Want Something Unique? The Fisher Apartments at 1209 N. State Parkway
This 2-bedroom duplex unit in the Frank Fisher Apartments at 1209 N. State Parkway in the Gold Coast is unlike anything you’ve ever seen before.
The unit also includes a rare parking space (there are only two with the building, both belonging to the two 2-bedroom units in the small building.)
And no, I don’t know what the condo association is doing about the deterioriation of the facade. Anyone know?
Here’s the listing:
THE “FRANK FISHER APARTMENTS,”AN ICON OF PRE-WORLD WAR II MODERNISM,WAS BUILT IN 1936 & HAS EARNED CHICAGO’S HIGHEST LANDMARK STATUS. IT IS THE MOST FAMOUS OF ARCHITECT ANDREW REBORI’S BUILDINGS.
THIS END-UNIT DUPLEX IS ONE OF THE LARGEST UNITS & HAS THE BEST EXP. OF ANY UNIT IN THE COMPLEX IT OFFERS A MAGICAL COMBINATION OF VOLUME & LIGHT & HAS BEEN COMPLETELY RESTORED W/THE FINEST FINISHES. PRICE INCLUDES…
Marc Cadrot at Sudler Sotheby’s has the listing. See more pictures here.
Unit #7: 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, duplex no square footage given
- Sold in January 2001 for $530,000
- Sold in April 2007 for $475,000
- Currently listed for $545,000 (includes the parking)
- Assessments of $843 a month
- Taxes of $7303
- Central air
- Has two staircases
You would have to pay someone $1000 a month to live in this monster ! Could this be the home of Fred Flintstone?
Another artifact of the historic housing bubble, thanks for the laughs Sabrina.
I’ve been in this unit before and a lot of the 1 bed duplexes. The 1 beds (go for 240-280) are a nice alternative to a gold coast condo. The upstairs/downstairs concept does give you the illusion of more space.
cool place. weird but cool. I wonder if the noise from division is an issue.
Cool unit and great location! The cons: the price and the ridiculous assessments. What are those assessments paying for? Should be free room service for that price.
” What are those assessments paying for? Should be free room service for that price.”
Did you look at the exterior picture? The facade is on the verge of needing to be rebuilt.
“COMPLETELY RESTORED W/THE FINEST FINISHES”
Why, oh why, couldn’t they have used something (anything!) other than the “finest finishes”? They totally crapified this unit at great expense.
Another creative use of the word “restore”. Let’s try:
“Every interesting finish from the era has been torn out and replaced by modern schlock that will be out of date six months from now”. A missed opportunity.
So the living room has no windows that one can actually see out of? I think I’d feel like I’m in prison w/ all that glass bock…
JB – i agree – it has been renovated but to the taste of the current owner – a totally missed opporunity.
I have been in the unit and there are other windows. it has very nice light. The overall feel is bright/airy. The glass block windows face south/west toward state and division – so hopefully they would provide some noise insulcation.
That’s not a restoration. Why insult our intelligence, Realtor(tm)?
Saw this for rent a year or two ago on Cl for about 1500 a month IIRC.
Also at the time I think they were split into 2 one bedrooms?
a,
Nope, there were 1 bedroom units for rent/sale. This unit has always been a 2
I love this building. Great apartment, and unusual.
I love this duplex condominium. It is very quiet and always bright thanks to the glass blocks walls. The location cannot be better, close to the beach, shops, restaurants, and Michigan Avenue. When you are in the courtyard of this small building you could imagine yourself in the south of France. The building has only 12 units. Two 2 bed units and ten 1 bed. The design dates from 1936 and still is very modern today. Truly unique.
It’s actually 13 units, there is one Triplex — http://www.redfin.com/IL/Chicago/1209-N-State-Pkwy-60610/unit-13/home/12739202
I actually own one of the 1bd units….so I’ll try to give some perspective and answer some questions.
If you have any other questions or comments, just post them there and I’ll respond.
– The facade was never as bad as that picture showed. We’re in the midst of a bunch of projects to upgrade the building, one of which was tuck pointing and refinishing the outside. If you go by now, you will see how great the work looks.
– I can tell you that EVERY single person that has viewed the unit is amazed that something like that exists in the gold coast.
– The duplex with a 2 story wall of glass block is amazing. The design of the units makes it feel huge and airy, not cramped as most comparable units feel. The contemporary style may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but there’s a reason why it’s on the register of national landmarks.
– There is no noise from Division. The strange thing is that once you walk in the court yard the noise goes down to a hum and once you close the door in the unit, there’s NO noise at all. Chalk it up to great windows on all the units and the quality of construction of a vintage building.
– The unit for rent indeed was a 1-bedroom unit.
Enjoy!
The renovation to the facade is complete. This unit has sold. I too am an owner of one of the 1 bed. units. These are unusual units and offer amenities you can’t get in one of the local high rises. Opening windows, walking out to a courtyard, plenty of privacy and quiet. Assessments in vintage apts. is always going to be higher than new construction but at least you know what you’re dealing with. Better to have money in reserve than get a special assessment to replace the cheap windows and short cuts that condo owners face when they buy new construction often times. The 1 bedrooms are a deal and the assessments are under 400.00 a month.