Fully renovated this fall and ready for its first new occupants, this mid-century co-op apartment in the heart of East Hyde Park is just steps from the lake, within easy reach of the University of Chicago and its hospitals as well as the shopping, restaurants and all the fun to be had in Hyde Park. The story is that Mies van der Rohe designed the Chippewa Co-op building which is perched beside Harold Washington Park overlooking Lake Michigan. The developer of the building (who paid all of the bills) decided that he didn't really need the huge wide open lobby space that Mies had designed. He preferred to use the space to add another two units into opposite ends of the first floor to maximize his profit. Mies was furious that his original beautiful design was being altered by the builder, and he walked off the job and insisted that his name be removed from all of the marketing materials and from history. But not before all of his distinctive design ideas were already incorporated into the building. The view out of the east windows is onto a leafy bower which not only provides shade during the sunny summer mornings, but provides privacy without ever having to close your drapes. Look just south to the green expanse of the Harold Washington Park and beyond it to Lake Michigan. Gleaming new hard surface floors flow through the entire apartment. The rooms have a terrific modernist feel. The kitchen and bath have both been beautifully renovated. The kitchen has brand new two-toned cabinets and quartz countertops. It opens to the large and bright living room/dining room combination. The new rectangular stainless steel sink faces the windows and has a new elegant faucet with sprayer. All new stainless steel appliances have been installed: a smooth top electric range, dishwasher, refrigerator and over-the-stove microwave oven and fan. The bathroom has new subway tile surrounding the deep tub and reaching all the way to the ceiling. A new vanity, sink, mirrored medicine cabinet, light fixture and floors complete the contemporary look. There is a linen closet hidden behind the bathroom door when it is open. There is an additional linen closet in the hall just outside the bath. Both bedrooms have large closets with new folding doors. The primary bedroom has large east facing windows and one window facing north for a cross breeze. The second bedroom has two large windows facing north. The heating is radiant in the floors and ceilings, so your toes should be warm all winter from the heat without the unsightly radiators or baseboards. One air conditioner is currently installed in a living room window. The express bus to the city stops next to the building & the Metra is right behind it for a quick ride to the Loop. The 172 bus to the U of C, its hospitals and clinics also stops right outside the door. It's an easy walk or roll to the to the Whole Foods/Marshalls retail complex just west of the tracks. The great shopping, restaurant and hotel center on 53rd is just a couple of blocks south. Walk score calls it very walkable, good transit and a biker's paradise with a 96/100 score. The lakefront bike path is right over the pedestrian bridge just a block east of the building. Assessment includes everything but your phone. Electricity, hot water, heat, Wi-Fi, cable AND Real Estate Taxes are all taken care of in your HOA dues. There is a bright laundry room in the basement down the elevator with bike storage as well as individual assigned storage lockers. Rental parking is nearby and as close as the gas station behind the building. The building has its own small parking lot out back, but there is a waiting list. This is a terrific, opportunity to live by the lake in a distinctive space at a jaw dropping great price.
