Want a Lincoln Park Townhouse for the Price of a Condo? 648 W. Willow
This fee simple townhouse at 648 W. Willow in Lincoln Park was built in 1982.
Therefore, its layout is a little different than what you would find in townhouse construction today.
It has numerous levels with the living room and the kitchen on the main level and the dining room and great room on the second floor.
Both bedrooms are on the upper floor along with a bath and a half.
There are stainless steel appliances in the kitchen along with white cabinets and white counter tops.
There are similar cabinets and counter tops in at least one of the baths that is pictured.
There is a first floor patio and a 1-car garage.
Is this a good condo alternative in Lincoln Park?
Mary Gott at Koenig & Strey has the listing. See the pictures here.
Unit #N: 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 1 car garage, no square footage listed
- Sold in May 1988 for $212,000
- Sold in February 1996 for $230,000
- Sold in August 1999 for $329,000
- Originally listed in February 2010
- Listed in April 2010 for $475,000
- Reduced
- Currently listed for $465,000
- Taxes of $4868
- Central Air
- Bedroom #1: 12×16
- Bedroom #2: 10×16
Broken link
http://www.redfin.com/IL/Chicago/648-W-Willow-St-60614/unit-N/home/13348167
I really like it. Would like to see a floorplan however.
http://www.redfin.com/IL/Chicago/648-W-Willow-St-60614/unit-N/home/13348167
Ugly lego-looking exterior.
This will have a massive bidding war.
If nobody wanted it back in April even with the tax credit, what’s changed since then?
“This will have a massive bidding war.”
It’s only been on the market for 2 days (according to redfin)
“If nobody wanted it back in April even with the tax credit, what’s changed since then”
I saw this about a month ago. I was really excited about seeing it, but not as impressed when I actually saw it. Floorplan is kind of awkward. It should be renovated, and the “access to roof” means just that they have skylights that open up. There wasnt even a ladder for me to be able to check it out.
But it does have a ton of storage space and is obviously a nice location.
with all these nice large townhomes coming on the makret in the low 5’s high 4’s wonder how htis will impact the rest of the overpriced condo’s out there????? (that are smaller, dont offer the interior space ect)
“It’s only been on the market for 2 days (according to redfin)”
Actually, it was listed in Feb 2010, de-listed and re-listed on Monday
If this had 3 BR it would be a bidding war. For a 2 BR it’s priced reasonably but doesn’t strike me as a screaming deal.
A half mill-ish goes a looooong way now and days…this sells for under 450k (as it should).
Just me, or does the cribchatter photo (not the exterior photo in the listing) make it look like this place has structural issues around the upper window? What is upper facade made out of?
Setting those questions aside, I’ll point out that this is not in a great location. It’s technically in “Lincoln Park,” but not a desirable part thereof. Lots of ho-hum townhouses in this area. A few months ago cribchatter did a post on another townhouse in this area (Matt Garrison listing). I’ve followed it since I told Matt he was over-priced. I now notice it’s under contract. Curious what they got for it (or get for it if/when it closes).
Sorry, it was Eric Rojas, not Matt Garrison.
What is the square fortress across the street?
it doesn’t seem that bad; unless it has said issues i think it should sell; whats that complex across the street?
“I’ll point out that this is not in a great location. It’s technically in “Lincoln Park,” but not a desirable part thereof.”
What? Lol! This is about as desirable a part of LP you will ever find at this price. This is firmly “East Lincoln Park” and you’re technically on the most expensive block of urban homes in the Midwest.
You’re a block from Steppenwolf, and you’re a stones throw from 2 of the best restaurants in the world. You can be at the zoo in 15 minutes. I guess there’s no pleasing some people…
The square thingy is a nice condo complex.
Replace “you will find at this price” with “as there is”.
This is about as good as it gets location wise in Lincoln Park. Or Chicago.
Dated and odd exterior building elevation, not likely to retain any vintage charm 20+ years from now. Exterior photo shows rust stain and bowed dryvit-stucco, and roof framing strangely dives into window frame. Weird lower ceiling at 3rd floor due to low roof-line. Think new owner will eventually need to reframe and reconstruct entire roof structure, but fee simple ownership might not require permission from adjoining owners to change building appearance – one less hurdle perhaps. Price still not a good deal, when considering that expensive pending problem.
Sounds like a poor buy based on that defect.
Who is gonna buy this odd looking thing for 465k when they can get a better one on Southport instead for 10% cheaper that wasn’t built in an era when all architects were seemingly high?
MLS #: 07532972
“and you’re a stones throw from 2 of the best restaurants in the world”
Alinea would be the only restaurant that I would consider amongst the best in the world, what is the other?
As for the unit, massive renovation would be in order. Sort of like the Jean Nouvel-ish windows, location vs price is positive, but that would not be enough for me to invest. The DR on a different level from the kitchen? Even in older condos this is pretty much unheard of.
Pass
“Alinea would be the only restaurant that I would consider amongst the best in the world, what is the other?”
Mr Trotter’s kitchen is only a little bit further. Certainly walkable from this place most days.
T Y anon.
I stand by comments on location. I conceded it’s in Lincoln Park but pointed out that it’s not in a desirable part thereof. I’ve lived in this part of the city for 6 years and I think that’s absolutely true. I would not pay Lincoln Park premium to live in any of the townhome tumors that have formed around Larrabee. I also don’t think being walking distance to an expensive restaurant makes this a good location. If you’re in the market for a $450k dryvit townhome how often are you eating at Charlie Trotters? Maybe once a year. But probably never. If your goal is to walk to restaurants that you can’t afford, then you might as well buy a place by Arun’s and save yourself a bunch of money.
“If your goal is to walk to restaurants that you can’t afford, then you might as well buy a place by Arun’s and save yourself a bunch of money.”
Might even save enough money to go to Arun’s semi-regularly!
I remember the bathroom and kitchen in my dorm room having similar cabinets.