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I didn’t include floor plans for the two-bedroom condos at Emerald and Pure in Wednesday’s comparison post, but I wanted to give readers a chance to inspect the layouts of these two West Loop homes for themselves.
The Emerald condo, at left, has an 11 x 15′-4″ master bedroom, a 13 x 10′-6″ second bedroom and a 13′-4″ x 21′-6″ living and dining space. All of these 1,250-square-foot condos are corner units on the towers’ western sides, meaning that living rooms will have views of the west and north or west and south.
Pure’s 917-square-foot units, located on the building’s southwest corner, have 11 x 14′-4″ master bedrooms and 12′-6″ x 8′-8″ second bedrooms. The living / dining area measures 14′-7″ x 17′-8″; like many of Emerald’s residents, buyers here will have to live with views to the west and south.
Both homes have open kitchens with islands, bathrooms and walk-in closets accessible directly from the master bedroom, and recessed balconies that lack unobstructed views to the east.
As I mentioned earlier, Emerald’s higher prices reflect its larger units (prices range from the $380s to $460s), but the price per square foot for these two-bedroom condos is lower than at Pure, where two-bedroom homes sell from the $360s to $400s.
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{ 4 comments }
To defend my theory, I meant there is a plethora of units on the market in the area if you do not require a new construction unit. You’ll save yourself $80-100/ sf if you purchase in 321 S. Sangamon or any other existing building in the area. Even though I love Emerald and what they’ve done.
Stokes,
I’d counter with the following:
1. Emerald’s location is better than 321 S. Sangamon’s, and that justifies some price differential.
2. Emerald has real bedrooms and a nice split-bedroom layout. The floor plans I’ve seen at 321 have a second “bedroom” that lacks windows.
3. The current “free parking” offer at Emerald reduces the price per square foot differential.
4. The raw difference on units I’ve seen listed at 321 vs Emerald is closer to $40/sq ft than to $80-$100.
5. Emerald has better amenities.
Awaiting your response!
While Emerald’s location is better, no argument here…many great buildings lie just blocks west, still making them great locations. Lofthaus does have split floor plans in the corners, just as Emerald does. As for parking, I would prefer my guests have a place to park on the street, which is far easier to come by a few blocks west of Emerald and defititely non-existent along Halsted or Green St. As for amenities, you get what you pay for. If you want an additional $300-500 in assessments per month, obviously Emerald is here for you. I personally have lived in amenity buildings and don’t think the price tag justified using the ‘amenity’ spaces but 3 times a year.
I would also argue that Emerald’s location is less desirable for its lack of neighborhood feel. The sandwich shops, bars, video store, convenience store, etc. are all west of Emerald. While you will be closer to the loop at Emerald, I can guarantee that on weekends nobody from Emerald will be walking east for anything…
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