City Grange Garden Center brightens up car-centric Western Avenue

The corner of Western and Catalpa in Lincoln Square/ West Ridge was teeming with people and nature on a recent summer night. Residential and business development is slowly spouting up in this challenging location.

City Grange opened earlier this spring to much local fanfare in Lincoln Square, Albany Park, Sauganansh and many surrounding neighborhoods. The venture led by a veteran community garden activist has spruced up an otherwise busy four lane highway connecting the Lincoln Square and West Ridge neighborhoods (also a sub-neighborhood known as Arcadia Terrace).

A welcome site for the condo owners just to the south.

An oasis in an otherwise challenging location.

Not much to see around North Western Avenue and West Catalpa.  Rosehill Cemetery is to the east, multi-unit apartment buildings to the west. A spattering of business line the west side of Western Ave. going north towards Peterson Ave. but it is not very aesthetically pleasing to pedestrians.  

Driving this strip is an experience of it's own! Drivers weave from lane to lane avoiding left turning and parallel parking cars. The new alderman's office is located on this strip and there is no better time to make this strip safer to walk, ride and drive!

The impact of the garden center the the services / community space it provides can not be understated. What a boost! The center is really attractive and offers education programs to all gardening levels. Check them out just north of Lincoln Square!

Logan Square single family homes, median price and unit sales slip year to year

Logan Square single family home housing stock ranges from modern to vintage with converted churches and warehouses to boot. The CTA Blue Line, hot restaurants, bars and shops have fueled the rising prices. (All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty).

We recently went under contract on a high-end Logan Square single family home that will be closing next week. Our Wicker Park transplant found more value in houses in Logan Square than her current location. Here's a quick look at sales in popular Logan Square.

Logan Square single family home sales January 1st to September 6th, 2019
169 Logan Square single family homes sold from January 1st to September 6th this year.  The median price is about $745,000.

199 single family homes sold over the same period of 2018 with a median price of about $825,000.  We have seen a slip of unit sales over several North Side neighborhoods, however, median prices have held steady or gone up. We see a small slip in both unit sales and median price in Logan Square year to year.  Compare that with a median price of $515,000 is 2013!

Logan Square prices may have plateaued a little due to the quickly rising land prices and push back on development from neighborhood groups and political trends.


Check out our other Logan Square posts HERE

Lincoln Park single family home sales, unit sales up

Despite the great amount of tear down and new construction activity my mind goes to homes like 632 W Deming Place when thinking of Lincoln Park. 632 West Deming happens to be on sale for $5,500,000. (All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty)

The median price of a single family home sale in Lincoln Park is about $1.6M.  

Many North Side neighborhoods have seen median price increases for single family homes while unit sales have gone down in 2019. Here's a quick look at Lincoln Park single family home sales.

Lincoln Park single family home sales 

141 single family homes have closed so far in 2019. The median price is about $1,630,000. Fifteen homes sold for over $3,000,000. The highest price sold home is 2217 N Burling Street, Chicago IL 60614 for $4,837,500.  Only twelve homes were sold for under $1,000,000.

Over the same period of 2018, 126 single family homes sold with a median price of about $1,650,000. Nineteen homes sold over $3,000,000.

Lincoln Park was fairly consistent over the last two years. However more units sold thus far in 2019 for a slightly less median price than over the same period of 2018.

"Welcome Back Lounge" getting closer to opening on hot Milwaukee Avenue, Logan Square

Welcome Back Lounge looking groovy in Logan Square

This is a great name and I'm sure a lot of long time bar owners are kicking themselves for not taking it.  Hope the business does justice to the name!

Sold for $410,000 and torn down, now new single family construction in Lincoln Square

We wrote about the sale of 4955 N Claremont, Chicago IL 60625 when it was sold last year.  I thought the $410,000 sales price for a 33'x125' was a bargain... and suspected a new construction house was on the way. Its a good location close to many of the bars, restaurants and shops of Lincoln Square.  The block has lots of activity during school and mass days as Saint Matthias School and Parish are located on the street.

A familiar site around the North Side over the last 20 years... older, smaller homes torn down for new construction. Tear downs around Lincoln Square have slowed with the rising price of existing re-sales and land. 

The original house (in the middle). The home to the far right sold for $460,000.  The buyer of that house did not tear down or make major structural additions. They moved in after some renovations.  

The new construction looks to be a private owner build rather than a developer "speculation" build for sale. The builder is Brightleaf  that touts it's energy efficient homes. 4955 N Claremont has a permit for solar panels (yay).

Sneak Peek! Logan Square large one bedroom condo for sale $211,900

The boutique corner condo building features four residential units and two offices.

Check out the walk-through of 2409 N Sawyer #2, Chicago IL 60647 asking $211,900. We'll list the condo on the MLS after Labor Day.

Take a quick video walk-through!


This is a large unit with great room sizes. The hottest of locations you can walk to all the Logan Square action from your quiet street. CTA Blue Line? Check! Bars? Check! Restaurants? Checkaroo! 

2409 N Sawyer #2 asking $211,900
One bedroom
One bathroom
Separate dining room
Great light
Central AC and heat
Laundry in basement
Shared deck off kitchen

Spacious living room and dining room. Dining area can be converted into second bedroom.

Living / dining rooms.

Large kitchen with room for a table.

Kitchen with pantry closet. Small deck off the kitchen.

Bedroom with organized closet.

Bedroom. Great light throughout the apartment.

Good sized bathroom in great shape.

Shared deck space off the kitchen.

Community garden on the block!

Exclusively listed by Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

2447 N Ashland, Chicago IL 60614

ericrojasblog.com

erojas@kalerealty.com

773-510-1597

Sold! Lincoln Square single family home $981,500 (unit sales down, median price up)

We listed and sold 4817 N Seeley, Chicago IL 60625  early this summer.  The newer construction Lincoln Square home received multiple offers and closed for $981,500 (yeah baby!).

Early this summer we had the pleasure of helping neighbors sell their house. We previously worked with them on their townhouse sale (with two less kids!). It was sad to lose this awesome family of now six! You'd never know four kids lived in this house when we were listed... it looked amazing. Prior to listing we advised our sellers on painting and several repairs to achieve top dollar. We even scheduled and met the contractors at the home to manage the job.

The owners built the house in 2013 and added some mill work and features that set the home apart.

Unique touches like this beverage center and pantry won over prospective buyers.

Spacious, bright dining area in the great room leads to a large deck.

Large deck off kitchen and finished garage roof deck for lots of play space!

True, king size master suite... stretch out!

Separate soaking tub and walk-in shower are a must at this price-point.

Lincoln Square single family home sales
It is true the over-all single family home market plateaued a bit and we see less new construction houses being built in Lincoln Square. However, more high-end product is available keeping the average and median prices high for the neighborhood.

76 single family homes have closed this year from January 1st to August 29th. The median sale price of a house this year in the Lincoln Square Community Area is $725,000. Over the same period of 2018, 105 single family homes closed with a median price of about $655,000. In my analysis less homes changed hands due to higher re-sale asking prices slowing the market and less single family home redevelopment and flips.

Check out more of our Lincoln Square posts here  Sell and buy your properties with us!

Massive "Logan Apartments" development taking shape

Paulie Gee's may have some new regulars soon!

I'm in Logan Square a lot these days. On Tuesday I passed by the biggest of many surrounding developments to check on the construction progress. Logan Apartments development is taking full shape. The massive 220 unit mixed-use development has taken on it's form and we can now see the aesthetic impact to the surrounding area. The 2500 block of North Milwaukee has a bit more cavernous feel.

The same viewpoint when construction began (below) and this week (above)

Thank you Kale Realty and our Northeastern Illinois University Kane Golf Event sponsors

Matt, me, Steve and Tom at Chevy Chase Country Club for the 47th Annual Northeastern Illinois University Kane Golf Event

Wow! I had the best group ever STEP UP this year for student scholarships at Northeastern Illinois University's Kane Scholarship Golf Event. Thank you to all our donors. I want to point out the sponsors who joined our Welcome Kit Sponsor group this year.  Please reach out to these businesses for their respective services!

Tom Labadie, Inkt  Marketing for all your branded marketing SWAG! Tom's been a great sponsor for this event for a couple of years now providing event merchandise, signage and custom golf bags for our raffles!

Steve Dunnett, Blueleaf Lending for your mortgage lending and refinance needs! Steve has sponsored the NEIU Kane event with me for many years and has been my go-to lender for over 11 years.

Matt McIntee, Green Golf Partners for golf course management, leasing and consulting.  It helps to have a great player and golf expert on your squad!

Nick Patterson, Kale Realty. Nick is owner and all around good guy of my affiliated real estate brokerage. His continued support over the years is only one example of why it's great to bring your real estate business to Kale Realty!

Chevy Chase Country Club has attractive grounds and an accessible course for most skill levels. The clubhouse facilities are terrific. 

Teamwork! These guys helped me to my best scoring finish yet!

We were happy to earmark scholarship dollars to the Alumni Travel Study Scholarship. The award, founded few years ago by myself and fellow alumni, helps students pay for study abroad trips!

NEIU President Gloria Gibson addresses the dinner program after the round and promises to play next year! The raffle and silent auction brought home some much needed dollars for scholarships.

I once again failed to get photos with the fantastic university development and alumni relations staff. They make this a welcoming and fun outing every year! I look forward to serving on the committee for another great event next summer.

Just SOLD! Attractive North Center house with a great lot

Inviting three bedrooms home with side drive... just steps from Welles Park!

2137 West Montrose, Chicago IL 60618 

Sold for $740,000

Congrats to our clients! We helped them buy this house over several years ago. It was time to move up to accommodate their growing family. CLICK HERE for more photos and property information. This was an amazing value in one of Chicago's most desirable neighborhoods. I really loved this house, yard and the cool urban location! 

Take a video walk-through!

Add caption

Click HERE for more photos and property information

You won't believe this! Move-in ready North Center single family home in Coonley Elementary and Amundsen High School districts. Amazing urban location on super wide unique lot. Three true bedrooms up, two and one-half baths, central air and heat, brick one car garage and SIDE DRIVE (3 car parking total or park a boat/ trailer on side drive). 

Steps to Welles Park field-house, gyms, nature preserve, pool and play-lots.

Renovated full finished basement with professional waterproofing and laundry room. Main floor entry foyer, powder room, open plan living and dining room and updated kitchen w/breakfast bar. Three beds up with large updated bathroom. Finished walk-out basement w/family room, good ceiling height, full bathroom, storage room and laundry. THAT yard! You can host a wedding here with that charming brick garage and blue door in the back drop. 

Two blocks away!

Steps from Welles Park, Sulzer Library branch, Old Town School of Folk Music, Lou Malnati's, Half Acre Brewery, Jewel grocery and scores of bars, restaurants and amenities outside your door. Three blocks to CTA Montrose Brown Line. Outstanding value in a fantastic location.

Exclusively listed by Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

2447 N Ashland, Chicago IL 60614

ericrojasblog.com

erojas@kalerealty.com

773-510-1597