New Home Notebook

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rx3_kBRgaGc For buyers looking to hedge their bets on condo ownership and assure themselves that they’ve chosen the right building and location, the recently-launched rent-to-own program at 235 Van Buren has proved popular. Renters can become buyers at any point during their 12-month lease and receive 30% of the rent they’ve paid as a credit toward [...]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnCamwmRHok A striking new 46-story condominium building designed by Ralph Johnson in the Loop, 235 Van Buren , is launching a rent-to-own program on selected units. One-bedrooms are to start at just over $1,500 per month, while 2-bedroom, 2-bath units will start at around $2,000 a month. Heat, air-conditioning and gas are all included in the rent. Renters who execute an option to buy by the [...]

http://youtu.be/3r6M4GkiGAs When we visited the Loop’s 235 Van Buren , we were initially struck by the architectural details and layout, from exposed concrete walls to a recessed balcony. A deeper look, however, revealed much more. Scott Hoskins of CMK Realty described this condo as among the best values for a 2 bedroom, 2 bath, new construction unit in [...]

The loop location, the incredible views, the space – what’s not to like about the penthouse at the new condominium tower in the loop at 235 Van Buren ? Well, that’s what a couple of business guys decided when they took their home search to HGTV earlier this year.  The video takes the partners through a search for [...]

Erika, an English teacher at a Chicago public high school, and Philip, who works for the Chicago Architecture Foundation, are new homeowners at 235 Van Buren. Earlier this year, we posted a video discussion about their purchase — here, they talk the convenience of their home’s Loop location.

The posh and prestigious Metropolitan Club sprawls over the 66th and 67th floors of the Willis Tower, located two short blocks from 235 Van Buren . Representatives Jasmine and Amber gave Joe Zekas an overview of the club during a brief chat at a party hosted by CMK Realty for condo owners at 235 Van Buren. CMK has made special [...]

That’s Brad Butler’s take on the new home he and his life partner bought at 235 Van Buren in Chicago’s Loop. Butler previously lived in an amenity-rich building at Lakeshore East and looked at many other properties before settling on 235 Van Buren. He opted for lower assessments, noting that common area amenities such as pools are often unused. [...]

Last month Joe Zekas met Jackie, who works in the financial services industry, at Cactus Bar & Grill , a popular venue located just around the corner from 235 Van Buren . It was a Saturday morning and Cactus hadn’t opened yet, so Joe and Jackie were able to bypass the otherwise-frequent wait for an outdoor table. Jackie, a Gold Coast [...]

Erika teaches English in a Chicago public high school. Philip works for the Chicago Architecture Foundation. After 5 years living in a “workers’ cottage” about a mile south of 235 Van Buren they set out to buy a home that would accommodate their differing priorities. Philip wanted to experience living in a significant work of architecture, while Erika was [...]

In the second half of their interview with Joe Zekas, Neno and Shivam, two new homeowners at 235 Van Buren, talk about the upside of living in a low-amenity high-rise, their experiences dealing with CMK Realty from the first visit through closing, and tips for buyers currently looking at condos.

Meet Nino and Shivam, two young professionals who bought at and live in 235 Van Buren , CMK Companies ‘ new 46-story, 714-unit high-rise in the Loop. Joe Zekas met both buyers outside The Billy Goat on Washington Street, just a half a block from the building, to find out what they like about the tower. In-between the passings of [...]

One of the best ways to learn about a home you’re interested in buying is talking to the neighbors. Rob bought at the new Ralph Johnson -designed high-rise at 235 Van Buren late last year. He looked at hundreds of places online and dozens in person before deciding on 235. Rob’s decision was primarily motivated by the combination of location [...]

More than 300 condos have closed at 235 Van Buren , including 48 in the first quarter of 2010, and almost all of the buyers taking advantage of the recent federal homebuyer tax credits have been able to finalize their purchases, says Scott Hoskins, managing broker for CMK Realty . CMK is currently offering studios at the 46-story, 714-unit high-rise starting [...]

CMK Realty is promoting several deals at its new 235 Van Buren high-rise, from $10,000 to $20,000 reductions on its least expensive studios, two-bedroom / two-baths, and two-bedroom penthouses, to incentives for buyers and brokers alike. According to a new price sheet from the 235 sales office, available homes at 235 Van Buren include: Studios: 522 square feet; priced [...]

We’ve taken in some great views of downtown from 235 Van Buren in the past, but last week was the first time I had ventured up to the tower’s top floor. The owner of unit #4601 , located on the tower’s northeast corner, gets these sights of Chicago and Lake Michigan every time he or she walks into the condo’s [...]

Unit #4610 is a one-of-a-kind condo at 235 Van Buren . With 2,272 square feet of interior space split between two floors, two west-facing balconies, and a 1,400 square-foot private terrace with panoramic views from the northwest to southeast, its far and away the tower’s biggest unit. At $995,900, it’s also the building’s most expensive unit. Yesterday I toured [...]

CMK Companies sold nine condos at 235 Van Buren last month, bringing the number of sold units up to 450 and closed units to 275, according to sales manager Scott Hoskins. Almost half of those buyers have been first-timers, and many are singles. Most are aged 25 to 35, and are spending $200,000 to $300,000 per unit, according [...]

Posted 12/14/2009 by Joseph Askins For the next six weeks, buyers who sign contracts on homes at 235 Van Buren in the Loop will receive as much as $5,000 in closing credit, according to CMK Realty . The deal gives buyers up to $2,500 in closing credit for one-bedroom / one-baths, up to to $3,500 for two-bedroom / one-baths, and up [...]

Posted 10/14/2009 by Erik Stonikas CMK Companies ‘ Loop high-rise 235 Van Buren is now delivering up to the 39th floor, says CMK Realty Managing Broker Scott Hoskins. By continuing to finish one floor per week, the building at 235 W Van Buren St will be complete by the end of the year. Sales were good in September but are even better [...]

Posted 9/12/2009 by Joseph Askins There are so many models at 235 Van Buren that it was hard to decide which ones to visit during CMK Companies ‘ broker open house on Thursday evening. The first two I entered were two-bedroom / two-bath homes, one with southern exposures and the other with northern views. Click “play” to follow me through [...]