School style, it does not appear to have any amenities nor parking.

This unit has many of its vintage elements including hardwood floors, a brick fireplace with wood bookshelves, stained wood moldings and rebuilt leaded glass windows.

It has a formal entry foyer with stained wood paneling walls.

Yet it also has modern features.

The kitchen has been “updated” and has light wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances and stone counter tops.

There’s a dining room and also a small office off the bedroom.

The listing says the bathroom is “newly rehabbed” and is now “luxury” with a walk-in-shower.

The unit has in-unit washer/dryer which is located in the rehabbed bathroom. It does not have central air but has a window unit.

There’s no parking.

This is also a rare vintage unit that also has a private outdoor balcony which is off the living room.

This building is in the heart of the University of Chicago campus and is near the shops and restaurants of Hyde Park.

Listed at $299,000, it took 26 days to go under contract. That is 2 days less than the average time on the market in March 2024 of 28 days.

With rents rising, does it now make sense to buy a 1-bedroom condo to lock in your expenses?

Robert Sullivan at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #2: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 850 square feet

• Sold in December 1991 for $57,000
• Sold in May 1998 for $113,000
• Sold in June 2007 for $255,000
• Listed on April 6, 2024 for $299,000
• Under contract on May 2, 2024
• Assessments of $687 a month (includes heat, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $4524
• No central air. Window unit.
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• No parking
• Fireplace
• Bedroom: 13×11
• Living room: 14×13
• Dining room: 14×11
• Kitchen: 13×10
• Office: 10×8
• Foyer: 9×6
• Balcony: 6×5

This 2-bedroom duplex loft in The Donohue at 711 S. Dearborn in Printers Row came on the market in May 2024.

Built in 1886, The Donohue is an authentic brick and timber loft building that has 98 units. One part of the building has timber ceilings and the other has concrete.

It has an elevator and exercise room. There is no door staff or parking.

The listing calls this loft “funky, fun, glamorous” and a “cool” true timber loft.

It has 10 foot timber ceilings on the main floor and exposed brick walls along with big industrial windows.

There is a 2-story light well between floors.

There are wood floors throughout on both floors.

The first floor is open concept with the kitchen, living room, dining room and half bath.

The kitchen has been “updated” and has black and white cabinets and open shelving, stainless steel appliances and a large island with black and white vein countertops that seats six, a Julien sink and a unique brick floor.

The unit has a custom spiral mahogany staircase to the second floor which has an open flex space or family room.

The two bedrooms are also on the second floor including the two full bathrooms.

The primary suite has a closet and en suite bathrooms including dual vanities, a soaking tub and separate shower.

This loft doesn’t have any outdoor space.

This unit has the features that buyers look for including central air and washer/dryer in the unit. However, there is no parking with the building. It is leased in the neighborhood.

This building is near the shops and restaurants of Printers Row, the Loop, and Grant Park. It is near numerous bus and El routes.

Listed at $699,000, will this loft sell quickly to a loft lover?

Brad Lippitz and Stewart Smith at Compass have the listing. See the pictures here.

You can also see it in person at the Open House on Saturday, May 4, 2024 from 12 to 2 PM.

Unit #503: 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2600 square feet, duplex loft

• Sold in September 1988 for $315,000
• Sold in October 1999 for $400,000
• Sold in April 2016 for $622,000
• Currently listed at $699,000
• Assessments of $1897 a month (includes heat, cable, exercise room, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal, Internet)
• Taxes of $11,517
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• No parking- but leased in the neighborhood
• Bedroom #1: 13×17 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 11×11 (second floor)
• Living room/dining room: 31×28 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 21×11 (main floor)
• Family room: 14×19 (second floor)
• Walk-in-closet: 4×14 (second floor)
• Sun room: 8×9 (main floor)

The IAR is out with March data. The Chicago market still remains unbalanced. Inventory is at another low going back to 2008. As a result, sales fell again.

The city of Chicago saw an 18.9 percent year-over-year home sales decrease in March 2024 with 1,790 sales, down from 2,208 the year before. The median price of a home in the city of Chicago in March 2024 was $359,000, up 7.3 percent from March 2023 when it was $334,450.

Historic data courtesy of G:

City of Chicago condo/TH/SFH closed totals March
year/closed/median/% REO-Short Sales
Year Closed Median %REO/SS

1997 1,226 $126,875
1998 1,540 $137,003
1999 1,766 $152,125
2000 1,793 $167,500
2001 1,800 $195,000

2002 2,112 $210,000
2003 2,261 $225,000
2004 2,772 $244,950
2005 2,822 $271,125
2006 3,000 $275,862

2007 2,399 $285,000
2008 2,098 $300,000
2009 1,219 $217,000 37%
2010 1,860 $207,750 38%
2011 1,481 $163,763 49%

2012 1,630 $170,500 44%
2013 1,894 $187,500
2014 1,875 $235,000
2015 2,173 $260,000
2016 2,149 $269,000

2017 2,546 $295,000
2018 2,343 $310,500
2019 2,062 $290,700
2020 2,123 $319,950
2021 2,937 $345,000

2022 2,883 $345,000
2023 2,208 $334,450
2024 1,790 $359,000

Just a reminder that March 2021 was a new high in sales since 2006. But March sales are now looking more like the housing bust years of 2009-2012 but without the foreclosures and short sales.

“This March, closed sales dipped, though median sales price increased and days on market shortened – this is evident of a busy spring season in Chicago amid a pinched inventory market,” said Drussy Hernandez, president of the Chicago Association of REALTORS® and vice president of brokerage services for Coldwell Banker Realty in Chicago.

Inventory is low in Chicago, and statewide.

Statewide inventory fell another 14.2% to 15,268 from 17,795 last year. Median price, statewide, was up 9.5% to $282,000 from $257,000.

“The number of sales rose significantly from February to March in both Illinois and the Chicago PMSA,” said Dr. Daniel McMillen, Professor of Real Estate and Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs at the University of Illinois-Chicago College of Business Administration.

“Prices also increased. However, the number of sales is lower than at this time last year. Consumer confidence has been high for several months now, and sales traditionally increase significantly in spring. The number of sales and prices should continue to increase steadily over the next several months.”

Inventory in Chicago fell 16.4%. Here’s what it looked like the last three years.

• March 2022: 6506
• March 2023: 5044
• March 2024: 4216

The average thirty year fixed rate mortgage was up month-over-month in March to 6.82% from 6.78% in February. It was also higher than March 2023 when it was 6.54%.

When will inventory finally hit bottom?

And will that bottom provide a boost to home sales?

Shrinking inventory again stymies Illinois home sales, this time during March [Illinois Association of Realtors, Press Release, by Stephanie Sievers, April 19, 2024]

This 3-bedroom in Park Place Tower at 655 W. Irving Park in Lakeview came on the market in April 2024.

Built in 1973, Park Place Tower is one of the tallest buildings on the north side of the city.

It has 901 units and garage parking. The parking looks to be a mixture of owned spaces and leased, some of it valet.

A prior listing called it a full amenity building with “resort style living” with “24 hour concierge, package receiving, gym, yoga room, Olympic sized pool, sundeck with grills, outdoor basketball court, party room, movie theater, business center, bike storage, grocery store, on-site maintenance, and on-site laundry room.”

Park Place Tower also has on-site managers.

This 3-bedroom is a combined unit on the 47th floor.

It has hardwood floors throughout (not sure if laminate or real hardwoods).

The listing calls it a “modern masterpiece.”

The kitchen has sleek white custom cabinets, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and a breakfast bar with seating for 4.

The dining room has custom cabinetry and is large enough to seat 10.

The living room has an electric fireplace and there is a separate sitting room.

The primary suite has an en suite bathroom with a double vanity, walk-in-shower and soaking tub along with a walk-in-closet.

The second bathroom has also been renovated and has marble finishes.

The listing says the third bedroom could be used as a den or office.

The unit has central air and it says there is garage parking (not sure if it’s owned or leased). There is no washer/dryer in the unit as there is coin laundry in the building.

As it’s one of the tallest buildings on the north side, Park Place Tower is a view building. This unit has floor-to-ceiling windows in some rooms with city skyline, lakefront and Wrigley Field views.

This building is on the border between Lakeview and Uptown’s Buena Park neighborhood near the golf course and Montrose Beach. It’s near the Sheridan red line stop and numerous bus lines. There are restaurants and shops nearby.

Buyers love move-in ready homes.

Listed at $550,000, will this sell quickly?

Wendi Gordon Shelist and Joie De Graff at @properties Christie’s have the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Or see it at the Open House this Saturday, April 27, 2024, from 12 pm to 2 pm.

Unit #4715-13: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1542 square feet

• Unit #1: Sold in December 2005 for $236,500
• Unit #1: Sold in March 2019 for $205,000
• Unit #2: Sold in August 2005 for $269,500
• Unit #2: Sold in October 2017 for $182,500
• Last “sale” for combined units was: $387,500
• Combined unit currently listed at $550,000
• Assessments of $1598 a month (includes heat, a/c, doorman, cable, exercise room, pool, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $7523
• Central Air
• No washer/dryer in the unit. Coin laundry in the building
• Parking (included or leased?)
• Electric fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 14×11
• Bedroom #2: 14×11
• Bedroom #3: 10×7
• Kitchen: 9×8
• Living room: 19×11
• Dining room: 19×10
• Sitting room: 10×11

This 2-bedroom vintage row home at 1873 N. Leavitt in Bucktown came on the market in April 2024. I don’t have a picture of this group of row homes but I wanted to talk about this one nevertheless.

Built in 1888 on a 16×124 lot, it has a 1.5 car garage and yard.

This is a fee simple row home.

The listing says it is old world charm meets modern comfort and convenience.

Are you in Paris or Chicago?

It has some of its vintage features including oversized windows, high ceilings, vintage trim, the original staircase and a foyer.

The main floor has the living room, dining room and kitchen. It has hardwood floors.

You would expect to find a fireplace in the living room, but there isn’t one.

The kitchen has wood cabinets and stainless steel appliances and faces east. There’s a deck off the kitchen.

The second floor has both bedrooms and one bathroom. The bedrooms are carpeted.

The lower level, which the listing says is “only steps” below grade, has a family room, a utility room and another full bathroom.

The lower level has a separate entrance.

The house has central air and the garage has party doors.

The listing says it’s steps from the 606. It’s near the Damen and Western blue line stops and the shops and restaurants of Bucktown.

Listed at $849,000, is this a deal for a row home with a garage?

Alishja Ballard at @properties Christie’s has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

1873 N. Leavitt: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed, row house

• Sold in November 1981 for $38,500
• Sold in August 1986 for $73,500
• Sold in July 1992 for $157,000
• Sold in April 2003 for $492,000
• Sold in September 2015 for $550,000
• Sold in June 2022 for $775,000
• Currently listed at $849,000
• Fee simple. No assessments.
• Taxes of $13,121
• Central Air
• 1.5 car garage
• Bedroom #1: 15×21 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 15×16 (second floor)
• Living room: 15×10 (first floor)
• Dining room: 15×17 (first floor)
• Kitchen: 11×11 (first floor)
• Family room: 15×21 (lower level)