The Shoemaker Lofts are a truly unique find on the North Side of Chicago. Dubin Residential has created a wonderful pre-construction value to one of the hottest up-and-coming neighborhoods in the city with this construction. This building is located in Avondale on the corner of Belmont and Pulaski. The Shoemaker Lofts are located in the historic Florsheim Shoe Factory and provide residents with a combination of location, value, and luxury in one convenient package.

The Shoemaker Lofts are the picture of sophistication from the wall-to-wall 9 foot windows to the warm wood and brick interiors. The 11-foot veilings, exposed ductwork, and other authentic loft features make these units historic while still being attractive and efficient. The services of a doorman, a lovely gym, and a party room are only an elevator-ride away when you live in these lofts.

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The Lancaster is located at 201 North Westshore Drive and is the first high-rise built in the Lakeshore East Development. The light-colored concrete and glass treated façade was created as a collaboration between Skidmore Owings, and Merrill and Loewenberg + Associates. The 30 stories of the building are provide residents with partially recessed balconies that boast amazing views of the city and parks. The 264 units in The Lancaster range in price from $700K to $750K.

The shimmering, curved glass exterior makes The Lancaster one of the most striking buildings in the area. Residences have the opportunity to explore the Lakeshore East Park and botanical garden, which is directly outside the entrance to the building. One fun feature of the building is an outdoor elevator that allows residents easy access to Harbor Drive!

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The Park Millennium is situated in one of the hottest neighborhoods gaining popularity in Chicago: the New East Side. Residents of this soaring building enjoy great view of Millennium Park and the Chicago skyline. Transportation is a breeze, but Park Millennium is also steps from the Pedway that connects this building to Macy’s, the El, and more. Given its name, it’s no surprise that Park Millennium is only minutes from famous Millennium Park, as well as the Art Institute, and all the luxuries of Michigan Avenue.

Amenities in this excellently-maintained building include a 24-hour gym, lap pool, huge Jacuzzi, and party room for entertaining. If you’re looking for an expansive outdoor space, look no further—right outside of the pool you have access to a tree-lined sundeck that boasts seating and 2 grills that are perfect for parties.

Interested in more information or a tour of this building? Contact us today!

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Chicago-area homeownership at 8-year low [chicagorealestatedaily.com]

Homeownership in the Chicago area has plummeted in the first quarter to its lowest level in almost 8 years, which has prompted the chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to express doubts about a rebound in homeownership. Sheila Barr has called for an overhaul in the nation’s housing policy and advocates a focus on affordable rental housing rather than encouraging homeownership.

The percentage of people who own their own homes fell to 67.4% in the first quarter, which has fallen from 69.0% in the fourth quarter according to a quarterly survey by the U.S. Census Bureau. Factors such as high unemployment, lower household incomes and the persisting trend of foreclosure activity may be at the route of the latest slump in homeownership. For more on this story visit chicagorealestatedaily.com.

Other Top Stories:

Luxury Condo Sales Picking Up [Chicago Condo Directory]

Flood Waters Frustrate Chicago Residents [WBKO]

Luxury Apartment Rentals Are Hot Again [rentedspaces.com]

Downtown office vacancy highest since 2005 [chicagorealestatedaily.com]

Chicago Condo Lifestyle: Proximity to the Best Perks [Magellan Realty LLC]

Trump Tower delivers the service and amenities found in the world’s finest Five Star hotels, with the benefit that you never have to leave! When you live in this lavish building you enjoy a 24-hour white glove doorman, full concierge service, 24-hour room service, dry cleaning and laundry valet, housekeeping, and other luxury hotel services. Residents of Trump Tower are also provided with indoor owner designated parking, and access to the world-class Trump Spa and Health Club. What better way to spend a freezing winter afternoon than lounging by your indoor pool?

The 486 residences of the Residences in Trump Tower also feature stainless steel Miele and Wolf appliances, sleek Italian cabinetry, marble and hardwood floors, and granite countertops. Trump Tower features homes that range from studios to five bedrooms, and 580 sq. ft. to 14.260 sq. ft. Kohler fixtures, and oversized air-jet and whirlpool bathtubs complete the beautiful bathrooms in every residence. 

If you ever feel the need to leave your luxurious pad, the chic neighborhood of River North Chicago will meet all needs! River North is an affluent and stylish neighborhood that boasts exquisite dining, fantastic cultural and entertainment opportunities, and lavish shopping. Trump Tower provides private, residential living in the heart of downtown that features luxury, comfort and extraordinary style to all residents.

Contact us today for more information on the magnificent homes in Trump Tower!

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Walton on the Park is a new luxury construction located in Chicago’s historic Gold Coast neighborhood that is slated to open this summer. This fresh and airy building is amidst some of the oldest and most unique architecture in the city and only steps from the Magnificent Mile. Inhabitants of Walton Park are close to upscale shopping, a high concentration of quality restaurants and bars, art galleries, and museums.

All condos in Walton on the Park have variable layouts, and they each include a master suite, den, workstation, and balcony. The also include floor to ceiling glass windows, hardwood floors, spacious closets, Viking kitchens, Franke sinks and Hansgrohe faucets. The luxury penthouses in Walton on the Park offer 2450-3400 sq ft. oversized living-dining rooms, guest suites and more.

Amenities include a lushly landscaped sun deck with swimming pool, an outdoor cooking station, and a meditation garden. Residents of Walton on the Park can also relax at the state-of-the-art fitness facility and spa. Secure, indoor deeded parking is also available.

Interested in this brand new building? Contact us today for more information or a tour! Or visit the developer’s website.

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Grand Orleans

One semi-hidden part of River North is the rapidly developing area that lies west of LaSalle Street. For condo shoppers looking to be slightly off but still very near the beaten path, 318 West Grand might be worth a look.

Also known as Grand Orleans, this Robin Construction building offers 21 stories with units priced from $200k to $540K.

Grand Orleans is still under development, so it’s hard to say what amenities will be offered, but a sample floor plan shows a three-bedroom, two-balcony, two-and-a-half bathroom set-up with a walk-in closet. Since the building is new, expect state of the art features and creature comforts.

The location is a known factor, and it’s a great one. River North is one of Chicago’s hottest nightlife areas, and in addition to the surrounding bars and clubs, there are also plenty of restaurants, art galleries, upscale retail stores, and more.

Not to mention the access to downtown, the Magnificent Mile, Rush and Division, the lake, the Chicago River, and to major highways and public transportation.

So if you’re looking for new luxury in one of Chicago’s best neighborhoods, the Grand Orleans might just be your ticket.

Check it out today!

1720 S. Michigan

South Loop living is attractive for a lot of buyers, and 1720 S. Michigan is a building that’s definitely worth a look.

Offering a 24-hour doorman, four high-speed elevators, a common garden area, a dog run, heated indoor parking, balconies, and terraces.

The building also offers easy access to Lake Michigan, Burnham Harbor, Solider Field, the Museum Campus, McCormick Place, and more.

The surrounding South Loop offers plenty of nightlife, thanks to its plentiful selection of restaurants, bars, and clubs. There is also a lot of shopping nearby, and downtown Chicago is just steps away.

There’s plenty of history in the South Loop, as well as easy access to major highways and public transit. It’s hard to think of a more centrally located neighborhood in Chicago, save for the Loop itself.

One of the more interesting features of this CMK Development building is the extensive use of glass, which allows for a lot of light to enter living areas, and allows for plenty of great skyline and lake views.

Take a look at 1720 S. Michigan today!

340 Evergreen is a 6 floor, 9 unit building in the heart of Old Town. This trendy neighborhood is home to Second City, arhcitecture that pre-dates the Chicago Fire, and tons of cozy eating spots. All brick and steel construction and luxury finishes make 340 Evergreen a fabulous place for people who love a modern feel in their home. Every unit features open chef’s kitchens that include auto-close drawers, granite backsplashes, and finishes from Kohler, Pella, Jenn Air Pro, and more.

The extra tall interior doors and wide hallways give every home  a spacious and breezy feel. Units in 340 Evergreen are made even more luxurious with their beautiful master suites. These suites include walk-in closets, showers with body sprays, and separate Jacuzzi tubs. 340 Evergreen also features great outdoor terraces and heated garage parking.

Contact us today for more info or a tour! Or visit the developer’s website.

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Chicago Skyline

An article in Tuesday’s San Francisco Chronicle details the six biggest hurdles that buyers face when trying to secure a mortgage.

This news shouldn’t surprise anyone, but it’s a reminder that the real-estate market is still moving forward into recovery in fits and starts, not leaps and bounds.

Anyone who has gone through the mortgage process in the past year and a half or so knows how hard it is. For those who haven’t been through the process but might be buying soon, these six items will be good to keep in mind.

The whole article is linked below, but here are the six items:

1. High Credit Scores: Buyers need higher credit scores than they used to, thanks to wary banks that are still hesitant to make risky loans. Having a lower score might not stop you from getting a loan, but it could cost you more in fees.
2. Assets and Income: Look for lenders and banks to be much more diligent about verifying the money you make.
3. Changing Requirements: It’s hard to say why, but financing guidelines keep changing. It’s likely a product of the still-unstable market, and it’s probably frustrating for most buyers.
4. Low Appraisals: Blame the glut of short sales and foreclosures for this.
5. The Crackdown on No-Documentation Loans: This is meant to prevent fraud, but small-business owners and self-employed folks are finding it harder to prove their income to banks, which leads to rejections of loans that should probably be granted.
6. Condo Building Requirements: It’s harder to approve condo loans, because the building must be approved as well. That can be especially tough for FHA buyers.

This is tough news for buyers, especially since this may be a good time to find deals on both mortgages and homes. That is, if the mortgage can be approved.

[Source: San Francisco Chronicle]

Chicago

For the first time in 22 months, the median home price in the city of Chicago has risen.

The Chicago metro area as a whole is still down, but thanks exclusively to single-family home sales, the median price of homes in the city itself has risen, for the first time since June of 2008.

There’s other good news: sales of existing homes in the metro area rose for the tenth straight month, year-over-year. In the city limits, sales were up 41.1 percent, marking the eighth straight months of gains inside the city limits.

The median price rose 3.2 percent, while the sales of single-family homes rose by 25.4 percent.

Condos rose in sales by 53.9 percent, but the median price decreased.

Experts suggest that this is a sign than the market has hit bottom and is ready to being recovering, albeit at a slow pace. The sales numbers also suggest that some buyers may have taken advantage of depressed prices. Still others may have taken advantage of tax breaks for buyers.

Whatever the case, this may be a sign that the market is slowly getting back to normal. This is probably better news for sellers than buyers, but it’s also probably a good overall sign for the economy.

[Source: Chicago Tribune]

Superior 110

Superior 110 kitchens feature Snaidero kitchen cabinets, 48” Subzero/Wolf appliances, and glass tile backsplashes. There are 3” wide plank oak hardwood floors and recessed lighting with dimmers, as well as speaker wiring and Smarthome center included. The spa-like baths in Superior 110 feature Snaidero vanities, large walk-in showers with Grohe rainshowers and handheld, and Jacuzzi tubs. There is a 24-hour doorman, and both fitness and business centers in Superior 110.

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