Photos! The Maxwell shopping mall in South Loop continues ridiculous dicount shopping expansion

I took a few photos of the newest shiny retail mall in the South Loop a couple weeks ago (maybe technically in University Village).  The Maxwell is home to a newly opened Nordstrom Rack, Dick's Sporting Goods, Potbelly, TJ Maxx, Verizon, Noodles and Company and Burlington Coat Factory (remember the torture of going there as a kid!).

The Maxwell is located directly across the street from the successful Southgate Market retail development that houses the evil Whole Foods, Marshall's, Pet Smart, benevolent World Market among others.

This is just a snippet of all the chain stores within a couple blocks of West Roosevelt Road bridge.

Two rare gut renovation projects in Old Town Triangle

This eye catching red frame home on 200 Block of West St. Paul and Crilly Court gets a full gut renovation (All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty).

 

 I took a stroll around Old Town Triangle afte lunch at Nookies last week and noticed a couple interesting gut rehabs.   Old Town Triangle may be the most exclusive enclave on the North Side of Chicago.  Historic and charming as you wind through the tony brick paved streets Old Town Triangle is a lifestyle commitment.  You are a part of something special. And you pay for that.

General Old Town Triangle boundaries (map produced on MREDLLC.com, Eric Rojas, Kale Realty)

In the past 12 months the median price of an Old Town Triangle area detached single family home is about $1,500,000.  The median price of a small multi-unit property (2-4 units) is about $800,000 over the same period.  The 4 multi-unit sales were all on undersized Chicago lots.  The median price for attached condos and town homes (excluding high-rise buildings) is over $600,000.

A current gut renovation project on the 300 Block of West Menomonee at North Orleans.

The homes and property lots on average tend to be smaller, thus, price per square foot in this fantastic location a bit higher than what you will get east of North Halsted Street in Lincoln Park.  The condition of some of the homes may be more vintage and original due to various landmark restrictions.

The 300 block of West Menomonee (gut rehab on the far left).

Lincoln Square: Another one bites the dust?

Green wind screen fencing surrounds this house on the 5100 block of North Claremont in the Lincoln Square Community Area (Ravenswood neighborhood). The home is adjacent to a recently completed gut renovation at 5148 N Claremont listed for sale at $850,000. The original property was purchased for a steal at $281,000. Another gut renovation sold for $810,000 one street over at 5145 N Oakley earlier this year.



This small block of Claremont is home to mostly well cared for homes... and great neighbors (no, I do not live on this block).

5148 N Claremont is listed for sale for $850,000 by Jameson Sotheby's Intl Realty. Photo Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

It looks like the block will have a couple new neighbors in short order.  The gut renovations have kept with the look of the area which seems to make most people happy.

posted from Bloggeroid

Johnny Sprockets bike shop "Biketoberfest" this weekend in Lakeview!

Johnny Sprockets will host an all things cycling "Biketoberfest" this Saturday October 4th at their Lakeview store 3001 N Broadway (at West Wellington). Beer, booths, bikes...sale!

I recently stopped by the Lakeview Johnny Sprockets store to size up my oldest kid and get him a quality bike we could pass down to our younger kids.  I also picked up some lights, grips, a strider for my youngest... and left my 1998(!) Trek 7000 for a tune up.

Johnny Sprockets has another location on the super retail and restaurant strip of Andersonville at 5434 North Clark Street. Both locations offer easy access to lakefront riding.

Photo Johnnysprockets.com

Johnny Sprockets is a proud Winnemac Park area neighbor and donor to the 15th Annual "Friends of the Grape" fest at St. Matthias School and Parish.  Thanks!

I9 Soccer at Montrose Harbor

Spending another great Saturday morning by the lake! I9 Sports was a great option for as both our older kids play back to back in the morning.







Sportsman medals!

posted from Bloggeroid

Lincoln Square Barber Shop: A welcome Lincoln Square addition

Lincoln Square Barber Shop 2415 W Lawrence, Chicago

Many of us know owner and barber Aaron Williams from Esquire way over yonder in Andersonville.  But now "our guy!" is up and running around the corner at Lawrence and Western Avenues.  Lincoln Square Barber Shop has the expected great cuts and local insider feeling we love. You can make appointments online and space has great potential to be that classic guy hang-out.

Aaron is also a proud donor to the 15th Annual St Matthias Friend's of the Grape fest coming up this October 5th.  Eat, drink and bid on many cool items including packages with Lincoln Square Barber shop signature haircuts.

Thanks guys!  I'll see you at the barber shop each month!

Play Soccer store on Clark Street, Ravenswood

We suddenly have three soccer players in the family this early fall. After talking with some folks I went over to Play Soccer at 4717 N Clark Street in Uptown/ Ravenswood (across from Chase Park) for most of my needs (and soccer advice).

Great guys!

posted from Bloggeroid

Great morning of lakefront golf (and Nookies!)

East Lakeview vintage buildings frame Sydney Marovitz Golf Course at Recreation Drive and the lake. Free parking now along Recreation Drive until Memorial Day too!

From time to time I step back and try to describe everyday city life for myself and our family in Chicago.  I hope to add more of these vignettes with a little real estate context each week. 

I have no official data but I can't imagine it made easier to golf within another major city.  In about 10 minutes from leaving Lincoln Square early Wednesday morning I was parking at Sidney Morovitz Golf Course on the lakefront. The well maintained course offers both city and lake views.  It's a great way to play before work (or work while playing as I tell my wife).

The iconic clock tower with just after sunrise.

Steve Dunnett, Senior Mortgage Consultant at Blueleaf Lending (sdunnett@blueleaflending.com) lines up the par three over the swamp.  He hit the green!  Steve gets me up to date on loan programs and issues while tearing up the course.

Our playing partner Brian (a construction project manager) tees off down the home stretch along lakefront running paths. Brian rode his bike over with a light golf bag.

If you get out early, Marovitz is a convenient course for those working or living around downtown, north side or south side.  There is no traffic on Lake Shore Drive coming in before 7:00 am and leaving the course just after 9:00am.  Steve's office is in the West Loop so we headed 5 minutes south on LSD from the course to an old favorite Nookies in Old Town for breakfast.

I really like aspects of the burbs.  But I can't imagine not having easy access to just about anything I need or like by walking, bike, train or quick car ride throughout my regular day. To easily mix in golf, architecture, good food (on every corner) and business in a few hours and be back at my home office in minutes can't be beat! Less time in the car, more time on the streets seeing property too.

Construction check-in: Projects, sales continue around Winnemac Park in Lincoln Square

Two brand new luxury homes rise on the 4900 block of North Claremont (just north of Lawrence Avenue).

The large homes (and eventually garages) take up most of the lot.

There are a handful of new construction and major rehab projects ongoing in the area around Winnemac Park as we head into fall.  The immediate area between North Damen and North Western, West Lawrence and West Foster has been a popular location for big investment in single family homes over the last two years. New built homes are selling well over one million dollars on standard or 30' wide city lots.

This total gut renovation and expansion of a brick cottage (see original common brick on the side) at 4950 N Leavitt just off the park is almost complete.  The property sold for $403,000 as a short sale prior to the renovation. 

This modest frame and siding home on a short lot (106') at 2339 W Winnemac sold this year for $360,000.  The basement has been gutted and major work is underway.

5011 N Oakley was bought for cash as a foreclosure for $360,000 cash.  A brick facade and second story were built onto the original structure.  This is the third version of this house built in the immediate area by the same developer (the signature parapet wall extends up past the frame arched roof line).  I believe another one was built just north in Bowmanville.

The renovation of 5011 N Oakley Street was probably tripled the living space of the house.

Probably the most dramatic project is 2224 W Carmen sold for $410,000.  This is the second bungalow sold and torn down on the block to make way for virtually new construction in a year's time. 

Up until last year, only one original brick bungalow on the 2200 blocks of West Winnemac, West Carmen and West Winona had been torn down for a new build. Two more have been torn down in the past year.

The old face brick has been taken off the front of this two-flat at 2215 W Winona.  The foreclosure was purchased for $390,000 in the summer of 2013. 

The building has been totally gutted and the the lot made ready for an addition.

 

The highest-end new construction home near completion is at 2224 W Ainslie.  The original frame home on a 32 1/2' x 125' lot sold for $450,000 this year.  The new build is not yet listed on the MLS but priced at $1,599,000 according to the broker.  I really like the design of this house.

In the immediate 4 square block neighborhood (Damen to Western, Lawrence to Foster) 20 single family homes were sold in the last 12 months.  The Median price for a sold house is $709,000.  That included the houses sold for tear down and development.  This will go up after the newest round of completed houses sell. 

Taste 20 Lincoln Square Restaurants, bid in LIVE auction at "Friend's of the Grape" Sunday October 5th, 2014

Enjoy an awesome variety of local restaurants, wine, beer, and auctions at Friends of the Grape!  All for $45-$50!

Eat from 20 great Lincoln Square area restaurants. Each table features wine pairings!

 The 15th Annual Friends of the Grape food and wine fest benefiting St. Matthias Parish and School is Sunday October 5th at 12:30pm.  The event takes place under the tents and main level of St. Matthias School 4910 N Claremont in the Lincoln Square neighborhood. The location is easily accessible by CTA Western Brown Line stop, bus or park in the school/church parking lots.

The terrific value allows you to sample approximately 20 local restaurants while sipping dozens of wine choices. Cheese plates, Lauganitas beer, coffee and desserts round out the once a year opportunity!

Check out some of the restaurants including acclaimed Browntrout!

Eat at the many banquet tables or stand-up tables throughout the tent areas.

Cheese, fruit and desserts from Lincoln Square's favorites!

Cheers!

Last year's silent auction items featured a Harbor Country vacation cabin, fine wine packages, Pro Team sports packages, original artwork, restaurant certificates, progressive dinners and more!

Our professional auctioneer made the Live Auction and other raffle games fun and exciting! Live auction items featured private dining parties, lobster boils, a Cape Cod vacation cabin, hotel and golf get-a-ways and a Chicago Blackhawks meet and greet experience.

So much to choose from.

Getting a good spot for the auction.

Ready to raise those paddles!

Click the link to buy tickets today!