You left out a something which is a big feature for some of us; outside of unit storage.

This is somewhat off-topic (the words "gut rehab" somehow triggered a hot button), but how come there are no non-gut rehabs? It seems like the only vintages were converted into condos in the 1970s and 1980s or were always co-ops. Is it just me, or is there simply not really a market for this? I've been looking at lots of properties, and they all look nearly the same–vinyl windows, granite countertops, recessed lighting, etc., etc…

Brian- Just like granite counters and stainless steel appliances, the market dictated that people want "new" or gut rehabs rather than just a rehab. It also gives developers more freedom to change floor plans (add bedrooms and bathrooms/eliminate dining rooms) and raise the value of the unit.

I get that part, but it's like there's one "market" and no segments. Anyway, all I have to say is it's shame–the wood is good, the plaster walls are sturdy, the doors are solid with solid brass fixtures, and yes, some still have galley kitchens but I can't believe there's not a "segment" of the overall "market" who doesn't like renovations with original features. I looked at a lot of open houses and maybe recall one, perhaps two partial gut rehabs where they at least kept the doors and trim.

Brian,

I'm only familiar with a few isolated instances, but in each case a true vintage product proved to be very slow to resell and with limited appreciation.

Funny how tastes change - in the 60s and 70s true vintage was THE hot product niche.

Too bad. Once it's gone, it's gone. A lot of the wood is $$$ nowadays…I replaced birch trim in my master bedroom, and just the door casings and baseboards alone were $1200. Hope the trend changes.

I know a lot of people who would LIKE non-rehabs, but can't find them. There are a few people* who do these conversions, but mostly on smaller (6-flat) buildings.

*as in developers…

Sheridan, if you know of any please let me know. It's been finding a needle in a haystack–I think I've found two true vintage condos on the market in Lakeview that meet our requirements (with the exception of LSD co-ops with expensive maintenance).

Brian, I can't remember the developers name; but I'm talking new condo conversion, as opposed to existing sales.

PS I meant to add; I'll do some sleuthing.

Brian,

Back in about 1980 I did a 9-unit non-gut vintage rehab / conversion at 557 - 559 W Fullerton / 2351 (?) N Geneva.

These were 2 br / 1 bath units, no parking. There was beautiful oak woodwork in the entry hall, ornate mirrors and hall trees, bowed oak hutches in the dining rooms with leaded glass, matching leaded glass in the dining room windows, oak moldings, trim, etc. etc. A knockout if you loved oak, as I did. Everything had been painted white, multiple coats, and it cost me quite a bit to restore it to its original condition.

I sold the units in the $120s as I recall. One's now on the market on the Geneva side, which had smaller units, at $349k - and it appears that someone painted all the woodwork white! Sigh.

"and it appears that someone painted all the woodwork white!"

ouch.

could be worse, when my dad sold his place (1327 W Wolfram, we still have a Trib clipping of how the rehab showed "Lake View was on the move") they gutted it, after I had spent months painfully and carefully stripping paint off of exquisite crown molding with a heat gun. I hope they saved the wood.

One of the WORST vintage-to-contemporary rehabs occurred at Halsted and Lill a few years ago. A beautiful (and popular, esp. w/DePaul kids) apartment building with crown moldings, stained glass, wood-burning fireplaces and elegant 1920s ambience was replaced by atrociously designed granite/ceramic kitchens and baths, stripped down walls, ugly paint jobs and no "atmosphere" whatsoever. One of the few times I actually wanted to CRY at a viewing; luckily it was an open house and no buyers had to see me in such distress! Talk about paving paradise…

Brian - a major reason why these places are gutted is because the electrical and plumbing usually need to be re-done to meet code requirements (i.e. remove old "cloth" wiring). Although they can "work around" the original woodwork, etc… its usually much too expensive and cheaper just to gut it and start over. Its unfortunate, but its all about the economics.

I fully support getting unsafe wiring out of old buildings, but I don't understand why they can't simply remove the molding and then reinstall it when the work is done. I had crown molding put in at my place, it's not exactly rocket science or anything.