Chicago Real Estate News & Neighborhood Notes

With the holiday season now behind us and the new year in full swing, those thinking of buying a new home in 2016 shouldn’t waste too much time looking for something that fits all their needs and wants. Interest rates are expected to increase at some point in the near future and with rents in Chicago also at all-time highs, there seems to be no better time to finally make that transition from renting to owning than right now.

Even though this may seem like the perfect time to buy, however, affordability is also a key component in purchasing a home for many of today’s home buyers, especially the first-timers. But luckily for many out there looking for that perfect combination of style and affordability, downtown Chicago has many different options

While 2014 and 2015 were in many ways defined by high-profile rental developments as it pertains to the local real estate market, we could finally be seeing a shift that brings more new construction condos to downtown Chicago, which is a welcome sight to those out there still looking to buy.

Last month, the Chicago Plan Commission approved plans that could bring another impressive looking condo tower to River North, one in which stands 23 stories high and houses 55 individual condo residences. According to reports, the development site is located at 800-820 North Wells, which stretches from Chicago Avenue over to Institute Place—a space that’s almost right in the center of one of Chicago’s liveliest and most vibrant neighborhoods.

The unique and

Trump Tower in Chicago’s River North neighborhood is one of the city’s most exclusive places to call home. You don’t need us to tell you that. But when a developer is planning to buy two separate units on the 80th floor and combine them to make one spectacular rental suite, it’s definitely something that still catches your eye, even for Trump Tower.

As first reported by Crain’s, a Northbrook real estate investor has closed on unit 80a for more than $3.1 million and 80b for more than $1.4 million, and plans to combine the two units into a build-to-suite rental that could be an attractive option for a high-profile athlete or executive who wants a custom-designed living space without the headache of buying.

Recognizing a shortage in penthouse units in

In the midst of all the large scale development news that’s sweeping the South Loop, lost in the shuffle is Sedgwick at Locust—a sleek condominium development from Belgravia Group that’s slated for the rapidly up-and-coming Cabrini Green area in River North.

Dubbed “SL” for short, perhaps the most intriguing part about Sedgwick at Locust truly is its convenient location, which puts residents right in between the heart of one of downtown’s trendiest neighborhoods and the up-and-coming Clybourn Corridor, which now has an incredible selection of shopping and retail outlets, not to mention a new movie theatre, transportation, and more.

Inside, Sedgwick at Locust is as equally impressive, featuring a full compliment of luxury finishes that include high-end

It’s been a long time coming and now after a nearly three-and-a-half year wait, the new 35-story Gold Coast apartment tower coming to Clark and Division is well on its way to finally becoming a reality. Although it’s safe to say many existing Gold Coast residents truly miss the convenience of the Jewel-Osco store that was located at the current construction site, the sleek new building, which will also include a new, larger Jewel-Osco, will no doubt improve a part of the neighborhood that desperately needed some modernization.

With an estimated cost of $200 million to develop, the building now being called The Sinclair was designed by renowned, Chicago-based architecture firm Solomon Cordwell Buenz, and judging from the renderings, will easily be the

Reports have surfaced about a new condo tower finally coming to 403 N. Wabash, a location that basically sits right next to Trump Tower. According to both The Tribune and Curbed, The Belgravia Group has long coveted the site that now occupies an underground parking garage and after several attempts to develop 403 N. Wabash, at long last things finally seem to be coming together.

With the expanded riverwalk, other changes to River North, and downtown Chicago’s strong need for more new construction condo inventory, the new 17 story luxury condo tower is prime to be a big hit among high end home buyers looking for an exclusive location.

The building’s design is from bKL Architecture and once finished will stand 17 stories high. Just 45 condos will be a part

A detailed report from Curbed yesterday shed some light on an impressive new condo development that could be coming to River North. Being planned for the surface parking lot at 300 W. Huron and sitting adjacent to Franklin Street and the “L” tracks, the project’s initial plans call for 71 luxury condominiums with 71 parking spaces, which would bring some much needed new construction condo inventory to a downtown market that’s over saturated with new apartment developments right now.

The developers, JFJ Development, brought on Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture (HPA) to design the new 24-story tower, which features a sleek modern exterior that blends in seamlessly with the River North landscape. For now, the exterior will mostly have a glass facade with

Continuing on with our 2015 Chicago Holiday Guide, today we’ll be featuring some of the hottest shows going on right now to get you in that festival holiday spirit. Along with all the world-class shopping and dining downtown Chicago has to offer, theatre in the Windy City is also among the best in the world, so whether you live here or are just visiting during the holidays, here’s a few live shows well worth checking out:

A Christmas Carol - Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn

Showing November 14th to December 27th

Now in its 38th year at the Goodman, the classic Charles Dickens’ Christmas story never gets old, so its no surprise this one tops the lost.

The Nutcracker - The House Theatre, 1543 W. Division

Showing November 5th to December

While all the holiday lights, festivals, and various other seasonal events and activities help shape the holiday season in Chicago, few things relate more to this time of year than shopping. And given we’re lucky enough to live in one of the best shopping cities in the world, there’s certainly no shortage of options to find everybody on your gift-giving list the perfect present. But if you’re looking for some of the best places to begin all your holiday shopping, here are just a few of our favorite suggestions:

The Magnificent Mile


Easily Chicago’s most famous shopping district, if you can’t find a great gift on Michigan Avenue, chances are it doesn’t exist. From luxury retailers to some of the most recognizable brands in fashion, shopping

One of the many things that help define Chicago in the summertime are all the unique festivals that fill the neighborhood streets. Food vendors, arts and crafts dealers, and all kinds of live music and entertainment make for a pretty awesome scene at many of these local events, and although the weather isn’t quite as ideal in December, the holiday season in the Windy City is also loaded with all kinds of fun-filled festivals and events that help make winter just a little more tolerable.

So instead of being stuck indoors all month long, get out there and embrace what many consider the most wonderful time of the year by checking these and other great holiday festivals and markets happening all over town:

Christkindlemarket Chicago  - November 20th to