Chicago Real Estate Blog - Helaine Cohen

Does Lincoln Park 2550 Offer the Best Views of the City?

Posted by Helaine Cohen on April 23rd, 2015

With its prime location and walls of windows, Lincoln Park 2550 might just offer the best views in all of Chicago.  Located between Diversey Parkway and Fullerton Avenue, the building borders both North Pond and Lincoln Park Zoo.  This fantastic Chicago location offers incredible views that are hard to beat when it comes to the city’s picturesque lakefront.

At 1,200-acres, Lincoln Park borders Lake Michigan, but also includes nature reserves, harbors, several beaches and more.  All of these things are just steps away from Lincoln Park 2550, and easily viewed from the homes inside.  In addition, other nearby attractions include the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Chicago History Museum and Lincoln Park Lily Pool.  

Plus, Lincoln Park 2550 is not far from…

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East Lake Shore Drive District: Chicago’s Most Prestigious Place to Call Home

Posted by Helaine Cohen on April 22nd, 2015

With just eight buildings, constructed with historic European design principles in mind, the East Lake Shore Drive District remains Chicago’s most prestigious place to call home.  The homes were all built in the early 1900s, but altogether designated a Chicago landmark in the mid 1980s.

One of the buildings is The Drake, made famous by the likes of Princess Diana, Winston Churchill and Hollywood blockbuster films such as “Mission: Impossible”.  However, the remaining seven high-rise buildings are just as prestigious, as they house multi-million dollar homes, incredible city and lake views and original, upscale design elements.

The Drake Tower offers 30-stories of residences, as well as wine cellars, an exercise room and a business center.  The Mayfair…

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Astor Tower: A Mid-Century Modern Classic in the Heart of the Gold Coast

Posted by Helaine Cohen on April 22nd, 2015

Originally designed by renowned architect Bertand Goldberg, Astor Tower stands as a shining example of Chicago’s past and future.  Once a hotel providing a retreat for guests like Frank Sinatra and the Beatles, Astor Tower is now one of the Gold Coast’s most prominent condominium buildings.

Located at North Astor and East Goethe Streets, this vintage high-rise offers convenient underground parking, as well as a 24-hour doorman and on-site management.  Recently the building underwent renovations and remodeling including a new deck on the rooftop, as well as building repairs and new exterior paint.

Known for its mix of modern elements and historical charm, the units feature floor to ceiling windows, offering up sweeping views of the city.  In addition, since…

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Best Place to go for a Jog in Downtown Chicago

Posted by Helaine Cohen on April 22nd, 2015

Whether you want to get in a quick jog during your lunch break or start your day with a refreshing run along the lake, you will find plenty of great locations in Downtown Chicago.  We chose three of the best.

Lakefront Trail

To see some of the best sites in Chicago one after another, hit the Lakefront Trail.  At 18-miles long, this trail takes joggers past beaches, plus the Museum of Science and Industry, Monroe Harbor and Navy Pier.  It also offers a bit of a break from the city with some fresh, lakeside air.

Lake Shore Park Track

Enjoy running on an actual track when you jump on the quarter-mile long Lake Shore Park Track.  This soft-surface track includes four lanes and isn’t far from the Magnificent Mile.  You’ll find the track between Pearson…

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1210 N. Astor: True Vintage in Chicago's Gold Coast

Posted by Helaine Cohen on April 18th, 2015

Constructed in the late 1800s, 1210 N Astor provides the appeal of living in an historic building, while at the same time offering close proximity to some of Chicago’s most famous attractions.  With just 14 condominium homes spread across seven stories, 1210 N Astor is only blocks away from the Lakefront with its 18-mile trail, as well as the Magnificent Mile with its countless upscale dining and shopping locations, a grocery store, plus the subway and other public transportation options.

Constructed of limestone and brick with added upscale features and lavish design elements, the vintage building features such period additions as a birdcage elevator, plus original moldings and hardwoods, oversized 100+ year old wood doors and tall, soaring ceilings. …

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Where to go in the Gold Coast For Deep Dish Pizza

Posted by Helaine Cohen on April 14th, 2015

The on-going debate about whether deep dish pizza or thin crust pizza is better will likely go on forever, but no matter who you are or which you prefer, it’s hard to argue how tasty deep dish pizza can be, even if you are a thin crust fan. And given the Windy City is the official home of deep dish pizza, we thought we’d highlight just a few of our favorite deep dish joints in one of our favorite downtown Chicago neighborhoods, the Gold Coast. So, if you’re ever in the neighborhood and feel like pizza for dinner, here’s a look at where to go for a great experience.

Lou Malnati’s - 1120 N State St

One of Chicago’s most famous restaurants for deep dish, it’s hard finding a better deep dish experience than Lou Malnati’s. Along with being right in the…

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A Guide For Biking and Cycling in Chicago

Posted by Helaine Cohen on April 12th, 2015

Although the weather can still be a little dicey in April, we’re still getting closer and closer to the warm weather season, which means many of us are just itching to get outside. And although some of us still choose to exercise outdoors all year round, it’s usually just a bit more pleasant when we’re not out there freezing our trails off.

One of the best forms of exercising is riding a bike, and because Chicago seems to get more and more bike-friendly with each passing year, there’s a lot the Windy City has to offer cyclists, regardless of whether you bike for leisure or as your main source of transportation. So, with spring and summer right around the corner, here’s a look at our biker’s guide to Chicago:

Best Place to Ride

Lakefront Trial

…

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There's More to West Loop Rentals Than Just Lofts

Posted by Helaine Cohen on March 31st, 2015

It’s no secret that luxury rentals in Chicago are red hot right now, and perhaps the one neighborhood that this is most evident is the West Loop. Over the past several years, development in the West Loop neighborhood, on both the residential and commercial side of things, has been as active as anywhere in the city, making it one of the most desirable places to call home if you’re looking for a lively, vibrant, and unique urban setting.

In general, when most people think about West Loop real estate, and West Loop rentals in particular, trendy loft conversions might be the first thing that come to mind. But just like the West Loop’s thriving restaurant scene over on Randolph Street, West Loop rentals can also be quite diverse in their own right.

Yes, plenty…

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Luxury Condo Tower Coming to 9 W. Walton in the Gold Coast

Posted by Helaine Cohen on March 29th, 2015

More luxury condos look to be coming to the Gold Coast, as reports are now coming out about a possible new high-rise project coming to 9 W. Walton. Being developed by JDL Development, this new 36-story, 67-unit tower has quietly been selling for the past several months, but now that the project seems to firmly be a go, official announcements are finally being made.

A report last week from Crain’s Chicago Business claims 22 units at the new 9 W. Walton building, being dubbed No. 9 Walton, have already been reserved, while JDL is still continuing to take inquiries.

To date, this is the largest condo project proposed in Chicago in the crash, as mostly all new development around town over the past 12 to 18 months has focused largely on luxury rentals. When…

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The Guild: Contemporary New Lofts at 1555 S. Wabash

Posted by Helaine Cohen on March 25th, 2015

After trying to rent out the contemporary new loft units over at 1555 South Wabash Ave. failed, a strong re-marketing effort is currently underway at this impressive 14 story tower, which is located right in the heart of Chicago’s rapidly developing South Loop neighborhood.

For our money, you can’t find a more chic and stylish unit anywhere in the area right now, and when you combine the new construction element with it’s awesome downtown location, it’s hard not to consider the striking new loft building that’s now known as The Guild.

Inside, spacious floor plans, gourmet Chefs kitchen’s, high concrete ceilings, huge windows, and fabulous views of the surrounding downtown Chicago landscape are only a fraction of what makes the loss for sale at 50 E. 16th…

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