Selling for a Loss in the Brewster: 2800 N. Pine Grove
We’ve chattered about the historic Brewster, at 2800 N. Pine Grove, in Lakeview before (Charlie Chaplin’s penthouse is still on the market, by the way, and has been reduced another $20k to $565,000. It last sold in 2005 for $545,000).
Two other units are currently on the market, a two bedroom and a studio.
It looks like both sellers are going to take losses on their units.
Unit #5A: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath
- Sold in March 2000 for $187,000
- Sold in August 2002 for $241,000
- Sold in May 2004 for $279,500
- Currently listed for $275,000
- Assessments of $333 a month
- No w/d in the unit (but building allows it)
- No parking
- Window unit air conditioning
- Second bedroom is “open” to the rest of the unit
- Prime Property Partners has the listing
This studio is under contract. I don’t have the square footage but the living area is 18 x 16.
Unit #5L: studio
- Sold in September 2007 for $146,000
- Currently listed for $139,900
- Under contract
- Assessments of $165 a month
- No washer/dryer in the unit
- Baird & Warner has the listing
These places seem like real bargains for the neighborhood until you consider that most people consider this building weird and unlivable.
The central atrium is gorgeous and unusual, but that’s not where you live. The apartments themselves have windows right on the atrium and tend to need a lot of work to look halfway good. They never look really good, and the configurations are strange. They don’t have the beauty or details that the really coveted Victorian places have.
So maybe these will roll back to 2002 prices.
I don’t hate the kitchens, but they look incongruous with the building.
i love the building, though! the history and the landmark status.
http://www.cityofchicago.org/Landmarks/B/Brewster.html
such history! and a historical example of chicago architecture and innovation.
and the outdoor space and view in the PH unit are just amazing.
i’ve been in there a few times.
special buyer: needed! 😉
I love the building’s exterior architecture, and I really love the mysterious atrium with its glass brick floors that filter the light and its decorative ironwork and staircases. It really is quite a building to look at and I’m glad it’s standing on that corner. I also appreciate its historic status.
However, I looked at a couple of units there and was really put off by the units themselves. The rooms seemed small and badly configured, the floorplans didn’t work, the windowsills were too high, and there were almost no closets. Most of all, the apartments had none of the decorative details or rich woodwork you expect in a building this age. I most of all didn’t like the lack of privacy, with kitchen windows facing the atrium that someone could climb right into.
They are all pretty different, for sure. I have only been in 4, but the ph *does* have a bunch of orig woodwork. Pretty amazing, really. And the kitchen is odd, but doesn’t face the atrium!
The penthouse looks amazing- I just wish they would put some normal pictures of it in the listing. Then maybe buyers would be able to see how cool the unit really is.
That deck is stunning though.
i agree with you there — and do not, for the life of me, understand WHY one would not DO that! 😉
I lived in 7e a while ago and the unit was just gorgeous as well as the unit next to it, did not get to see Charlie”s old place though. Mine had an amazing wood burning fireplace, exposed brick and all the old doors & woodwork you can imagine. Very charming. I came across this site just checking on the building and finding negative reviews… Must have been people looking at studios? This is one of the most amazing buildings in chicago, trust me I have seen a lot of old houses being a european to start with….