When is a townhouse not a townhouse?
When it’s a ground-level, two-story unit with a wrought-iron-fence-enclosed patio at River City, the Bertrand Goldberg-designed 10-story landmark on the Chicago River currently being converted from apartments to condos–ranging from studios to penthouses.
In real estate jargon, a penthouse can be the top floor of almost any building–even a three-flat. So why not humor developer American Invsco and refer to their 52 two-level units as townhouses, even though they’re at the base of the S-curved building with close to 400 units above and around them?
The two-bedroom, 2 1/2-bathroom townhouse is the latest decorated model to open. (Be forewarned: It’s loaded with upgrades.)
Because of the unusual configuration of the building, some units–not just the townhouses–can vary slightly in size even though they have the same floor plan. Project manager Amy Wells is forthright about such matters; when it comes to buying, prospects should ask for precise measurements and floor plans.
The entrance from “River Road” (more on that later) is into a nicely sized foyer with guest closet; directly ahead is the breakfast room, which has been cleverly designed with a large curved bar and stools to look more like a cozy rendezvous for cocktails.
A hallway–with powder room, mechanicals closet and stairway all on the right and galley kitchen on the left–leads to a 21-by-18-foot living/dining area. Its distinguishing mark is the gently curved outer wall, with its doors to the patio–the townhouse’s yard.
Those stairs ascend to the bedrooms: The master suite directly above the living/dining area duplicates its size and shape and the windows here are striking. As with most bathrooms in all of River City, the master bath’s tub and toilet are in a room adjacent to but separated from the sink/vanity and small closet called the dressing area. There’s also a smallish walk-in master closet.
The second bedroom, at 12 by 13 feet, isn’t too large though its walk-in closet is quite ample; it also has an angled cubby-hole closet over in the corner.
These units wouldn’t fit the mainstream description of today’s townhouse–generally a grouping of three to six or more attached single-family homes with one to four levels and a garage inside the lowest level, plus the semblance of a yard.
But if the townhouses defy tradition so does the rest of River City. Anyone who wants to live–not just rent, but buy–in this landmark building has got to love it.
It has three lower levels of commercial space, accessible by escalators in the huge main lobby, giving it a business lobby aura rather than residential ambiance.
The atrium, with its skylighted, sloped ceiling, seems to soar far higher than its 10 stories. The atrium connects the two towers and the “street” in this open area, called River Road, is brick paved; occasional sofas or park benches, young trees and shrubs attempt an outdoor feeling.
Though handsome sculpturally, the atrium gives a distinct sense of being in a hotel lobby, looking up at the walls encircled with walkways where guests can peer over the railings to the goings-on below.
Depending on the individual, this can be unsettling–or thrilling. The building is contemporary (completed in 1987) and, like its older sibling, Marina City, unique and memorable in design.
But the gray concrete walls look cold. They’re gradually being painted and Wells points to what she calls “fabric structures” swinging from the ceilings between the towers. In filmy golds and reds that look a little Calder-inspired, the textile sculptures are “experiments” in livening the look and feel of the atrium, according to Wells. There are numerous units available for viewing, including a decorated studio that is served very well by its angled walls, which give it surprisingly useful niches and a more spacious feel than its meager square footage.
It is worth looking at as many units as possible, no matter the size or location, decorated or not, for varied reasons.
American Invsco is currently offering an incentive program (through June 16) that has two options:
1. A buyer purchases a vacant unit and receives, at no extra cost, maple kitchen cabinets, granite countertops, four stainless appliances, new bathroom (maple, ceramic) except for tub; new carpeting and painting throughout. 2. A buyer purchases a unit that has been cleaned and painted, but otherwise, “as is.” The developer pays the buyer, by check, a monthly payment (for six months) on a loan of 80 percent of the purchase price at a specified interest rate.
There are conditions–timing of closing, minimum of 10 percent down payment–but buyers can take those checks and spend them as they wish. They might, for example, want to use them for their taxes, assessments (heavy), maybe carpeting or the new kitchen or bathroom they didn’t take because they opted for the “no payment” choice.
Conversions of any kind, certainly not just those by American Invsco, can be extremely complex. I’ve always urged lots of homework, planning, measuring, double-checking every building inspection, with any conversion. I encourage it even more with River City because it is an unusual building and could take some getting used to. The incentive has a come-hither quality that deserves study.
As with all conversions, check the windows (these curved ones might be costly if/when replacement comes). Also, look at the unit you will buy, not one “just like it.”
Will you use the shuttle, the rooftop deck, picnic area, party room? They’re included in your assessments; figure out their importance.
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Take your time. Never be pressured with the thought that “it could be gone by tomorrow.” If it is, che sera sera. There’ll be another.
River City
Address: 800 S. Wells St., Chicago
Developer: American Invsco, Chicago
Phones: 312-893-7777
Description: Conversion of a Bertrand Goldberg-designed curvilinear landmark building on the Chicago River from rental apartments to 488 condomiums, from studios to townhouses to penthouses.
Prices: Base-priced from $165,500 to $306,000 for studios to two-bedrooms, from 620 to 1,000 square feet. From $386,000 to $470,000 for two-level, two or three bedroom townhouses, 1,480 to 1,560 square feet. From $399,500 to $803,000 for multi-level, two- to four-bedroom penthouses, 1,351 to 2,886 square feet. Monthly assessments, $300 to $1,508. Boat slips, from $24,000 to $97,500. Monthly parking, $130 outside, $250 indoors.
Amenities: Shuttle service to Loop, rooftop sundeck, 24-hour doorman, party room. Three levels of commercial and retail space including dry cleaning, groceries, private elementary school and Bally’s Sports Club.
Neighborhood: Located in the increasingly popular South Loop, near restaurants, the financial district and museums.
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More House Hunters: Past column by Genevieve Buck are available at CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM/HOMES