When the Washer/Dryer is in the Kitchen: A 2-Bedroom at 1500 N. LaSalle in Old Town
This 2-bedroom in 1500 N. LaSalle in Old Town came on the market in September 2015.
But if it looks familiar, that’s because it last sold just a year ago, in October 2014.
This 24-unit elevator building was constructed in 1892. It was designed by Edmund Krause (1859-1935) who designed 61 buildings in his lifetime. He specialized in mid-rise apartment buildings such as this one and also designed The Commodore at Surf and Broadway in Lakeview.
Krause’s best known building is the Majestic Building at 22 W. Monroe in the Loop, better known as the Schubert Theater.
There are just 2 units per floor.
This unit has a gas fireplace and dark hardwood floors.
The kitchen has white cabinets and stainless steel appliances.
The master bedroom has an ensuite bath.
There’s no parking with the unit.
It does have the other features buyers look for including central air and washer/dryer in the unit, but the washer/dryer is a front-loading combo unit and is located in the kitchen.
Does it matter if the washer/dryer is in the kitchen?
Or is it enough to just have one, no matter where it is located?
Jeffrey Lowe at Berkshire Hathaway KoenigRubloff has the listing. See the pictures here.
Unit #4B: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1500 square feet
- Sold in April 1996 for $165,000
- Sold in February 1999 for $247,000
- Sold in November 2006 for $370,000
- Sold in March 2011 for $355,000
- Sold in August 2014 for $436,000
- Originally listed in September 2015 for $485,000
- Reduced
- Currently listed for $449,900
- Assessments of $487 a month (includes water, exterior maintenance, scavenger and snow removal)
- Taxes of $6350
- Central Air
- Combo washer/dryer in the unit
- No parking
- Bedroom #1: 15×12
- Bedroom #2: 16×10
- Den: 13×10
I don’t think the W/D in the kitchen is ideal but it doesn’t bother me either. I’d rather have it in the kitchen than not have it altogether.
I think the bigger issue with this unit is the lack of parking.
By the way, this will be the only post today because I was at the Cubs game last night and didn’t have time to do two posts.
Go Cubs. 🙁
Overall this is not a bad looking unit. I like the building’s facade quite a bit.
As for your question: it is quite common to have the washer in the kitchen in Europe and Asia. It does not bother me at all.
I agree that lack of parking is more of an issue for a unit in Chicago.
I am not a fan of washer/dryer combos. They should have put in a separate regular washer and a condensation dryer. I suppose that would take more room away from kitchen storage, but I’d give up kitchen storage to avoid a combo washer/dryer.
I think if a washer/dryer has to be in the kitchen… it’s good to have it as nice looking as this one.
Better in the kitchen than in a closet by the living room!
Yes, better in the kitchen than in the living room, but the best location is in a hall by the bedrooms and bath. However, my only quibble with this one is that it is a combo washer/dryer. I researched these appliances when I was shopping for a washer and dryer for my own unit, and discovered that these combo units are extremely trouble-prone and unreliable, especially the cheaper models.
Nice enough unit, but the lack of parking might be an issue for anyone contemplating paying nearly $500K for a unit. The location is great, though, and that is a very good-looking building.
Sold for $440k.