We Love Authentic Lofts With Big Terraces: 400 S. Green in the West Loop
This 1-bedroom loft at 400 S. Green in the West Loop has an unusual feature for most loft buildings- a massive terrace.
The listing says it measures 237 square feet and is a “loggia terrace”.
From wikipedia:
Loggia is the name given to an architectural feature, originally of Italian design. They are often a gallery or corridor at ground level, sometimes higher, on the facade of a building and open to the air on one side, where it is supported by columns or pierced openings in the wall. Notably, Filippo Brunelleschi featured a loggia at the front of the Ospedale degli Innocenti (Hospital of the Innocents) in Florence, Italy.
Today, a loggia can be a small, often ornate, summer house built on the roof of a residence to enjoy cooling winds and admire the view. They are typical of Italian architecture and were especially popular in the 17th century. They are prominent in Rome.
The unit has 16-foot timber ceilings but I don’t see any exposed brick in the pictures (although other units in the building have it.)
The kitchen has stainless steel appliances and granite/stainless counter tops.
The bathroom is natural stone.
I can’t tell what the parking situation is but the listing says “owned parking transferrable”- but parking is NOT included with the unit. Some of the other units have rental parking transferrable from next door. And a few have it deeded in the building.
Originally listed in August 2011 for $279,900, it has been reduced $20,000 to $259,900.
Before you scream that this is overpriced, at the end of September a 2/1 in the building with 1200 square feet and transferrable parking, which also had the loggia terrace, sold for $265,000. The second “bedroom” was in the building’s old safe and did not have a window or a closet (which, under Chicago real estate rules technically didn’t make it a bedroom at all.)
What is the current market for the large authentic 1-bedroom lofts?
Armando Chacon at Century 21 S.G.R. Inc. has the listing. See the pictures here.
Unit #417: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 1017 square feet
- Sold in December 1990 for $132,000
- Sold in September 1999 for $204,500
- Sold in November 2002 for $245,000
- Originally listed in August 2011 for $279,900
- Reduced
- Currently listed at $259,900
- Assessments of $386 a month (includes cable)
- Taxes of $5480
- Central Air
- Washer/Dryer in the unit
- Owned parking transferrable (?)
- Bedroom: 14×12
Actually, surprisingly well done and spacious with the exception of the bathroom!
I think I would put windows/ screens in the loggia to make it more of a year around sun space. Priced well.
No, for living next to the expressway(s).
offtopic: i wonder if anyone here ever clicks through the ads to send a little extra cash Sabrina’s way?
Does the bedroom have a window? If not that is a disaster IMHO.
BTW, this is one of those cases that lack of staging helps as it makes the place look even bigger.
“i wonder if anyone here ever clicks through the ads to send a little extra cash Sabrina’s way?”
I am not sure we need to click on them, by just accessing the website, she should get some revenue. At least I hope so. After all she is putting a lot of effort into this.
This is off-topic:
1. The “recent comments” should be restored shortly so we can all see what everyone is saying on various posts.
2. There will only be 2 posts today due to some site issues in relation to the site redesign. But we should be back on the normal schedule tomorrow. It’ll all be worth it when we have a site with much more capabilities!
“I am not sure we need to click on them, by just accessing the website, she should get some revenue. At least I hope so. After all she is putting a lot of effort into this.”
I think its scaled so that just coming to her site gives her one rate and actually clicking through the ads bumps up the rate. Sabrina, I don’t suppose you care to share (details, not revenue of course) 😀
I really like the look of the loggia from the inside, the utility of the space & the uniqueness.
That said, does anyone else think the outside view–with the missing windows–makes this look a bit scary (like it’s under construction, had a fire or some other issue)? Not sure if it’s just the picture, but can anyone comment about how this looks when standing in front of the building?
I was surprised at the size of the unit and the terrace is nice. I’d say this is priced pretty fairly. However, the location is going to kill it for most buyers, as this is RIGHT on to the highway jungle.
Off topic: Site re-design? Nice work Sabrina 🙂
I live across Peoria from this building and the loggia faces west, not south to the expressway. I’m not trying to change anyone’s mind about the location but it’s really convenient; right next to the Blue Line, 290 and the loop.
used to have an office across the street from this place. kind of surprised it went for those prices back in the 90’s
I still think this is overpriced because it lacks a second bathroom. This would be a nice place for a couple, but only one bathroom kills it for me. I suppose this would be OK for an avowed single, but in this market, singles should probably consider the idea that they might one day have a partner and that sharing one bathroom would be difficult. What if you both of food poisoning at the same time?
My guess for this property: $210,000 (if they are lucky).
@jenny, out of curiosity, is there a price point where you would override your need/desire for a 2nd bathroom (or a bathroom per occupant) rule, or is it completely a deal breaker for you?
If this were only a bit further from the expressways junction
one expressway is probably tolerable, but two is a no no
I do like the place if I were single, and having an enclosed balcony like that is awesome since you can use it year round. My balcony is an enclosed one like this (although MUCH smaller) and I really like it
The lack of a second bathroom is a deal breaker for me at this point in my life. If I was in my 70s and ended up never marrying or losing a spouse, I would be fine with one bathroom.
I actually like this place a lot. Generous living space that can be chopped-up in a lot of different living/dining combinations… maybe even put a small office area in it, and the outdoor space is pretty cool. I think its priced decently.
I love this place and it would be perfect for me but I am not willing to stretch my budget and pay $250,000 for a 1 bedroom that’s not even that big. I think they’ll probably have to price drop it to close to $200,000 to get it to sell and I’m not sure I myself would want to buy it at that price.
I like the actor Robert Loggia, he was awesome as Frank Lopez in Scarface.
saw this place in person, seriously considered it.
Here are some comments:
1) outdoor space is great. If it were 1 floor up, it would have roof rights for a great downtown view… but it doesnt.
2) the sound from the highway isnt bad, but as has been pointed out to me from other CCers, living that close to the highway doesnt just sound bad, eventually you start noticing the smell too
3) the bedroom is all the way in the back, no windows, and very little natural light that makes it all the way from the front
4) built-ins in the building were very nice. the kitchen was great, the desk in the bedroom was unique, and the closets were well designed and implemented.
5) the space was maybe big enough to accommodate a 2nd small bedroom, cannibalizing some of the living room.
6) the parking is adjacent for 10k. outdoor. the building has garage parking, but not this unit.
7) the assessments/taxes are very high compared to other units in the building.
8) realistic sale price: 200,000 w parking. my realistic buy-in price: 175,000
hah. ‘8’ followed by ‘)’ is the cool-guy smily face… oops!
This looks like a pretty good sized 1 BR. It’s hard to find much to complain about. Interior looks well done. Wish the parking was in the building. Taxes are high, but they probably just need to be re-assessed (Is there a homeowners exemption?). Great looking “loggia”.
If I wanted a 1BR, I would definitely take a look… but then again, I don’t want a 1 BR.
Had a friend living here in late 90’s. Really cool space but he had no parking and faced the highway. Both were items I found awkward at the time. Hi space was really open no walls at all except for the bathroom and the row of kitchen cabinets.
He put in new floors and bought really cool industrual furniture. When he was done it looked awesome!
I’ve seen this unit as well, its the perfect bachelor pad. It faces East and the terrace and unit itself is huge. The interior decor is masculine and very tastefully done. Some points to note:
1. The sq footage of the unit is inaccurate in the listing. The unit itself is almost 1300sq ft + 230sq ft for the terrace making the total square footage over 1500 sq ft. The listing agent needs to learn how to do a little research!
2. I was told that the parking is actually a part of an LLC where they bought the space and pay a monthly maintenance fee of $200. Similar to this:
http://www.redfin.com/IL/Chicago/409-S-Peoria-St-60607/unit-30/home/21664658
3. The tax on this place is high and the owner is not claiming an home owners exemption; it needs to be reassessed.
4. Building is bare bones, no extra amenities, storage, roof deck etc. which is reflected in the lower HOA dues. Its an old-school loft conversion which I really like. The units are massive compared to the newer stuff you find today.
I believe this is the largest tier of the loggia units. There are two tiers of units on each side of the building (East and West) that have the enclosed terraces. I was surprised that unit 218 actually sold for what it did. It was a lot smaller than this one and the supposed old safe room “2nd bedroom” was a joke. But someone loved it enough to pay what they did which is all that really matters. And I’m sure it helps keep the value up in the building.