Sold! Two beds Lakeview condo with parking $440,000

The living room at 731 W Buckingham Unit #12, Chicago IL 60657. The vintage unit had been transformed into a peaceful, bright and modern home. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty.

We recently listed and sold a two bedroom condo with exterior parking spot included at 731 W Buckingham #12 in East Lakeview (non-high rise buildings). The sale price was $440,000 after multiple offers.. The median price of a comparable condo in Lakeview is about $400,000 (two beds, one bath, exterior parking space included) in a non-high rise building. 

Lakeview two beds, one bath condo sales (non-high rise)
- About 29 two beds, one bath condos with exterior parking (non-high rise) sold from January 1st to September 5th of this year. with a median price of about $400,000. 

- 39 two beds, one bath condos (non-high rise) WITHOUT parking sold with a median price about $370,000. 

- 8 like kind condos sold including a garage space for a median price of about $412,000 over the same period.

Fully renovated kitchen with 

731 W Buckingham #12 has it all... parking, huge deck, storage and central heat and AC!

 Contact me for more information!

Eric Rojas, Broker

Kale Realty

2447 N Ashland, Chicago IL 60614

773-510-1597

erojas@kalerealty.com

Lakeview condo sales run hot in 1st Quarter 2025, unit sales up 20%

 

Gorgeous vintage buildings on the 700 Block of West Buckingham Place.  Condo sales have been furious to in First Quarter 2025. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

It's not hyperbole when I say ALL the real estate markets we work in were very hot in the first quarter of this year. Despite relatively low inventory, rising prices and stagnant mortgage interest rates condos have been selling swiftly in Chicago North Side neighborhoods.  We've been monitoring the market closely while preparing two Lakeview condo listings coming on soon.

Lakeview Condo Sales January 1st to March 31st, 2025

317 condos sold on the MLS over first quarter of 2025. The median price of a Lakeview condo was $450,000 over that time. Only 263 condos sold first quarter last year over the same period with a median price of $405,000.  Unit sales are up 20% year over year and median price up 11%.

The highest priced sold condo this year was 3930 N Janssen, Unit 1s, Chicago IL 60613 for $1,750,000.

The lowest priced sold condo was 3600 N Lake Shore Drive, Unit 605, Chicago IL 60613 for $120,000.

New for sale! Two beds Lakeview condo, common backyard $279,900 (open houses this weekend)

 

Fantastic sun room overlooks landscaped courtyard. The corner unit has views of greenspace out of every window. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty and VHT.com 

New for sale! East Lake View! 
Open Houses Sat 5/18 and Sun 5/19 11a to 1p

617 W Cornelia, Unit 1, Chicago IL 60657 asking $279,900. 

Check out the 3D Tour! 

East Lakeview two bedrooms, one bathroom high first floor condo. Click the 3D Tour! Classic walk-up  boutique building with landscaped courtyard entry. Every window of this corner unit overlooks attractive greenspace.  Relax, dine or work from home in the gorgeous sun-room located off the living room. 

This corner unit looks out over greenspace, no shared unit walls!

Plenty of room for guest bed and desk!

Two good sized bedrooms offer flexible living space for queen beds or combo office/ guest room. Refreshed, well appointed kitchen with dishwasher and plenty of prep space. Tastefully updated bathroom. Enjoy the common backyard just steps from your back door. The yard is an amazing oasis!    

The common backyard can be seen from the kitchen and is just steps out the back door.  It's a wonderful bonus space!

There is easy access to a large floor to ceiling  8' x 4' storage unit provided for this and condo. FREE LAUNDRY featuring two washers and two dryers in the spotless basement (interior stairs off the back door). Two pets under 25lbs each allowed. Heat included in assessment.    

Take the video walk through 

No need for a car in this A+ location just a few minutes walk to Whole Foods Market, Jewel on the corner, tons of restaurants, bars, services, theatre and shopping. Belmont Harbor at the lakefront is just over a block away. Ten minute walk to Wrigley Field. Express bus to downtown at Cornelia and Lake Shore. Nettelhorst Elementary School district!    This condo looks great and lives even better!

Exclusively listed by

Eric Rojas, Broker

Kale Realty

2447 N Ashland, Chicago IL 60614

773-510-1597

erojas@kalerealty.com

Condo median price UP in tight Lake View market

 

The front entrance at 450 W Briar condo building in Lake View. New listing inventory has been low while condo sales prices ticked up in July.  All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty.

We have several clients actively looking for a condo or townhouse in Lake View. The Lake View community area may be the largest condo market in Chicago. The numbers in Lake View are a bellwether for popular North Side neighborhood sales. 2023 has been the year of low inventory yet strong sale prices for many of our most desirable Chicago neighborhood markets. Lake View is no exception and has been a challenging buyer market for our clients.

Statistics compiled from the Chicago Association of Realtors chicagorealtor.com

 

2023 Lake View condo sales (attached and townhouse units)

July new listings were down -30.5% and closed sales were down -11.7% for the same month in 2022. Despite high mortgage interest rates and a slower market median price for a sold condo in July was up +6.6%. Most condos sold for at the list price or over! 

Lake View condo sales year to date (January 1st through July 30th) are down -37.6% from 2022.  Median price has managed to push up +1.5%  year over year.

Contact: Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

2447 N Ashland, Chicago IL 60614

Office 312-602-3367

erojas@kalerealty.com

Holy cow over 2,500 Lakeview condos sold last year

A popular condo conversion in a former church building sits at North Seminary and West Barry in Lakeview (All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty)

A whopping 2,596 condos (attached units/ townhouses) sold in Lakeview over 2021. It may be a calendar year record! This is the highest number of unit sales recorded in the MLS since 2007 where 2,316 condos sold. 2007 is as far as I can go back on unit sales and the year prior to the mortgage meltdown of 2008. 

• 2,596 condos sold in 2021
• 1,868 condos sold in 2020
• 1,739 condos sold in 2019
• 1,901 condos sold in 2018
• 2,061 condos sold in 2017
• 2,002 condos sold in 2016
• 2,042 condos sold in 2015
• 2,316 condos sold in 2007

The 2,596 condos sold blows away the 1,739 sold in 2019. In that year we had very low interest rates and no pandemic. The Lakeview condo sales trend has bucked the pandemic conventional wisdom of many! The relatively dense Lakeview area has churned out sales rather than pile up months of inventory. 2020 unit sales (height of pandemic unknowns) even surpassed 2019. Anecdotally speaking the majority of sales appear to be locals making lateral and move-up purchases. 

Typical condo construction around Lakeview over the past ten years.

Tough to buy...

One group of our clients is looking for a "duplex" home (multi-level attached unit) with minimum three bedrooms in Lakeview.  This is a hard score if you're on a budget.  Currently there are fifteen duplex condo homes listed that meet the criteria. The median asking price is about $900,000!

Twenty-seven Lakeview duplex condo homes (minimum three bedrooms) are under contract with a median asking price of about $700,000. 

Read more at www.facebook.com/chicagorealestatelocal

To buy and sell in Chicago's Lakeview and surrounding neighborhoods please contact erojas@kalerealty.com

Lakeview condo unit sales: We've had a few

All of Lakeview is densely populated and very walkable for most local residents... including my boys! It's no wonder the condo market remains extremely dynamic and popular each year. 

I was back in the Lakeview neighborhood over the weekend with our long time clients.  They would like to sell their East Lakeview (east of Halsted) two bedrooms condo they've owned for many years and upgrade to a larger unit. I've sold a few units this year around greater Lakeview and have been following the market closely. Over my many years as a Broker Lakeview demand has always been strong!

Our clients purchased a loft condo earlier this year at 1733 W Irving Park Road, Unit 314 Chicago IL 60613  for $268,000 in far north Lakeview.  This is one of four attached Lakeview units we have listed or represented in 2021. Photo VHT.com via Redfin.com

Lakeview condo sales (attached units, buildings under 50 units) January 1st to September 21st, 2021

-One beds: 125 one bedroom attached units closed so far this rear with a median price of about $212,000. Only 64 units sold over the same period of 2019.

-Two beds: 638 two bedrooms units closed for a robust median price of $420,000. Only 477 closed same period of 2020 and 436 closed over same period 2019.

-Three beds: 457 three beds units closed with a median price of $616,000. Only 266 sold over the same period 2019.

-Four beds or more: 97 four beds or more attached units sold with a median price of $875,000. Only 57 units sold over the same period 2019.

We sold a sunny, south facing Southport Corridor condo at 1432 West Roscoe Unit 2, Chicago IL 60657 in Lakeview earlier this year. We received offers after the first weekend on the market.

Our client purchased this attached, fully renovated fee simple rowhouse at 4103 N Hermitage, Chicago IL 60613  for $620,000 in a multiple offer earlier this year. The closest thing to a single family you can get with an awesome front and back yard... for a fraction of a house price! The peaceful northern Lakeview location is surrounded by million dollar homes.

New Lakeview turf, park near Diversey golf range

 

I enjoyed a bike commute yesterday and stopped to take a few photos along the lakefront paths. Looking east at the new park area being developed adjacent to the Diversey Driving Range between West Barry and West Diversey. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty unless otherwise noted.

One of my favorite areas for outdoor recreation is getting better. A new turf field with lighting and an improved "natural park" area are being developed in southern Lakeview. The lakefront parks and facilities between West Barry Ave and West Diversey Parkway are really pleasant. There is work-out equipment, gravel trails, a golf driving range, tennis courts, concessions and the harbor. 

Renderings of the turf field and natural area from the 44th Ward Alderman web site

Of course the real estate along this strip of parkland and amenities is fantastic.  There is a mix vintage mid-rise and high-rise buildings overlooking the park. I took a look at sales west of North Sheridan to the lakefront and West Diversey to West Belmont. Attached condos have a relatively accessible median price of $245,000 over the last 12 months. Now, many of these are one bedroom condos with high assessments.  Over the same period the highest priced sale in these boundaries is $1,950,000 at 3030 North Lakeview Drive, Unit 202. Chicago IL 60657.

High-rise and vintage apartment homes overlook the amenities along the lakefront. They will enjoy the improved natural area... although some nearby residents complained about the new turf field with lights. Median price of a condo is $245,000 but a larger home will cost you much more in purchase price and assessments.

Big bird at Montrose Harbor

Bird Sculpture looking toward (Montrose Harbor)

A bird sculpture has appeared at Montrose Harbor. I noticed our new friend on a ride last weekend (while waiting for my kids at Margate Park soccer). Others have posted about it since August but it's the first time I've seen it up close and have yet to identify the artist / donor.

The sculpture is located near the Purple Martin houses (not to be confused with the venerable 80s British pop band House Martins).

Purple Martin houses

Montrose Harbor

YESTERDAY, a quirky Wrigleyville mainstay, set to be demolished

The YESTERDAY building at 1143 West Addison is under contract and will be demolished. A building permit was issued... yesterday... for a new construction three-flat all too common in the Wrigleyville neighborhood of Lakeview. I stopped over today with my two youngest sons for a few last photos.

Frame multi-unit rental buildings still hanging in there on each side of YESTERDAY. They probably get an offer everyday to sell for a larger development but now the contingent lots are broken up.

The property sits on a 25'x122' lot zoned RT4 and is under contract with an asking price of $599,900 according to the MLS (we won't know the final price until the closing is recorded). There are a good number of newer construction three-unit condo buildings lining West Addison. However, many frame and grey-stone multi-units remain along with vintage grey-stone and brick single family homes along this path to Wrigley Field. There is still some charm in Mudville.

You get a glimpse of newer construction three-flats to the left background of the photo.

The median price of a sold condo on the 1000-1600 blocks of West Addison is about $400K over the last 24 months while the highest priced condo sold for $912,000 over that period.

About four years ago my oldest son bought a pack of 1987 Topps baseball cards and tried the gum! It was not chewable. This may be my last favorite iconic dump in Wrigleyville to bite the dust.  First Yum Yum Donuts that use to be in front of Wrigley Field and now YESTERDAY.

Lakeview Treasure Island site cleared for 208 rental apartments

The former Treasure Island grocery store at 3460 N Broadway has been cleared to make way for a large rental apartment complex. Photo taken last week - Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty.

I passed the site of the Optima Lakeview apartment development at 3460 N Lakeview, Chicago IL 60657. The former Lakeview Treasure Island property was sold for about $12,850,000 according to public records (I looked it up).  Anybody miss the Treasure Island?  A Jewel-Osco and Whole Foods are also nearby in this heavy grocery store area. 

The development is approved for 208 units and 97 parking spaces.

Optima Lakeview rendering via 44th Ward https://www.44thward.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Revised-Optima-Picture-1.9.2020.jpg

For sale: East Lakeview heated garage parking space for sale $29,900

Heated garage parking spot for sale at 450 West Briar in East Lakeview

Heated garage parking spot for sale at 450 West Briar, Chicago IL 60657 asking $29,900. (Car not included!)

East Lakeview is a high density neighborhood with little street parking. If you are in need of a parking spot you can purchase this heated garage spot in the heart of the neighborhood for $29,900.

Anyone can buy this parking space and store their car.  As the owner you may also rent out the parking space to outside residents. 

Heated garage parking space for sale in 450 West Briar... the heart of the East Lakeview neighborhood. Asking $29,900

Exclusively listed by:

Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

2447 N Ashland, Chicago IL 60614

PH: 312-939-5253

erojas@kalerealty.com

Update! Land sold for $4.4M... 80 units at 450 West Belmont in Lakeview near completion

A busy strip of Lakeview near fantastic lakefront amenities gets a new shiny building. The glassy 450 West Belmont rises in the left of the photo. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

Our Lakeview condo search for a client brought us past a new construction building taking full shape. 450 West Belmont is stepping out among the vintage buildings in East Lakeview. The 80 unit rental apartment development adds highly demanded new construction units among the 60s built high-rise buildings the area is known for. We reported the original vintage buildings and lots (450-454 West Belmont) were sold for $4.4M. 

On a related note I often wonder how long those 60s high-rise building along Lake Shore Drive will last.  They are not necessarily cheap to maintain! Will they last 100 years like the vintage mid-rise buildings we often revere?  

Senior living in top Lincoln Park location!

Belmont Village 700 West Fullerton Avenue, Lincoln Park is a new senior living center at the massive Lincoln Common redevelopment site (former Children's Memorial Hospital). All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

We have talked a little about some of the hot categories of business and construction around Chicago. Senior housing is popping up (and trying to pop up) in many north side neighborhoods.  The growth area is answering the need for both market rate and affordable places for seniors to stay in the city and even their immediate neighborhoods.

Belmont Village  (pictured above) is a new construction senior living facility built on the site of a former Nellie Black vintage building... that looked almost identical. The former Children's Memorial owned Nellie Black building would have been too costly to retro-fit for the senior center.  I passed by the facility yesterday on the way to showings. The senior living center is expected to open this summer.

Just a few examples: A new Northtown Library Branch was recently built in West Ridge with 44 affordable senior units.   Artis Senior Living was recently completed at 3535 North Ashland in Lakeview.  Another 200 unit affordable senior housing center is to be developed at one of the old Ravenswood Hospital buildings at 4501 N Winchester in Lincoln Square.

Infamous Wrigleyville liquor store bites the dust for new development

The Wrigleyville Gold Crown Liquors at 3425 North Clark Street and two storefront bars have been recently torn down to make way for new development. A demo permit was issued for the three story vintage building to the far right of the photo as well. All Photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

Drinks, drinking establishments and liquor stores are synonymous with Wrigelyville. Well, you can pour one out today. I noticed the much loved and hated Gold Crown Liquors at Clark and Sheffield has been torn down. Drawings for the new building coming to the corner are linked HERE.

I snapped this photo this morning of the former Gold Crown Liquors store in Wrigleyville.  Much has changed in the neighborhood due to the Rickett's Chicago Cubs ownership and the CTA Red Line/ Purple Line "Belmont Bypass" project. See the renderings of a new building HERE

My twenty-one year old self will have to find a new place to rent kegs. Few Chicago neighborhoods have transformed faster over the past five years than Lakeview's Wrigleyville!

The Bel apartments in Lakeview rise up (is that a pigeon?)

The Bel is a 37 apartment transit orientated development (TOD) at 941 West Belmont, Chicago IL 60657 adjacent to Belmont Red Line station. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

We got a up close and personal look of The Bel apartment development in Lakeview. It could not be closer to the CTA Belmont Red Line station.  Is that a pigeon staring at us? A pigeon? The bane of all apartment dwellers??

The median price of a rental on the block is about $2,000 per month. Around $2,000 a month you can expect a two bedroom, one or two baths renovated apartment. Some exceptions include more vintage 3 bedroom apartments and dedicated parking availability varies at $2,000/ per month.