Address: 1236-38 1/2 W. Carmen Ave.
Size: 550 square feet.
Rent: $450.
Age of building: About 84 years old.
Security deposit: 120 percent of one month`s rent, or $540.
Floors in buildings: 3 1/2-story walkup.
Utilities: Heat and hot water included; resident pays for electricity and cooking gas.
Parking: On street.
Special features: Laundry room in building.
This 15-unit, L-shaped brick building is a standout on its block, thanks to the light green wrought iron fence in front, plantings of red geraniums and a large for rent sign.
It also stands out because of the work that is taking place on the other side of the fence: The building wears the look of a fresh sandblasting and tuckpointing. In fact, the work is in progress. You hear workers calling to each other, machinery buzzing and the faint sound of classical music from a workman`s radio.
Carmen is a residential street that looks like most blocks in this North Side neighborhood on the border of Edgewater and Uptown. There are single- and multi-family homes and, like many of the city`s streets, some look like they belong to landlords and tenants who care, and others reflect years of neglect. The 1236-38 1/2 building, owned by Hugh Hodur, looks like its landlord cares.
If you`re an apartment shopper who has landed that first job after college or a single person with a studio- or one-bedroom-sized budget, you may find a home here to fit your lifestyle.
Exposed brick
When you enter this apartment you come into a small entryway that divides the unit into its compact living sections.
As you walk through, you`ll find a mixture of exposed brick walls and finished ones painted off-white. There floors are hardwood in the living room and hallway; tile in the bathroom and kitchen; and carpeted in gray wall-to-wall in the bedroom.
The bedroom is to your left as you enter, and the bathroom is to your right.
The bedroom has a large window with white mini-blinds. About 10 by 10 feet, it can comfortably accommodate a full-size bed and a nightstand.
The bathroom has all the necessities minus one, depending on how you feel about bubble baths. There is a white pedestal sink, white toilet and a glass- enclosed shower.
There is, however, no bathtub, but its absence means there`s more space. Also, the water pressure from the shower is like a spa, according to the testimony of one resident who stopped by to literally test the waters of an apartment he had recently rented and was waiting to move into.
The upper half of the bathroom walls is painted a soft aqua and the lower half is a white and black ceramic wall tile. The floor is white ceramic tile. There is also a glass-block window with a screened opening that lets in fresh air.
Your short entryway continues to lead to the living room and the kitchen. The living room is a bit larger than the bedroom, maybe 12 by 12 feet. It can accommodate a sofa bed, drafting table and a small entertainment center. Three windows stretch across one living room wall.
Peninsula kitchen
The kitchen is just across your short hall. A peninsula-style counter opens this space to the living room and means you can use bar stools to make this an eat-in area and have space to prepare meals.
The white refrigerator and stove complement the white Euro-style cabinets, which have light brown wood trim. There`s more kitchen storage in a pantry. The floor is a mauve vinyl tile.
From your kitchen, you have access to your back door, which leads to the building`s rear porch.
Apartments range in size from 550 to 1,000 square feet. The units have been gutted and now offer new plumbing and electrical wiring. Recessed lighting is found throughout the apartment.
Some shoppers may complain that the 550 square feet is more the size of a studio than a one-bedroom. But the smaller size may translate into bigger savings in rent.
The building`s location puts you between two major streets-Clark and Broadway-and as a result there`s good access to major bus lines.
But you won`t need a bus to savor a wide variety of ethnic cuisine, which is available at nearby restaurants. On Clark there are Turkish, Swedish, Iranian, Lebanese-Greek, Italian, Japanese and Mexican restaurants. And on Broadway there are Thai and Vietnamese restaurants.
The landlord is offering what he calls a ”pioneer discount” for renters willing to put up with construction noise during rehab work, which is continuing on some unfinished units from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Though we looked at one of the small one-bedroom apartments, there are larger one-bedrooms that are nearly 1,000 square feet. These will rent for $625 a month without the discount.
For rental information call 312-561-1079.
