The Grand Daddy of the Carl Street Studios Still Awaits a Buyer: 155 W. Burton in Old Town
This 3-bedroom duplex in the Carl Street Studios at 155 W. Burton in Old Town recently came on the market again in July 2016.
But it has been on and off the market since 2009.
We first chattered about it in June 2009. You can see our chatter here.
The Carl Street Studios is a unique 15 unit complex built by architect Edgar Miller and Sol Kagen. Originally constructed as a Victorian home and coach house in 1880, it was renovated into the studios in 1927.
There is nothing like it in the city.
This unit is the largest in the complex at 3500 square feet.
It has the original mosaic, stained glass, Art Deco tiles, and carved doors.
The house has parquet floors and carved and painted ceilings.
There are 3 fireplaces.
The listing says the house was “modernized” in 2004.
It’s now 13 years later, is that still a new renovation as far as buyers are concerned?
The kitchen has wood cabinets and stainless steel appliances.
There’s a private rooftop deck and space pak cooling.
The complex doesn’t have parking although the listing seems to indicate it includes parking.
In years past, there was the option to rent 2-car parking for around $420 a month nearby.
Also in prior listings, this unit was much larger, at 5,000 square feet. But this go-around, they have stripped out the 745 studio that is available to also purchase.
It was also listed at $3.1 million in 2009, but, again, that appears to include the studio, which is Studio #7.
Back in our 2009 chatter, some of you said it was the type of property that would either sell in a week or would still be on the market 5 years later.
The property is now listed at $1.6 million, without Studio #7.
With the luxury market the best since 2007, will this unique home finally find a new buyer?
Linda Shaughnessy at Jameson Sotheby’s has the listing. See the pictures here.
Unit #2: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 3500 square feet
- Sold in March 2003 for $1.8 million (included #2 and #7)
- Listed in June 2009 for $3.1 million (included #2 and #7)
- Reduced
- On and off the market over the years
- Re-listed in July 2016 for $1.6 million (only includes #2)
- Assessments of $2548 a month (they were $3578 a month in 2009 with #7)- includes heat, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger
- Taxes of $27,284 (they were $29,704 in 2009 which included #7)
- Space Pak cooling
- Parking? (was rental in prior listings for $420 a month for 2 spots)
- 3 fireplaces
- Rooftop deck
- Bedroom #1: 13×23 (second floor)
- Bedroom #2: 13×18 (second floor)
- Bedroom #3: 8×12 (second floor)
- Breakfast room: 19×10 (second floor)
they should really stage this place
it will be a tough to sell. I’ve been in the unit and I don’t think I could live there.
I can’t imagine how much the heating/cooling bills would be in this place. Plus how much extra to renovate? I’d rather save on utility bills & buy a new construction townhouse/house if I’m dropping 1.6mm+.
House of Horrors?!?
Jan Terri could headline a Halloween show here and RAWK THE HOUSE!!!!
Old Style could sponsor, and the theme would be Cubbies!!!! LOLZ.
This house is a fail. Only value here are the memories the current family has and possibly want to forget while moving on to a home that was built in the current century.
GO CUBS!!!!!
I think a better photographer would do wonders for this listing… as is they are craptastic photographs and they don’t give any insight as to how this unique property is laid out or looks at all in person…
But what do I know, I’m not the one going to be making like $64k if this sells
“I’ve been in the unit and I don’t think I could live there.”
Legit couldn’t, or wouldn’t prefer over alternatives even at (say) $500k??
Easy to say “not my thing for $1.6m, as I’d rather have (say) this:
https://www.redfin.com/IL/Chicago/1429-N-Wells-St-60610/unit-601-602/home/77443235
around the corner”
This place is weird, but I like it.
That place on Wells is really depressing, anon.
“That place on Wells is really depressing”
It is *very* suburban vanilla, so it’s basically the opposite of the Studio, and it is right around the corner.
That place on wells is awful anon…
One, its on busy noisy wells st, vs a quiet side street
two, its vanilla as fuck and not even a top floor unit
at least it has parking included but the assessments are 1300 a month cheaper, not sure if they are really that comparable to be honest
Guys,
I’m understandably less cultured about some of this architectural stuff –
But GOOD GOD, this place is awful. It feels like moldy batcave meets a mix of cathedral/art deco miami. Who would pay this much for this? even the entrance is kind of terrible.
I don’t know. like HD said maybe just awful staging. If i was the owner i’d try and put at least 100 k into some decent upgrades to make it look a bit better. yikes.
“I can’t imagine how much the heating/cooling bills would be in this place.”
That’s why heat is included in the assessments.
People who are interested in buying this property are architecture buffs. They don’t want the vanilla box townhouse. They want the mosaic tiles and the painted carved ceilings.
“I’m not the one going to be making like $64k if this sells”
$26,640 gross for the seller’s realtor if it sells for ask.
If I were a millionaire, I would buy it. I love this place!
HEY! ALL YOU GUYS STOP RIPPING ON THE WELLS PLACE – MY REALTOR USED TO LIVE THERE. ITS REALLY NICE!!! 🙂
seriously though it’s a great contrast from anon(tfo). that unit has every modern update including parking. the interior could be from a mcmansion on the near north side or a living room in the outskirts of kansas city.
the issue i have with the carl street studio is that I HAVE to live to that style. I can still find places that are pretty unique like 50 w. schiller and I can style it however I like on the inside.
like
https://www.redfin.com/IL/Chicago/50-W-Schiller-St-60610/unit-2J/home/18972762
and there are ones with more character that you can semi change
https://www.redfin.com/IL/Chicago/50-W-Schiller-St-60610/unit-2H/home/21995644
separate topic
https://www.redfin.com/IL/Chicago/1500-N-Lake-Shore-Dr-60610/unit-20B/home/106172954
so is the 70’s or 80’s style renovation. The green carpet and green wall with the piano to me says 70’s but the den and alcove to me says 80’s
Agree that at the very least, a floor plan should be in the listing. No idea how this place flows and some elaborate staging, at least in the LR is essential. You aren’t selling a house with this listing, but a lifestyle.
“so is the 70’s or 80’s style renovation. The green carpet and green wall with the piano to me says 70’s but the den and alcove to me says 80’s”
If you mean “70 days ago” and “80 days ago”, I might agree.
That’s 100% brand spanking new. And, if not changed, will in 20 years be easily identified as a 2015-2018 reno.
So clearly I am not of that “taste” for that reno
“So clearly I am not of that “taste” for that reno”
Clearly.
I like it, but it would always feel like I was in someone else’s house.
It breaks my heart that people don’t like this. I love Edgar Miller and would absolutely live here if I could afford it. Now I’m afraid someone’s going to buy it and gut it.
https://tinyurl.com/y7o6x42k
https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/art-for-living-edgar-miller/Content?oid=1247664
http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/artwork/artist/Miller%2C+Edgar
Yes this place needs staging…and something hung on the walls, but it is for someone with more than a passing appreciation for art and design who doesn’t want the same faux-euro-modern crap that developers are cranking out these days. I think this place could be amazing. I would start by painting it but doubt I would change any finishes unless something was actually wrong with them and they couldn’t be repaired.
A floor plan would also help market this place.
That Wells Street listing is a soul-less crap hole. I have actually seen more soul-less in just about every new construction three and four-flat, but that place has a nice looking stove and that is all.
Love this place..though it might change if I actually lived there. I love the tile but..its everywhere (yes, I am blanded out by living in the burbs…) I could see the Evil Queen or Norma Desmond coming down those stairs..though they look like they are dangerous to a mere mortal..you would be so distracted that you could fall.
The living room with that fireplace is very very cool..that bar I would make out with, the dining room looks great..if I had the money I would hurry up and buy it and have buyers remorse for a month or two and then come around to loving it. Just the look on my friends and families faces when they walk in would be worth it.
It could use a little “warming” up but it as others said I think its the photographer. No one of your friends…(or anyone on earth) would have a similar house!
I also love this place. I wouldn’t want it as my only home but if I had the means it would be awesome to renovate with minimal changes, anyone who would gut this is absolutely soulless.