New construction rental building proposed for 2150 West Lawrence Avenue, Lincoln Square's Surpless Dunn building

There is a development proposal for 2150 West Lawrence that would add 59 rental units, commercial space and 50 parking spaces to this booming strip of Lawrence next to popular Roots Pizza.

The latest 47th Ward Zoning Advisory Committee update shows another significant Lincoln Square rental development proposal.  We pointed out last November the Surpless and Dunn building was for sale.  Check out the renderings of the proposed 59 unit rental development at 2105 W Lawrence that would add to the existing structure and build a second new building with 50 parking spaces...  Wow!

The parking lot at Surpless, Dunn and Company would be replaced by a new building. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

#ANewLawrence keeps on trucking.  As a long time resident near this building I've really enjoyed all the foot traffic Roots and The Sixth have brought to Lawrence.

Under Contract! Buyer clients win gorgeous North Park Chicago bungalow

5412 N Bernard is a spacious Chicago bungalow on a quiet tree-lined street of North Park. 

 Our buyer clients recently won a multiple offer bid on 5412 N Bernard in the pleasant North Park neighborhood. The gold brick Chicago bungalow listed at $425,000 is totally move-in ready and drew quite the crowd at the open house and early showing appointments. The home purchase is through attorney review and awaits closing.

I've been a big cheerleader of the value North Park offers. This house is located in my favorite section of the community area adjacent to Northeastern Illinois University and near Northside College Prep and  North Park University.  There is a small strip of quality restaurants and businesses along West Foster (including Tre Kroner, The Local Pizzeria and Starbucks). The two universities, Legion Park and River Parks offer tons of extra-curricular activities. Big box and shopping mall conveniences await just north in Lincolnwood.

The Bryn Mawr Avenue business district is poised for new development with a new French tea room named Maison de Castelnau and planned student housing for Northeastern Illinois University.

The fantastic Tre Kroner restaurant is a short walk from the house (Photo Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty)

 Congrats to our buyer clients on a great house.  Call or email us to find or sell a house on the North Side of Chicago!

Starbucks ditches Teavana in favor of Starbucks in busy East Lakeview

A Starbucks Coffee store moves in at 639 W Diversey on the border of southeastern Lakeview and Lincoln Park neighborhoods. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

It looks like Starbucks has ditched their plans for a Teavana store and will soon open a traditional Starbucks Coffee at the former Hanig's Slipper Box space.

The new Starbucks looks to be a larger space than the existing store a half block east at 617 West Diversey.

The new store will anchor one of the most bustling corners on the North Side. It will also face-off with Stan's Donuts at 2800 N Clark across the street for your coffee dollars.  It's a great location for the ubiquitous brand.

West Diversey Parkway east of North Clark Street is poised for more residential and commercial development.  The Market Pantry property is in play and the Hampton Inn development at 601 W Diversey was approved by the plan commission in December 2015.

Home sales in Old Norwood Park "circle" of Chicago, median price at $370,000

The easily recognizable red awning near the Old Norwood Park "circle" of homes.

My clients viewed a great house in the Old Norwood Park neighborhood of Chicago on Sunday. The historic district is also known as the "the circle" due to the shape of the streets.  The house was located in the southeastern part of the neighborhood near the Norwood Park District facility and across from Taft High School. The views off the back of the home reminded us of a Harbor Country, Michigan vacation home... you quickly forget you're in the city!

Old Norwood Park located in the far northwest side of Chicago runs roughly Northwest Highway on the northeast, Bryn Mawr on the south and Harlem Ave on the west.

About 30 homes have been recorded as sold in the MLS for the Old Norwood Park neighborhood boundaries.  The median price is about $370,000.  This price will get you a more modest 3 bedrooms home in good condition located near the outer borders of the neighborhood.  However, as you get more central and into the "circle" streets the price goes way up for houses that need complete renovation.

A couple typical, more affordable homes near the Metra station and businesses of Old Norwood Park.  Homes with grand 50'x200' lots will sell in the $500s and up depending on condition.

 Lowest sale price in the last 12 months is $170,000 cash at 5885 N Harlem Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60631. The bungalow on busy Harlem Ave was a foreclosure sale and in need of complete gut renovation. The highest sale in the last 12 months is $785,000 at 7122 W Peterson Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60631. The gorgeous renovation faces Norwood Circle Park.

Nine homes are currently under contract with the highest asking price of $929,000 at 5945 N West Circle Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60631.  The median price of a home under contract is about $415,000.  Eight homes are currently listed for sale with a median asking price of about $520,000.

Most homes in the interior of Old Norwood Park boundaries reside in the Norwood Park Elementary School district and Taft High School district.

Live and play (ball!) near Northwestern's Rocky Miller Park and Ryan Field

We spent the day at new Rocky Miller Park on the Northwestern University campus Sunday.  The northeast Evanston location has a unique and vibrant game day atmosphere near one of the best schools in the country. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

Our Welles Park 9U Red All-Star team spent Sunday watching and playing baseball at the newly rebuilt Rocky Miller Park at Northwestern University.  The day was filled with inaugural ceremonies, sun, lots of baseball and college fun.  Our team joined the players on the field for Wayne Messmer's National Anthem and high-fives! We also held a one hour simulated game on the field. Thank you Northwestern Athletics!

Standing room only crowd for the special day.

Welles Park 9U Red

Many players stuck around for autographs before our practice.

My son Ryne at the plate in Rocky Miller Park, Northwestern University.  I thought it was cool!

The immediate area surrounding Welsh-Ryan Arena, Ryan Field (football stadium) and Rocky Miller park offers a unique urban college town feel.  You have both college game day fun with city amenities.  The mostly older custom homes near the stadiums deliver charm. Walk over and catch Division I Big Ten sports and enjoy shopping, dining and everyday services conveniently nearby.

Diverse vintage homes surround the Northwestern stadium campus. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

Single family homes within easy walking distance to NU sports have a median sales price of about $615,000 over the past 12 months. That will get you a frame or brick three bedroom vintage house.  Most homes under that price point will be a smaller three bedrooms house that needs updates.  Lots are typically 35' to 50' wide and 100' to 150' deep.

I love showing homes in this great Evanston area

We did it again! Chicago Association of Realtors Top Producer for 2015

2015 Top Residential Producer, Chicago Association of Realtors with over $9 million in closed transactions on the MLS.

Thank you to our clients, friends and family who trust us to help buy and sell homes in Chicagoland.  We have been Top Producers from 2006-2015! We want to provide you our many years of experience before, during and after the transactions! If you need anything TODAY we will be on it.

Your real estate experts!

Yours,

Eric and Bob

Signs of life! Artango opening soon, proof is in the Pie and the show must go on in Lincoln Square

Here's a few photos from the last couple days running errands around the neighborhood. Summer will bring new businesses and we can't wait! Artango is looking to open their new Lincoln Square location at 4767 North Lincoln Avenue this month!

Bang Bang Pie leaves no doubt what's cook'in at the new 4947 North Damen location. Opening by early summer.

The Griffin Theater is moving into this Bowmanville, Lincoln Square space at 5301 North Damen.

The Ravenswood / Lincoln Square area is a popular draw for new businesses and cultural experiences.

Former Lincoln Square Lanes property FOR SALE $1.75 million

4874 N Lincoln Avenue in Lincoln Square (photo Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty)

A fire last August gutted popular Lincoln Square Lanes bowling alley and bar. The property had to be torn down and the land was cleared.  Just a short while ago reports suggested the property owner was undecided what their next steps would be.

Reports today from Patty Wetli DNAinfo.com show the property at 4874 North Lincoln Avenue is listed for sale on the commercial site LoopNet.com for $1.75 million.

 Patty Wetli asks, "What would you like to see there?"
Two floor Beercade? Condos with businesses on ground floor? Nail spa? I know, hair salon? No, no... Real estate office?

Just sold! Buyer closes classy Old Town, Gold Coast condo with great views in Sandburg Village

Camera phone photos of actual views looking south.  This unit has views looking east, south and west!

We represented the buyer on 1360 N Sandburg Ter Unit 2401, Chicago, Illinois 60610 purchased for $340,000 ($15,000 under list). It was a pleasure recently working with a NYC transplant looking for a Chicago condo. We checked out several of our favorite high-rise spots. The views and balcony sealed the deal the minute she stepped into this Sandburg Village unit. Old Town and Gold Coast await just steps outside the doorman attended lobby.

East view from the 24th floor balcony catches the lake... great blue color on summer days!

West view

26 units have closed in 1360 N Sandburg Terrace over the last 12 months.  Of those sales five 2 bedrooms, 2 baths units have sold from $325,000 to $345,000.


Check out some of our other Sandburg Village posts HERE

 

Norwood Park Chicago single family homes sales, median price up about $50K since 2012

Attractive homes near the Metra station in Norwood Park (all photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty).

We're working with a client selling a house in Norwood Park.  It's a good time to check out over-all home sales in this great Northwest Side Chicago neighborhood. We see the neighborhood sales and median price going up a bit over the last few years. Rising prices and sales are not as extreme as closer to the lake. Nevertheless sales are swift.

Old Norwwod Park "circle" Google Maps

The Norwood Park community area is one of Chicago's 77 designated neighborhoods.  There are smaller sub-neighborhoods as in every Chicago community area.  Homes in the Old Norwood Park "circle" near the Metra station tend to be the most expensive while there are many affordable bungalows throughout the area. Norwood Park boasts a Historic District.

Norwood Park single family home sales January 1st to March 31st, 2016

64 single family homes have sold thus far in 2016. The median price is a very attractive $280,000.  The highest priced closed home this year is $682,500 for a new construction house at 7754 W Rascher Ave , Chicago, Illinois 60656.  The lowest price sold house is $154,000 for 6068 N Elston Ave , Chicago, Illinois 60646. The small raised ranch was a foreclosure sale.

Norwood Park over-all single family home sales year to year

Wow. 409 single family homes changed hands in 2015. The median price was about $285,500. 
In 2014, 381 single family homes sold with a median price of $290,000.
In 2013, 387 single family homes sold with a median price about $265,000
In 2012, 336 single family homes sold with a median price about $235,000

Contact us to find or sell a home on the Northwest Side!