The front of Plaza 32 , a two-building condo development at 3232 N. Halsted St., doesn’t reveal much about what’s beyond its red brick facade.
The five-story front building, which has been going through construction stops and starts since 1998, has retail space on the ground level and second floor. Above that are 35 condos with balconies or terraces, which sold out well before a single model opened.
Those familiar with this segment of east Lake View with bars, restaurants and retail will know that those balconies and terraces will offer some of the best viewing of the annual Gay Pride Parade on Halsted each June. The location also gives easy access to Halsted Street’s Market Days, an August weekend festival of shopping, noshing and band playing, said to be the largest such market event in the Midwest.
The in-the-know crowd probably has already visualized the now-vacant retail space being transformed into a trendy restaurant, an exercise haven, perhaps a bookstore or florist.
Almost hidden by the Halsted Street condo building is a sort of sibling, 10-story building with 95 units that’s called the Dayton. Built on a northwest angle, this structure’s west wall, with garage entrances and some pedestrian access, faces Dayton Street. This short block, east of Clark Street is far more akin to an alley than a street.
Stick with me now as we navigate to the back 40 — I mean Part B of this two-building development.
Though not on Halsted, main access to the Dayton condo is via the Halsted entry. Currently the sales office, this area will become the lobby for both buildings. A long stretch of hallway leads to and directly connects with the Dayton.
The two condo buildings are separated by a fairly large open area, actually the third-floor rooftop of the garage below. The outdoor area will be landscaped to resemble a small park or plaza.
Some of the condo owners who live on this prime plaza level will have their own wrought-iron-fenced terrace or patio opening from their condos. If the landscaping and walkways come through as shown on artists’ renderings, this should be a pleasant respite from the ever-busy surrounding area.
Before going further, I have to say that the Dayton part of this development has a lot of appeal, but, for me, the development as a whole doesn’t.
Set way back, the Dayton is somewhat removed from Halsted’s bustle. But it doesn’t have a “face” or front of its own and the memory of going down a long, big-nothing hallway isn’t exactly inviting.
I like the open layouts, especially the model’s floor plan, as well as amenities. But the price, with the extras, is high, particularly for a building without a distinct personality and in such a clogged location.
But, back to the condos themselves. The floor plans available are fairly alike. They have open living/dining/kitchen areas with islands or peninsulas determining some of the kitchen boundaries.
Master bedrooms are generally about 12 by up to 16 feet and have walk-in closets and bathrooms with separate showers and tubs.
Each unit also has a foyer or entry hallway; a balcony or terrace; stackable washer/dryer space and hook-ups; small second bedroom (more likely to be used as a den or flex room); and adequately sized second bathroom. Only one plan has side-by-side bedrooms. The rest, including the model, nicely have bedrooms at opposite ends.
Views vary depending on floor and the unit’s orientation.
The model, a No. 2 floor plan, is an end unit on the ninth floor, allowing it a surprisingly good view southeast toward downtown. On a clear day or night, the familiar icons (John Hancock, Sears Tower) are fairly visible, though Marshalls, Linens’N Things and other nearby, neoned retail easily take center stage.
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In one finished-but-unfurnished east unit, Dana Gerstenschlager, sales and marketing director, pointed out the view of the lake which, to me, consisted of slivers of blue-gray visible between Lake Shore Drive high-rises.
It’s too bad that the model’s decor has as many flamboyant accents as it does. It’s distracting when items like a red crushed velvet chaise, excessive potted palms, an abundance of feathers and six dining chairs, each with differently patterned upholstery, get in the way of determining the space and flow of a unit.
The space, 1,430 square feet, is informal, contemporary, good for singles or twosomes. It’s short on closets — four in all — though there’s a ground-level storage area.
Prospective buyers have to weigh priorities that go beyond the actual living space. Among them: a livewire location. And, as always, there’s square footage in relation to cost (don’t forget upgrades, taxes and assessments).
Though the model is on nine, the other No. 2 units are on the lowest floors and are base-priced from around $325,900. Not cheap.
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Contact Genevieve Buck at baiduhai, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611, or e-mail her at [email protected].