Say you're moving across the country to order an old, authentic slice of the big city life in downtown Chicago.
You grew up just outside the city borders until college. But, before you ever had a chance to go back home to live out the dream in the city you love, life had other plans. Until now.

You've outgrown that stage in your life where the only goal was to live it 24/7 and party all the time. You've developed a newfound appreciation for style and class, sophistication and social grace. At the same time, you still have a very strong desire to see what the city's electricity can do to stir your soul.

Your creative juices really warm up at cultural institutions of virtually every distinction. You'd like to open your eyes to amazement at art galleries and exhibitions, your ears to the flow of music at the symphony orchestras, your lungs to a breath of fresh air at parks along the waterfront (where you'll have a 30-foot boat docked), your brain to challenging thought-provoking ideas at world-class institutions of higher learning, your vocal cords to inspire the home team at Soldier Field, Comiskey Park and the United Center. You want all that good stuff along with 4 real seasons, and that's why you're moving back to Sweet Home Chicago.

I understand that's a lot to ask for and I understand it comes with a price.

Let's say you have $450,000 to play with and you're looking for a one- or two-bedroom condo. You're open to all ideas as long as you can move in no later than 2008.

Of all these exciting new downtown residential developments that are discussed here on these boards as if they were religion, which distinguished place of residence would you name as your first dream home in downtown Chicago - and why?

i would buy in One Museum Park, you will get a lot more for your money in the south loop than you would in streeterville or river north. also, the appreciation will be greater in the south loop.

I would rather buy a 2-3 flat in a very nice neighborhood. You can get alot more for not much more then 450k and get some rental income too. Like old town, or wicker park,and lincoln park. Full of 700k 2 flats or 3 flats. 450k for a condo is ridiculous

OK, what if you wanted to have walking-distance proximity to all the action surrounding the inner Loop, immediate access to a nice grocery store and only a couple of blocks separating your residence from an L stop. I suppose convenient access to the boat would be nice, although the location of the dock is yet to be determined.

1. The area around Millennium Park is obviously pretty hot right now. If the Waterview (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=268358) opened up in 2008, that'd probably be worth stretching the wallet for.

2. Just like Waterview, Aqua (http://www.studiogang.net/site/projects_e1.htm) is a very exciting development - almost perfect, perhaps - but I'm guessing Aqua will be a tad bit on the pricey side for a modest $450,000 budget, and it probably won't be done by 2008 anyway. Or will it?

What other factors would you consider?

3. Any opinions on the Heritage (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=268358)? That seems like a real nice all-around option.

4. When is the Legacy (http://www.thelegacyatmillenniumpark.com/home.asp) expected to open its doors?

5. I know Millennium Park Plaza (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=431620&highlight=Park+Ridge+Michigan+Chicago) has been scoring some major points around here for giving the NW corner of MP a badly-needed face lift (largely by blocking out that black of a building on the corner). With such a great location, MPP would definitely be worth checking into, but it probably won't even be under construction until 2008.

6. What about that big tall glass building (http://img433.imageshack.us/img433/8927/p10104435yx.jpg) that's already under construction right across the river from Waterview? Any opinions on that one?

Of course, the Chicago Spire (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=403465) would be the ultimate, and the Trump Tower (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=226082) would probably provide for a pretty lavish lifestyle. But, for the time being, those two destinations are a little bit out of reach. We'll keep them tucked away in the back of the mind and hopefully be in position to place them under consideration for the next residential upgrade. Afterall, you have to crawl before you can walk and those two places are flying high in the sky.

Anyway, I'm definitely open to any and all ideas with regard to this subject. Please don't hesitate to drop your two cents (or three) in the collection bin because time is of the essence here. *thumbs up* :bowtie:

How important are skyline (or lake) views? How important is the exterior architecture of the building?

I would look at Dearborn Tower, 899 and 901 South Plymouth, State Place, Wells Street Tower, Burnham Pointe, The Columbian, and maybe 41 East 8th and 1111 South Wabash.

Because they're 25 years old and don't have balconies, I think 899 and 901 are really good values, whose killer skyline views are protected by parks and historic districts.

^Yeah, buy in the south loop, better buys over there, and close enough to everything. A little south of roosevelt theres also the Museum park condos, Prarie pointe, and Michigan Avenue towers I and II (II will be done 2008). Those are all luxury condos with nice amenities - cant go wrong. I also would suggest checking out the Heritage, the Legacy (finishing around 2009). The Legacy was definitely within your budget, but since const. started may have gone up. Actually, if I could afford it I would buy there. Shit, 450k will get you an awesome condo - you've got tons of choices.

Also, LSE is always available, but I personally dont like that development that much, not enough of a neighborhood feel yet. And its pretty expensive.

However, if you want to wait longer, try to buy in Park Michigan, at 800 S Mich. That place will be the best development, great location, w/ the best views IMO (park, lake, city etc.), and most importantly, you can contribute to a building that will vastly improve the city skyline. A total win-win, for you and us skyscraper fanatics.

Oh yeah, the astoria tower might be a good buy too. Theres tons of new developments around the south loop.

Uh, Museum Park and Museum Park. That's my final answer. You have lovely views whether it be the lake or what not.

http://www.museumpark.com/

I would rather buy a 2-3 flat in a very nice neighborhood. You can get alot more for not much more then 450k and get some rental income too. Like old town, or wicker park,and lincoln park. Full of 700k 2 flats or 3 flats. 450k for a condo is ridiculous

you couldnt purchase a 2-3 flat in any of those neighborhoods for 450k

OK, what if you wanted to have walking-distance proximity to all the action surrounding the inner Loop, immediate access to a nice grocery store and only a couple of blocks separating your residence from an L stop. I suppose convenient access to the boat would be nice, although the location of the dock is yet to be determined.

1. The area around Millennium Park is obviously pretty hot right now. If the Waterview (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=268358) opened up in 2008, that'd probably be worth stretching the wallet for.

2. Just like Waterview, Aqua (http://www.studiogang.net/site/projects_e1.htm) is a very exciting development - almost perfect, perhaps - but I'm guessing Aqua will be a tad bit on the pricey side for a modest $450,000 budget, and it probably won't be done by 2008 anyway. Or will it?

What other factors would you consider?

3. Any opinions on the Heritage (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=268358)? That seems like a real nice all-around option.

4. When is the Legacy (http://www.thelegacyatmillenniumpark.com/home.asp) expected to open its doors?

5. I know Millennium Park Plaza (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=431620&highlight=Park+Ridge+Michigan+Chicago) has been scoring some major points around here for giving the NW corner of MP a badly-needed face lift (largely by blocking out that black of a building on the corner). With such a great location, MPP would definitely be worth checking into, but it probably won't even be under construction until 2008.

6. What about that big tall glass building (http://img433.imageshack.us/img433/8927/p10104435yx.jpg) that's already under construction right across the river from Waterview? Any opinions on that one?

Of course, the Chicago Spire (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=403465) would be the ultimate, and the Trump Tower (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=226082) would probably provide for a pretty lavish lifestyle. But, for the time being, those two destinations are a little bit out of reach. We'll keep them tucked away in the back of the mind and hopefully be in position to place them under consideration for the next residential upgrade. Afterall, you have to crawl before you can walk and those two places are flying high in the sky.

Anyway, I'm definitely open to any and all ideas with regard to this subject. Please don't hesitate to drop your two cents (or three) in the collection bin because time is of the essence here. *thumbs up* :bowtie:

2bedroom condos in waterview and aqua, will more likely cost you around
800k

Yea I'd say the highrises in Central Station are the best bang for your buck.
OMP and OMPW. A 1 bedroom in 1600 Museum Park costs less than 300K and the view is great.

But for a better neighborhood, Lake Shore East seems nicer. But you pay for it too.

I'd buy a floor in a brownstone in east Lakeview or Lincoln Park. Love the skyscrapers, but I'm just sayin'.

^^^^^Agreed, only I would go to Wicker Park. I would want to live right by the damen blue line though. If not Wicker Park, then Lincoln Park or Lakeview. I think age has to do so much with it. Albeit, downtown is the most popular and dense area, it is not the hub for 20-30 year olds in terms of nightlife. There is plenty of nightlife in downtown, but it is mixed with touristy crap like Rainforest Cafe, McDonald's etc. Lincoln Park, Lakeview, and Wicker Park offer a more authentic Chicgao youngster type of place to live. After thirty when I calm down, I would most definately would want to live in downtown. Preferably streeterville.

Also, Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, and Lakeview are not as diverse in age as downtown. Many people you see in Lakeview, and Wicker Park (little less in Lincoln Park), are in their 20's or 30's. In downtown the age range seems to go from 20-100, to bums.

I would rent an apartment at Kingsbury Plaza and wait for it to convert to Condominiums.

^^^^^Agreed, only I would go to Wicker Park. I would want to live right by the damen blue line though. If not Wicker Park, then Lincoln Park or Lakeview. I think age has to do so much with it. Albeit, downtown is the most popular and dense area, it is not the hub for 20-30 year olds in terms of nightlife. There is plenty of nightlife in downtown, but it is mixed with touristy crap like Rainforest Cafe, McDonald's etc. Lincoln Park, Lakeview, and Wicker Park offer a more authentic Chicgao youngster type of place to live. After thirty when I calm down, I would most definately would want to live in downtown. Preferably streeterville.


that's exactly what happened to me. i lived in wrigelyville for years, but as i was approaching my 30th birthday, it became apparent that it was time for me to move on. it was wierd and unsettling to only be 29 years old and still be the oldest person in a bar. i realized that i needed a wider diversity of age. so i moved downtown. wrigleyville is shitloads of fun, but really only up until a certain point where the constant drinking starts catching up with you.

The more 'hip' places are also economically less risky, they will tend to command a good investment return, particularly Lincoln Park. (Oh, yeah you could check out the highrise development Lincoln Park 2560? Thats damn expensive though) But I find those areas to be too ... homogenous in some places especially in lakeview and Lincoln park. I get sick of seeing college age looking people all the time, trendy peoples; I saw enough of them in college. I would rather see diversity in age, race, and I dont know... style? All them dudes have the same haircut it seems.

If you want an extension of college though, then move to those areas; like a lincoln park, or east lakeview. I think its tired though, but then, thats from my experience - plus i never really fit in with most of the bar scene over there. Wicker park is a little more interesting to me. Totally depends on your taste obviously.

you couldnt purchase a 2-3 flat in any of those neighborhoods for 450k


Yes it would be 800k+ most likely but you would only be living in about 1/3 of it and still able to enjoy a garage and yard. Collect about 3-4 grand in rents to take off of a 6k mortgage your doing alot better then just paying a large mortgage on a condo. Also your renters would be helping you build more equity. If you can get approved for a 450k condo you can def buy a million dollar multi unit. But alot of people fell they dont want to be landlords and such which keeps the prices down on the 2-3 flats to beneath that of single families!

I would stay in the same unit I live in now (91st floor of the Hancock) except own it instead of renting it. I also agree with people who say that downtown offers a more diverse group of people than living in a place like Wrigleyville, even though I am only 26 and still the age of many people living in these single yuppy enclaves it just seems to me those places are missing something. I honestly dont want to live in a place where everyone is the same age as me and has the same background, also being a native Chicagoan myself sometimes I feel that some of these ex-suburban yuppies dont really know what urban life is really about. I live downtown and see people of every age group from 20's to very elderly, thats the way it is in my building but it seems oriented towards older people, sometimes you even see children but its hard to tell which actually live in the building full-time and which are just visiting their grandparents. Its also the fact that I see all of the people who work downtown monday-friday and even the tourists as annoying as they may be at times. Its only downtown that you can see Chicagoans from every walk of life regardless of whether they live downtown or not.

I would stay in the same unit I live in now (91st floor of the Hancock) except own it instead of renting it. I also agree with people who say that downtown offers a more diverse group of people than living in a place like Wrigleyville, even though I am only 26 and still the age of many people living in these single yuppy enclaves it just seems to me those places are missing something. I honestly dont want to live in a place where everyone is the same age as me and has the same background, also being a native Chicagoan myself sometimes I feel that some of these ex-suburban yuppies dont really know what urban life is really about. I live downtown and see people of every age group from 20's to very elderly, thats the way it is in my building but it seems oriented towards older people, sometimes you even see children but its hard to tell which actually live in the building full-time and which are just visiting their grandparents. Its also the fact that I see all of the people who work downtown monday-friday and even the tourists as annoying as they may be at times. Its only downtown that you can see Chicagoans from every walk of life regardless of whether they live downtown or not.

I sort of agree with what you're saying. I'd love to move south or a little a west. But away from places like Wicker Park/Lincoln Park. Those places to me just seem overly dull and too congested.

Also, LSE is always available, but I personally dont like that development that much, not enough of a neighborhood feel yet. And its pretty expensive.

I would highly recommend LSE...you could probably find a great two bedroom for 450K with spectacular views...my parents have a two bedroom in LSE and I absolutely love that place. Super close to Michigan and still separated enough from the bustle to have a neighborhood feel...I've seen quite a few families with young children in my building...check out:

Aqua, Chandler, Regatta, Parkshore, 340 on the Park, Shoreham, and Lancaster, to name a few

i say we go to grand victoria and utilize that money up to its red penny

The Heritage is the big winner.

^Congratulations! What was the deciding factor?

The Heritage is the big winner.

You got a steal at the Heritage for 2 Bd. @ $450k.

You got a steal at the Heritage for 2 Bd. @ $450k.

No kidding. Congrats....that's a quality building in the heart of Chicago.