It is easy to be swept away by the sleekness of the two-story terrazzo and marble lobby as well as the sophisticated decor and the loft-like openness of the model units at The Metropolitan condominium in Edgewater community on Chicago’s North Side.
The architect and the designers have done a masterful job of transforming these areas of the 25-story building being converted from apartments to 253 condos.
But, as with most conversions, buyers will need to do a thorough investigation of the exact unit they plan to buy, particularly first-time buyers who may be dazzled by renovations that have been made but don’t ask to see the specific condo they expect to live in.
A tour of the models to determine size, location and views, coupled with a walk through the building to check out its condition and amenities are not enough.
Models can be absolutely delectable places, offering every single thing a buyer is looking for. But, it’s unlikely that the purchased unit is going to duplicate everything in a model–unless, of course, a person buys a model.
Each of the Metropolitan’s five models looks good, some terrific, as in the case of the largest (830 square feet) one-bedroom unit (with a west view), No. 1511, called Ravenswood and base-priced at $122,520.
The door opens to a foyer with direct access to a super-contemporary, inky black kitchen separated only by a counter from the dining and living areas. Structural pillars, one painted silver, act as dividing elements. A white sofa, in front of a mirrored wall, wraps around a corner to the wall of windows. There’s plenty of room for a large coffee table, two more comfy chairs plus side tables. Roomy enough. Very good looking.
There’s a 10-foot by nearly 15-foot bedroom with three smallish closets, a nice-sized bathroom and, at the entry, a large guest closet.
The impulse? I’ll take it.
To his credit, sales associate Jeff Leider is quick to point out, “This one’s got $37,000 in upgrades.” That brings the price to the brink of $160,000.
Upgrades demonstrate a unit’s possibilities. No problem. But, it’s essential for buyers to know about upgrades and standard amenities upfront and doubly important to see undecorated units or works-in-progress, as well.
The Ravenswood gets that spacious feel because a closet and a kitchen wall have been removed, a counter open to the dining area has been added, as have black appliances, 42-inch cabinets, custom lighting, granite counters and miracle-making mirrors.
Mirrored walls and mirrors are ubiquitous in all the models, giving the illusion that the space is practically double what it really is.
Decorators use a wall of mirrors as well as a floor-to-ceiling sheer drapery in No. 1510, The Bucktown, to make this studio look, well, bigger than it is. The decorating is ingenious with that sheer “wall” separating the sleeping area from the living/dining space, a grand total of just over 18 by 20 feet.
Lakeview North, No. 1508, with two bedrooms and bathrooms and a terrace facing north and east (with a lake view), is priced at $175,550 and has $35,000 in upgrades, bringing it to $221,550. . It is one of two units on each floor with minimal windows and an odd shape, resulting in a living room with one very angled wall and the master bedroom with two angled walls. Each bedroom has but one window and the living room only has the balcony doors and adjacent window to keep in touch with the outside world. I’d find this strange configuration and near absence of windows difficult to live in.
Club North, No. 1507, with $37,000 in upgrades (bringing the cost for this model as shown to $188,980), has a wall of east-facing windows across its living room, ditto for its adjacent bedroom. It’s compact, has good closets and its one angled wall serves it well, offering a niche for dining space in front of its open kitchen. It’s worth checking out, but look beyond the flamboyant decor.
All units will be painted and get new carpeting and appliances; otherwise, they’re as-is. The exceptions: Two-bedroom units also get new kitchens; penthouses, which have the same floor plans and top-floor location, get new everything.
The cabinets, bathrooms, kitchens, even some of the appliances in the non-furnished models I looked at seemed OK, though I did see some things (like cracked vinyl flooring) that I would not find acceptable at all. . Savvy prospective buyers will look at every inch of the exact unit they’re considering.
Something to think about: If in-unit laundry facilities are important, space can be found for a washer/dryer combo ($1,200), but the hook-up will cost $2,500.
