@dennisrodkin.bsky.social
I cover residential real estate for Crain's Chicago Business and do the "What's That Building?' segments on WBEZ.
Here are some of the highlights: well preserved stained glass and carpentry details, and the billowy plants of the green roof.
March 28, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Here are some of the highlights: well preserved stained glass and carpentry details, and the billowy plants of the green roof.
And it's going to look like this:
March 25, 2025 at 12:58 PM
And it's going to look like this:
"We believe the core city must find innovative solutions to living and working in a metropolis," Hancock's chief said. "The sky seemed the answer."
March 25, 2025 at 12:58 PM
"We believe the core city must find innovative solutions to living and working in a metropolis," Hancock's chief said. "The sky seemed the answer."
A 100-story tower will be built on North Michigan Avenue and named for source of its financing, John Hancock life insuranve company, Trib reported OTD in 1965.
March 25, 2025 at 12:58 PM
A 100-story tower will be built on North Michigan Avenue and named for source of its financing, John Hancock life insuranve company, Trib reported OTD in 1965.
90 years later, here's that block (as seen on Google Maps). Not black marble and metal, but looking very fine.
March 24, 2025 at 1:48 PM
90 years later, here's that block (as seen on Google Maps). Not black marble and metal, but looking very fine.
A new block of shops at Bryn Mawr and Winthrop will have a modern style, clad in black marble and metal, Trib reported OTD in 1935.
March 24, 2025 at 1:48 PM
A new block of shops at Bryn Mawr and Winthrop will have a modern style, clad in black marble and metal, Trib reported OTD in 1935.
"A must in every teenager's life," Polk Bros proclaimed about the 48-inch, 4-stringed Polk-a-lay-lee in a Tribune ad OTD in 1965.
March 19, 2025 at 12:55 PM
"A must in every teenager's life," Polk Bros proclaimed about the 48-inch, 4-stringed Polk-a-lay-lee in a Tribune ad OTD in 1965.
I just walked through some new houses where from the front balcony you can see both the original + later Sears towers, and from the back balcony, former John Hancock.
That's very Chicago-y, but it's not the main reason I went to see these houses. That'll be in a story Monday.
That's very Chicago-y, but it's not the main reason I went to see these houses. That'll be in a story Monday.
March 14, 2025 at 7:52 PM
I just walked through some new houses where from the front balcony you can see both the original + later Sears towers, and from the back balcony, former John Hancock.
That's very Chicago-y, but it's not the main reason I went to see these houses. That'll be in a story Monday.
That's very Chicago-y, but it's not the main reason I went to see these houses. That'll be in a story Monday.
This cool midcentury Catholic church went up for sale today at $3 m. Santa Maria Addolorata, 1315 W. Ohio.
Parish opened in 1903. This church built in 1960 and closed in 2021. I haven't seen the name of the architect. The site is 4/10 of an acre.
Parish opened in 1903. This church built in 1960 and closed in 2021. I haven't seen the name of the architect. The site is 4/10 of an acre.
March 10, 2025 at 3:40 PM
This cool midcentury Catholic church went up for sale today at $3 m. Santa Maria Addolorata, 1315 W. Ohio.
Parish opened in 1903. This church built in 1960 and closed in 2021. I haven't seen the name of the architect. The site is 4/10 of an acre.
Parish opened in 1903. This church built in 1960 and closed in 2021. I haven't seen the name of the architect. The site is 4/10 of an acre.
July 1955: never mind. Carson's is buying the building after all.
March 4, 2025 at 3:33 PM
July 1955: never mind. Carson's is buying the building after all.
It's a complex situation having to do with the long-term lease at State + Madison and Carson's spurned attempt to buy, but will result in construction of new department store space at a cost of $3 million to $5 million (equal to $36 to $59 m today).
March 4, 2025 at 3:33 PM
It's a complex situation having to do with the long-term lease at State + Madison and Carson's spurned attempt to buy, but will result in construction of new department store space at a cost of $3 million to $5 million (equal to $36 to $59 m today).
Carson Pirie & Scott plans to move out of the building at State and Madison where it's been since August 1904, Trib reported OTD in 1955.
March 4, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Carson Pirie & Scott plans to move out of the building at State and Madison where it's been since August 1904, Trib reported OTD in 1955.
Vintage Bath of the Week! It's in a 1927 house on Hermitage in Rogers Park that sold this week for $737,000.
February 28, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Vintage Bath of the Week! It's in a 1927 house on Hermitage in Rogers Park that sold this week for $737,000.
Lots of great curves + other details of the style inside, but of course my favorite is the two baths that still have back-painted glass on their walls.
February 21, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Lots of great curves + other details of the style inside, but of course my favorite is the two baths that still have back-painted glass on their walls.
Although the number of Black households in the suburbs is very small, their population has tripled in a year after no gains for several years, Trib reported OTD in 1965.
February 18, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Although the number of Black households in the suburbs is very small, their population has tripled in a year after no gains for several years, Trib reported OTD in 1965.
This 50th-floor condo on Erie Street, on + off market since Oct 2021, took a price cut today that puts the asking price below what sellers paid in May 2004.
Bought 5/04: $2,625,000
Listed 10/21: $3,495,000
As of today, asking: $2,395,000
Bought 5/04: $2,625,000
Listed 10/21: $3,495,000
As of today, asking: $2,395,000
February 14, 2025 at 6:59 PM
This 50th-floor condo on Erie Street, on + off market since Oct 2021, took a price cut today that puts the asking price below what sellers paid in May 2004.
Bought 5/04: $2,625,000
Listed 10/21: $3,495,000
As of today, asking: $2,395,000
Bought 5/04: $2,625,000
Listed 10/21: $3,495,000
As of today, asking: $2,395,000
I'll talk about the fastest-rising home prices and other real estate news on the WGN Morning News after 9:15, including this house where buyers who see the property tax bill throw their hands up and shout.
February 7, 2025 at 2:50 PM
I'll talk about the fastest-rising home prices and other real estate news on the WGN Morning News after 9:15, including this house where buyers who see the property tax bill throw their hands up and shout.
First time I've seen a listing say a house has "Disney Princess" charm.
It's a house in Kenilworth that sold yesterday for $1.85 m.
It's a house in Kenilworth that sold yesterday for $1.85 m.
February 4, 2025 at 7:09 PM
First time I've seen a listing say a house has "Disney Princess" charm.
It's a house in Kenilworth that sold yesterday for $1.85 m.
It's a house in Kenilworth that sold yesterday for $1.85 m.
View of Lake Point Tower from the front door of Navy Pier.
February 3, 2025 at 6:56 PM
View of Lake Point Tower from the front door of Navy Pier.