When suburban developers talk about sponsoring a Parade of Homes, they’re referring to an event that will showcase a group of expensive, frequently oversized and overdecorated homes they’ve built specifically for show-and-sell purposes.
The builders choose a site large enough to accommodate maybe a dozen or more homes and enough nearby parking space for the hordes of folks who love to gawk at elaborate residences. The homes are grouped side-by-side neighborhood-style so visitors can easily make the rounds by foot.
A Parade of Homes in the city is a different matter. Imagine a dozen builders trying to find a site big enough to accommodate each of their specialties (a couple of loft buildings, some midrises, rowhouses, a high-rise or two … ). It could be years before they’d even get their building permits; and think of the fun the City Council would have with zoning.
So, an event such as the Chicago chapter of the Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago is sponsoring, Saturday through April 14, is generally referred to as a scattered site showcase; it requires some forethought and legwork on the part of the public.
The event’s planners have taken liberties with the theme, “Door-2-Door,” unless they mean from-car-door-to-home-door, and back.
That’s because the 20 individual sites have been grouped together by neighborhoods. Some buildings are within walking distance of each other, others will require a car. My recommendations: Pick up the map/info before the day you’ll make the actual visit. Determine specific types of housing and neighborhoods you’re interested in. Some sites will have models (13 of them), some sales offices (7).
Because I had already reviewed several of the developments, I focused my mini-parade on four MCL Companies properties. Two of the communities are in well-known Chicago neighborhoods: The red brick and limestone Altgeld Club condos and town homes in Lincoln Park are practically sold out. Among the remaining half-dozen town homes ready for sale (each more than $500,000) is a furnished model.
That particular town home also serves as a model for MCL’s Old Town Village, which has two distinct components north and south of Division Street. Sedgwick borders one portion of the East Village; the West Village is midway between Halsted and Larrabee. The East includes single-family homes, walk-up condos, town homes and mid-rise condos. Prices range from $245,900 to $755,900.
The West will have Chicago-style, three-flat (condo) buildings (from $220,900); single-family homes sold out quickly.
This Old Town Village community is a remarkable part of the revitalization of this segment of the city. An area primarily associated with Cabrini Green and industry, and truly a vast wasteland as far as new housing was (or is) concerned, it has seen young (25-35) professionals (singles and couples) rushing to buy condos in the 3-flat buildings and couples (35-40, starting families) buying the single-family homes, according to sales manager Barbara Dudeck.
Whether personally interested in buying or not, it’s worth asking Dudeck for a map and advice on driving around this area to see some Chicago history in the making.
Then it’s over to Streeterville to check out MCL’s premiere downtown properties East of Michigan Avenue. River View, at the meeting of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan, is down to two available units. The truly upper-bracket condos in the east tower and the townhouses were the first to go, according to sales associate Rosemary Pierson, leaving two lonely one bedroom units at about $495,000.
The West tower has some three bedroom units for $1.5 to $1.9 million. Expensive? Sure, but the address, the amenities make those prices reasonable–for some.
Far more reality-based are the residences at River East Center (between McClurg Court and Columbus Drive at Grand Avenue.) Three models–convertible, one- and two-bedrooms and baths–are base-priced from $178,900 to $465,900; three-bedroom units are sold out.
Check out the two-bed, 2-bath corner unit (more windows), which has 1,445 square feet, decent views even from the fourth floor, a savvy floor plan, super amenities like granite counters, washer/dryer and more, base-priced from $350,900.
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That sounds astronomical to folks who can buy a suburban home for that much; but the condo is $243 a square foot–appropriate for the neighborhood.
The city parade is a good idea, but needs some refining. More advance notice to the public; more models, and suggested groupings of sites with well-marked area maps would help those interested. City housing is so exciting these days, it deserves a well-packaged showcase.
Spring Parade of New City Homes.
What: A dozen Chicago builders open 20 of their locations for those interested in new lofts, condos and townhouses.
When: Saturday through April 14. Recommended hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Phone: Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago 630-627-7575.
Description: Homes range from a Rogers Park condo rehab starting at $109,900 to a riverfront high-rise with condo units ranging from $369,500 to $2.47 million.
Who: Bejco Development, Belgravia Group, Circle Development & Consulting, DeStefano Development Inc., Gammonley Group, Keating Development Group, Legacy Development Group, Legacy Development Group, MCL Companies, New West Realty, Ogden Partners, Snitzer Homes, 3FJ Construction.
Where: Sites grouped in popular neighborhoods including Streeterville, Bucktown, South Loop, old Town, Bridgeport.