Ravenswood, Uptown historic American Indian Center up for re-development to apartments

1630 West Wilson Ave, Chicago IL 60640   All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

Redevelopment plans are posted on the 47th Ward Alderman web site for the American Indian Center at 1630 West Wilson.  I know many readers here are aware the AIC is moving from a DNAinfo story last year.  Sources show the property is now under contract and a zoning change request has been submitted to the 47th Ward zoning review committee as follows:  

1630 W Wilson, RS3 to RM6 for adaptive reuse for 32 rental residential units & 16 parking spaces (former American Indian Center & National Historic Masonic Temple). 


Check out the plans HERE 
The plans will be put to community input after the Zoning Committee and Alderman review.  A LoopNet listing for the property does not contain asking price information.  The lot is approximately 92'x165' (15,000 sq/ft).  I have my educated guess on price range (under lock and key).

The south exposure facing West Wilson Ave.

 

The familiar staircase facing North Paulina Street (west exposure).

The leafy area is also know as the East Ravenswood Historic District added in 1991.
There is a mix of distinctive vintage walk-up buildings, large courtyard apartment buildings, churches and original singe family homes.

A group of attractive vintage homes sit across from the American Indian Center.  The blocks just north and south are a mix of mostly vintage buildings with some 1960s mistakes and a handful of new construction single family homes dotting the streets.

Typical condo conversions, co-ops and courtyard apartment buildings in the immediate area.

The loss of the community center is certainly a distinct change to the diversity and culture of the neighborhood. This is something to lament.  The American Indian Center reportedly has had a tough run of late and simply cannot maintain the physically crumbling building.  There is no mention that I can see on the AIC Facebook page of the eminent closing date or where the center will move to as of yet.

Exclusive of losing the center I think adding density is a good thing for the vibrancy of the neighborhood.  The location is fairly close to the CTA Brown Line, Ravenswood Metra and many restaurants, bars and everyday services.  The preservation of the building will at least maintain the district's architectural significance. 

Home sales near Indian Boundary Park, West Ridge in Chicago

People (me) enjoy Indian Boundary Park in the West Ridge Community Area 2500 W Lunt Ave, Chicago, IL 60645 for the many diverse recreational offerings.  Its nature theme is the main attraction.  There is a field house, splash pad, old school wood fort playground, tennis courts, fields, trails and a nature center complete with little houses.  Kids love little houses!

Home sales within four blocks of Indian Boundary Park, West Ridge community area  (Pratt to Touhy, Western to Sacramento)

It's an interesting park and there are equally interesting homes lining the surrounding streets.  Many brick homes with lush landscaping. 13 single family homes have sold within the boundaries above near the park from January 1st to August 7th, 2015.  The median price for a home sale is $415,000.  Same period in 2014, 13 homes also sold with a median price of $430,000.  In 2013, 17 homes were recorded as sold over the same period with a median price about $400,000.

The highest sale this year so far is at 6833 N Francisco for $1,150,000. The contemporary 6+ bedrooms home built in 2000 also sits on a 106' x 130' lot (about 4 city lots).  The lowest sale is at 2805 W Coyle for $215,000.  The small 1953 built raised ranch was a foreclosure sale.

The Mediterranean bungalow found in West Ridge near Indian Boundary Park

At the moment, there are about 7 homes for sale near the park and another 6 under contract.  Most of the homes are priced under $500,000.

A large corner-lot tile roof home with lots to look at across from the park.

My daughter in awe over Art Camp!

Spray park!

All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty (hands off unless I say so). Sales stats gathered from MREDLLC.com.

Update: Ravenswood / Uptown's American Indian Center now rental loft apartments

The renovation, particularly the windows, looks really appealing. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

Awhile back we posted Ravenswood / Uptown's American Indian Center was selling their building and moving.  The massive building at 1630 W Wilson (at Paulina) was bought for the purpose of residential apartment conversion.  I can't find the purchase price in public records but there was a $5 million plus mortgage taken out on the property.

The "Now Leasing" advertisements are up and the building is addressed as 4601 N Paulina.  One bed apartments offered from $1,300 to $1,800 per/month, two beds apartments from $2,600 to $3,000 per/month.  Larger units also available according to the broker site.

The American Indian Center of Chicago is now located in Albany Park.

Prominent unique buildings such as this at West Wilson and North Paulina helps make living in Chicago a unique experience. I'm sure many are appreciative it has been preserved. 

West Ridge super sneaky house values, median price up

 

West Ridge community area's diverse residential housing, diverse demographics, small business community and access to great parks offer great value compared to many north side neighborhoods. 

My clients are ready to trade their small Lincoln Square / Bowmanville condo for single family home life.  With one large dog, another in the works and work-from-home situation... they need more space. They are on a budget under $400,000 and open to neighborhoods further west or north to take the next step.  West Ridge may be the answer.

West Ridge single family home sales 2022

114 single family homes sold in 2022.  The median price of a sold single family home over last year was about $465,000 (about half of Lincoln Square a couple miles to the south). Only one house sold for over $800,000. With mortgage interest rates up and the buying frenzy slowed I expect that median price to plateau.  Prices will remain close however to last year's due to more renovation and development in the area delivering higher quality products.

In 2019 (pre-pandemic) 141 homes closed with a median price of $365,000
2020, 142 single family homes closed with a median price of $399,900
2021, 152 homes sold with a median price of $429,000

West Ridge has great access to large parks like Warren Park and Indian Boundary Parks. It is a short trip to Chicago and Evanston beaches. Small business, grocery stores, schools, larger retailers and religious institutions are in close proximity throughout the entire community area. 

About 13 homes are currently on the market in West Ridge with a median asking price of $500,000. 

My (younger) kids at Indian Boundary Park  back in 2015! Our 4th would have been a few months old by now... maybe I am carrying him while taking pictures? 

Picnic in Ravenswood this week and make a people space!

Check out another cool initiative by the Ravenswood Community Council in Ravneswood/ Lincoln Square area.  The organization is introducing the community to new ways to use available land and retail space around the neighborhood.


From Ravenswood Community Council:

Hello Neighbors!

We are planning a free event on Aug 15 called Growing Spaces Picnic, at 4542 N. Ravenswood Ave. from 11am-6pm. Can you promote it with your members and friends?
Ravenswood Community Council has taken the Challenge to transform a vacant lot into a people space. We have partnered up with Midwest Pesticide Action Center and American Indian Center to make this event a success.

Bring your lunch or simply stop by and say Hi.  There will be several activities going on through out the day, learn about our initiatives, and grab a goodie.

Check out our Facebook link: 
https://www.facebook.com/events/1541137436110048/
 

Contact, questions:

Cecilia Diaz
Program Manager
Ravenswood Community Council
1802 W Berteau Ave, Suite 102
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 975-2088
visit us at www.ravenswoodchicago.org

Under Contract! West Ridge condo near great parks and shopping gets multiple offers

Our latest North Side Chicago listing in the West Ridge neighborhood (just northwest of Lincoln Square) went under contract over the weekend with multiple offers.  The two bedrooms, two baths newer construction home at 6015 N Mozart Unit 102, Chicago IL 60659 listed at $199,900 showed great. Buyers jumped at the value in this challenging price-point! We enjoyed preparing the condo for sale and showing the unit. The contract is now in attorney review period. More details HERE

Take a quick walk-through of the unit!

Large kitchen island overlooks the living room with gas fireplace.

 The unit had been rented for many years and needed a refresh. We brought in our contractors for painting, new carpets, buffing the floors, new appliances and changing out a few fixtures. The home looks like brand new construction!

Master bedroom with double closets and large en suite bathroom

Double vanity, jet tub and separate shower.

The walk-out terrace is off both the kitchen and master bedroom

The building is just northwest of the pricey Lincoln Square and Andersonville neighborhoods and west of Edgewater. The location is easy to many great amenities and institutions such as Northeastern Illinois University, North Park University, Swedish Covenant Hospital, Legion and River Parks, Mather High School, North Park Nature Center, Indian Boundary Park, Green Briar Park, Warren Park, Target and Wolfy's!  I94 and the North Shore communities are easily reached.


This condo unit attracted a ton of showings and multiple offers. There is a demand for value just outside of the hottest North Side neighborhood centers. Give us a call or email to buy and sell in Chicago and the near suburbs.

Great Restaurant Corners in Lincoln Square

Lincoln Square on Chicago's North Side has no loss for great corners. If you can find the scratch to get into a single family home for say $750,000 and up (and up fast) you will get your hearts content in restaurants and retail. It's also one of those places where you can walk the main drag, get all your Christmas shopping done and get hammered in between.



This is the corner of North Lincoln Ave. and West Wilson. On the southwest corner you'll find the the busiest of meeting up, eating up and drinking up places; the Daily Bar and Grill. I've been here a good dozen times over the past couple years. Decent bar food, better than decent fries and a few screens to keep an eye on the game. The place keeps a laid back hipster/musician/local vibe... not too preppy. It has a great outdoor patio in the summer (which now doubles as a Christmas Tree lot).

On the northwest corner, you'll bump into Fiddlehead Cafe. This place has stuck and it seems people enjoy it. We have not sampled yet, but one day when Ryne can sit still in a restaurant... It has a somewhat more refined feel and seems to draw the families visting their kids who live in the city. I'd like to hear more about it.

On the northeast corner is Essence of India. Nuff said. Popular Northern Indian cuisine. It also has a patio in the summer and scene here is pretty cool for the foodie, nerd hipster and the locals.

And how can you have a great corner without Starbucks? That's on the southeast corner. Gotta love the huge bathroom to change the kid. The Old Town School of Folk Music students and staff definately call themselves regulars. And top notch baristas as usual.



And this has been great corners in Lincoln Square

Winter fun at Warren Park skating rink, sledding hill in West Ridge

Amalia watches Ryne hit the deck on the large skating rink at Warren Park, 6601 N Western Avenue, Chicago IL 60645 in the West Ridge Community Area (Photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

We had one shot last weekend at some winter fun before the deep freeze and we took it.  For "North Siders" Warren Park offers the closest option for ski resort life.  The easily accessible ice rink and sledding hill (there's a parking lot!!) will make sure your city kids get outside for proper winter sports.

Here is a list and hours of Chicago Park District Ice Rinks

A "warming house" with bathrooms and $6.00 skate rentals sits in the background.

The sledding hill is more than adequate for elementary school and teens to get a thrill. Great for snowboard practice. The photo doesn't show it well but the incline is good and stairs make it easier to get up the hill.

Last time outside for a week!

 West Ridge single family home sales

About 153 homes sold in West Ridge over the last three months with a median price of about $318,000.  The median price can get you a totally rehabbed raised ranch three bedroom house near Warren Park, Indian Boundary Park AND Rogers School Park.  Like parks?  Get a move-in ready house well under $400,000 and enjoy the outdoors.