Buying a Condo
Chicago is a city of condos, which means homebuyers have options when it comes to finding that perfect unit. Architecturally innovative roots set the foundation for residential living spaces in this Midwestern town. The likes of Frank Lloyd Wright and Mies van der Rohe left their mark throughout the city and suburbs with radical ideas and pioneering structural blueprints. Chicago’s housing identity was forever changed by their work and though the duo may be hard standards to live up to, Chicago’s architectural contemporaries are doing a pretty impressive job maintaining the vision and offering consumers the best in domestic designs.
Today, much of Chicago’s residential real estate market is characterized by condominiums—which come in all shapes and sizes (not to mention prices). Chicago Condos Online allows buyers to search through the thousands of condo listings to uncover the gems that fit their housing and lifestyle needs. Features can vary from having a building fitness center or rooftop pool to in-unit laundry and private balcony that faces the water. What about details like kitchen and bathroom upgrades? Garage parking? Extra storage?
There is a lot to consider when you are looking to buy a condo in Chicago. That’s why having a resource like Condos-Chicago.net is essential. Make Chicago’s vast condo market more manageable with helpful online tools and links to buyer’s agents on Condos-Chicago.net. Take it one step at a time and you’ll being moving into your dream condo in no time at all.
New Construction Chicago Condo Developments
Canyon Ranch Living
Healthy living is the motto at Canyon Ranch, one of Chicago’s newest condominium high-rises that is making waves as a pioneering health-enhancing residential development. This 67-story, circular glass construction combines luxury condo units, deluxe hotel suites, world-class dining, and a 75,000-square-foot health and wellness center. It’s like having an exercise club and relaxation spa right in your home!
Wellness facilities at Canyon Ranch include a sauna, steam room, indoor pool, whirlpool, state-of-the-art cardio and aerobic equipment, workout guy, yoga studio, massage salon and much more. An onsite team of professional health care providers and specialists are also available to help residents lead a healthier lifestyle. Get the expert advice and guidance of nutritionists, physicians, therapists, and physiologists without ever leaving your building.
The restaurant at Canyon Ranch employs top-notch chefs to prepare exquisite culinary delicacies that are both healthy and tasty. Amazing dining is just an elevator ride away from your condo.
Canyon Ranch is located at 680 North Rush Street in the River North neighborhood of Chicago. It is slated for completion in 2011. The tower houses 257 condominium units and 126 hotel rooms. Condos offer high-end living spaces with nine-foot ceilings, oak flooring, floor-to-ceiling windows, top-of-the-line finishes and amenities. Available unit prices range from $650,000 for a one-bedroom, one bath condo with garage parking for one car, to $4.3 million for a three-bedroom, 2.1 bath condo with garage parking for three vehicles.
Eco18
Green living is becoming a big thing in the U.S. and Chicago is right on top of the trend. Eco18 is an example of the city’s new interest in eco-friendly residential developments. This 12-story condominium in the South Loop is setting the curve on Chicago green construction. It boasts energy efficient lighting, appliances, heating and cooling system, and plumbing—which help Eco18 condo-owners save money on utility bills, in addition doing their part to help save the Earth. Other sustainable features include a “green roof” that cools the air surrounding the building in the summer, insulates the building in the winter, and provides residents with a good-size garden area to relax outside any time they want.
Eco18 will use 30% recycled material in its construction and its solar-powered water heating system will yield about 40% of the condominium’s hot water usage. In addition to utilizing the sun’s rays for energy, the building is equipped with a specialized rainwater management design that contributes less runoff to the city’s sewer drains and saves storm water for watering the green roof vegetation and surrounding landscape.
There are 93 condo units in Eco18, which is located at 1818 South Wabash. Available one-bedroom units with one bathroom and a garage spot are currently listed at $246,000 to start. The larger, two-bedroom units with two baths are priced as high as $649,000. Condos at Eco18 are hot commodities right now because of the growing eco trend sweeping the nation. Only about 14% of the units are still on the market, so if you want to make you life a little greener, don’t wait to take advantage of this incredible Chicago condominium.
Trump Tower Chicago
This high-profile condominium development has been the talk of the town for quite some time now. Real estate mogul Donald Trump and his ambitious daughter, Ivanka, are taking Chicago by storm with their 92-story, luxury residential tower and hotel condo project. Situated right on the Chicago River in downtown, the Trump International Hotel and Tower offers an excellent location and postcard-worthy views from its upper story units.
The tower, which is still under construction, features 486 condos that range from studios to three-bedroom units. There are also four ultra-lavish penthouse suites—the four-bedroom is available for $5.7 million and the five-bedroom is priced to sell at $8.3 million. A one-bedroom condo in the Trump Tower starts at around $831,000. For that hefty sum, residents get five different floor plans to choose from, 10-foot ceilings, hardwood flooring, walk-in closets and in-unit washer and dryer. Want a bit more space? Adding a second bedroom bumps the price tag up to over a million dollars.
The Trump Tower is located at 401 North Wabash Avenue in the River North neighborhood. Its tiered, glass structure mimics that of the Sears Tower, but puts a fresh, new spin on the city’s trademark building with blue tinted glass and rounded edges. The development will also include a landscaped River Walk along the water offering condo-owners a scenic outdoor setting in the middle of Chicago’s busy downtown backdrop.
Aqua
This unique, water-inspired luxury condominium development takes the theme to heart with a wavy, exterior design, two outdoor pools, an indoor swimming pool, hot tubs and a picturesque locale a block from Lake Michigan. Aqua definitely has more of a resort feel than your typical Chicago condominium. Its prime location, a block off Navy Pier, the beach, and the endless blue waters of Lake Michigan, makes for an ideal escape from the cramped streets and congested blocks of Chicago’s downtown Loop.
Each unit in the 80-story structure has its own balcony as well as floor-to-ceiling windows that allow residents to enjoy that fantastic waterfront view. A two-acre sundeck with cabanas, cafés and refreshing pools are an additional outside oasis meant to give condo-owners a sense of vacationing—even when you are at home!
A select few one-bedroom units and studios in Aqua are available for under $300,000, but for the most part homebuyers will find the real estate values at Aqua to be more up market. For instance, one-bedroom condos are priced up to $700,000. A unit with two bedrooms may cost as much as $885,000, and the three-bedroom condos at Aqua are listed between $920,000 and $2.2 million.
The Peshtigo
The Peshtigo is a new residential addition to Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood, on the city’s near north side. Located at 515 North Peshtigo Court, this 57-story condominium high-rise will wrap residents in high-end amenities and luxury features that live up to the building’s prestigious lakefront zip code. When it is completed in 2011, the unique glass façade will encase 358 condo units, a health club with exercise facilities, a community party room, and a rooftop sundeck with an outdoor swimming pool.
One-bedroom condos at The Peshtigo range between $450,000 and $600,000. A two-bedroom unit starts in the mid-$700s and a three-bedroom address will put homebuyers over the million dollar price point.