Crib Chatter

This 2-bedroom in the South Residences at 680 N. Lake Shore Drive in Streeterville first came on the market in September 2019.

This is a unique building as, according to Wikipedia, it was designed by two architects in two different phases.

Completed in 1926, it was originally called the American Furniture Mart and was the largest building in the world when finished.

It has a total of 415 units in 3 different condo associations: The Tower, The Lake and the South Residences.

The South Residences has 120 units and access to the 7-story parking garage.

This is a full amenity building with a pool and 24-hour doorman.

There is commercial space in the building as well as a shopping concourse with a coffee shop, Walgreens, a bank and other amenities.

According to the listing, this is an architect-designed top floor unit which was gutted down to the studs.

It now has double-wall insulated construction to the adjacent units.

It’s interiors are done in unique modern styling with natural ash wood paneling and ceilings.

The unit has real bleached maple wood flooring.

It has custom door and cabinet hardware.

There’s also a sound system with built-in Sonance speakers throughout.

The kitchen has wood cabinets and new Samsun “Smart” appliances along with a Subzero refrigerator.

The second bedroom is being used as a library with a built-in sofa which also converts to 2 twin beds. It doesn’t appear to have a window.

The primary suite, which has a window and appears to not have full walls, has a custom bath and closet with millwork.

This unit has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and deeded parking is available for $65,000.

Originally listed in September 2019 for $925,000 it was reduced and withdrawn in June of 2020.

It came back on reduced again in July 2020 and is now listed for $675,000.

At this price, is this apartment a deal?

Julie Harron and Marlene St. George at Jameson Sotheby’s has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #1616: 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, 1550 square feet

• Sold in December 1988 for $154,000
• Sold in January 1990 for $380,000 (not sure this is the correct price in the CCRD though. Seems likely it was $180,000)
• Originally listed in September 2019 for $925,000
• Reduced
• Withdrawn in June 2020
• Re-listed in July 2020 for $695,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $675,000 (garage parking at $65,000 extra)
• Assessments of $1229 a month (includes heat, a/c, doorman, cable, pool, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal, Internet)
• Taxes of $6,113
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 17×13
• Bedroom #2: 13×10
• Kitchen: 10×9
• Living/dining combo: 29×16
• Laundry room: 12×8
• Utility room: 6×8

This 6-bedroom French Gothic mansion at 1449 N. Astor in the Gold Coast came on the market in August 2020.

Built in 1911, the house is all limestone and has 5-levels on a 33×125 lot.

It has a 2.5 car attached garage.

The house also has an elevator.

The listing says it has been “renovated down to the studs.”

The house has custom mill work, including on the ceilings, and crown molding.

It has 5 fireplaces.

The main floor has the entry foyer, the game room, the family room and mud room along with a breezeway that connects the house to the garage.

There’s also a courtyard outdoor space on the main level.

The second floor has the living and dining rooms, a den, and the kitchen.

The house has a de Giulo kitchen with a massive wood island and luxury appliances.

It also overlooks a second floor deck that features a grilling area, chef’s table with bar seating and lounge seating area.

The primary suite is on the third floor with a walk-in-closet, a dressing room, an en suite bath and a private library.

There’s a home office on this level which the listing says can be turned into another bedroom, if need be.

The fourth floor has 4 en suite bedrooms.

The house has a basement with two recreation rooms, one which could be used as an exercise room.

The basement also has the laundry room.

Like other Gold Coast mansions, it has a massive skylight.

The house has central air.

Located on famous Astor Street, it’s near Lincoln Park and is a short stroll to the shops and restaurants of Old Town.

If you were looking for a family home in this neighborhood, would this house be at the top of your list?

Joshua Wiedow and Stephen Bognar Jr. at Baird & Warner have the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

1449 N. Astor: 6 bedrooms, 6 baths, 4 partial baths, 10,000 square feet

• Sold in May 2006 for $3.5 million
• Sold in April 2010 for $4,926,500
• Originally listed in August 2020 for $7.875 million
• Currently still listed at $7.875 million
• Taxes of $98,963
• Central Air
• 2.5 car garage
• 5 fireplaces
• Bedroom #1: 18×28 (third floor)
• Bedroom #2: 24×15 (third floor)
• Bedroom #3: 18×16 (fourth floor)
• Bedroom #4: 15×11 (fourth floor)
• Bedroom #5: 13×17 (fourth floor)
• Bedroom #6: 17×13 (fourth floor)
• Living room: 18×29 (second floor)
• Dining room: 15×15 (second floor)
• Kitchen: 17×20 (second floor)
• Den: 11×11 (second floor)
• Library: 12×12 (third floor)
• Walk-in-closet: 10×16 (third floor)
• Foyer: 15×22 (main floor)
• Game room: 15×28 (main floor)
• Family room: 24×21 (main floor)
• Playroom: 24×13 (lower level)
• Recreation room: 27×24 (lower level)

This 6-bedroom single family home at 1318 N. Astor (the house on the right in the picture above, although the house on the left, 1316 N Astor, is also on the market) came on the market in July 2020.

Built in 1889, it’s on an irregular lot measuring 20.9 x 131.8 x 20.7 x 128.7.

It has an elevator and a 2-car heated garage.

The listing calls it a Charles Palmer Romanesque mansion.

While it has 5 fireplaces, it doesn’t appear to have any of its original interior finishes.

The listing says that the kitchen, primary bath and guest bath were newly finished and were designed by award winning designer Mick De Giulio.

The kitchen has brushed iceberg quartzite counter tops, custom walnut cabinetry, Ann Sacks tiles, top of the line appliances and a custom stainless hood.

The family room and primary bathroom both open to private terraces.

The listing also says there is an automatic sprinkler system built from the ground floor to the fourth floor.

The primary bath and terrace also have heated floors.

Four of the bedrooms are on the third and fourth floors with two others in the lower level.

The house also has Carlisle wide plank floors in the upstairs bedrooms.

There’s an exercise room in the photographs and it has a game room.

The house also has a library.

It has central air.

Is this house prime for those who want vintage on the outside, but not on the inside?

Jian Fu and Ting Ma at Anasia have the listing (it’s agent owned). See the pictures here (no floor plan).

1318 N. Astor: 6 bedrooms, 5 baths, 2 half baths, 7500 square feet

• Sold in November 1997 for $726,000
• Sold in June 2001 for $3.85 million
• Sold in August 2011 for $4.154 million
• Originally listed in July 2020 for $5.1 million
• Currently still listed at $5.1 million
• Taxes of $125,343
• Central Air
• 2-car heated garage
• 2 terraces
• Bedroom #1: 18×24 (fourth floor)
• Bedroom #2: 18×23 (third floor)
• Bedroom #3: 23×15 (third floor)
• Bedroom #4: 12×16 (third floor)
• Bedroom #5: 23×18 (lower level)
• Bedroom #6: 23×14 (lower level)
• Living room: 18×23 (second floor)
• Dining room: 15×17 (second floor)
• Kitchen: 14×21 (second floor)
• Family room: 11×19 (second floor)
• Breakfast room: 16×10 (second floor)
• Game room: 23×14 (main floor)
• Library: 23×12 (main floor)
• Laundry room: 14×9 (main floor)

Apparently, developers didn’t sell many new homes in Chicago in 2020.

New homes are defined by Tracy Cross & Associates as a development with 10 or more units. It doesn’t include the single family home custom built in Southport.

From Crain’s:

Sales of new-construction homes in Chicago dropped to their lowest in 25 years in 2020, according to a new report. At the same time, new home sales in the suburbs surged to a 12-year high.

In Chicago, 219 newly built homes were sold during the year, according to a 2020 year-end report released this week by Tracy Cross & Associates, a consultant to the homebuilding industry based in Schaumburg. That’s down 38.5 percent from 2019 sales, and the lowest figure in Cross’s records, which date back to 1995.

In the suburban area, 4,676 new homes sold in 2020, an increase of 23.3 percent from 2019. It’s the highest figure since 2008.

And while the suburban sales were the highest since the housing bubble, they remain well below those built in the early 2000s when the article says 20,000 to 30,000 homes were being constructed.

These 219 homes were both detached, condos and townhouse.

Three of the best-selling new-home developments in the city had an average sale price below $1 million, according to Doersching’s calculations. They were CA6 in the West Loop, where 29 condos sold at an average of $830,000 each; Lexington Village in Avondale (16 townhouses at an average of $586,000); and 5748 N. Hermitage (26 condos at an average of $741,000).

Is there a huge, pent-up demand for new construction in the city under $1 million?

There’s a new condo building that is opening a sales center in the Printers Row development called Southbank.

The Reed will be 41-stories with condos starting at $390,000.

With no competition for “new” product at this price point, will these sell quickly?

You can see pictures of The Reed here.

New home sales plummet in the city, surge in the suburbs [Crain’s Chicago Business, by Dennis Rodkin, February 2, 2021]

This 6-bedroom vintage mansion at 1515 N. State Parkway in the Gold Coast came on the market in November 2020.

Built in 1898, the house is on a larger than standard 30×130 lot and has a 1-car garage.

It also has an elevator.

The listing says it has gone through a multi-year renovation.

Yet it still has many of its extraordinary vintage features including 6 fireplaces, carved ceilings, paneled wood walls and crown molding.

The dining room has original wall paneling.

The entry foyer has a fireplace and the original coffered ceiling along with a checkerboard floor.

But the house now also has quite a few features imported from France.

The listing says the kitchen, which is on the main floor, is a “dream kitchen” with an island crafted from wormy chestnut, a La Cornue range and 400+ year old reclaimed stone flooring and a wood burning fireplace from Provence, France along with a beamed ceiling.

The nearby family room on the main floor has an antique French mantel.

And just to mix a little Swiss into it, there is a separate billiard room with paneling from a Swiss hunting lodge.

All the door, window and cabinet hardware is either gold or sterling plated from Bronze de France, Paris.

The living and dining room, along with a Butler’s pantry with a Wolf range, and a library are on the second floor.

There are also two bedrooms on the second floor and four bedrooms on the third floor.

The primary suite has an antique fireplace as well as an en suite bathroom.

The house has a basement with an exercise room.

There’s also several outdoor spaces including a courtyard with a fountain and a large stone terrace off the second floor.

It has central air.

Listed at $9.35 million for 9,680 square feet, is this mansion a vintage lover’s dream?

Timothy Salm at Jameson Sotheby’s has the listing. See the pictures here and watch the video which has more pictures of some of the rooms including the bathrooms.

1515 N. State Parkway: 6 bedrooms, 5 full baths, 2 half baths, 9680 square feet

• Lis pendens filed in May 2006
• Bank owned in August 2008
• Sold in September 2008 for $3.8 million
• Originally listed in November 2020 for $9.35 million
• Currently still listed at $9.35 million
• Taxes of $124,568
• Central Air
• 1-car garage
• Elevator
• 6 fireplaces
• Bedroom #1: 15×28 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 15×21 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 15×12 (third floor)
• Bedroom #4: 15×21 (third floor)
• Bedroom #5: 15×12 (third floor)
• Bedroom #6: 21×21 (third floor)
• Living room: 18×25 (second floor)
• Dining room: 15×21 (second floor)
• Library: 11×19 (second floor)
• Family room: 20×19 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 18×17 (main floor)
• Breakfast room: 12×13 (main floor)
• Den: 14×17 (main floor)
• Foyer: 12×8 (main floor)
• Exercise room: 20×18 (basement)
• Laundry room: 7×7 (third floor)
• Terrace: second floor

This 3-bedroom single family home at 1524 N. Astor in the Gold Coast came on the market in December 2020.

It’s rare for its location as it was built in the middle of last century and not during the early 1900s.

It was designed by Chicago architect I.W. Colburn in 1969.

It’s on a smaller than normal Chicago lot measuring 25×101.

The house is also directly on the historic, landmarked “Wooden Alley” which is only one, of two, still existing alleys paved with wood left in the city.

The listing says the current owner embarked on a 5-year redesign done by Marvin Herman & Associates and Suzanne Lovell Inc.

The interior is in art deco style.

The floors are stained, quartersawn white oak with a metal inlay.

There is custom millwork, cabinetry, drapes and paint throughout.

The first floor includes the entry foyer, the laundry room, and an office or guest room with a full bath.

The second floor features the living room, dining room and an eat-in kitchen along with a den, deck and terrace which overlooks the Cardinal’s Mansion across the alley.

The kitchen has dark cabinets, stone counter tops, an island, luxury stainless steel appliances and a banquette.

The third floor has the primary suite with an attached bathroom, another bedroom, also en suite, and a family room.

The listing says that the garden, koi pond and terraces were professionally landscaped by Scott Byron & Company.

There are 4 fireplaces, central air and 2-car parking (although there are 3 listed on the floor plan. Is one too small to have a car in?)

If you’re a fan of mid-century homes, does this one hit all the buttons?

Jennifer Ames at Engel & Voelkers has the listing. See the pictures, a video and floor plans here.

1524 N. Astor: 3 bedrooms, 4 full baths, 2 half baths, 6500 square feet

• Sold in October 2000 for $8.125 million
• Originally listed in December 2020 at $10.995 million
• Currently still listed at $10.995 million
• Taxes of $80,649
• 2-car garage parking
• 25×101 lot
• 4 fireplaces
• Central Air
• 3 outdoor spaces
• Skylight
• Bedroom #1: 22×15 (third floor)
• Bedroom #2: 11×15 (third floor)
• Bedroom #3: 23×15 (main floor)
• Living room: 22×21 (second floor)
• Dining room: 22×13 (second floor)
• Kitchen: 22×13 (second floor)
• Family room: 22×18 (third floor)
• Den: 15×15 (second floor)
• Laundry room: 6×11 (main floor)
• Terrace with koi pond: 23×12 (main floor)
• Terrace: 16×31 (second floor)
• Deck: 12×14 (second floor)

This 3-bedroom in The Peerless at 3026 N. Lincoln in Lakeview came on the market in August 2020.

Built in 2017, The Peerless has 9-units and a heated garage.

It’s an elevator building which has a brick and limestone exterior.

It has poured concrete between floors for soundproofing.

This unit has 10 foot ceilings and 4″ wide white oak floors with a walnut stain.

It’s a smart home wired for sound,  including on the covered balcony off the living room.

The kitchen has Scavolini cabinets and luxury appliances including a Wolf range, Subzero refrigerator and stone waterfall countertops.

The primary bedroom suite has dual organized closets and a zen bathroom with European floating cabinetry and programmable heated floors.

One of the three bedrooms doesn’t have windows.

It has central air, side-by-side washer/dryer and rare 2-car attached heated garage parking.

In addition to the covered balcony, the unit also has a private 600 square foot rooftop deck but it is accessed via the elevator, not from within the unit.

It’s near the big West Lakeview Whole Foods and shops and restaurants.

The listing says it’s in Burley Elementary.

Originally listed in August 2020 at $799,000, it has been reduced to $750,000.

With work-from-home the new norm, are 3-bedroom one floor condos now a hard sell?

Amy Helen Oetter at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #3B: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1750 square feet

• Sold in July 2017 for $730,000 (per Zillow)
• Originally listed in August 2020 at $799,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $750,000
• Assessments of $350 a month (includes exterior maintenance, scavenger)
• Taxes of $14,415
• Central Air
• Side-by-side washer/dryer in the unit
• Smart home wired for sound
• Bedroom #1: 17×12
• Bedroom #2: 12×11
• Bedroom #3: 11×11
• Living room: 20×16
• Dining room: 17×10
• Kitchen: 18×9
• Walk-in-closet: 7×7
• Foyer: 5×14
• Balcony: 15×5
• Rooftop terrace: 21×30

This 3-bedroom in Le Griffon at 3314 N. Lake Shore Drive in East Lakeview just came on the market.

According to Chicago Apartments, Le Griffon was designed by L.G. Hallberg in 1916.

It was the first shoreline apartment high rise constructed north of North Avenue and was designed for the elites of the city.

It originally had just full floor flats which were 18 rooms and 5 bathrooms and were leased to Chicago’s most prominent merchant families.

The building is brick, glazed terra-cotta and gray limestone.

After the Great Depression, the units were split up into smaller units.

According to Chicago Apartments, by 1951, the building had 49 units.

It was converted into condos in 1983.

The listing says there are 28 units today.

This unit is part of the back of the building.

It has many of its original vintage finishes including a paneled living room with unique windows on two sides, built-in shelving, a wood burning fireplace and ornate plaster ceilings.

The unit also has a gallery style hall with a barrel ceiling.

It has a dry bar along with stained oak floors.

There’s a second wood burning fireplace in the primary suite which also has an attached, updated bath and 2 closets.

It has a second vintage-style bath.

The kitchen has white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, light granite counter tops with a full-height backsplash which overlooks the dining room.

It has central air, but no in-unit washer/dryer. There is a laundry room in the building.

This unit does have a rare on-site gated parking spot (it’s in the 2017 listing pictures).

It’s come on the market at $495,000.

Is this the perfect unit for those looking for affordable vintage?

Cairon Dietsch-Jones and Jason Roberts at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices have the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Or see it at the open house on Sunday, Jan 31, from 10 am to noon.

Unit #9C: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1350 square feet

• Sold in February 2003 for $330,000
• Sold in June 2005 for $478,000
• Sold in July 2015 for $434,000
• Sold in July 2017 for $464,000
• Currently listed at $495,000 (includes 1 gated parking space)
• Assessments of $1425 a month (includes heat, a/c, security system, cable, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $7524
• Central Air
• No in-unit washer/dryer. Laundry room in the building
• 2 wood burning fireplaces
• Bedroom #1: 13×14
• Bedroom #2: 10×16
• Bedroom #3: 10×11
• Living room: 15×13
• Dining room: 11×12
• Kitchen: 13×9
• Foyer: 5×9
• Walk-in-closet: 6×3

This 3-bedroom loft in the Manchester Building at 2035 W. Charleston in Bucktown came on the market in November 2020.

Built in 1895, the Manchester Building has 18 units and a parking garage.

It was converted into condos in 1990.

Here’s info from the Tribune talking about the development when the sales center opened in 1990.

The Manchester Building, 2035 W. Charleston St., was designed in the 1890s as a hospital.

The E-shaped configuration of the four-story structure was planned to contain the 18 wards and service areas of the institution. Each area received light from large windows on three sides.

The hospital was built as an affiliate of All Saints Cathedral, which still stands next door.

Parish financial problems forced the sale of the hospital shortly after it opened, and it was converted to multiuse light industry.

This unit is a 2500 square foot first floor loft that duplexes down.

The listing says it has 14 foot ceilings with beams and iron saddles.

The loft has exposed brick walls and industrial windows.

There are maple hardwood floors on the main floor.

The kitchen has a large island with a breakfast bar with seating, granite counter tops, a tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances along with a walk-in-pantry.

There are two bedrooms on the main floor, including the primary bedroom which has a walk-in-closet and an en suite bathroom with a double vanity and walk-in shower.

The third bedroom is in the lower level along with a full bath, the laundry room and a massive open space that the listing says could be a second family room.

There are 3 outdoor spaces including a covered balcony off the kitchen, a terrace on the lower level and a deck off the first floor family room that could be finished (on top of the garage perhaps? See pictures).

It has the features buyers look for including central air, a one car garage and in-unit laundry.

Listed at $899,000, is this a rare opportunity to get a large, truly authentic loft space for under $1 million in the hot Bucktown neighborhood?

Brent Jensen and Jeffrey Jensen at KW Experience have the listing. See the pictures here (no floor plan).

Unit #102: 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2500 square feet, loft, duplex down

• Sold in October 1991 for $220,500
• Sold in September 1998 for $468,000
• Originally listed in November 2020 for $899,000
• Currently still listed at $899,000 (includes one car garage)
• Assessments of $471 a month (includes exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $14,338
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Wood burning fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 12×15 (main level)
• Bedroom #2: 12×14 (main level)
• Bedroom #3: 11×13 (lower level)
• Family room: 21×32 (main level)
• Dining room: 10×14 (main level)
• Kitchen: 16×16 (main level)
• Recreation room: 22×28 (lower level)
• Laundry room: 7×15 (lower level)

This 4-bedroom Spanish-style single family home at 1821 N. Lincoln Park West in Old Town came on the market in November 2020.

Built in 1895, it’s on a larger than average Chicago lot measuring 25×151.5.

It has a 2-car garage.

The house is one of just two Spanish-style homes in the Old Town neighborhood. The second one is its twin next door.

The listing says it has been “Architect renovated.”

The house has 11-foot ceilings, crown moldings and skylights.

The kitchen has black custom cabinets and luxury appliances by Subzero, Miele and Viking.

There is a banquette eating area off the kitchen as well as a den.

The second floor has 3 of the bedrooms including the primary bedroom, which is en suite.

There’s also an office on the second floor.

The fourth bedroom is in the lower level along with a family room, a full bath and the laundry room.

The listing says that the lower level has private outside access which would make it perfect as a suite for aging parents or a nanny.

There’s a deck on the second floor as well as a backyard patio which the listing says was designed by renowned landscape architect Maria S. Smithburg.

The house has space pak cooling.

It’s located on one of the most popular streets in Old Town, near Lincoln Park and the shops and restaurants on Wells Street.

Originally listed in November 2020 at $2.5 million, it went under contract within the first few days but was then re-listed in December.

It was recently reduced $125,000 to $2.375 million.

Buyers love move-in ready homes.

Will the price reduction get the sale done quickly?

Linda Mayer at Baird & Warner has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

1821 N. Lincoln Park West: 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 3800 square feet, 2 car garage

• Sold in November 1999 for $500,000
• Sold in August 2005 for $1.96 million
• Originally listed in November 2020 for $2.5 million
• Under contract within days
• Re-listed in December 2020 at $2.5 million
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $2.375 million
• Taxes of $29,311
• 2-car garage
• Space-pak cooling
• 1 fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 19×17 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 9×15 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 13×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 11×13 (lower level)
• Living room: 12×34 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 12×9 (main floor)
• Eating area: 12×7 (main floor)
• Den: 13×15 (main floor)
• Library: 7×12 (main floor)
• Office: 12×8 (second floor)
• Family room: 12×34 (lower level)
• Laundry room: 10×8 (lower level)
• Mud room: 7×18 (lower level)
• Deck: 8×11 (second level)
• Terrace: 21×40