We Love Authentic Lofts: Get Your Glass Catwalk at 758 N. Larrabee
Loft lovers dream of a space like they see in the movies with high ceilings, the wide open feel and lots of windows.
This 2-bedroom penthouse loft in 758 N. Larrabee, the old Montgomery Ward building in River North, lives up the fantasy with its unique glass and steel catwalk.
The listing describes the kitchen as a “cook’s kitchen” with Miele, Gaggenau, Thermador, 3 sinks and 2 ovens.
It also have views of the river and a private 1000 square foot terrace.
Millie Rosenbloom at Baird and Warner has the listing. See the pictures here.
Unit #902: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, den, 2744 square feet
- Sold in April 2003 for $725,000
- Originally listed in November 2008 for $1.44 million
- Reduced
- Currently listed for $1.354 million (2 parking spaces available for $40K each)
- Assessments of $1243 a month
- Taxes of $10,966
What’s with all the white built-in bookcases? I must be missing something here because I am not seeing what makes this place worth anything over it’s original asking price.
Very unique and special place. You don’t see catwalks and 15ft ceilings too often. It will probably sell around 1.0 mil with parking.
That place is pretty cool. Not completely my thing with the art deco stuff, but its not 2million dollars either. Seems fairly priced if you throw in the furniture. And I’m assuming that the 2744sqft includes the 1000sqft terrace?
“original asking price”
You mean original purchase price, right?
The buildout was post-purchase, whether they bought raw space or tore out the developer finishes–no idea.
Looking at the floorplan, the square footage seems a little optimistic, unless you’re measuring exterior wall to exterior wall (which I think is a crummy way to measure residential property).
I really dig the space, but also dunno about $500/ft. Also, is that reduction what it looks like? A parking strip with a $6k net reduction?
That place is pimp… that is what a loft is supposed to look like imho. I bet it sells.
“I’m assuming that the 2744sqft includes the 1000sqft terrace?”
Nope. Floorplan at the BW link. The room dimensions total about 2100, w/o the catwalk area, and not counting bathrooms, closets, etc. It’s a legitmate 2500 livable sqft of interior space, with an additional balcony on the side opposite the giant terrace. It’s *exactly* the type of place I would like to live in, if I wanted a 1BR apartment with a guest bedroom.
“It’s *exactly* the type of place I would like to live in, if I wanted a 1BR apartment with a guest bedroom.”
Yes, me too.. assuming I could afford a 1.3 million dollar 2/2! hey maybe if I win the megamillions… gonna go buy a ticket right now lol!
With the advent of the kindle how are these rich people going to show off how well read they are with their abundance of shelves of books in the future?
omg this place it so hot i just jizzed all over it
I’ll respectfully disagree with everyone; this place does not impress me at all:
1) The built in book cases are irritating and ugly; I don’t have enough books to fill even one book case;
2) The book cases make it look like a library;
3) The catwalk/lofted area is completely ridiculous and serves no other purpose than to access the higher level book shelves – as evidenced by the two chairs that are probably never used.
4) The bedroom is pretty small;
5) Again, i’m sorry, but the white apartment with concrete ceiling…ug.
6) There’s nothing art deco about this unit;
7) That being said, I really like art deco.
8) This unit is pretty excessive; it’s a two bedroom with 2 ovens, three sinks, a stupid catwalk….In the midst of the recession we’re in units like this will be tough to sell. It just screams gaudy. The owner be chasing the market down for a while…ten grand here, ten grand there…
The icon smiley should be the number 8
But homedelete,
If you are rich don’t you also want to convey to your friends that you are rich because you must be so smart and well read? And what better way to do this than by the rows upon rows of shelves of books in pristine condition. In such good condition they probably crack the seam the first time they’re opened. Just think of all of the volumes of the USC and case law you could fit in there. Who needs lexis-nexis when you can have a dewey decimal system throwback.
I guess if you were rich and courting a librarian it wouldn’t be so tacky lol.
some poeple actually read and like books. granted there are fewer and fewer of us everyday 🙁
“And what better way to do this than by the rows upon rows of shelves of books in pristine condition.”
Rows and rows of antique vases? Pre-columbian fertility idols? My beer can and beanie baby (every one!)* collections? There are a lot of other ways to use display shelving than just for books.
*it’s a joke.
I like this place.
A lot.
This place is awesome and unique, great central location. It is really hard to find a large 2 bedroom, let alone 1000 sq ft of useable outdoor space with high cielings and NY sort of mod loft look and feel. I love the look of the interior, including the book cases, which obviously do not have to contain books. The price is high, but all asking prices are high, every single one. It will go for around a million with both parking spots, at about $350 – $400 sq/ft. This one’s a winner.
Want.
That is all.
Unique.
Tasty.
A winner.
Hey Bob and HD you can put your Old Style or Natty Light cans or perhaps some grey goose liquor bottles on those shelves to show how hip and cool you are.
Very nice unit. Interior is well done in a great space.
i like it, but it looks too similar to my office. . . could be a great live/work sapce.
Wow. I want that. Now.
I’ve got a case of new glarus in my fridge, buddy.
“#Sonies on March 10th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
Hey Bob and HD you can put your Old Style or Natty Light cans or perhaps some grey goose liquor bottles on those shelves to show how hip and cool you are.”
“I’ve got a case of new glarus”
Look at you, bragging about going to Sconsin to buy your beer.
Chicago Public Library should just buy it and turn it into a new branch.
I just wish Sonies would peg me better. Old Style sure, had a sixer of that last night (and a few Coors Lites), but Natty Light?
C’mon Sonies you know I’m frugal. Anybody with any sense knows Natty Ice is way more bang for your buck. And if its ice cold its not (that) terrible to the tastebuds. I just wish ol’ Miska had paid their taxes so I still had a place nearby to pick up 30-packs of that stuff..
Nicest place ever seen on this site. If I were moving back I would be all over this place. Books would be a demand in contract.
love it!
tons of light and a well designed space.
Man this place is sweet. This place is the definition of a “loft” — Wide open, bright, and high ceilings with a little “raw” elements mixed in.
I want.
I heard a cop once trash this area in terms of having some bad things going on in a bldg right here. Any opinions? Otherwise this will be a good barometer of high end because it should sell.
I like it. I’d do away with about half the bookcases, though, if I were moving in.
I’d pay $750 for it in that area of that neighborhood.
Cool place, wonder what the bank will short sell it for.
Spectacular.
Not surprisingly, the coolest place I’ve seen on this site is still hated on by Homedelete.
holy bejeezus, this is my dream house; unique and gorgeous
couldn’t find pics of the balcony overlooking the river, tho
Come on… It’s totally gaudy. I really like the art deco building (my office is also solidly art deco too), and the area isn’t too bad. But the place, with the book shelves, the stupid catwalk, the glass, the double doors to the bedroom…and the PRICE….(and the heating costs and the assessments)…different strokes for different folks.
“#MADFLY on March 10th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Spectacular.
Not surprisingly, the coolest place I’ve seen on this site is still hated on by Homedelete.
“
Funny.. I look at it and have a feeling the seller put in alot of cash. Anyone know the financing history?
$543k mortgage first at the time of purchase (25% down) plus $125k mortgage in Nov. 2006. Google shows that its U of C doctor money with a recent job transfer to Ivy League NY money. No wonder they’re asking so much, this place in NY in a similar ‘hood would be in the multi-millions.
It’s cool, but I wouldn’t call it spectacular. I agree with homedelete…the redonkulous number of book shelves is just way over the top for my taste. Looks like it could store a few thousand books. Appropriate for a library maybe, but a home? I mean, my wife and I have a fair number of books scattered across a few reasonably-sized bookshelves, and we’ve also got a substantial collection of knickknacks and old LPs. We’d never come close to filling even a quarter of that shelving space. It’s excessive, that’s all…
The catwalk is just plain silly IMHO.
Yep, it certainly does look like something out of a movie. I bet someone will snap this one up, but I doubt it will go for that price. But then again, everyone on this site has fallen in love with it, so if that’s an indication of general perception…
Damn I feel bad given that this is actually a bookish doctor and not, say someone like me who collects books that seem impressive to impress his guests.
Yeah no I’ve never really read The Odyssey and I quite think it will remain that way so long as I am employed.
Please keep the discussion on the actual property and not whether or not you, your wife, your cat, or your mother-in-law, have enough books to fill those bookshelves.
Thanks.
“homedelete on March 10th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
Come on… It’s totally gaudy. ”
I think you don’t know what “gaudy”** means.
The photography here really shows off how airy and bright the place is. It has clean lines without being pretentious. Modern without being sterile.
I LOVE this place totally.
**gaudy:Adjective:
* S: (adj) brassy, cheap, flash, flashy, garish, gaudy, gimcrack, loud, meretricious, tacky, tatty, tawdry, trashy (tastelessly showy) “a flash car”; “a flashy ring”; “garish colors”; “a gaudy costume”; “loud sport shirts”; “a meretricious yet stylish book”; “tawdry ornaments”
* S: (adj) flashy, gaudy, jazzy, showy, sporty ((used especially of clothes) marked by conspicuous display)
this place is not “gaudy”…
Doesn’t this building have a lot of problems? I remember the entire facing falling off the building, and the tenents don’t seem fond of the building. Also, I would definitely not call it centrally located – it’s one block east from being river west and one block north is the remains of cabrini green.
Gaudy would be like Donald Trump’s home, with gold accents and shit.
This place is beautfilly minimalist. I like the white, concrete barren look.
Your (Homedelete’s) overall impression of the place is ruined by mostly the bookshelves and catwalk. Look, I personally would remove the bookshelves too, but so what? Get past the bookshelves and look at the space.
The building just had a large special assessment (probably 25-30k for this unit). They had all the facade work completed, the roof redone and are refinishing all the balconies. I think they have about $450,000 in reserves so the new buyer should be getting a healthy building.
This style seems common in manhattan.
If you walk two blocks east of this building then two blocks north you are in the middle of one of the worst gang infested areas of the city.
And one block north is Japonais and one block east are million dollar plus single family homes. 461 W. Huron just went under contract listed for $4,350,000.
Japonais and a few mansions don’t make it centrally located… last time I saw that row of mansions, they pretty much stopped developing them for almost 2 years and they are just leaving a bunch of gravel lots.
Don’t get me wrong… the location isn’t terrible – it’s pretty average. Some dangerous/super crappy stuff nearby and a park and a couple of restaurants nearby. You have to walk 3-4 city blocks before you start hitting most of the shops, restaurants, el, etc.
Not sure why the moderator would (clearly) call out my post for including a ***little*** detail on why I think the number of bookshelves is excessive. Since this place is DOMINATED by bookshelves, they stick out as a significant feature of the property as stands, like it or hate it, and I was simply trying to relate it to one person’s perception of how impractical that is.
Guess I don’t know the rules…I’ll either have to stick to one line blurbs (like a fair number of the posters here), or use terms like ‘jizzed’ which apparently are much more acceptable in this forum. I don’t get it, sorry…
I heard there is one bldg nearby that has incredible amounts of violent incidents that occur inside.
And my bet is this person did this for themselves and really wasn’t thinking too much about impressing others. Hell I usually lock up some of the things I have when people come over (the rare times I allow people over) so that they won’t see it. Bob you are just too big on that impress theme all the time.
I assumed the stairs led to the terrace, and the books were a great way to not leave the walls empty or with generic oversized paintings. Oh and white is an awesome color!
And yes.. saw floorplan.. steps do not go to terrace. like it nonetheless. Scales down wall and TONS of storage underneath books. Love storage!
There are too many bookshelves to look past them. Ok, so the word gaudy isn’t the best adjective to describe this place. Nevertheless, I asked my significant other what she thought of this place and she wasn’t too terribly impressed either. Everyone’s got their own opinion, i guess, but few have the money to pay 1.354 million for a 2/2.
To constrain the value on this by saying it is a 2/2. That’s just idiotic to say. I just knocked down one bedroom after another. I joke I made my apartment a one bedroom. All I need to do to get it back to its original 5 bedrooms is put up some bricks. So i guess i went from valuing my place from a 5 bedroom apartment but now can only be valued as a 1 bedroom + guest even though i also significantly increased the square footage?
It’s just idiotic???? Let me show you something:
“Unit #902: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, den, 2744 square feet”
Yes my comment dismissed the unit’s value but you cannot dispute that this is a 2/2 plus den. Albeit a large unit with a lot of open space (and an overabundance of bookshelves).
Dude you can remove the bookshelves and put up some sushi restaurant chic if you desire…
“Yes my comment dismissed the unit’s value but you cannot dispute that this is a 2/2 plus den. Albeit a large unit with a lot of open space (and an overabundance of bookshelves).”
Yes exactly the same as a 2/2 + den in one of those Streeterville buildings with the crappy den that’s smaller than a closet should be.
Nothing even close to the same thing in my opinion. Like I said it’s as laughable as calling my apt a 1 bedroom now (which I like doing). I think it’s funny.
Ze, did you remove the kitchen too?
Or focus on mocking other commenters’ opinions, homes and/or financial status, all of which apparently are considered appropriate remarks since they receive less censure than your comment did.
“Guess I don’t know the rules…I’ll either have to stick to one line blurbs (like a fair number of the posters here), or use terms like ‘jizzed’ which apparently are much more acceptable in this forum. I don’t get it, sorry…”
Nope.. Added a second kitchen, floor going in right now and of course 3 sinks. Never could understand living with less than 3 :-). I also like this guy for the Thermador. Always my first choice for cooktops, tied for first in ovens. They make great shit. Fridges are stupid to have an opinion on brands with the exception that subzero blows.
By the way HD who cares about your significant others opinion, all credibility on taste went out the window when they picked you as their significant other 🙂
“as laughable as calling my apt a 1 bedroom now”
Does it have a 2d bedroom? Or a third? If it doesn’t, it’s a one (or 2) bedroom, even if it’s 10000 sq ft (which, btw, is the approximate square footage of a two bedroom house I saw in the bay area a few years ago–it may be ridiculous, but there wasn’t another space that even looked like it could be a bedroom). It may be ridiculous, but facts is facts–you only gots one bedroom, your house is a “one-bedroom house”.
Anon.. It was 5 when I bought it. So now is it a 1?
“Nicest place ever seen on this site. If I were moving back I would be all over this place. Books would be a demand in contract.”
God forbid something you actually compiled should take precedence of the space.
What exactly is this “dangerous/super crappy stuff nearby”? It’s no gated community in the suburbs, but for the inner city this neighborhood is quite safe. People seem to have blurred this location with the activities of the past.
Thoughtful space, though they could use a serious furniture reconsideration.
Pat.. Cop told me this months ago. I am not that familiar with Chicago that I could specifically say where. He said CURRENT violent activity in a building right there. Mostly contained inside bldg, very bad. That is all I know which is why I asked.
God forbid something you actually compiled should take precedence of the space. – not sure what this means
“It was 5 when I bought it. So now is it a 1?”
Does it have 5 bedrooms or one? My C was 55 when I bought it; Can I still say it’s worth 55 (assuming I’m not a bank of a Fund)? The 6-flat down the block is now two SFHs, can they still call it a 6-flat? Can the Palmolive Building still be called an office building? Just because you *could* change it back doesn’t mean it is now what it once was (and could be again, with the exception of C).
Anon.. I know you get my point and are just being difficult. I am going to the beach.
“I know you get my point and are just being difficult”
As are you, my friend. You’re putting in s second kitchen, but when there were 5 bedrooms, there was only one. Do you say it’s a 5-BR with 2 kitchens? You’re thinking like a Realtor(r).
I live very close to this building (in fact I can see this unit from my apt). Neighborhood is pretty safe and I’ve never had problems and this place is surrounded on all sides (other than river of course) by higher end condo buildings (Japonais / Domain loft building – 500 w superior – and new art deco style buildings south). There is no doubt some undesirables from Cabrini venture south but in my 4 yrs in the hood I’ve seen 1 broken car window and heard of 2 muggings and 1 home invasion (Antoine Walker). Obviously farther south things get better. My issue with this place is the price. For $1-1.25mm you could get a penthouse at 510 w erie (2 on the market) and for $600-800k you can get a duplex penthouse in sexton lofts (both better located and safer). I think the “wow” factor of this place is strong but given the location I would say 750-900k is the right ballpark. Personally I’m waiting for Trump liquidation at 350 / sqrft to buy.
Now this is what a loft should look like! I have a viewing scheduled for later this week and am seriously considering it. Perhaps an end to my apartment hunt? I do have issues with the floor plan (bookcases would go immediately) but there is nothing my rehab talents could not tackle and change to my liking. I am baffled as to why a two bedroom loft would have a 26′ x 20′ dining room? All it would take would be a rearragement of the rooms and some much needed darker shade paint!!
Just reading the responses here, I think I would go no higher than a mil (plus the $80k for parking) as the other $200k would be used in a remodel. With some creative work, it could easily be transformed into a 3 bdrm. So excited about my viewing and will report back after.
Patrick Bateman (awesome name btw, I love that movie)
“dangerous/super crappy stuff nearby”?
Yeah two blocks or less north are the cabrini low rise homes. I’d call that dangerous and super crappy. Thank god Chicago avenue is in the way to shield you from that stuff.
LOL.. Anon.. “You’re thinking like a Realtor(r).” – I smoke pot not crack. I can’t get to that level without crack.
Yes, I get what you are saying. I have the NY Tribeca/Soho thing with lofts where no one ever quotes them in bedrooms but rather sq ft.
Westloop.. my bet is he is looking for a 1.2 bid on the place
True Ze…just may have to up my bid if all is well with the viewing.
I just took a break and went driving/walking around the building. While it is a beautiful deco building, I cannot figure out where this particular apt would be located in the building. The ad states there is a river view, but where? Although I will see it soon enough, any guesses as to where on the top of this building the apt is located? Would love to be under the turret and to have access to it!! LOVE LOVE LOVE this space and am looking right past the bookcases.
Re: the neighborhood, I drive through it daily and at all hours…I don’t detect any violent activity whatsoever. If anything, there is plenty of foot traffic by the residents of all the condos on the block and in that area.
“I have the NY Tribeca/Soho thing with lofts where no one ever quotes them in bedrooms but rather sq ft”
Makes perfect sense for true loft spaces–like this one. If you see all the interior walls as temporary, the definition of what a room “is” isn’t as important.
“The ad states there is a river view, but where?”
Couldn’t figure this out, either. The floorplan shows the terrace facing north and a balcony on the south side. I haven’t looked at the building with this in mind, so I don’t even have a guess.
West.. never a bad idea to go to the police station and ask. Just never forgot being told something, although I do remember it being said it was “contained” in 1 bldg.
Did someone say Trump for $350 a sq… even I am not that bearish.
Anon.. I was laughing about you asking me what the place is now.. I don’t even have half my windows in, no gas, no front door, no hot water… right now I live in a slum!! Looking forward to getting to Chicago just to be in a hotel room with blinds I can close and sleep past sunrise.
“now I live in a slum!! Looking forward to getting to Chicago”
Watch out for squatters when you go back.
“Trump for $350 a sq”
What was his original, pre-construction pricing? I see a reference to “$400 to $750 in September 2003”, but don’t know if that’s accurate.
Upon doing a bit of research on this building, I found out that the 8th floor units have 34′ ceilings and all have usable lofts on the second level. Also the sales price on 804 was $340k, but could not find out the date of that sale. They also advertise a ‘sundeck’ (actually it states 2 in the building) so how could you possibly have a ‘private’ terrace?
So many questions regarding this unit…hopefully the agent is prepared!!
34′ ceilings? wtf! I thought the 25′ ceilings were rediculous in that church loft we saw, but 34′!!! Holy crap. And these are the tenants below this one?
“HIGHLY UPGRADED TOP FL DEV MODEL W/SOARING 35′ CEILINGS IN DRAMATIC 3BR/2BTH CONCRETE LOFT. HDWD FL THRU-OUT W/LOFTED 3rd BR. GRANITE BRK BAR & COUNTERS W/CHERRY CABINETS, SS APPL, W/D. MASTER BTH W/SOAKING TUB, SEP GRANITE TILED SHOWER & DBLE VANITY. GFP W/SLATE SURROUND & EXTRA LRG BALC W/RIVER VIEWS. PETS ALLOWED. 24HR DOORMAN, NEWLY EQUIPPED EXERCISE RM, VALET SERV, COM ROOF DECK. EASY TRANS VIA BUS, “L” & EXPWY. INDOOR HEATED PARKING ADDITIONAL $35K.”
Now see this raises the question, if this is on the ‘top floor’ and the unit we are discussing is #902, then where the hell is that extra floor? In looking close at pics and walking by, you see a sort of addition on top of the building both front and back…I am assuming these are the penthouse apartments?
“if this is on the ‘top floor’ and the unit we are discussing is #902, then where the hell is that extra floor?”
Okay, curious enough to look–appears that the 9th floor units are the top floor, on the south end of the building. The total 9th floor area looks to be ~40×150 which is about twice the size of this unit–thus suggesting a 901 and a 902. The terrace size is consistent with the size of each wing of the building b/t the outer wall and the light well. Can’t really tell if the terrace has much of a view across the roof to the north.
Google earth’s photo is during the re-roofing, so it’s hard to tell where the common sunroof is, but it seems to be at the north end of the building–that is, far awaty from the private terrace, which is spearated by the lightwell from the 901 terrace. The layout of the unit shows that it is on the river side of the building.
The #804 listing stating “top floor” is (likely) correct as well, as 804 is (likely) not underneath 902 and thus does not have a unit overhead, tho it may be underneath a portion of a 9th floor unit’s terrace.
Maybe that unit with the 35′ ceilings is the unit with the tower in it on the north side of the building?
Great place to snipe some fools from, that’s for sure.
Re: 35′ ceilings in #804:
Look at the photos (available on zillow). Those do not look like 35′ ceilings. 25′ sure, but I don’t know how 12 steps up to the office area plus the apparent distance to the ceiling from the office equals 35′. Unless all that furniture and, especially, the steps are really ovesized. The steps would have to have over 12″ risers, which is seriously unsafe unless you’re about 9 feet tall.
westloopelo, the only two large units on the 8th floor appear to be 801 and 811.
811 was listed as a 2500sf 2/2.5 listed 11/17/08 – 3/4/09 for $750,000. The listing was cancelled when it was rented for $3250.
The subject unit 902 attempted to rent a year ago at $4500 for “April through July 2008 rental only.”
I think the ‘mystery’ of the penthouse unit was solved…thanks for your explanation. I did not even think of using G Earth! If you do look closely at one picture, you see the windows of the building to the south of it, so I guess the unit is located at the rear part of the building…definately changes my opinion of it, but will remain open minded until after the showing.
I am thinking, like Sonies that the 35′ ceiling must be the turret on the east side of the building. If that was the case it would have made sense to use that fact in the listing.
As much as I like that unit, is $4500/mo for a four month rental? LOL As a multi home owner myself I have to laugh at amazement at some of these sellers/realtors who stretch the truth to the point of being ridiculous. I got to the point where I demanded to write my own listings so the whole truth would be relayed.
Thanks again realty detectives for helping me see the truth to this building!
correction:
is $4500/month for a four month rental even worth listing? Who would be interested in staying in a place, no matter how fabulous, for only four months? It takes me that long to remember which light swithch turns on which lights…
“is $4500/month for a four month rental even worth listing? Who would be interested in staying in a place, no matter how fabulous, for only four months? ”
If fully furnished, it could work out for someone either temporarily in town or just moving to town and wanting a sense of where they actually want to live. Or if your house was damaged or otherwise under substantial construction. It’s a very limited universe, but it does exist. But $4500 for a 2 br (no matter the sqft, Ze) has an even more limited market.
Movie actor in town for a shoot limited.
I am illiterate.
I see what you are saying anon as I know I have stayed in a temp unit while major rehabbing was done on a few of my places, but I did so with only the bare bones neccessities. $18,000 for a four month rehab forced stay? Think of all the SS I could have in my kitchen for that price! And I wonder, did the renter have access to that branch of the Chicago public library? Now THAT would be worth it!!
And yes, drew, on occasion I am illiterate. But then Laura Bush was not available to help me read and write when I was in grade school.
$18,000 for four months would be more realistic for an extended stay in Tuscany or the south of France; River North doesn’t have quite the same cachet.
pcf, my friend lives 1/2 a block north of there. i drove my car to her place exactly once, and it got broken into. i thought it was foolish of me considering that it is “cabrini” (yes, i know that its being redone, but its still cabrini for all purposes).
my other friend thought i was a one time occurance. his car got broken into the first time he drove up there as well. figured that it wouldnt happen again, so the next time drove up there and got broken into again.
3 times in a row, 2 different cars, all independent of each other besides being in the same 1/2 block radius. hardly safe. sorry.
This place is great. Its very unique and a true loft. Yes, you could get a penthouse at 510 W. Erie for this price, but there are a lot of great high rise penthouses and very few well done lofts in Chicago. Most lofts of “loftish” not the sort of NYC loft that define “a real loft.” The only thing that holds this unit back is its kitchen. The layout is odd with dark corners. A loft is for entertaining and the kitchen is cramped and in the corner…not part of the larger entertainment space. The catwalk is a little useless too, in my opinion. I think the bedroom sizes are fine. People who like to live in lofts prefer to live in the common space…entertain, not hibernate in bedrooms. In a normal year, he should get 1.2 – 1.3. Great property…neighborhood is fine. Actually, its very much like the early years in Tribeca..understated, with pockets of tremendous wealth populated by people who don’t want to flash it. Gold Coast = old school upper east side, River North = tribeca. As chicago follows 5 -10 years behind, NYC…River North will be like Tribeca and take off after this recession. Its close, quiet, and no hotels and hospitals like Streeterville. Buy here now while the prices are good.