It’s been a good run.
But it’s time to pass the torch to a new owner of 1516 W. Chestnut #2.
Shalva’s doing the official MLS listing. But I wanted to write down a few things for those considering taking the proverbial torch.
What we’re going to miss
With time, we’ll be able to recreate some of the following at our new place in Minnesota. Some of these, however, are unique to the condo and its location (or are simply not something we’ll have again until we build a house from scratch).
In no particular order, here are some the things we’ll miss about living at 1516 W. Chestnut #2.
The Lights: Abundant and adjustable for any mood.
The living room TV: It’s nicely mounted above the fire place. And for movie night, it comes down two feet to eye-level. I’ll definitely be buying one of these mounts for our new place. Total game changer.
Surround sound: Have always had it but being the built-in wiring made setup super easy.
Nest thermostat: Doubtful our new place will come with one.
Wifi access points throughout: Houses seem to always have dead spots for catching Wifi. We’ll have a great Wifi setup in our new place, but I do not look forward to the work required to set it up right. Not to mention, doubtful it will be as sleek with the wiring built into the walls here.
Ceiling fans (with remote!): Such a simple, modern luxury. Will add them to our new place if necessary.
Yoga, tanning on the rooftop
Day drinking on the rooftop
Dinner parties on the rooftop
Movie night on the rooftop: Few things are as fun, romantic than a 100 inch movie screen* on your rooftop.
4th of July on the rooftop: A dozen homemade fireworks shows within a few blocks. 30 professional shows into the distance. A 4th of July experience that cannot be topped.
Breakfast on the back deck
Quiet reading on back deck
The library: Walking there to do work, pick up books for Shalva.
Wintertime baths
The heat lamp in our bathroom: A modern luxury I’m not sure how I’m ever going to live without.
The rainforest shower
Dual sinks: This assumes we don’t have this in our new place.
High ceilings: One of the things I was looking for when leaving the high-rise life. Who knows if our new place will have.
Hosting: Let’s be real. We’ll have an awesome kitchen in our new place. But I’ll miss using the island as a buffet, hosting up to eight people for sit-down or 20 for cocktails.
Such a beautiful kitchen: Good thing it will live on in many of our YouTube vids.
Breakfasts for two (in the nook)
Thoughtful construction throughout: Outlets everywhere, switches where they should be, storage everywhere.
Scooter rides: Taking our scooter with us, but who knows if our new neighborhood will be as conducive to summertime rides.
Board games by the fireplace
Southern sun: Can’t say enough about this. Will never not have a southern-facing home.
Fancy blinds: Doubt I’ll ever opt to buy fancy blinds like these.
Quiet, fancy cabinets
Quiet, fancy drawers
Quiet, fancy toilet seats: Non-slamming toilet seats were new to me here. I’ll miss them until I install similar ones in our new place.
White board closet door in our office: An easy, fun project we’ll probably do again for its simple practicality.
Walk-in closet with custom shelving: So nice.
Walks up and down Milwaukee
Walks up and down Division: Close, but far enough away so it’s not obtrusive.
Wicker Park Athletic Club
Eckart Park: Off-leash walks with our dog there daily. Pickup basketball. Intramural softball. So close. So good.
Mariano’s dinner dates: Lame, but kinda fun.
Dive bar bar crawls down Chicago Ave: Not replaceable.
Saturday walks to Stan’s Donuts
Grocery runs to Stanley’s, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods
Division Blue Line
Mon Lung: Incredible, family-owned, carryout Chinese.
Nori: 50% off all specialty sushi rolls every day until 4pm.
Black Dog Gelato
What used to be Ugly Mug Cafe
West Town Diner
Roots Pizza
Hoosier Mama
Five Star Bar: Pool, especially.
Blue Awning: Officially called Alegria’s — little known but amazing Mexican Seafood
Our life here: Wow it was so good.
What we’re not going to miss
Walking up the stairs to get inside front door
Seemingly constant construction: Buildings like ours seem to be going up every day.
Rapid gentrification on Chestnut Street: I’ve made friends with people who’ve lived on this street for decades. We appreciate the diversity. Not going to miss yet another 3-flat displace a family that’s been in the neighborhood for three generations.
Gas-powered fireplace: Call me old school, but I yearn for a plain ‘ol, wood-burning fireplace.
Ruxbin: we never went, so can’t really say we’ll miss it. Although it’s supposed to be one of the best restaurants in the city, I’ll miss having that as a bragging point.
The ice cream man: Every summer day at 5pm, his truck’s ice-cream-man music disturbs my work flow. And I don’t eat ice cream. I will not miss him at all.
Parking in the tight garage spot: Not tighter than normal Chicago, off-alley spots. Figure we’ll probably have a bit more room to maneuver in MN.
Bumping butts while cooking in the kitchen: The kitchen is gorgeous and nice, but deceptively tight. Now that I think about it, maybe I will miss bumping butts.
Having to go down two flights of stairs from rooftop: …to get another cocktail
Not having a true backyard for our dog
4th of July: While being a really cool experience seeing and hearing all the shows, it’s stressful for my dog and me.
Work that new owners should plan for
Both bedrooms were painted less than one year ago. The dishwasher has nearly all new components (repair guy told us it’s basically a new dishwasher now). Wine fridge makes an annoying noise occasionally, but still works. Fridge water pours delicious, filtered water slower than we’d like. #firstworldproblems
Really, it’s just paint. And we would have painted for you, but figured you’d want to pick your color.
And if you want to stain the rooftop deck. It could use a fresh stain.
So, plan to paint. Otherwise, it’s turnkey.
Our hope for the new owners
A dog: This place is wonderful for a dog. Tons of friendly dogs in the neighborhood. And Eckart Park.
A friendly neighbor: We’ve befriended the owners in the building as well as several others on the block. Hoping to keep the good vibes going.
A desire to make good use of the rooftop: In our short time here, our grandiose plans to “pimp-out” the rooftop never came to fruition.
And as my grandmother used to always say, “Use it in good health.”
Listing pics (click for big)
Other media (click to watch)
(Feel free to contact shalvageffen @ gmail for more info about the listing or to setup a showing.)
Thanks,
LG