The Vintage Lincoln Park 2/2 for $425,000 Still Exists: 2153 N. Seminary
This 2-bedroom in Seminary Gardens at 2153 N. Seminary in Lincoln Park came on the market in May 2022.
Built in 1896, Seminary Gardens has 18 units and a shared landscaped common yard with seating.
There’s extra storage in the building but no elevators or parking.
This top floor unit has 10 foot ceilings with vintage features such as crown moldings and ceiling medallions.
The living room has a decorative fireplace with a marble mantle and built-ins.
The listing says the dining room could be used as a den or could be a home office that looks over Seminary.
The kitchen has been “updated” and has white cabinets, stainless steel appliances and a breakfast bar with seating for two.
The primary bedroom has an en suite bathroom which the listing says is “newly renovated.”
There is a “huge” deck off the kitchen.
This unit has in-unit washer/dryer and the listing says central air but it looks like there is a wall unit in one of the bedrooms.
There’s no parking with the building but the listing says there is “easy permit parking.”
This building is steps to the shops and restaurants on both Webster and Armitage and near public transportation.
Back in the housing bubble, the $400,000 2/2 was ubiquitous in Chicago but prices have gone up.
Listed at $425,000, is this unit a rare affordable 2/2 in Lincoln Park?
Katharine Waddell at Compass has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.
Unit #C: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed
- Sold in June 1992 for $151,000
- Sold in September 1997 for $156,500
- Sold in December 1999 for $260,000
- Sold in December 2000 for $285,000
- Sold in June 2007 for $376,500
- Sold in August 2011 for $282,000
- Currently listed at $425,000
- Assessments of $301 a month (includes heat, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
- Taxes of $5965
- Central Air? (wall units?)
- Washer/dryer in the unit
- No parking. Permit parking in the neighborhood.
- Additional storage in building
- Decorative fireplace
- Bedroom #1: 15×13
- Bedroom #2: 13×9
- Living room: 16×12
- Dining room: 8×7
- Kitchen: 13×9
- Deck
What an odd layout. You have to cross the house to get from the kitchen to the “dining room,” and the second bedroom occupants have to walk through the kitchen to get to a bathroom or shower.
I used to live there, @Jon. It’s a great place. The courtyard is beautiful and peaceful, the units have tall ceilings and tons of light from windows that are practically floor-to-ceiling, and they’re full of unusual details. Well-run condo association too. To your point about the layout — they’re long, narrow rowhouse-type units. I lived with what you’re talking about, and while I see it’s different, there was no issue. In fact they’re very livable and cool.
Could make a killer 1Br – Take the 2nd Br out and expand the Kitchen/Dr, deck is nice sized
Great location if you’re <30, terrible otherwise.
Dining room is a joke
This should be a rental
“What an odd layout.”
equals:
“Vintage Lincoln Park 2/2 for $425,000.”
It’s totally self-evident.
Also: “Sold in December 1999 for $260,000” + CPI = $446k.
I love this set of buildings and have been in some of these. They are really cute vintage and I appreciate that this is the top floor so no one is walking above you, which is vital with those hardwood floors.
This is a nice starter apartment. Those of us who love vintage know that they have different layouts from 21st century builds. It was built in 1896 when you didn’t want to see or hear the kitchen, at all.
I much prefer this layout over the open layout, especially if I’m working from home all the time. You can close the door on that second bedroom and actually work.
I’ve seen RV’s with more countertop space than this place… what an absolutely crazy cramped layout
not only that you’re living in depaulville so 90% of your neighbors are probably trashy college students
pass
@JohnnyU — have you actually set foot in this neighborhood in the last 20 years? For the most part, it’s quiet and peaceful. A great mix of older folks pushing 60 (like me), young couples with little kids, and yes, students. Come visit sometime; I’ll buy you a pint at the Local Option.
“not only that you’re living in depaulville so 90% of your neighbors are probably trashy college students”
This is a wonderful area. I don’t really associate it with “depaulville” where they are building $1.5 million condos.
And who do you think is buying a $425,000 2/2? Someone as old as you sonies?
“ JohnnyU — have you actually set foot in this neighborhood in the last 20 years? For the most part, it’s quiet and peaceful. A great mix of older folks pushing 60 (like me), young couples with little kids, and yes, students. Come visit sometime; I’ll buy you a pint at the Local Option.”
WB – Not since COVID, but yes I’ve been there, tho spent most of the time East (closer to Halsted).
As to my comment (and to be specific), would you want to live on Webster? A few blocks off is a different beast.
Appreciate the offer
Unit is contingent
“As to my comment (and to be specific), would you want to live on Webster? A few blocks off is a different beast.”
Webster is amazing. It’s my favorite street in the city. Housing variety, landscaping, historic homes. It’s very special.
“Webster is amazing. It’s my favorite street in the city. Housing variety, landscaping, historic homes. It’s very special.”
We liked it. Planted a tree between the sidewalk and street in front of our place about ten years ago – keep forgetting to go by and check on it when we’re in town.
“would you want to live on Webster?”
Did Webster Avenue still your girlfriend JU?
Like most 2-lane streets in Chicago that are a mix of R and B zoning, there are some blocks I’d like to live on, and others I wouldn’t.
Should there be a discount for Webster v. half a block north or south? In most cases, yes, as with most mixed-commercial streets, but that’s also block by block.
This place is adorable. I’m not surprised it went under contract so quickly.
I don’t know what the chatterati expect for $425K, but this is a lovely, updated vintage unit in a great location.
“Like most 2-lane streets in Chicago that are a mix of R and B zoning, there are some blocks I’d like to live on, and others I wouldn’t.
Should there be a discount for Webster v. half a block north or south? In most cases, yes, as with most mixed-commercial streets, but that’s also block by block.”
I’m not anti-Webster. I lived on Webster in my 20’s and loved it (Even with the rats, which I must have imagined). I have friends that live in the area of LP and yes its its much preferable living a couple of blocks off Webster along with the additional $.
Now that we all agree that Webster isn’t hell on earth. Would you chose to live here on Webster married, in your 30’s with a kid?
“much preferable living a couple of blocks off Webster”
So, south of Armitage, or north of Fullerton?
Or do you really mean “at least several houses”?
This is a slant rhyme to Steve-o Heitman’s game of defining down what was “true LP”, and thus Recession-proof, to a mere handful of lots on perhaps 15% of the blocks in LP.
Yes, all else being equal, I’d prefer to be on a side street that is one-way, yet not a convenient cut-through alternative to another street, not sharing an alley with any commercial, or any garages for buildings with more than 8 units, and not within 500′ of the El, but also not more than 2,500′ from an el stop, unless I’m within ~1,000′ of the western edge of Lincoln Park. I don’t want rentals as direct neighbors, or too many rentals without off-street parking on the block at all, and no institutional uses, unless they don’t really create foot traffic. And no billionaires on the block, unless my house is nicer than theirs. Not to close to DePaul or LPHS.
What does that leave?
“Or do you really mean “at least several houses”?”
How about not on Webster
Would you choose to live on Webster with the criteria I laid out?
“Would you chose to live here on Webster”
Corner of Webster and Seminary? Probably not.
This one across from Oz Park?
https://www.redfin.com/IL/Chicago/716-W-Webster-Ave-60614/unit-3W/home/179141860
Maybe.
East of Cleveland, on Webster, for sure.
In every case, would I rather be 6 houses up a side street? Yes, but in every case that would also cost more, so there are tradeoffs.
““Would you chose to live here on Webster”
Corner of Webster and Seminary? Probably not.””
Thanks and agreed with the rest