August 31, 2007 - Chess Lofts, the loft conversion project that pays homage to The Chess Record Company once housed in the former warehouse back in the 1950s, is just about ready for residents to begin moving in. Interior work, including buyer’s customization choices, started on the lowest floors in July and will move on up until all the units are finished sometime in late October.

These lofts on South Prairie Avenue have the typical features you would associate with true loft design and construction. The high eleven foot ceilings, open and unobstructed floor plans plus exposed timber beams give them a vintage feel. But don’t think that you’ll have to rough it there. You still get plenty of modern perks like completely new windows, private balconies, custom made maple cabinets, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances in the kitchen and a large soaker tub in the bath.

A bit of the history of the building was preserved by restoring the lobby and keeping the original vaulted ceiling. The exterior of Chess Lofts was also restored and the two high speed elevators have been added along with a roof deck and dog run.

The lofts come in one to two bedroom and bath plans with a price tag that varies from the high $100,000 to mid $500,000 range. The developer didn’t use the cliché about getting something great for a song, but in this case it might have been fitting.

If lofts aren’t your style, there are some great Townhouses in Chicago available right now that might be perfect for you.

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August 30, 2007 - The sales center for Glas Haus Condominiums opened in February and construction has recently started. Developer Piedmont Group advertised the project as quote, “a modern, contemporary glass box.” That may be an unusual description, but from the renderings it seems pretty accurate.

The twenty-five story building was designed by architect Brininstool and Lynch who came up with the concept of incorporating three completely different but complimentary types of glass for the outside walls of the building. This use of sheets of opaque, reflective and translucent glass types is intended to create the sensation of a floating, undulating pattern across the building.

If construction goes according to plan , the 262 condos are set for occupancy by summer of 2008. Most of the units are one and two bedrooms with some two bedroom plus den condos and one penthouse suite that has three bedrooms. The unit size varies from a more modest 676 square feet on up to 1,796 square feet. Prices run comparatively from $230,000 to $810,000 per condo. Glas Haus has the standard list of interior finishes like floor to ceiling windows, hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances and spacious balconies. The building is topped with a landscaped park area complete with pool, BBQ grill space plus kitchen, lounge and dog run as well as fitness center and media room. And one of the unique features that is sure to be popular among residents is the car wash bay in the garage.

Glas Haus condos plan to open a whole new window, so to speak, on construction style. If more traditional condos appeal to you, there are plenty of Chicago Condo Lofts either already built or going up right now.

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August 29, 2007 - MoMo, that shortened moniker for Modern Momentum, has quite a lead ahead of its cousin, SoNo, which we mentioned in an earlier post was just getting started. With glass going in the windows on the upper portion of the tower on Randolph Street, it looks like developer Smithfield Properties won’t be too far off their original estimate of mid to late 2007 for construction end on the project.

MoMo’s design is interesting in that it almost looks as though it’s standing on two legs. In reality, those legs frame a void that was created to elevate the residential condos another four stories past the already four story tall base. This gives the condos on the lower floors a raised view that they otherwise wouldn’t have had due to a parking garage located close by.

If residents aren’t overly fond of the name MoMo for their building, they don’t have long to wait for a change. If all goes according to plan, the Joffrey Ballet Company of Chicago has made plans to buy the entire space on floors three and four. They will relocate there and install offices, a theater and studios. Along with the purchase of the two floors, they also bought the rights to change the name of MoMo to the Joffrey Tower after they assume occupancy in December.

With so many building projects about to wrap up in time for move in before the holidays, there may be a new supply of Rent to own condos in Chicago available soon. If you’re not ready to buy right now, it could be a good time to look into renting.

Technorati Tags: MoMo, Chicago Illinois, Chicago Condos for Sale