Lakeview apartment building where Shantel McCoy died in a fire

The Tribune also reported that, “City officials began pressing harder on bringing the buildings into compliance after Shantel McCoy, 32, died in a Jan. 8 fire inside her Lakeview high-rise when a building elevator took her to 1,500-degree heat on the 12th floor where she lived.”

Chicago’s Life Safety & High-rise Ordinance is intended to better protect the lives of residents in pre-1975 built high-rises. High-rises built in 1975 or later are required to have sprinkler systems.

For the full Tribune article read “Hundreds of residential high-rises in Chicago fail fire safety standards“.

The inventory of 2 bedroom condos for sale in Lakeview in December reached another 2 year low at 354.^* Bank (foreclosure and short sale) properties were 12.7% of the Lakeview 2 bedroom condos for sale.

Lakeview 2 Bedroom Condos For Sale (Bank & Non-Bank) December 2009 - December 2011

There were 309 Lakeview non-bank 2 bedroom condos for sale, down 33% compared to December 2010. There were 45 Lakeview bank 2 bedroom condos for sale, down 22.4%. Two bedroom condos were 37% of the condos for sale in Lakeview in December.

To see Lakeview condo reviews and what’s for sale in those buildings see LAKEVIEW & LINCOLN PARK HOMES FOR SALE above in the right column.

To view all Lakeview condos for sale click here now.

^* includes co-ops and townhouses

While reviewing 2011 Lakeview condo sales statistics I ranked the median sale price for the pricier buildings. Only condo buildings that had at least 2 sales recorded in Chicago’s multiple listing service (MRED) that closed in 2011 were included in the rankings. Only listed sales were used in determining median sale price for a building.

Most of the top 10 Lakeview condos were located between Belmont and Addison. Most of them were also east of Sheffield. The most expensive building in Lakeview in 2011 was 443 W Aldine, a vintage building just west of Lake Shore Drive that was renovated and sold as condos.

THE 10 MOST EXPENSIVE LAKEVIEW CONDO BUILDINGS IN 2011

The inventory of condos for sale in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood dropped to 946 in November, the lowest monthly inventory in the past 2 years.^* The number of Lakeview condos for sale in November was down 14.6% from the previous 2 year low in October.

Inventory of Lakeview Condos For Sale November 2009 - November 2011

November’s inventory was down 27.4% from a year earlier. The number of Lakeview condos for sale was down 24% from 2 years earlier.

To see Lakeview condo reviews and what’s for sale in those buildings see LAKEVIEW & LINCOLN PARK HOMES FOR SALE above in the right column.

To search all Lakeview condos for sale click here now.

^*includes co-op apartments and townhouses

The Steeples-1021 W Barry

THE LOCATION

1021 W Barry is located on the corner of Barry and Kenmore. It’s 1 block west of Sheffield in Lakeview. The building currently has a Walk Score of 94 and a Transit Score of 85 . The Red & Brown Line Stop at Sheffield and Belmont is only 4 blocks away. See its interactive Walk Score Map below.

THE BUILDING

1021 W Barry was a church that was built in 1890 and then converted to condos in 2008 and known as The Steeples. The converted church houses 6 condos. The building has a sundeck, and an indoor heated garage. Pets are OK.

The Steeples is one of the Chicago churches that have been converted into a residential property.

There are about six other converted churches within the Chicago area that are now either attached or single family homes. The single family homes are mansions located in Lincoln Park.

There are approximately three more old Chicago church buildings located in West Town and Little Italy that are on the market and ready to convert.

THE CONDOS

1021 W Barry has 2 and 3 bedroom units. All of the condos have central air and gas forced air heat and washer and dryers. Theses spacious loft style duplexes or triplex range from 1,500 to 2,000 square feet and come with soaring ceilings and large church windows. Each unit is uniquely designed.

The most recent activity at 1021 W Barry has been with a 2 bedroom which rented in February for $3,500.

1021 W BARRY, CHICAGO, IL 60657 WALK SCORE MAP

1021 E Barry, Chicago, IL 60657 Walk Score Map for RSS Feeds

CONDO FOR SALE AT 1021 W BARRY, CHICAGO, IL 60657
CHECK BACK FOR NEW LISTINGS

Address	Price	Beds	Baths	Sq Ft	More Information	Notes on Condos I've Previewed/Shown
1021 W Barry St 1W	$369,900	2	2	1,500	Photos & Info	1W is an architecturally unique duplex loft with a western exposure. The dining room off the updated kitchen has exposed brick and french doors that can separate the living room.

There’s a condo for sale at 339 W Barry in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood. Here’s a review of the building and the condo (not my listing) along with photos and details.

339 W Barry, Chicago, IL

THE LOCATION

339 W Barry in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood is located in the middle of the block that is east of Sheridan road and west of N Lake Shore Drive. It’s a block west of the Lakefront bike trail. Currently its Walk Score is a very walkable 86 and its transit score is 77. It’s less than a mile from the Red Line at Wellington and N Sheffield. See its interactive Walk Score Map below.

THE BUILDING

339 W Barry built in 1963 was Chicago’s first high rise condo building. It houses 73 condos in its 26 stories. It was designed for privacy with 2 to 3 condos per floor with 2 elevators. Parking is attached and comes with a leased fee averaging $160 per month. There are a few quest parking spaces, however, there is a wait list for a leased spot.

Utilities included within the monthly assessments are heat, air conditioning, and water. There is a 24 hour door person and a laundry room but no other amenities. I was told by an agent that reserves are stable for now.

THE CONDOS

Cooking appliances are electric. All the units have balconies with spectacular views of lake and park. There are few resales. The most recent sale was 6B, a 1 bedroom which sold in July for $167,000.

333 W Barry Condo's Balcony Views

339 W BARRY, CHICAGO, IL, 60657 WALK SCORE MAP

339 W Barry, Chicago Walk Score Map for RSS Feeds

CONDOS FOR SALE AT 339 W BARRY, CHICAGO, IL, 60657
CHECK BACK FOR NEW LISTINGS

Address	Price	Beds	Baths	Sq Ft	More Information	Notes on Condos I've Previewed/Shown
339 W Barry 18A	$359,900	2	2	1600	Photos & Info	18A has eastern views of the lake and Lincoln Park from the living room, kitchen and its 12 ft balcony. It also has built in shelves and a Murphy bed in the 2nd bedroom.

If you like 339 W Barry, you might also like:

• 3470 N Lake Shore Drive
• 3150 N Lake Shore Drive
• 525 W Hawthorne Place

A few vintage condos are for sale at 609 W Stratford Place in Lakeview. Here is my review of the building and the condos I’ve previewed or shown (none are my listings) along with photos and details.

609 W Stratford

THE LOCATION

609 W Stratford is located in the heart of East Lakeview 1 block west of N Lake Shore Drive and Belmont Harbor and less than a half block east Broadway. The building is considered a walkers paradise with a walk score of 94. The Red Line Stop at Addison is less than 6 blocks away and about a 10 minute walk.

THE BUILDING

609 W Stratford was built in 1924. It is a quaint vintage courtyard elevator building that houses 30 condos within its 6 stories.The condos are divided amongst the 2 towering buildings which are connected into one entrance and lobby. The entrance is an architectural wood door encased within ornate carved stone. The building is professional managed and maintained by an engineer who lives nearby. The common amenities in the building includes storage units, bike room, laundry room with free laundry equipment, and a fenced in garden with grills. The monthly assessment fee includes heat, water, gas, garbage and exterior maintenance.

609 W Stratford

I have been told by the agents that the association runs well and that the reserves are good. They also shared that there is a new roof project under way with an estimated cost of $27,000.Cats and dogs are allowed.

THE CONDOS

The condos in this vintage building are large 2 and 3 bedroom units with only 2 apartments at each elevator lobby. There is also a third door in the adjoining lobby which is shared access the service elevator. Each unit also has a private door off their kitchen which leads to the service elevator and the back stairway.
These vintage condos have spacious living rooms, high ceilings, wood-burning fireplaces with stone mantels and separate dining rooms. Most have retained the butlers pantries off the kitchen which provide extra prep and storage space. The have ensuite bedrooms and deep closets for a vintage. These units have numerous windows including a large bay in the living room. The windows have all been recently replaced in the building. Heat is provided by radiators and cooled by window air conditioning units.

Permit parking is available on the street and leased options available nearby. The most recent sale at 609 W Stratford was unit 7D, a 2 bedroom which sold in December 2010 for $350,000.

609 W STRATFORD, CHICAGO, IL 60657 WALK SCORE MAP

609 W Stratford Walk Score Map for RSS Feeds

ALL CONDOS FOR SALE AT 609 W STRATFORD, CHICAGO, IL 60657
CHECK BACK FOR NEW LISTINGS

Address	Price	Beds	Baths	Sq Ft	More Information	Notes on Condos I've Previewed/Shown
609 W Stratford 6C	$379,000	3	2 1/2	1,599	Photos & Info	6C has north, east and west exposure with views of lakeview including Wrigley Field. The unit updated baths and kitchen with stainless steel appliances and stone counters. The molding, windows frames and doors have been painted white.

If you like 609 W Stratford Place, you may also like:

• 421 W Melrose
• 3750 N Lake Shore Drive
• 421 W Aldine

The recent sale of a single family home in Lakeview to Rose O’Donnell has gotten a lot of press. What is also noteworthy is the number of single family homes that sold in Lakeview in the 3rd Quarter which was up 35.7% over 2010′s 3rd Quarter. There were 38 single family homes sold compared to only 28 a year ago.

Lakeview Single Family Home Quarterly Sales 3rd Qtr 2008 - 2011

The average market time it took for those homes to go under contract also improved by 19%. It took an average of 110 days on market before going under contract in 3rd Quarter 2011 compared to 136 days in the 3rd Quarter of 2010.

To see all listed Lakeview homes for sale click here now.

To see reviews of Lakeview condos for sale, see LAKEVIEW HOMES FOR SALE in the right column.

A few 2800 N Orchard condos are for sale in Lakeview. Here’s a review of the building and the condos I’ve previewed or shown along with photos and details of the other condos for sale. (none of these units are my listings)

THE LOCATION

2800 N Orchard is located 2 blocks west of Clark on the corner of Orchard and Diversey in East Lakeview. The building currently is considered a Walkers Paradise with a Walk Score of 99 and a Transit Score of 84. Several CTA bus lines are less than a block away. It’s less than a mile walk to the Brown, Purple and Red Line L stop. See its interactive Walk Score Map below.

View from an 8th floor condo at 2800 N Orchard

THE BUILDING

2800 N Orchard is a mixed-use building that was built in 1986 and converted to condos in 2002. Retail units are located on the street level. According to a few agents the retail space is a separate entity and does not affect the condo assessments like other commercial real estate if spaces are unoccupied.

It’s a masonry mid-rise building which houses 58 condos within its 9 stories with 2 elevators. The building has a live-in on-site Manager/Engineer.

The amenities include coin laundry room, party room, rooftop deck, bike room, storage and telephone security. Those services along with, air conditioning, heat, and garbage require monthly assessments that range from $275 to $400. The building is pet friendly.

According to an agent the building has $103,000 in reserves and no special assessment fees coming. The agent also went on to say that the monthly assessments are running stable.

The 58 condos in the building are comprised of studios, 1 bedroom, 1 bedroom with den and 2 bedrooms which are split for privacy. The 1-bedroom units average 900 sq ft and the 2-bedrooms 1,200 sq ft. 2800 N Orchard allows rentals.

There is a heated parking garage attached to the building as well as some outdoor spaces. The parking is deeded with list prices that range from $20,000 to $30,000 per space.

2800 N ORCHARD, CHICAGO, IL 60657 WALK SCORE MAP

2800 N Orchard Walk Score Map for RSS Feeds

THE CONDOS

The condos feature hardwood flooring in the main living area. The have central air conditioning and gas forced air heat which are zoned. It is quiet in the condos which is aided by the soft tinted thermal pane windows.

In-unit laundry is permitted within the condos.

About 40% of units have a private masonry terrace where grilling is permitted. The corner units within the building have the largest private outdoor space which typically commands a higher asking price.

The most recent sale at 2800 N Orchard was unit # 403, a 2-bedroom 2-bath unit that sold in August for $294,000 which included parking.

ALL CONDOS FOR SALE AT 2800 N ORCHARD, CHICAGO, IL 60657
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Address	Price	Beds	Baths	Sq Ft	More Information	Notes on Condos I've Previewed/ Shown
2800 N Orchard 709	$338,500	2	2	1,200	Photos & Info
2800 N Orchard 509	$339,000	2	2	1,200	Photos & Info
2800 N Orchard 708	$220,000	1	1		Photos & Info

If you like 2800 N Orchard, you may also like:

• 525 W Hawthorne
• 3100 N Lake Shore Drive

The number for condos (and co-ops) for sale in Lakeview in August was down 24.1% from August 2010. There were 1,204 condos for sale compared to 1,586 a year ago. The number of condos for sale in August was down 15.3% from August 2009 when there were 1,421 condos for sale in Lakeview.

Inventory of Lakeview Condos & Co-ops For Sale August 2009 - August 2011

Number of Lakeview condos for sale in August 2011 by number of bedrooms compared to August 2010:

• Studios: 29, down 60.3%
• 1 Bedroom: 390, down 34.1%
• 2 Bedroom: 541, down 25.0%
• 3 Bedroom: 329, down 6.5%
• 4+ Bedrooms: 48, down 4.0%

To see reviews of Lakeview condos for sale, see LAKEVIEW & LINCOLN PARK HOMES FOR SALE in the right column.

To see all listed Lakeview condos for sale click here now.