Video! New Friendship Center space in Lincoln Square (Open House May 6th)

We stopped by to visit our buddy Ross Outten, Director of Development at The Friendship Center, in their brand new space in Lincoln Square. They have a lot of important events and announcements this month! Check out new space for The Friendship Center of Lincoln Square at 2711 West Lawrence, Chicago IL 60625.  The Friendship Center is a long time food pantry and social service non-profit.  They need your help now to achieve a $60,000 capital campaign!

They are hosting their Open House and Ribbon Cutting this Sunday May 6th, 12pm to 3pm. You're invited! Come out and support the Friendship Center with neighbors and local officials.

The annual JAM for BREAD is this June 7th at 7pm

Contact Ross at ross@friendshipcenterchicago.org for event information!

Video by my guys ParkWestMedia.com !!

Construction permit issued for 59 new residential units in Lincoln Square

The industrial building at 2150 West Lawrence has been sold and vacant for two years.

The long awaited 59 unit residential project at the corner of West Lawrence and North Leavitt in Lincoln Square draws closer.  A construction permit was issued for a two story addition yesterday.  The proposal for the new development was made over two years ago.  An additional new building is to be built in the parking lot next door.  More info here on the Lawrence development boom.

I took this the day the sign went up.  The very successful Roots Pizza, to me, is a symbol of the rejuvenated Lawrence Avenue as a residential and business destination.

The building is close to transit (Western Brown Line stop and Lawrence bus) and all the restaurants, bars and retail of Lincoln Square. The 2150 West Lawrence development is just across Leavitt from Roots Pizza.  I imagine the Roots people will welcome the new regulars. With all the new residential units built and online to be built business is also booming along Lawrence.

The coolest building ever built in Albany Park / North Park

The Nancy and G. Timothy Johnson Center

I had some business near the North Park University campus last week. If possible I take a walk through the campus (and eat at Tre Kroner) anytime I'm nearby.  The coolest building on campus is Johnson Center shown above. It is a contender for any throw down on best building ever built in Albany Park/ North Park of Chicago.

SNEAK PEEK! 200 N Dearborn #1807 in downtown theater district (for sale $239,900 includes garage parking)

Check out the quick video walk-through of 200 N Dearborn #1807 asking $239,900.  NOT ON MLS yet! The one bedroom, one bathroom bright condo includes GARAGE PARKING.  Enjoy the indoor pool, fitness room and doorman service.  City living in the center of Chicago arts and business!

Downtown spacious one bedroom condo with DEEDED GARAGE PARKING INCLUDED. This sunny home with city views is freshly painted with new carpeting. Large closets throughout the unit. Bedroom features city views and organized Elfa closet. Updated bathroom tile. Building amenities include: Doorman, indoor pool, sundeck, party room, fitness room, laundry room. Assessment INCLUDES cable TV, WI-FI, heat, A/C, water, building amenities and doorman. Owner pays electric. Washer / dryer may be added to unit. Just steps to Michigan AVE and Millennium Park in the heart of the theater district. Pedway connects Macy's, Daley Center, hotels, restaurants, shops. State and Lake CTA around the corner. You're gonna make it after all at 200 North Dearborn! RENTALS and PETS OKAY!

MORE PHOTOS and PROPRTY INFO HERE

200 N Dearborn, Chicago IL 60601  (All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty and VHT.com)

Balcony with city views.

Large living and dining room

Indoor pool and sundeck!

Bedroom with new carpet and paint.

Organized closets!

Good sized kitchen.

Large vanity with updated tile.

Exclusively listed by

Eric Rojas, Broker

Kale Realty

2447 N Ashland, Chicago IL 60614

773-510-1597

erojas@kalerealty.com

Home sales in Bell School district of North Center, median price about $1.2M

2414 West Berenice, Chicago IL 60618 in Bell school district listed for $750,000.  Redefined Realty & Management is the listing broker.  All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

Late last week I took a look at a renovated bungalow in Bell School district.  The new listing is priced at $750,000.  I know for many this sounds crazy... $750,000.  For a renovated "move in ready" 3 or 4 bedroom house $750,000 in North Center is good 😭.  I was 50% looking for me (my wife did not know) and 50% doing my research.  Even though I think I could get a little better price on this house I can't leave my block... even for a top rated school and great location.

The 2400 block of Berenice is just west of North Western Ave... the house is adjacent to a rental car lot. A new construction building is underway across the street. You generally get a little break on price living adjacent to commercial buildings. At the west end of the block is Revere Park.  The location is close to the many great restaurants and bars of Roscoe Village as well as awesome sports facilities.

Here's a quick look at single family and small multi-unit home sales in Bell School district 2018.

- Eight single family homes have closed in Bell School district thus far in 2018.
-Median price is about $1.2 million
- Seven home are under contract with a median price about $1.25 million.
-23 homes are active for sale with a median asking price about $1.275 million. Only three of the twenty-three homes are listed for sale under $900,000 in Bell School district. 

Do not despair.  Rejoice people.  If this is not for you there are other places to live in Chicago too. Just ask me.

Vintage Lincoln Park multi-unit sold for $2,325,000, torn down for new five unit building

2252 N Orchard Chicago IL 60614 in Lincoln Park (all photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty)

A little while back we noticed 2252 N Orchard in Lincoln Park had been sold and got the demolition permit treatment (check out chicagocityscape.com for all sorts of property information in once place).  There are tons of "tear downs" in popular North Side neighborhoods and we point some out from time to time. This good looking vintage multi-unit (6 units) above is what you could consider "affordable" housing for the neighborhood (back in 2010 a one bedroom unit in the building ran $1,000 a month). Those days are gone.

The property lot measured 46'x125' according to the MLS listing and sold for $2,325,000 near the end of 2017. A building permit was issued for a new construction five unit condo building.

The tony 2200 block of North Orchard is no stranger to higher-end real estate sales.  A modest three bedroom townhouse sold recently for $1,090,000 while the last two single family homes sold for $3,095,000 and $3,465,000 respectively.

(Da) Coach house... yea or nay?

A large coach house (brown with front porch) a few doors down from my yard. There are several coach house units in close proximity to my house in Lincoln Square. They can be a tad difficult to price when prepping for sale.

Chicago Cityscape's Steven Vance muses on coach houses today.  It's also a nice dive into how crazy Chicago zoning ordinance is (the moon alignment with Mars is in there somewhere). To bolster my Chicago street cred my wife and once lived in a second floor coach house apartment in Lakeview. You ain't lived in Chicago until you lived in the alley.

We have listed/ viewed many coach house units around Chicago.  Some are "detached" fee simple homes while most units (if bought and sold) are part of a small condo association.  We once listed a coach house condo above at 3127 N Clifton #1 as part of a three unit condo association with the front house (shown above, rear of photo).

Real Neighbors! We visit Groundswell Coffee Roasters in Lincoln Square

We recently listed 5008 N Lincoln Avenue Unit 2N (now under contract!). After photos we ambushed poor Jason Foster, owner at Groundswell Coffee Roasters located in the same building for a quick video visit!  I'm a regular at their two Lincoln Square stores located at 4839 N Damen Avenue and 5008 N Lincoln Avenues. The cafes are attractive, coffee excellent AND the staff plays great music.

Window seat at 4839 N Damen. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

We love to spotlight local business, non-profits and neighbors while buying and selling properties throughout the city.  Thanks to my video partner Parkwest Media for taking the time to make all these fun shoots.

Check out Groundswell Coffee Roasters when in Lincoln Square.  If you'd like to buy or sell property near one of their great stores contact us!

Permit issued for new, modern Lincoln Square / Ravenswood neighborhood TOD development

The 4540 North Ravenswood "transit oriented development" received construction permit this week (all photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty).

I took some photos December 2016 of the 4540 North Ravenswood development site.  The five unit residential project has received construction permits this week (viewed via chicagocityscape.com). The property falls in the Lincoln Square Community Area section also known as Ravenswood.  More here on TOD

The Mariano's/LA Fitness and Ravenswood Metra Station all withing a couple blocks.

 Drawings of the project HERE at the 47th Ward web site.

Wrigleyville demolitions for CTA "Belmont Flyover" (the $32 million tear downs)

3401-3409 N Clark (at Roscoe), a grey stone looking two story mixed use building that was soooo Wrigleyville is gone. It was last home to forgettable Fiesta Cantina Restaurant. The Internet got a little excited about the Bankes Coffee "ghost sign".

I had a little business in Wrigelyville yesterday morning and snapped a few photos of ongoing building demolition around Clark/Sheffield and Roscoe intersections required by the Red and Purple Modernization Program.  The news that many of these old Lakeview neighborhood buildings would be acquired and torn down was upsetting.  But seeing it in action is shocking. The close proximity of properties and swift removal of familiar structures at this iconic (if not infamous) location makes this unique.

Johnny O'Hagan's building demolished at 3374 N Clark.  The building next door is going too.

The reported cost estimate for acquiring the properties is $32 million and the cost of demolition is $9 million.

This familiar commercial stretch of businesses will be gone soon including Bolat African Cuisine 3346 N Clark (closest to train).

3404-3406 N Sheffield is (was) a fairly recent remodel mixed use building once home of "local gem" Toppers Pizza. Gone!

Gold Crown Liquors, home of many keg purchases in my youth, still there! However, the property is featured in the CTA renderings as a future development.

934-936 West Roscoe built circa 1906 was spared.

Video! Logan Square house for sale $499,000 steps to The 606 (OPEN HOUSE this weekend)

Crazy deal.  Make this 1998 build your own. "AS IS" sale, move-in, "live-in" ready but needs exterior repairs and some TLC. The house finish level and components are mostly original.  Take a spin through the house with yours truly. Awesome value east of North California Avenue and adjacent to The 606.

1803 N Fairfield, Chicago IL 60647 for sale $499,000.

OPEN HOUSE

1803 N Fairfield, Chicago IL 60647 $499,000

Saturday April 14th 12:00pm to 2:00pm

Sunday April 15th 12:00pm to 2:00pm

More photos and property info HERE

Attractive 1998 build on a great block!

Open Kitchen/ great room

Formal living room

Living room with bay window

Wet bar in lower level family room

Huge, bright master bedroom.

Master bathroom, double vanity, separate jet tub and walk-in shower.

Built in 1998, apprx 3,100 sq/ft

Two large bedrooms up, both en suite (potential to renovate for three bedroom).

One bedroom in finished lower level

Living room, kitchen great room and lower level family room

Three full baths, one half-bath

Standard 25'x125' lot

Two car garage

Original roof and finish level.

Exclusively listed by

Eric Rojas, Broker

Kale Realty

2447 N Ashland, Chicago IL 60614

773-510-1597

erojas@kalerealty.com

Winnetka home sales 2017-2018 (including a $10M cash sale this year!)

A beautiful Winnetka setting with homes surrounding West Elm Park (all photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty).

We have been in the Village of Winnetka over the last two weeks meeting with buyers and sellers.  One client will be selling their long time home and moving to downtown Chicago. Winnetka is a beautiful "blue chip" North Shore suburb with some of the best ranked schools in the state (and country!). The downtown is charming and delivers on restaurants, coffee, boutique shopping and services. 

Even modest homes bring the charm (and command a premium) near the downtown.

Winnetka home sales this year
So far in 2018, 43 single family homes have sold with a median price about $1,200,000. The highest sale to close is the spectacular 3 acre lakefront property at 735 Sheridan, Winnetka IL 60093 for a cool $10M cash.  The lowest priced sold home this year is 250 Woodlawn Avenue, Winnetka IL 60093 for $415,000.

Winnetka single family home sales 2017
254 single family homes sold over 2017 with a median price of about $1.1 million.  The lowest priced property sold was 87 Locust Road, Winnetka IL 60093 for $320,000.  The short sale is on a nice sized 66'x200' lot.  The highest priced sold property was 973 Sheridan Winnetka, IL 60093 for $6,187,000 cash.  The massive estate has private beachfront on Lake Michigan.

In 2016 242 homes sold with a median price about $1,225,000.

Large traditional house along West Elm Park.

The downtown offers vintage architecture mixed with redevelopment, new and old businesses.

The downtown Winnetka Metra Union Pacific North line at 754 W  Elm. The popular Metra line to downtown Chicago is a main draw throughout the North Shore suburbs.

Property sold for $1,136,000 next to CTA Damen Brown Line in Lincoln Square, now 24 unit development

4646 and 4650 North Damen were sold in two separate transactions closing in 2017.  The total cost of the properties was $1,136,000 according to MREDLLC.com and Cook County Recorder of Deeds records. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker Kale Realty

Two adjacent properties directly north of the Damen Brown Line stop sold for a combined $1,136,000 in 2017.  4646 N Damen (40'x125' lot) next to the tracks was a frame house under contract for quite some time by a local developer. According to the MLS the contract was entered into back in 2015 and it closed for $436,000 in early 2017.  The next property over next at 4650 N Damen closed at the end of 2017 for $700,000 according to public records (this was not openly listed on MLS). Sounds like a nice hold-out for $700K!

Mixed use residential buildings will now run from the Damen stop to Leland on both the east and west side of Damen Avenue. City living at it's best... shops and apartments on the way to the train!

A 24 unit new construction rental building with eight parking spots has been approved for the site. The project next to the "L" of course qualifies as a transit-orientated development (TOD).

Check out the rendering HERE

Patty Wetli has more coverage of the development here.
 

New for Sale (video)! Luxury condo and coffee in Lincoln Square $539,900

This dream kitchen with huge quartz island counter top is the heart of the home. The open living and dining concept is 34 feet wide and opens to the huge front walk-out terrace.

We love shiny new kitchens!

Pre-MLS! Check out our new Lincoln Square condo listing hitting the market this week.  5008 N Lincoln Avenue #2N Chicago IL 60625 for sale asking $539,900. This 2,100 sq/ft three bedrooms, two baths newer construction home has tons of closet space, fully wired for sound and garage parking in a six unit elevator building. We love this location! Groundswell Coffee and Manal Studio are great businesses in the building. Foodies rejoice with Goosefoot and Elizabeth. Steps to all the business and community events of Lincoln Square!

Dining at Cafe Selmarie, Giddings Plaza in Lincoln Square (all photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty)

Watch the video walk-through!

Wide open floor plan w/ fireplace, wired for sound, crown molding and 10ft ceilings. 24ft wide walk-out front terrace!

Dining area can extend for large gatherings... indoors and outdoors!

24' x 8' huge front terrace.

Built-in shelving, organized closets and custom mud room area bring the unit to another level.

Master bathroom with separate double vanity and double shower head steam shower.

5008 N Lincoln #2N Avenue floor plan

Click here for more photos.  

Exclusively listed by:

Eric Rojas, Vice President/ Broker

ericrojasblog.com

erojas@kalerealty.com

Kale Realty - Lincoln Park

2447 N Ashland Avenue

Chicago IL 60614

773-510-1597