New for Sale! Modern house renovation close to downtown in Bridgeport

Amazing custom, high-end kitchen using quartz, walnut and Italian porcelain finishes

Here's a sneak peek at our new single family home listing at 3134 S Union Avenue in the Bridgeport neighborhood.  The convenient location is close to many major employers and attractions such as Illinois Institute of Technology, University of Chicago (and hospitals), the new 31st Street Harbor, Palmisano Park, McGuane Park, U.S Cellular Field and easy to the Loop. Highway access is very good and everyday amenities like groceries and good restaurants are all within a couple blocks.

Living Room

East light in Living Room

Kitchen looking east, counter depth Fisher/Paykel refrigerator

Island sink and Wolf Range, Ann Saks tile back-splash

Kitchen was opened up to the patio...awesome indoor/ outdoor entertaining.

All bedrooms renovated with custom windows, trim and paint.

New French limestone bath

Huge, renovated lower level family room (includes guest room, full bath and laundry room).

3134 S Union Avenue asking $429,000...Architect owned modern renovation.
-Three bedrooms plus guest bedroom in lower level
-Two new baths with French limestone, Hans Grohe fixtures
-New high end-custom kitchen and dining combo, 18 foot quartz island, Italian porcelain, walnut cabinetry, Wolf Range
-2011 tear-off roof and windows 
-Solid wood doors and custom jams, trim/ baseboards throughout
-New blown-open back kitchen wall with double doors to patio...awesome!
-Renovated basement family room with updated bath, guest room, laundry room and storage rooms.
-New electrical panel
-New furnace, AC, water Heater and ejector pump
-Gleaming hardwood in main level rooms
-Custom paint and decor!
Click HERE for more photos and 360 views

Nothing else like this for the money near downtown!

Sunny patio all day. Have your friends and family over!

Photos By:
PHOTO LIGHT CHICAGO
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http://www.photolightchicago.com
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tel. 773 370 5070

NATO Summit affecting Chicago real estate; Register for Notify Chicago

No parking in front of our new South Loop listing here at 1020 Wabash over the NATO Summit!

With several of our closings and new home listings for sale in or near the Loop... our real estate business is feeling the affects of the NATO Summit.  Some of the title companies are simply not scheduling closings on Monday (which has moved a couple of our closings).  We also have to be aware of traffic and parking issues for our South Loop and new Bridgeport listings which would have us heading through the most affected traffic areas.

Notify Chicago for emergency updates!
Bob and I pride ourselves on professionalism...which includes flexible logistics and keeping on schedule.  We registered for Notify Chicago to help us with traffic and public transportation issues.

Old Town charmers!

 Martha's Vineyard or Old Town?

Happy Friday! We were doing some business near Old Town Triangle and snapped a few Blackberry photos. These cottages make life a vacation in one of Chicago's (and the Midwest's) most unique communities!

Mellow yellow

The Triangle is a luxury to be enjoyed. 

Under Contract! Curb appeal in Horace Mann school, Oak Park

805 Marion Street...attractive house, great block!

Our first time buyer clients jumped on this northern Oak Park brick beauty located in Horace Mann school district.  The asking price was $305,000 for this eye catching cottage with many terrific original details, a pretty staircase, good sized bedrooms and bath (a rarity at this price in Oak Park) and serene yard.

 Congrats, what a great house!

Check out our post on house prices in Horace Mann school district Oak Park

Big loft for sale in prime South Loop

1020 S Wabash has cool loft condos

We've been back in the Loop and South Loop quite a bit with buyers and sellers this year. We'll be listing for a sale a unique and large concrete two bedrooms, two baths loft at 1020 S Wabash #3E next week for $339,000 plus $25K for the deeded parking.  The home features secure entry, elevator, deeded garage parking, awesome corner exposure with large windows, large laundry/storage room. 

Enjoy a totally new kitchen with Viking Range and convection oven, Bosh dishwasher, pantry cabinet, wine rack and huge island. The huge master suite has a massive walk-in closet and large bath.   The building features a large rooftop deck with great lake views.

This is city living! 
It's a great South Loop location just north of Roosevelt Road. It puts you near the CTA Red Line, Printer's Row, tons of restaurants, Whole Foods, Target, Trader Joe's (at your doorstep), Soldier Field and the gorgeous Museum Campus, short walks to Millennium Park and the Art Institute...the list goes on and on.

It will be listed on the MLS next week with photos and videos.  However, if you are a serious buyer looking for a big true South Loop loft, please contact us. We appreciate mortgage pre-approval for all showings or proof of funds for cash buyers.  If you have not worked with a lender yet, please contact Loan Officer Steve Dunnett at 1-708-289-3408 for a consultation.  Steve's team are long-time professionals.

More South Loop HERE

Views, sales at 2 East Oak in Gold Coast

We had some business at the hopping 2 East Oak in the terrific Gold Coast location last month. Here's a view from a high floor in the "04" tier on a beautiful morning in late April.

The approximately 304 unit building built in 1969 has primarily one bedroom and studio units.  However, there are a spattering of two bedroom homes (one 2 beds, 2 baths unit sold in 2010 for $380,000).  Assessment for the one bedrooms units range from $450-$500 and include heat, AC, 24 hour doorman, refinished fitness area, party room, roof top pool and bathrooms (at pool deck level). The pool deck is adequate...the views are GREAT.


In the last 12 months about 6 one bedroom condos have sold or are currently under contract with prices ranging from $150,000s to the $190,000s.  There are quite a few rental units in the building.  The one bedroom rentals range from $1,200 for a dated finish level to $1,650 a month for a renovated unit.  A penthouse two bedroom rented in the last 12 months for $2,700 a month. 34 units were shown as rented on our MLS alone for the last 12 months (several units are also rented off the MLS).


As we speak, about 5 units are for sale on our MLS in 2 East Oak ranging from $109,900 to $229,000.

Mariano Park at Bellevue between Rush and State Streets

I always try to sit and have a coffee in Mariano Park prior to early morning appointments around Gold Coast. The park offers a top notch people watching opportunity in the evening hours.

View of the park below, Rush and State Streets from 2 East Oak

More Gold Coast posts HERE

Hunting season for roof decks in Lincoln Park

Our buyer client contemplates a top floor condo on Bosworth with a full roof deck last weekend.

The view (from Bosworth and Diversey) was good even on a very hazy day.  The photo makes the downtown skyline look farther than it is. Two bedroom, two bath modern build condos with full roof decks are selling in the $425,000-$600,000 depending on year built, finish level and location (eastern or western Lincoln Park). However, that lower end is much more attainable for nice units this season. New construction - even though virtually the same as many recent build re-sale units, still get a premium of 10% or more.

More Lincoln Park posts HERE

Work begins on newest Lincoln Square luxury house

The developer makes quick work after purchasing an old house at 2104 W Sunnyside in late February

The latest addition to Lincoln Square new construction is going up at 2104 W Sunnyside on a 35' wide by 100' long lot. The original home that was just torn down did not have parking (the lot is "landlocked" with no driveway or alley access).  However, it's a good bet the property developer received permission for a "curb cut" to add a side drive for parking and a garage.


The new construction on this interesting landlocked lot is a bit unique. This stretch of Sunnyside leading up to the heart of Lincoln Square activities has not been over-wrought with new construction.  A majority of original homes exist from Damen Avenue to Lincoln Avenue. New construction homes have been very popular in this small area of Lincoln Square near the retail strip, Welles Park and Sulzer Library over the last couple years.

More Lincoln Square posts HERE

Historic facade gets Lincoln Park expansion on Webster Avenue

This gorgeous property on the 800 block of West Webster Avenue in Lincoln Park improves on its grand addition. We were showing a town house on the block and noticed some work being done on this luxury house.  The west side of the property overlooks the double wide lot.You can have it all...beautiful vintage look preserving the architecture of Lincoln Park with modern, spacious amenity. Great block, even greater house.

The west side and rear additions to the property.

View of the property and side yard.

The 800 block of West Webster currently has 3 properties for sale. There are two single family homes for sale (824 W Webster a 2002 new construction asking $2,795,000 and 842 W Webster a 2008 gut renovation of a two flat asking $2,295,000). One town house is listed for sale at 811 W Webster asking $435,000. We showed the quirky three bedroom town house with good outdoor space...needs a gut rehab but the location would allow for the investment.

Read more Lincoln Park posts HERE

Photos! Touring the new Children's Memorial Hospital in Streeterville

Packed house for the tours!

 Last Saturday our family toured the new Children's Memorial Hospital as part of the Employee, Physician and Volunteer Open House (newly named Ann & Robert H.Lurie Children's Hospital).  The new Streeterville location is at 225 East Chicago Ave.

Here's a few photos from the day...wish I got more.  It was a really well run event and probably emotional for the many employees who have been both doing their jobs at Children's and planning the new hospital move (not to name names, but like my wife Jillian, both an RN and Director of out-patient clinics).

CT scan room...under the sea

One of the operating rooms

Many interactive areas for kids and families

Interesting views all around the hospital

The views are great, but hopefully you will never have to see them from these rooms!

Gorgeous stained glass at the chapel

Eclectic art can be found throughout the hospital

The sky garden

The Zen Garden

Then...we ate!