New web site Chicago Cityscape for development, permit data

 I'm always looking for research tools to help me and our clients with property information.  Some sites are just plain fun if you are a nosy neighbor or geeking out on real estate.

Curious about this development?  Try Chicago Cityscape

I came across a new online resource for checking on local Chicago developments, permits and properties. Chicago Cityscape provides aggregated information on properties by entering the address in their search box. Permits, property tax data, violations,maps and links are some of the data that pops up in one place.

Another cool feature is a list of nearby construction permits and property information accompanies your initial search results.  It's a good, quick primer on developments for any particular area of interest.    

Brought to you by Steven Vance and the awesome Steven Can Plan blog.

La Colombe Coffee Roasters coming to Andersonville soon

La Colombe comes to a vintage corner building at 5158 North Clark.   Photos Bob DePalma, Broker, Kale Realty

The attractive and classy La Colombe Coffee Roaster cafe is closer to opening in the Andersonville neighborhood just south of Foster.  Bob snapped this picture with the cafe name up in the windows over the weekend.  The Wicker Park La Colombe, to me, definitely has a different almost exclusive feel than the many surrounding cafes.  I'd compare the atmosphere to a heady craft beer establishment rather than your common pub.

The large corner space shares a great block with venerable Hopleaf and Konak Bar and Grill next door. La Colombe is a nice addition to the southern end of the Andersonville that serves new (and newer) residential developments on North Clark between West Lawrence and West Foster.  The cafe will also serve the many residential buildings and houses just west of North Ashland Avenue that make up a nice area of Uptown/ Ravenswood.  Those residents will have a shorter walk to a quality cafe.

Click here to check out condo sales numbers on this strip of North Clark Street in Andersonville.

Photos! Belgravia's 50 West Loop condos sold out in pre-construction

Under construction.  The successful run continues for Belgravia with CA: Condos on Adams.

 We were viewing a West Loop condo at the Promenade 1201 W Adams Chicago IL 60607 last week when we walked past the CA development under construction.  The large luxury condos are sold out according to the Belgravia web site. 

Road hog.  Condos on Adams under construction adjacent to the recently completed CA3 condos by Belgravia just to the east.

I don't know about you... but to me it says something about the West Loop and this market to pre-sell a 50 unit building with prices starting at $624,900. Pretty good.  The highest priced unit under contract in the building (listed on the MLS) is a "top floor combined top floor" at $1,689,800.

I spoke to a long time real estate advertiser and client vendor of Belgravia this week.  We both agreed the development company has been on a tear!

West Loop three bedrooms or more condo sales 2014

198 three bedrooms or more attached condo units have sold to this date in the West Loop Community Area.  The median price for a three bedroom plus unit is about $600,000.

This photo isn't great but you get a fantastic view of the iconic Willis Tower straight down West Adams. It's those little things that keep me excited about everyday living in Chicago.

Bowmanville Half Acre Beer Company construction photos, update

Half Acre Beer Company was hopeful to have production up and running in new Bowmanville location in October of this year.  Things are taking longer but the massive renovation is well under way. Photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

The building at 2050 W Balmoral features a unique "U" shape with interior courtyard and parking.

The Lincoln Square/ Ravenswood community looks forward to a great new neighbor and business. 

Seen in downtown: Robot butler delivered on Mag Mile

Photo this afternoon by Bob DePalma, Broker, Kale Realty

The beginning of the end or just Mag Mile crazy? Beep beep.

$360,000 foreclosure sale is the next Ravenswood million dollar home

We recently pointed out the construction fencing around 5150 N Claremont in the northwest Ravenswood/ Lincoln Square neighborhood.  The property was sold as a foreclosure for $360,000 in 2013 and later deeded to an LLC for development.

5150 N Claremont is now listed for sale pre-construction by Sergio and Banks Real Estate on the MLS asking $1,099,000.  Looks like a good opportunity to pick out some finishes and make customizations without the stress of building the whole thing on your own. 

If you are interested in buying homes in the Lincoln Square/ Ravenswood area please contact us anytime.  We are aware of other off-market homes in the works now and other times throughout the year.

Trumbull School development in Andersonville: Thursday November 13th meeting at Trumbull

Photo Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

Trumbull Development meeting Thursday November 13th, 6:00pm Edgewater/ Andersonville neighborhood  5200 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60640.

A community meeting to discuss development proposals for the recently closed Trumbull School building will be held Thursday November 13th 6:00pm at the school. The Edgewater/ Andersonville community has been very engaged in the future of the large and ornate property.


Please visit 40th Ward Alderman Patrick O'Connor's web site for a list of proposed developments and meeting updates:

Real estate in the 4 block radius surrounding the school has been very strong.  The Andersonville retail and cultural community around North Clark Street is a huge draw with something for for almost any Chicagoan to enjoy.  There have been many nearby recent residential and commercial developments in the past two years including town homes and new condo construction along Clark Street, the Mariano's and LA Fitness and the Ravenswood Station apartments (150 units). Not to mention several new construction and gut renovated single family homes.

27 single family homes sold in the 4 block radius of Trumbull over the past 12 months. The median is $700,000 over that time.

168 condo units sold over the last 12 months with a median price of $312,900.

Weather bad? Kid's Island in Lincoln Park

Stanley plays with buddies in the indoor sandbox at Kid's Island in Lincoln Park.

The winter weather sends shivers down parents' spines... and it's not only the cold weather.  It is the prospect of entertaining our kids over the months of darkness. Every little play area and niche helps.  On a cold, rainy early October day our au pair and youngest checked out Kid's Island in Lincoln Park.

The kids had a great time over the better part of two hours. A two hour pass is $12.00 for the first kid, $10.00 for each sibling and you can check the many updates at their Facebook page.  The location at 1358 W Webster is fantastic.  Lots of lunch places (Potbelly!), a movie theater and Clover play-lot (in good weather) are steps away from the cafe.

The twist of this place is for the parents. A cafe featuring Julius Meinl goods and nail spa round out the offerings while the kids play.

Realtor at work: The coffee shop buddy system

The coffee shop buddy system is imperative for sales road warriors, study sessions, loungers and free WI-Fi hoarders.  We are brothers and sisters at the cafe. Photo last month at Dolce Casa Cafe in Ravenswood (Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty).

Here's to you coffee shop buddy for watching my stuff while I use the washroom.  I will always pay it forward with a wink, nod and total attention to your laptop and messenger bag.

Condo sales in West Loop's Skinner West school district: Prices up

We were viewing properties  in West Loop a couple weeks ago near the well regarded  Skinner West school at 1260 West Adams.   (All Photos Eric Rojas, Real Estate Broker, Kale Realty)

The school campus sits on the east end of Skinner Park.  The Skinner West school district is basically a large square just west of the river extending to South Ashland on the west border and West Kedzie to the Eisenhower expressway (290) north to south.

Approximate Skinner school district.  There is a small portion of the northeast corner of the shaded area above that is actually out of district (that resides in Ogden school). 

This particular West Loop area located in Skinner West school is already know for restaurants, tech, tons of housing development, production industries (Harpo Productions) and proximity to major employers in the Loop.  This combination of desirable school, nightlife and industry usually makes for pricey homes in Chicago.

Here's a look at condo sales in the Skinner West neighborhood attendance boundaries so far this year.

Residences across from Skinner West at the corner of South Throop and West Adams.

Three or more bedrooms unit sales January 1st through October 31st

125 units with three or more bedroom closed so far in 2014. Unit sales are up 37% over same period last year.  The median price is a robust $682,000.  91 units sold over the same period in 2013 for a median price of about $590,000.  Median price of current sales is up almost $100,000 year to year.  Price is reflective of what was available for sale but also signals a strong market for larger, higher end units.

The lowest priced  three bedroom unit sale this year  is 222 S Racine Unit 607 for $376,000.  The historic Daily News building unit included deeded garage parking and great outdoor space.  The large 93 unit building came with a $501.00 assessment (includes heat).

The highest priced condo sale in the Skinner school district this year is 122 South Aberdeen Unit 6N for $1,601,844.  The new construction penthouse unit is listed at over 4,200 sq/ft and features a private elevator.

 Two bedroom unit sales

319 two bedrooms units sold thus far in 2014 (down 7%).  However, the median price is up about $25,000 over last year at $3750,000.  343 units sold same period in 2013 with a median price of about $350,000. This may be reflective of the high demand and low mortgage interest rates running into lower inventory.  Most new buildings completed have been strictly rental apartments making popular (and more affordable) two bedroom quality condos a little more rare.  Prices of the offered units pushed up a little.

One Bedroom unit sales

Converted lofts cut from industrial buildings and a spattering of high-rise and mid-rise buildings provide a good number of one bedroom condo homes in West Loop.

248 one bedroom units sold so far in 2014 with a median price of about $255,000.  258 one bedroom units sold same period in 2013 with a median price about $245,000.    

Again, we see a slight uptick in median price.  However, we still have bit more short sale and foreclosure action in this sector over other types of residential property. One bedroom units were probably the hardest hit in the market crash. 

Path and play lot at Skinner Park

Cool views from school!