The 10 Most Expensive Residential Buildings in 2019

Here’s my 9th annual list of the most expensive condo and co-op apartment buildings in Chicago. Each January while reviewing the previous year’s sales statistics I rank the median sale price for the most expensive buildings. Only condo and co-op apartment buildings that had at least 2 sales recorded in Chicago’s multiple listing service (MRED) that closed in 2019 were considered.

The most expensive Chicago building in 2019 was No 9 Walton at 9 W Walton in the Gold Coast. It had a median sale price of $4,328,079. It was #3 on the list last year.

Buildings making the list for the first time include One Bennett Park at 451 E Grand in Streeterville, 2035 N Orleans, a boutique building in Lincoln Park, 900 W Washington, a boutique building in the West Loop and Renelle on the River in River North.

As usual most buildings making the list are in downtown Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood. The rest are in Streeterville, Lincoln Park, River North and the West Loop.

Three of the top ranking buildings in 2018 all made the list again in 2019. One co-op apartment building, 1500 N Lake Shore Drive, made the list.

The Waldorf Astoria has always made the list and multiple years had the highest median sale price. It didn’t make the list in 2019 as there were no closed sales. Other buildings that made the list in 2018, but had no sales in 2019 include 65 E Goethe, 50 E Chestnut and 1550 N State, all in the Gold Coast.

THE 10 MOST EXPENSIVE CHICAGO RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS IN 2019

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Several people have asked why I don’t rank the buildings using price per square foot. First, many listings don’t provide square footage. Second, as I wrote about square footage in 2012 measurements even by professional appraisers can vary widely. Developers often calculate it from the center inside walls. Listing agents often round it up. It is far from being an accurate measure.