Rare huge outdoor space on affordable Lincoln Park town house

Awesome fenced in terrace at 2141 N Lincoln Ave

We viewed a town house with a first time buyer at 2141 N Lincoln Ave asking $325,000 (listed by Ian Schwartz, Coldwell Banker).  The large development is in a prime Lincoln Park location between Armitage and Webster.  The unit is two bedrooms, one bath and has dedicated parking.  It's rare to get a rather livable 2/1 with parking included AND huge outdoor space in this location for the low $300,000s.

In 2013, only 24 units closed in Lincoln Park with exactly two beds, one bath and an outdoor parking space included.  The median price for this comparable group was $314,000 for the year.  Some units in this price did not feature large outdoor space and were located either much further west of along busy streets like North Clybourn.  Of course, square footage and monthly assessment varies as well.

Walk over to Mrs. Greens Natural Market daily for fresh groceries and something to grill out on on your terrace.  Live like the Europeans!

 Only 4 other two bedrooms, one bath units with an outdoor parking space included are currently listed in Lincoln Park.  The asking prices range from $309,000 to $485,000.

Take a picture! River North condo delivers the views

I was out showing condo units with a client on Sunday.  One of the more desirable units we've seen in awhile is 873 N Larrabee #601 listed and shown by Lauren Schreyer Coldwell Banker. 

The views from 873 N Larrbee on Sunday (photo Eric Rojas, Real Estate Broker)

OKAY it's sort of River North (technically the we're a little north of Chicago Avenue here, but still in Near North).  This little "in-between spot" has some traction.  The 873 N Larrabee building has a Goddess and Grocer downstairs and is steps to hot restaurants of River North.  Lobby, elevator, the unit's outstanding kitchen and master suite, the garage parking... all affordable luxury at $367,900 plus $25K for the parking all in.  Assessment is $350.00 a month.

View looking south down Larrabee with Chicago Ave at the end of the block

The building is part of an enclave of many newer construction condos and townhouse developments between Division and Chicago in Near North.

Children's Hospital CEO urges neighbors support at Lincoln Park development meeting, TUESDAY January 14th

I was sent the letter below from the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago President and CEO urging support for the Children's Memorial development site plans.  The hospital site sale has been reportedly tied up in a political mess for well over a year.  Children's, now Lurie, would like to close this transaction.  In my summation most Lincoln Parkers and business owners would like to see development move ahead.

Much of that "mess" has been "cleaned up".  The latest community meeting will take place tomorrow January 14th at 6:30, DePaul Student Center.  RSVP information below.

Photo Eric Rojas, Real Estate Broker

Dear Friend of Lurie Children’s and Lincoln Park resident:

 

I hope you are enjoying a safe and healthy start to 2014.

 

I am writing to remind you that in one week, a critically important community meeting will be held to review revised plans for the redevelopment of our old Children’s Memorial Hospital site.

 

In order to help move this project forward so that the hospital can close on the sale of this property, I would like to respectfully ask you to:

1.    Review the proposed plans;
2.    If your schedule allows, RSVP to join us at the Jan. 14 community meeting; and
3.    Send a letter of support for the revised redevelopment plans to Alderman Smith.

 

Thank you very much to those of you who have already sent letters of support.  To date, we have sent 45 letters of support and have collected 1,463 petition signatures. If you have already sent a letter and/or RSVPed for the community meeting, please consider forwarding this message to other friends and neighbors seeking their support.

 

Community meeting details:

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

6:30 pm

DePaul Student Center, 2250 N. Sheffield

Free parking is available at the former Children’s Memorial garage on Lincoln Avenue, and paid parking is available in the Dominicks Garage at the corner of Fullerton and Sheffield.

RSVP to Ken Labok, Community Relations Manager, at klabok@luriechildrens.org

 

Thank you for considering this request, and for all you do to support our Mission.

 

Sincerely,

 

Patrick

 

Patrick M. Magoon

President and CEO

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago

Hebru Brantley mural in Lincoln Square

Lincoln Square hangs on to any hip street cred with a very cool Hebru Brantley mural just south of the Brown Line tracks.

Tiny Cafe Tola offers big personality in Lakeview

We like our staples like quality chain grocers and Starbucks on the North Side.  But some would argue most of the Lakeviews and Lincoln Parks have lost much of any grit or soul that makes city life fun.  Well, Lakeview still has the Metro and a handful of truly interesting storefronts if you look closely.

Change your routine and stop by Cafe Tola, 3621 N Southport in Southport Cooridor, for their daily specials, empanada and donuts.

NEW Walgreen's construction begins on former Lincoln Park church site

Progress at 834 W Armitage new infill construction stand alone Walgreen's prior to the polar vortex weather.  Construction has probably been slowed by the very cold December and January.

Bob snapped a few shots last week of the new Lincoln Park Walgreen's site.   Curbed Chicago has some background and design renderings on the new urban Walgreen's in a prime Lincoln Park location at 834 West Armitage near North Halsted.

The former site of Greater Little Rock The Lord's Church at the corner of Armitage and Dayton for was sold for $2.65 million in August 2012.    Hallelujah!

800 block of West Armitage, Lincoln Park

I've said it a million times to clients... "You're going to love living near that Walgreen's (CVS et al)".  You can now pick up a pair of shoes at Lori's and a gallon of milk at Walgreen's in a couple minutes. 

But it will cost you.

Recent sales on this stretch have ranged $520,000 for a two bed, two bath condo next door at 838 W Armitage #3 to $1,200,000 for a very nice but relatively modest three bedrooms Lincoln Park single family home at 641 West Armitage.

We saved our Sycamore tree from the City of Chicago

The extreme winter temperatures (the polar vortex!) in Chicago the past couple days have yielded many bizarre stories, beautiful pictures and wacky behavior.  Mostly, people have been throwing boiling water into the are to see it vaporize.

We had to save our Sycamore tree.  Technically, it's the City's Sycamore tree in the parkway.  But, you know what I mean.

Extreme cold weather may have caused this Sycamore tree and others to split from the trunk up a couple dozen feet  ( The tree pictured is located in the City parkway of our house).  This tree has split and closed up many times over the years.  There is a beer can still inside that someone placed in it from 1969.

I learned when we bought our current house that our parkway Sycamore tree may split at the trunk in certain weather and then close up again. When we first moved into the house almost 4 years ago there was no evidence of a "hole" or split in the tree.  We really did not understand what neighbors were explaining.

Our tree started cracking on Sunday.  Someone reported the trees to the City and they were quickly inspected by the City and marked to be torn down. TOMORROW. This all happened over Monday or Tuesday while we were shut-in by the cold for two days with our three young kids. No one was told the trees would come down until an orange sign was posted today.

In a weird and quick serious of events, a few neighbors and I talked breifly and called the Bureau of Forestry, the local Streets and Sans supervisors and the 47th Ward Alderman's office.  The Forestry department guy immediately pulled up the reported trees.  He said he also knew the trees split and close up from time to time and was disappointment the trees were ordered to be removed by their inspector.  The removal order was cancelled.

Our parkway Sycamore tree is a wonderful umbrella of green leaves in the smmer

Someone came back out to the house a little later in the evening and took some more pictures.  We may not be out of the woods yet.

 

Our Sycamore may be the oldest tree on the block.  If it was not for some great neighbors looking out our immediate landscape would have been vastly altered. As a home owner, be helpful and get to know your neighbors and local City officials.  It could save your tree!

Video! Walk through 2623 W Logan Boulevard #1W in Logan Square asking $339,000

 Here's our latest property listing video at 2623 W Logan #1W.  This 2005 new construction feels huge with 10.5 ft ceiling height, has great storage space and truly special location on historic Logan Boulevard.  Walking the Boulevard is wonderful!



Offered at $339,000

House sales on North Greenview in Graceland West

North Greenview Avenue in the Graceland West neighborhood of Lakeview offers a mix of contemporary, traditional and vintage homes that seem to work just fine together (all photos Eric Rojas, Real Estate Broker)

Corner lot home on North Greenview and Berteau

The 4000 to 4400 blocks of North Greenview (in what's commonly know as the West Graceland neighborhood of Lakeview) offer some of the most uniquely attractive single family homes on the North Side.  The mix of new and vintage homes on interesting lots is worth a visit for real estate buffs.  After one stroll down these blocks you will know you are in a special community.

Corner lot home on North Greenview and Berteau

Home sales in general do quite well in desirable West Graceland.  18 homes sold in the neighborhood in 2013 with a median price of over $1,100,000.  North Greenview, with its long stretch of unique and sophisticated homes, had 9 of the 18 sales.

Original home at 4158 N Greenview

9 houses have closed and 2 are currently under contract over the last 12 months on North Greenview.  The median price of a closed house on these 4 blocks of Greenview for 2013 was about $900,000.  5 out of the 7 highest sales in Graceland West this year were on North Greenview,

The highest sale on North Greenview in Graceland West for 2013 was 4223 N Greenview  closed at $2,840,000.

The lowest sale was 4341 N Greenview, a modest three bedrooms one full and one half-bath, for $599,000 cash.

Eataly, Eataly, Eataly, Eataly

We don't remember a more talked about opening in the blogosphere or our Facebook pages than Eataly.

 Everyone is talking about this great addition to Chicago's River North neighborhood.  Bob heard some visitors discussing Eataly on a flight in town from Arizona shortly after he took these pictures.