Two small Lincoln Square vintage homes sold side by side (will they be demolished?)

4951 N Claremont on the right and 4955 N Claremont, side by side houses in Lincoln Square, both were for sale simultaneously and closed within two weeks of each other.

Two recent Lincoln Square home sales caught my eye (I live a couple blocks away and walk by all the time). Both houses were for sale at the same time.  I was certain the two relatively inexpensive adjacent single-family properties would be bought by a developer to build larger homes.

4951 N Claremont (to the right) sold for $460,000 and sits on a 33' wide and 125' long lot.  A small house sold in the $400s on such a wide lot in Lincoln Square is almost certain to be redeveloped! However, the new owners moved in after modest renovations.

4951 North Claremont sold for $460,000.  The wide lot home seemed ripe to build a larger single family home on the 33' wide lot.  The only caveat is the property is adjacent to a church parking lot.  However at the sale price and size of the lot a large single family redevelopment seemed inevitable.  No major permits were pulled and the new owner moved in with minor interior renovations.

4955 North Claremont sold for a bargain $410,000.  The small house sits on a desirable 33' wide by 125' long lot. The house is yet to be occupied and there are no demolition or construction permits pulled. If I were a betting man I'd put money on this being redeveloped into a larger home.  This was a great deal. This would also be a great spot for a three-flat considering many multi-units on this mixed use block. However, current zoning in this neighborhood does not allow new multi-unit construction on the residential blocks.

The single family home market in the immediate Lincoln Square area around Winnemac Park has pushed into the high-end territory. The median price of a sold home around Winnemac Park in 2018 is about $850,000.

Gold Coast hoop dreams

Squeezing in some hoops in Gold Coast.  Alley courts are as old as most bungalows but this one caught my eye. The basket is installed on a new garage next to the coach house of a vintage mansion at Burton and Dearborn.  The alley neighbor directly to the west is the Faulkner House high-rise that is part of Sandburg Village.  It is a little known fact that William Faulkner shot his free throws "granny style". I made that up.

Faulkner House at 70 West Burton Place, Chicago IL 60610 overlooks the hoop. 

The amazing vintage property at Burton and Dearborn and owner of the alley basketball hoop.

Streeterville condo sales this year

A mix of commercial and mixed use residential buildings fill the Streetrville landscape steps from the lake.

We often work with clients employed by the Northwestern hospital system and Lurie Children's located in Streeterville. The hospitals (with other medical and professional institutions) make for a bustling, high energy area with lots of amenities and services.  Occasionally our clients prefer to live right in the neighborhood close to work.  Let's take a look at Streeterville condo sales for 2018.

Streeterville condo sales January 1st to December 7th, 2018.  

585 condos (attached units) have closed in the Streeterville neighborhood thus far in 2018. The median price of a sold condo is about $420,000.  Of course, Streetrville can have some very high-priced, high powered units. The highest priced condo sale is 159 East Water Street Unit 23A, Chicago IL 60611 for $6,250,000.  21 units sold for over $2,000,000 this year.

The recently built Lurie Hospital facility is a boon to condo sales in Streetrville as another large, prestigious employer.

The lowest priced sold condo recorded on the MLS is an interesting case.  201 East Delaware Place Unit 908, Chicago IL 60611 at The Hotel Raffaello sold for $99,995 as a short sale.  The unit is a hotel-condo that may not be occupied full time by the owner! What an "interesting" ownership relationship with the hotel. The lowest non hotel-condo sale is a studio at 260 East Chestnut Unit 401, Chicago IL 60611 for $130,000.

2 beds, 2 baths
185 two, beds, two baths condos sold with a median price of $522,500. This price does not guarantee you parking and of course there are those expensive high-rise monthly assessments.  But... you have the world at your door!

Infamous Boomer's property in Lincoln Square nears redevelopment

The entire Boomer's property is up for redevelopment. I'm all for more density and residential at this site. However there has been little (open) opportunity for public scrutiny.  All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

The elephant on North Lincoln Ave in Lincoln Square may finally leave the room.  The Boomers restaurant site located at 5015-5039 N Lincoln Avenue is up for redevelopment.  The site also includes the Pizza Hut take-out storefront and the long time MRI Center which my photos conveniently leave out... oy.

Inexplicably, there has been very little fanfare surrounding the potential development for this long vacant albatross.  Back on JUNE 5th, 40th ward Alderman's office posted an article on their site describing the private proposal process leading up to the final project. The Alderman asks for public comment BY JUNE 6th LOL.  The commercial lot would require subdivision and a zoning change.  No little thing and usually the stuff of public meetings.

Typically a zoning change for a relatively large development and dramatic change in height of an existing structure receives a public meeting. But whatevs!

Back in in 2015, local journalist Patty Wetli reported on the woes of the 13 year vacant Boomer's. The struggling owner explained at the time selling the property was not an option despite neighbor's angst at the eyesore. She sited sentiment more than viability. However, market conditions are so good now I imagine even the owner's convictions have been swayed by an offer they could not refuse.

Anyway, look for 28 condos at the site and no retail at the site.

Downers Grove single family home sales this year (median price up $90K from 2013)

The Downers Grove downtown is a mix of  vintage buildings and new developments but has a classic small town community feel. All photos Eric Rojas, Kale Realty

We were in Downers Grove  over the last couple weeks looking at homes for our clients. Each year we have long time clients make the decision to sell their city condo or house and move the suburbs.  The most popular destinations for our clients the last several years are towns along the BNSF train line.  Downers Grove is often in the mix.

Downers Grove has two popular train stations servicing downtown Chicago.

Downers Grove sold homes January 1st to November 16th, 2018
About 575 single family homes have been sold and closed according to MREDLLC.com records so far this year. The median price of a closed home is approximately $383,500.

The highest priced sold home is 4915 Seeley Ave, Downers Grove IL 60515 for $1,460,000. The 2015 build sits on a 60' by 200' lot.  Eleven homes have sold over $1,000,000 this year.  The lowest sold house is 6205 Dunham Road, Downers Grove IL 60516 for $133,000.  A small frame home sits on an enormous 196'x305' lot.

There is a good mix of vintage and new construction mixed use buildings making up downtown Downers Grove.

In 2017, 613 homes sold over the same period with a median price of $375,000 over the same period.
In 2016, 575 homes sold with a median price of $340,000.
Going back five years to 2013, 545 homes closed with a median price of only $292,000.

We help buyers and sellers make the transition to the suburbs.  Just ask our clients!

If you are moving from the city (boooooo) we help you sell in Chicago and buy in the burbs of your choice.

Car2Go vehicles parked all over Lincoln Square

Car2Go "smart cars" and Mercedes have popped up all over my neighborhood in Lincoln Square 

I had some fun on my personal Facebook page and Twitter account last week after I noticed Car2Go carsharing vehicles suddenly appeared EVERYWHERE in my neighborhood around Winnemac Park.  Several cars were parked on various blocks of Winona, Oakley, Leavitt, Carmen and Western.  A few of the cars were parked in street cleaning zones during prohibited hours.

A Chicago Streets and Sanitation van idles behind a Car2Go vehicle an hour before the no parking hours kick in.

At one point a Streets and Sanitation van seemed to be stalking these strange and ubiquitous cars one hour before the temporary no parking zones took affect. Oh the suspense! Eventually a Car2Go employee moved some cars.  However my neighbors on the case reported one car did get a ticket (I also saw one of the cars with a parking ticket). I did ask Car2Go in a tweet reply if there was a reason for the recent car drop in Lincoln Square. Nothing back yet.  Have you used the Car2Go carsharing company? Are you okay with extra cars parked on the streets for this business model?

Doh! Neighbors love when a car is not moved on street cleaning day! Typically you can knock on a door and remind a neighbor.  However, how annoying is calling/ messaging a car share company to move their cars?

Skip the smart car and pick up a Mercedes near Winnemac Park.

Quick look! Sales at 1260 North Astor in Gold Coast

We were walking through Gold Coast Tuesday for some showings. We noticed the The Philip Maher designed Art Deco Tower at 1260 North Astor getting a refresh to it's entrance.

This 13 unit co-op rarely has homes listed and sold on the MLS. There are only 13 total units in the building! However, there was a recent MLS listing closed this past September 2018 for $2.5M. The full 4th floor unit covers 4000 renovated sq/ft. With taxes of $40,000 and an assessment of $4,600 a month the carry cost is not for the light of wallet!

A sale back at the end of 2015 was made mention in Chicago Magazine for it's original ask of $4.5M and ultimate sale of $2.9M on the lavish 12th floor.

Twenty-six condo units have closed on the 1200 block of North Astor in the last twelve months.  The median price of a sold condo is $280,000.  The lower end prices are mostly attributed to the one bedroom units in 1300 N Astor high-rise built in 1963. Thirteen of the condo sales on the block closed for over $500,000 and seven condos closed for over $1,000,000.

$3,000,000 construction permit issued for McFetridge ice rink addition

Google maps image in June of the McFetridge parking lot.  The rink addition is being built on the east end of the lot.

A construction permit with work estimated at $3,000,000 was issued for the McFetridge ice rink addition.  The additional ice rink is welcome relief for those participating in the widely popular hockey and skating programs. 

Our family has enjoyed ice skating and tennis programs at McFetridge Sports Center for years.  The surrounding area has a wealth of great parks, sports facilities, schools and family activities along North California Ave stretching from West Addison to West Montrose.

More condo units, density to surround popular Horner Park

2712 West Montrose has been torn down to build a new multi-unit building across from Horner Park in the Irving Park Neighborhood. The 33rd Ward has upped its development game over the past few years. This convenient area is looking to meet demand for new construction units for priced out Lincoln Square and North Center residents. 

2712 West Montrose, formerly the Three R's Cafe/ Grocery small mixed use commercial building, has been torn down. It appears according to public records the property was sold recently for $750,000 (within this year). In 2006 the property sold for $900,000 and was lost in foreclosure a few years later. The new building permit shows a new six dwelling unit building will be built directly across from Horner Park.  

Another typical two story mixed use property bites the dust.  I took this photo about a month ago just after the demolition permit was issued.

About 85 condos have closed in the last 12 months in the Horner Park neighborhood. The median price is about $245,000.  The highest priced closed condo is $433,000 at 4335 N Mozart #4, Chicago IL 60618. That median and highest closed condo will go up as the new construction along North California closes before year's end.

Horner Park is a large, popular public park with extensive running parks, ball fields, a new dog park, gyms, classes, remodeled play ground... something for everyone.   

Large remodeled play lot at Horner Park.

4330 N California is a newly finished nine unit condo building directly across from the Horner Park play-lot.  One three bedroom unit is listed under contract asking $650,000!

The next big Horner Park thing?

More than rumor has it the contiguous properties from about 4350 N California to 4400 N California (at Montrose) are in play for a large residential development. 

For the most comprehensive aggregate of property information subscribe to Chicagocityscape.com. My clients appreciate all the information I quickly provide and analyze from the site! Call or email is us if you'd like to sell or buy property in the Horner Park real estate market.

Two NEW Lincoln Square / Ravenswood developments steps from the CTA Brown Line at Damen

Demo, including some nice trees, was completed a few weeks ago at 4713 N Damen in Lincoln Square/ Ravenswood.  A six flat building will replace the former frame building and small addition that occupied the property.

Two projects are in development steps from the CTA Brown Line station and a couple blocks from the Lincoln Square restaurant and retail center. 4713 N Damen pictured above was a property long for sale privately, not on MLS (well, privately despite a giant billboard on the property). The land had fallen into foreclosure proceedings in 2013 but did sell this year for just over $1.2 million according to recent public records. The new construction six-flat building will sit between the former "The Rail" bar and grill to the south and the Rambler Lofts to the north.

Ravenswood Station bar/ restaurant -a single story commercial building (formally The Rail Bar and Grill) - sits adjacent  south of the new six flat development.

The construction permit on 4713 N Damen via Chicagocityscape.com is estimated at about $750,000 but there is a roughly $5.2 million mortgage taken out on the property.

4646 N Damen that sat next to the CTA "L" tracks was sold in 2015 (and closed in 2018 for $436,000) along with the adjacent property to the north. 4650 N Damen to the north held on and finally sold for $700K.

Just south and across the street 4646 N Damen- 4650 N Damen (both small frame homes) were sold to make way for a new 24 unit TOD development (transit oriented development explained). It took about three years for the developer to secure the second property at 4650 N Damen for $700K after entering into a contract with  the first at 4646 N Damen for $436,000. More info here.  

The development sits across from the CTA Damen Brown Line station entrance and adjacent to the exit stairs and tracks. Friends joked there should be a pedestrian sky-bridge from the building to the station so you don't have to cross the street with the common folk.

The improved CTA Brown Line station with exterior and interior bike storage.

The building will sit adjacent to the CTA tracks on the south and a vintage mixed use building to the north.  Friendly Aroy Thai next door and popular long time business Perfect Cup coffee is on the Leland/ Damen corner a few steps away.

Interestingly, these new construction buildings represent the first substantial multi-unit residential construction along North Damen from West Montrose to West Lawrence (four city blocks). This despite the location so close to the CTA station and the very active and successful residential development on Damen north of Lawrence and up and down West Lawrence nearby going on for a good seven years now.

Under contract! 330 West Diversey #2304 - Mies with great lake views!

Watch the video! Our latest Lincoln Park listing at 330 West Diversey Unit 2304 Chicago IL 60657 under contract asking $309,900

330 West Diversey Chicago IL 60657 Unit #2304 listed at a great value price of $309,900

A recent San Francisco transplant told us he fell in love with this unit the moment he walked in! A spacious unit with water views is only a dream back west. The buyer acted quickly and the unit is now under contract. Mies Van Der Rohe's  330 West Diversey  Commonwealth Plaza borders the East Lakeview and Lincoln Park neighborhoods and is a fantastic place to live.  Steps from Diversey Harbor, golf, tennis, lakefront parks, trails and fantastic dining. The building itself has doorman service, dry cleaner, fitness room, pool and convenience store with good food, wine and beer options.

Open, renovated kitchen.

Really large living room and dining space with lake views.

Wake up to bright and spacious bedrooms with lake views.

Master bedroom with lakefront views and walk-in closet.

Master bath.

Second bedroom with large closet.

Second bathroom.

The unit is freshly painted with new modern baseboards for a terrific clean look. Assessment includes water, insurance, cable, Internet, heat and A/C! Parking garage on site with spots around $200 / month.  Building owners may rent out the units.  Storage space included, bike storage available for $75.00 / month.

The kitchen has been opened up to the living space for optimal entertaining.

Open, bright living space.

The large outdoor pool area is beautifully landscaped and looks out over Lincoln Park

Living at 330 West Diversey is all about lifestyle. Enjoy endless leisure and fitness activities steps from the famous Chicago lakefront. It is a really beautiful area filled with parks, restaurants, bars and every day services to make life easy.

330 West Diversey is only steps from Diversey Harbor

Endless opportunities for recreation in the park filled lakefront at your doorsteps!

Exclusively listed by

Eric Rojas, Broker

Kale Realty

2447 N Ashland, Chicago IL 60614

773-510-1597

erojas@kalerealty.com

New 54 unit building coming to Andersonville's North Clark Street

Each day scan local construction permits sent to me by Chicago Cityscape.  If something looks interesting, is nearby or I have some sort of information to add I'll post about it.  Today I swung by a new Andersonville development site on the way to showings in Lakeview. All gloomy weather photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty.

A fairly large residential apartment development is coming to North Clark Street Andersonville.  4906 to 4918 North Clark (view palns here) was issued their main construction permit yesterday at an estimated cost of $5.5M.  The four-story building will feature 54 residential units, ground floor retail and 29 parking spots will take the place of Africa Auto Repair business.  Another auto repair shop sits adjacent to the north. The location further consolidates the popular Andersonville neighborhood business and residential re-development south to West Lawrence.

A Macon Construction crew was already on site making preparations for demolition work. I chatted with a crew chief for a few moments.

The property occupies the northwest corner of West Ainslie Street and Clark Street and stretches a few lots north.

I did not find any sales numbers for the property through public data.  However the property had some utility liens and a lis pending foreclosure recorded in 2017 prior to the property changing hands.  An "Agreement" was recorded in May of this year but no amount given.  

A pair of small vintage multi-unit buildings sit across the street.  4913 North Clark (on the left) sitting on a 37' wide lot sold last in 2013 for $525,000.

More buildings across the street. Popular local hangout SoFo Tap is at the corner.

Over the last twelve months from 4800 North Clark Street to 5200 North Clark Street, 13 attached properties properties (condo, town house) have sold with a median price about $380,000.  This four block stretch is slowly adding residential units and replacing old commercial and vacant lots.  This is a great place to add density.  Most needs and wants are within walking distance and a quick bus ride gets you everything else. Easy to the lakefront too.