Our file on Washington Boulevard Lofts, 817 W Washington Blvd in the West Loop, is limited to one color pamphlet and a price sheet dating back to spring 1999, but that’s all I need to see how the development has progressed over the past decade.
Jameson’s sales pitch for the Fine Properties-developed, Hartshorne Plunkard-designed loft conversion was all about location, location, location. “Washington Boulevard Lofts is located at the corner of Green and Washington, just 1/2 block west of Halsted and steps from all of the tasty offerings of Greek Town,” the brochure says. “From its lofty perch in the heart of the exciting West Loop, our corner location offers fabulous views plus private balconies from which to enjoy the great outdoors.” (Lofty perches in a six-story building? The great outdoors…just west of Halsted?)
For a reminder of how far we’ve come in 11 years, just check the back of the pamphlet, where building amenities are listed. “THE INTERNET is easy accessed through state of the art technology that connects each unit to the world of information.”
The building’s one- to three-bedroom lofts ranged in size from 732 to 1,759 square feet, and in price from the $120s to $300s. Monthly assessments were anywhere from $103 to $255, garage parking spaces were $18,800 apiece, and outdoor parking was $10,800 to $15,800.
The few units that have changed hands at Washington Boulevard Lofts over the past two years sold for about 30 percent above their 1999 prices. The three lofts currently for sale are listed anywhere from 2 to 97 percent above their original asking prices. They are:
Unit #101, a 1,118 square-foot one-bedroom / two-bath with den:
- Then: $159,800, with monthly assessments of $134.
- Now: $315,000, with monthly assessments of $230.
Unit #102, a 737 square-foot one-bedroom / one-bath:
- Then: $124,800, with monthly assessments of $103.
- Now: $229,900, with monthly assessments of $188.
Unit #303, a 1,286 square-foot two-bedroom two-bath:
- Then: $259,800, with monthly assessments of $217.
- Now: $264,000, with monthly assessments of $385.