Long vacant Lincoln Park Einstein Bros finally redeveloped

My old Lincoln Park Einstein Brothers Bagels has long been closed near the very busy intersection of Sheffield and Diversey.  With my former office about three blocks away I'd walk down here for lunch a couple days a week. Yes, there are many nearby options but I like bagel sandwiches.

The former Einstein Bagels viewed from the CTA Diversey Brown Line platform.

The freestanding building with rare surface parking lot at 933 W Diversey is being renovated.  Permits show work approved from a physician's urgent car clinic. 
It's a great location adjacent to the CTA Brown Line. It's good to see a medical clinic near easy public transportation in a busy urban area. We hope it serves the public well.

Condos and rental apartments in this location don't come cheap.  Five condos recently under contract or have been sold within a couple blocks of the clinic range in price from $419,000 to $839,000.  A newer construction 3 bedrooms, two baths condo nearby rented for $3,400.

The Diversey/ Halsted, Diversey/ Sheffield intersections comprise a great place to live with terrific service, retail, food and transportation options.

Friends of Amundsen High School, Winnemac Park awarded Chicago Cubs $100,000 grant

Several ball fields at Winnemac Park can use a replay. Amundsen High School uses Winnemac Park diamonds for baseball and softball. (Photo of the northwest baseball diamond with Amundsen in the background, Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty).

Patty Wetli wrote a nice piece on a $100,000 grant awarded to Friends of Amundsen to rebuild one of the Winnemac Park baseball diamonds. Neighbor and friend Stephen Reynolds worked for two years to bring home the grant that benefits all the park going public.

The southeast baseball diamond at Damen and Argyle will be refurbished using the Chicago Cub's grant. It's used for Amundsen Softball and Welles Park Baseball among other leagues.  Stephen Reynolds of Welles Park Parents Association baseball was instrumental in bringing "fall ball" to the Winnemac diamonds. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty.

Neighbor and hero Stephen Reynolds pictured in center at the first day of fall ball in 2013. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty.

Welles Park baseball has made Winnemac Park a virtual family fest on fall weekends while Friends of Amundsen has won big funds and support for our local high school students. The park has never been busier with activity. If you want to be a part of this thriving and rapidly growing Lincoln Square neighborhood just contact me!

Evanston single family home sales update, median price up $100,000 year to year

A gorgeous chalet style home on the 2100 block of Lincolnwood in Evanston, IL (not for sale) is just one of 100s of gorgeous houses in this leafy section of the Lincolnwood Elementary School district. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

We've been searching aggressively with our clients for a single family home in northwest Evanston that will meet their family needs. At least three bedrooms, a guest space and home office are major criteria.  It comes with a price well over $600,000.  Evanston is a large and diverse housing market however. Let's take a look at overall Evanston home sales this year.

Evanston single family home sales January 1st to April 27th, 2016
111 single family homes have closed thus far in 2016. The median price of a sold home is about $475,000.  The highest priced sold home thus far is 725 Roslyn Pl , Evanston, Illinois 60201 for $3,950,000.  The home sits on 140 feet of Lake Michigan frontage.  The lowest sold home is a foreclosure sale at 1327 Dodge Ave , Evanston, Illinois 60201 for $108,000.  The small frame two bedroom home is in need of major renovation.

A whopping 101 homes are currently under contract with a median asking price of $539,000. Prices are definitely trending higher this year.

We viewed this classic located near Ryan Field in northern Evanston.  The attractive but very dated home priced at $589,000 went under contract in a couple days after listing.

Past sales
In 2015, 108 single family homes sold over the same period with a median price about $372,000.
2014, only 81 homes sold with a median price of about $440,000.
In 2013 there was a spike of 121 sold homes with a median price of about $475,000 over the same four month period.
2012 saw 98 homes sell with a median price of about $415,000.

We'll be sad to see our Chicago neighbors and friends go. When shopping these Evanston beauties who can blame them?

Under contract! Our North Park condo seller gets "offer you can't refuse"

The well appointed kitchen at 5420 N Kedzie #3E (all photos Eric Rojas, Broker, kale Realty by VHT.com)

Our newest listing has found a buyer in the first day of showings. "An offer you can't refuse!"  5420 N Kedzie #3E was listed on Friday for $237,000 and first showings of the tenant occupied unit were scheduled for Sunday.  That's all it took for this attractive newer construction unit across from the state's perennial Top 3 high school Northside College Prep.

East facing exterior features a large balcony off the living room.

5420 N Kedzie #3E, Chicago IL 60625 listed at $237,000
Wow! Sharp newer construction three bedrooms condo across from Northside Prep (Illinois #1 high school) in North Park. This bright east facing condo has all the extras! Elevator, garage parking (plus tandem spot), big terrace, gas fireplace, organized closets and storage unit. Upgraded kitchen has tasteful finish level and breakfast bar. 

Large bedrooms including enormous master suite with walk-in closet, double vanity bath, separate tub and huge shower. Open living and dining floor plan leads to a great front terrace. Mechanical and finish level upgrades! Easy to 90 and 94 highways, Kedzie Brown Line stop and close to Lincoln Square. North Park University, Northeastern Illinois University, Legion and River Parks all steps away. Discover this great neighborhood and live the good life for less!

View 5420 N Kedzie property info here!

Exclusive listing by Eric Rojas, Vice President/ Broker

Kale Realty 

542 W Roosevelt Road

Chicago IL 60607

773-510-1597

 Call us to buy or sell your next home... don't be a day late and dollar short!

View overlooking the North Park neighborhood of  Chicago

Check out more of our North Park neighborhood posts here!

Ravenswood Run this weekend, major parking restrictions!

Look for the yellow signs today! (Photo Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty)

Beware! The popular Ravenswood Run 5K is this weekend Sunday April 24th.  But it is not held without some consternation for area residents.  If you live in or around the vast Ravenswood, Lincoln Square neighborhood course please take note of the yellow parking restriction signs.

Click here for Ravenswood Run 5K information

Demo Alert! 2169 W Sunnyside in Lincoln Square sells "off market" for $750,000, new house coming

This Lincoln Square old frame home on a 37' wide lot sold off MLS for $750,000 last August. A permit was just issued for it's demolition. Photo from today. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

Another old gal's days are numbered.  This original yellow frame house shown above on a wide lot at 2169 West Sunnyside was sold in August of last year. It was issued a demolition permit this week.

Newer luxury construction on West Sunnyside has moved in at a high clip over the past few years. Most homes are harmonious in front but dominate the back yards of the original neighboring structures as they go deep on the lot.

The 2100 block of West Sunnyside is a popular, very walk-able higher-end location near Lincoln Square retail and restaurants , Ravenswood development and the CTA Brown Line.  Just this week my wife and I spoke to two separate couples who looked and bought in the area to live near the Lycee Francais de Chicago.  It would make a great study to see how many of the new luxury home buyers have (or will have) kids attending the newly built and popular private school.

New luxury construction on 37' wide lots sell upwards of $2 million dollars.

For Sale! New condo listing across from Northside College Prep (off MLS)

5420 N Kedzie #3E, Chicago IL 60625 is a contemporary newer construction three bedrooms condo overlooking Northside College Prep high school in the North Park neighborhood of Chicago. Balcony photo Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

Have a student getting into the top rated high school in Illinois?? Want to live next to Northeastern Illinois University, North Park University, River and Legion Parks while paying half the price of Lincoln Square?

We will list 5420 N Kedzie #3E later this week.  The spacious three bedrooms (or two bedrooms with large den) two baths condo with garage parking (+ one outdoor space) in elevator building will be for sale at $237,000. The last 3 units sold in the building have all gone quickly.

VERY flexible unit.  Rent to your college student and her roommates, have an in-town for schools, live near Lincoln Square and the highways for LESS.

Photos up Friday. 

Contact me direct for a showing 

erojas@kalerealty.com

Great north side location near many amenities and Lincoln Square.

 

Will North Center's Chicago Joe's finally go condo?

Chicago Joe's keeps serving while the fate of the restaurant has been in flux over the past couple years. Photo Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

Third time a charm? A new proposal for the Chicago Joe's restaurant site at 2250-2256 W Irving Park Road calls for two all residential buildings.  Twelve residential condo units total. 

The neighborhood put the kibosh on the originally proposed 5 story building a couple years ago.  The development site is in popular Coonley School district.  It is common for parents and/or caregivers to live in condos and apartments in the best school districts of Chicago.

New construction rental building proposed for 2150 West Lawrence Avenue, Lincoln Square's Surpless Dunn building

There is a development proposal for 2150 West Lawrence that would add 59 rental units, commercial space and 50 parking spaces to this booming strip of Lawrence next to popular Roots Pizza.

The latest 47th Ward Zoning Advisory Committee update shows another significant Lincoln Square rental development proposal.  We pointed out last November the Surpless and Dunn building was for sale.  Check out the renderings of the proposed 59 unit rental development at 2105 W Lawrence that would add to the existing structure and build a second new building with 50 parking spaces...  Wow!

The parking lot at Surpless, Dunn and Company would be replaced by a new building. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

#ANewLawrence keeps on trucking.  As a long time resident near this building I've really enjoyed all the foot traffic Roots and The Sixth have brought to Lawrence.

Under Contract! Buyer clients win gorgeous North Park Chicago bungalow

5412 N Bernard is a spacious Chicago bungalow on a quiet tree-lined street of North Park. 

 Our buyer clients recently won a multiple offer bid on 5412 N Bernard in the pleasant North Park neighborhood. The gold brick Chicago bungalow listed at $425,000 is totally move-in ready and drew quite the crowd at the open house and early showing appointments. The home purchase is through attorney review and awaits closing.

I've been a big cheerleader of the value North Park offers. This house is located in my favorite section of the community area adjacent to Northeastern Illinois University and near Northside College Prep and  North Park University.  There is a small strip of quality restaurants and businesses along West Foster (including Tre Kroner, The Local Pizzeria and Starbucks). The two universities, Legion Park and River Parks offer tons of extra-curricular activities. Big box and shopping mall conveniences await just north in Lincolnwood.

The Bryn Mawr Avenue business district is poised for new development with a new French tea room named Maison de Castelnau and planned student housing for Northeastern Illinois University.

The fantastic Tre Kroner restaurant is a short walk from the house (Photo Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty)

 Congrats to our buyer clients on a great house.  Call or email us to find or sell a house on the North Side of Chicago!

Starbucks ditches Teavana in favor of Starbucks in busy East Lakeview

A Starbucks Coffee store moves in at 639 W Diversey on the border of southeastern Lakeview and Lincoln Park neighborhoods. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

It looks like Starbucks has ditched their plans for a Teavana store and will soon open a traditional Starbucks Coffee at the former Hanig's Slipper Box space.

The new Starbucks looks to be a larger space than the existing store a half block east at 617 West Diversey.

The new store will anchor one of the most bustling corners on the North Side. It will also face-off with Stan's Donuts at 2800 N Clark across the street for your coffee dollars.  It's a great location for the ubiquitous brand.

West Diversey Parkway east of North Clark Street is poised for more residential and commercial development.  The Market Pantry property is in play and the Hampton Inn development at 601 W Diversey was approved by the plan commission in December 2015.

Home sales in Old Norwood Park "circle" of Chicago, median price at $370,000

The easily recognizable red awning near the Old Norwood Park "circle" of homes.

My clients viewed a great house in the Old Norwood Park neighborhood of Chicago on Sunday. The historic district is also known as the "the circle" due to the shape of the streets.  The house was located in the southeastern part of the neighborhood near the Norwood Park District facility and across from Taft High School. The views off the back of the home reminded us of a Harbor Country, Michigan vacation home... you quickly forget you're in the city!

Old Norwood Park located in the far northwest side of Chicago runs roughly Northwest Highway on the northeast, Bryn Mawr on the south and Harlem Ave on the west.

About 30 homes have been recorded as sold in the MLS for the Old Norwood Park neighborhood boundaries.  The median price is about $370,000.  This price will get you a more modest 3 bedrooms home in good condition located near the outer borders of the neighborhood.  However, as you get more central and into the "circle" streets the price goes way up for houses that need complete renovation.

A couple typical, more affordable homes near the Metra station and businesses of Old Norwood Park.  Homes with grand 50'x200' lots will sell in the $500s and up depending on condition.

 Lowest sale price in the last 12 months is $170,000 cash at 5885 N Harlem Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60631. The bungalow on busy Harlem Ave was a foreclosure sale and in need of complete gut renovation. The highest sale in the last 12 months is $785,000 at 7122 W Peterson Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60631. The gorgeous renovation faces Norwood Circle Park.

Nine homes are currently under contract with the highest asking price of $929,000 at 5945 N West Circle Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60631.  The median price of a home under contract is about $415,000.  Eight homes are currently listed for sale with a median asking price of about $520,000.

Most homes in the interior of Old Norwood Park boundaries reside in the Norwood Park Elementary School district and Taft High School district.

Live and play (ball!) near Northwestern's Rocky Miller Park and Ryan Field

We spent the day at new Rocky Miller Park on the Northwestern University campus Sunday.  The northeast Evanston location has a unique and vibrant game day atmosphere near one of the best schools in the country. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

Our Welles Park 9U Red All-Star team spent Sunday watching and playing baseball at the newly rebuilt Rocky Miller Park at Northwestern University.  The day was filled with inaugural ceremonies, sun, lots of baseball and college fun.  Our team joined the players on the field for Wayne Messmer's National Anthem and high-fives! We also held a one hour simulated game on the field. Thank you Northwestern Athletics!

Standing room only crowd for the special day.

Welles Park 9U Red

Many players stuck around for autographs before our practice.

My son Ryne at the plate in Rocky Miller Park, Northwestern University.  I thought it was cool!

The immediate area surrounding Welsh-Ryan Arena, Ryan Field (football stadium) and Rocky Miller park offers a unique urban college town feel.  You have both college game day fun with city amenities.  The mostly older custom homes near the stadiums deliver charm. Walk over and catch Division I Big Ten sports and enjoy shopping, dining and everyday services conveniently nearby.

Diverse vintage homes surround the Northwestern stadium campus. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

Single family homes within easy walking distance to NU sports have a median sales price of about $615,000 over the past 12 months. That will get you a frame or brick three bedroom vintage house.  Most homes under that price point will be a smaller three bedrooms house that needs updates.  Lots are typically 35' to 50' wide and 100' to 150' deep.

I love showing homes in this great Evanston area

We did it again! Chicago Association of Realtors Top Producer for 2015

2015 Top Residential Producer, Chicago Association of Realtors with over $9 million in closed transactions on the MLS.

Thank you to our clients, friends and family who trust us to help buy and sell homes in Chicagoland.  We have been Top Producers from 2006-2015! We want to provide you our many years of experience before, during and after the transactions! If you need anything TODAY we will be on it.

Your real estate experts!

Yours,

Eric and Bob

Signs of life! Artango opening soon, proof is in the Pie and the show must go on in Lincoln Square

Here's a few photos from the last couple days running errands around the neighborhood. Summer will bring new businesses and we can't wait! Artango is looking to open their new Lincoln Square location at 4767 North Lincoln Avenue this month!

Bang Bang Pie leaves no doubt what's cook'in at the new 4947 North Damen location. Opening by early summer.

The Griffin Theater is moving into this Bowmanville, Lincoln Square space at 5301 North Damen.

The Ravenswood / Lincoln Square area is a popular draw for new businesses and cultural experiences.