We Love Authentic Lofts: 2035 W. Charleston in Bucktown

The Manchester Lofts at 2035 W. Charleston in Bucktown is one of the old loft conversions- having been first converted in 1990. It’s only 18 units.

Because of its age, it means it likely has more “authentic” loft features than the units called “lofts” today. And it does.

This 2000 square foot unit has 14 foot high ceilings, brick walls, and a wood burning fireplace.

The listing says it was recently renovated and “reconstructed”.

Ro Lebedow at Koenig & Strey has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #203: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, den, 2000 square feet

  • Sold in January 1992 for $177,000
  • Sold in January 1998 for $255,000
  • Sold in August 2000 for $410,000
  • Sold in July 2005 for $480,000
  • Currently listed for $563,750
  • Assessments of $364 a month
  • Taxes of $7428
  • No parking- leased only across the street
  • Central Air

21 Responses to “We Love Authentic Lofts: 2035 W. Charleston in Bucktown”

  1. Wow, a loft that actually looks like…..a loft.

    Beautiful unit through out. But no parking. For most people dropping a half million and still needing to scamble for parking or use off site rental parking is a deal breaker.

    This unit would run you $3800/monthly w/ 20% down. Not sure if that quite makes it to rental value. Plus probably $150-200 for the parking spot.

    Shame, because its a beautiful place. Maybe its will go shortsale or be foreclosed, then someone can snatch up this ‘true’ loft.

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  2. Great place but parking across the street? Probably outdoors in a lot? That’s going to be a deal breaker for a lot of people in this price range. Beautiful renovation job though… sad it has such a glaring flaw

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  3. If this were a penthouse unit, then perhaps the price would be a little more in line with the market. But it’s not, and I can only imagine how loud the noise from above is. An elevator building really isn’t a selling point when you live on the second floor. And this “Cinematic Lightology Lighting” looks to me like a bunch of Home Depot track lights and that awful globe Hollywood makeup mirror lights in the white/stark (not in a good way) bathroom. Parking in that area is getting worse and leased parking is a disaster – across the street? total disaster…
    It will be interesting to see what this place goes for because it’s not for everyone and even for those who may be intrigued by a loft have a lot of downsides to deal with.

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  4. > Great place but parking across the street?

    Oh, the horror!

    But anyway I bet this loft is poorly insulated both for heat and sound.

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  5. Hey, its right by the Charleston! I used to love that bar.

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  6. “Cinematic Lightology Lighting”

    LOL! How the hell did I miss that gem…

    Lightology is a brand of expensive track lighting… dunno what the cinematic part has to do with it though, it looks more like a Chipotle than a movie theater.

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  7. This is a nice area and nice loft but I’m not sure why the seller feels entitled to 4% annual appreciation given the economic backdrop we’re facing. 450k.

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  8. I agree – the previous seller that might have take somewhat of a risk in this area makes $70,000 from the current seller and now that current seller wants a windfall when the area was already decent when they bought, not to mention the market.

    Whatever “across the street parking” is, it can’t be good here because it’s all cottages/tear-downs across the street and that must be who you rent from. Not for me.

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  9. Note cheap toilet. A quick way to evaluate a remodeling job is to check mundane details such as this plumbing fixture choice. If it’s “Home Depot special”, then it’s likely a cheap remodeling job.

    I like the library wall, but photo doesn’t provide enough detail to confirm whether this is a stacked standard bookcase configuration or truly custom cabinetry.

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  10. What’s with the rainbow bustier next to the kitchen counter?

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  11. “Note cheap toilet. A quick way to evaluate a remodeling job is to check mundane details such as this plumbing fixture choice. If it’s “Home Depot special”, then it’s likely a cheap remodeling job.”

    My guess is that they didn’t even remodel the master bath. It’s evident by the builder grade 12×12 white tile, light fixture, and cheap laminate vanity. Other then the master bath, this place is very nice.

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  12. Even though it’s a big 2 BR, it’s still a 2 BR. My guess is the low to mid 400s. But I don’t really like this part of Bucktown. Kind of meh.

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  13. wow, has anyone on here seen a loft before? this one is way overpriced and it looks like the “renovations” since the last sale are simply nice furnishings and perhaps the floors were redone. all of the finishes look old etc once you looked past the furnishings…way overpriced for that area as well….insane.

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  14. “wow, has anyone on here seen a loft before?”

    My guess is yes. All of the comments are in line with yours and negative about this place… Maybe I’m misreading the tone, but read the comments before becoming accusatory and implying that people don’t know what they are talking about.

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  15. Charleston is a great bar. $2 mooshead pints!

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  16. I have been in this loft and I do have to say, it does look impressive. The library is in fact custom and has a sliding ladder. Also there are some interesting finishes, like antique lockers by the entrance. The bathrooms look like they have not been touched at all. The place and the building is nice but pretty overpriced in my opinion. There is also an unfinished unit that is 2400 sq ft for sale one floor above, with parking. But it is more if i remember right.
    In short, the unit looks good, definitely not cookie-cutter. Not sure if it is worth the half of million dollars, but nice non the less.

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  17. I have seen this loft. The renovations that have been done to date are excellent, and do not include the kitchen or master bath. Nothing is cookie cutter about the place, it is a great space! However, parking is the issue. A lot of you sound like you want to find any little thing and criticize it–so glad our place in Chicago already sold.

    Nancy

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  18. 2035 Charleston is a GREAT building. A slice of NY in the middle of Bucktown. Check out the other listing – Unit 302 – WITH a great terrace that spans kitchen to living space AND the deeded 2.5 car garage available. It’s the crown jewel in the building.

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  19. Yes Nancy for over half a million you better bet I’d be a very discerning buyer indeed.

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  20. logansquarean on May 20th, 2009 at 9:44 am

    Hate the “ebony” flooring. If I’m going to live in an “authentic” styled loft, then give me old rugged wood floors, not some ultrashine new dark stuff. It’s a mis-match in my view. Aren’t we done with “gracious” living yet?

    Nice try on the renovations, but no way is it a $563k property.

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  21. I’m a loft lover and really like this building. The layouts in this building are unique, with some being better than others. It’s missing parking, an outdoor space, and the finishes. In my opinion, this is nowhere near a 500K loft. The penthouse unit at 913 W Van Buuren (Unit 7B) is what a 500K loft looks like.

    For anyone whose interested, here are some additional pictures of the unit (I’m assuming before any renovation).

    http://tours3.vht.com/Viewer/PhotoGallery.aspx?ListingID=1024875&Style=STD

    John

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