The newest Cost versus Value report has just been released. Leading in the midrange projects in Chicago are steel entry doors, garage door replacements, deck additions and stone veneer accents. Leading upscale projects were wood window replacements, garage door replacements and siding replacement. Unlike what television may have us believe, […]
Lifestyle
128 posts
In a recent TED Talks, James Howard Kunstler’s view, public spaces should be inspired centers of civic life and the physical manifestation of the common good. Instead, he argues, what we have in America is a nation of places not worth caring about. Audio only: Video:
While solar is comprised of a diverse suite of technologies, there are three main types: photovoltaics (PV), solar heating & cooling (SHC), and concentrating solar power (CSP). Homeowners and businesses interested in going solar are primarily interested in the first two technologies, while utilities and large-scale energy project developers primarily […]
Maid rooms in Paris have long been considered unattractive and secluded spaces in the beautiful Haussmann buildings, renovations commissioned napoleon III and led by Georges-Eugene Haussmann. Always located on the top level under the roof, they are characterized by their small size, with a rudimentary interior aesthetic and common circulations […]
Someone passed this along to me, and will be attempting to test this out soon. I’m leaving the details here, in case anyone else is interested. You will be using candles – so will want to be home if attempting, and as always, practice safe measures and procedures. Wanting to […]
Chicago Riverwalk Teaser from Sasaki Associates on Vimeo.
#200478943-001 / gettyimages.com With many homeowners’ spending power getting squeezed from the economy, or from sapped equity from the market downtown in previous years, many are becoming more creative in finding ways to make their home more affordable and produce cash flow in unique ways. Many of these ideas could […]
Wilmette-based real estate firm Terraco has recently purchased the Megamall site on Milwaukee, north of Fullerton. The building which housed an indoor flea market, is going to be razed with potential plans of retail spaces, anchor stores and potential apartments. This is the same site that the city and local […]
Green roofs have long been promoted as an easy and effective strategy for beautifying the building and increasing investment opportunity, especially in areas where outdoor space is limited. Condo associations have even started to implement green roofs and planter boxes for residents. There are additional benefits to green roofs as […]
(source: Proud Green Home) Driven by strong year-over-year growth in the utility and residential markets, the United States installed 1,330 megawatts of solar photovoltaics (PV) in the first quarter of 2014. According to GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industry Association’s (SEIA) Q1 2014 U.S. Solar Market Insight Report, the U.S. […]
The spring market is in full swing and many residents are moving into new housing. Many are debating whether purchasing is still a great option, or whether renting is better suited for them.
Though it may not fully feel like it, spring is upon us! April showers, is the time many homeowners start to prep their lawns and gardens for the coming summer. But there are a few things some homeowners can do to not only make their lawns green, but themselves. Typically, […]
Developer Garrett Kelleher has reached an agreement with his largest creditor, Related Cos., over a financing plan that would allow him to keep control of the Chicago Spire site and potentially search for construction financing
Great discussion on WBEZ talking about security deposits in Chicago, and zombie properties.
(Crain’s) Steve Fifield is pushing a big idea for the West Loop: Millennium Park West. The Chicago developer has been pitching anyone who will listen about his $300 million proposal to build a 15-acre park over a stretch of the Kennedy Expressway running from Lake to Adams streets. He’s convinced […]
On November 19, 2013, Mayor Rahm Emanuel unveiled the design renderings for the new 95th Street Red Line station, a project to modernize transit and promote economic opportunity on Chicago’s South Side. CTA 95th Red Line station rendering on Flickr
Views, windows and outdoor spaces are some of the most in-vogue amenities in luxury homes as listed by Trulia.
The American Council For An Energy-Efficient Economy released its score card that ranks cities. Chicago has come in at the top ten, ranking 9th overall as one of the greenest cities in the country. Boston topped the list primarily because of its community-wide efforts and programs, scoring 76.75 out of […]
EXPO Chicago, The international expo of contemporary / modern art and design will be at Navy Pier Sept 19-22. Full details at EXPO Chicago
The Chicago City Council has passed a controversial ordinance requiring landlords to show how much energy their buildings use. The new law requires the owners of around 3,500 commercial, residential and local government buildings in Chicago to track energy consumption and report the findings to the city, according to a […]
Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Whole Foods plan to open a new location in the Englewood neighborhood, an area which has seen minimal quality retail for several decades. Though opposition says that the store and its prices will have a difficult time connecting with consumers, Whole Foods plans to follow the […]
Air conditioning used to be a luxury — but as Doris Kim Sung points out in this talk from TEDxUSC, modernized society has become thoroughly air-conditioning reliant. This is largely a problem of materials, says Sung, a professor at the USC School of Architecture. Many new buildings — especially skyscrapers […]
The victims of convicted kidnapper Ariel Castro celebrated Wednesday as his Cleveland home was reduced to rubble. The home — known as the “house of horrors” — is where Castro held three women captive for 11 years. He was convicted Aug. 1 on charges of kidnapping, raping and assaulting the […]
From Crain’s Chicago Business: Gov. Pat Quinn yesterday vetoed legislation to provide Commonwealth Edison Co. with about $70 million in additional yearly rate hikes over the next several years. The bill, which passed both chambers of the General Assembly by veto-proof margins, is expected to become law anyway. Both the […]
There are changes coming to the parking meters in Chicago. Mayor Emanuel announced several modifications which include free parking on Sundays. For having free parking on Sundays, neighborhoods outside the downtown area which have meters that currently expire at 9 pm will now be extended an hour until 10 pm. […]
Last week’s flood left many homes with damage. Even minor flooding can cause damage to not only personal property, but dry wall, framing, floors and tile. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, flooding causes $2.9 billion in losses between 2002 and 2011. Not only are residents faced damaged property, […]
Thoughts and prayers to those in Boston…. For those who won’t be coming home. Those hurt from the horrific incident. For an entire city. Be strong Boston. The events are still unfolding, but for some, resolution will not come for some time. With a city in mourning, questions unanswered all […]
The Developer of Central Station in the South Loop neighborhood, Crescent Heights Inc, who purchased a few acres in the near South Loop neighborhood south of Roosevelt, is proposing a new exit from Lake Shore Drive at 16th Street. Currently there is no exit between Roosevelt and 31st St. This […]
There is currently a rise in thefts of homes and buildings. The thieves, however, aren’t looking at your new flat screen or jewelry box. In some cases, they don’t even have to break into your home at all… At the beginning of the year, two new laws have been created, […]
Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s plan to position Chicago for the digital age has received a warm reception from telecom providers, with several companies and industry leaders providing a RFI (Request for Information, a preliminary pitch) providing insight on the project. A total of twenty-four companies including Cisco, AT&T, Verizon, Level 3 […]
With the elections behind us and the winter season approaching, many are watching the housing market for changes in activity. But much of the recent data seems to support much of what has been talked about on a national level. For Chicago, inventory has decreased throughout single family, attached condos […]
The development group will be focusing on resuming construction at the 27 story Waterview Tower, which has remained unfinished since work was stopped on the project in 2008. The development group, led by Related Cos., will close on a $115 million dollar construction loan from Bank of American and US […]
As reported yesterday in Crain’s, the redevelopment for the Rosenwald Courts building, in the Bronzeville neighborhood has been approved, 7-1, and is set to received up to $25 million in tax-increment funding (TIF). The development which will hold 331 units, will have 18 market rate apartments with the remaining homes […]
Let’s say you were a conservative, responsible homebuyer back in 2006, and made what, by all accounts, would be considered a conservative, responsible down payment of 20%. Since then, the average home price across Chicagoland has fallen by more than 30%, according to conservative estimates. Conservatively, that means a lot […]
Banks could be forced to pay as much as $125,000 per customer to compensate borrowers who were subject to foreclosure-processing errors.
Times are difficult for many. To help, the IRS recently announced an expansion of its “Fresh Start” initiative with more flexible terms to its Offer in Compromise (OIC) program. The full articles is available for registered subscribers here. Register now for free and continue reading!
Times are difficult for many. To help, the IRS recently announced an expansion of its “Fresh Start” initiative with more flexible terms to its (OIC) program helping the most distressed taxpayers to clear up their tax problems more quickly
The Chicago Plan Commission on Thursday approved a 269-unit apartment project in the Boystown/Wrigleyville that drew opposition from twelve area condo associations, local community groups and business organizations. The proposal which compromises of a 12 and 15 story building have been heavily debated by local residents, some of whom say […]