In today’s market, it’s the rare developer who can build something truly unique into an established neighborhood. The Byrne Development Group, a builder with roots in Edgewater and Andersonville, is taking the lead with a bold property type.
“Townhomes are hard to do,” says Dave Camp, a broker associate with Sudler Sotheby’s International Realty. “You can’t find parcels to build on.”
Camp is marketing the Ardmore Academy Rowhomes, a five-home development by Byrne at 1403 – 1411 W. Ardmore Ave. in the heart of Edgewater Glen. The neighborhood is just west of Edgewater proper – close enough to enjoy both Lake Michigan during the day and Andersonville’s social scene in the evening.
Camp says three of the massive homes are still available, priced from the $440s up to the $610s. Each home features 1,600 to 2,200 square feet of living space on four levels, with three bedrooms (one each on the first three floors), custom-leveled kitchen cabinets, two balconies off the fourth floor, an oversized Jacuzzi and walk-in shower in the master bedroom and full brick construction on the exterior.
Perhaps the most unique aspect of the development is the view. Each unit overlooks the immense green space that fronts Nicholas Senn High School, which is easily among the most attractive public education institutions on the North Side.
Byrne Development Group is no stranger to this neighborhood; the builder is working with Sudler Sotheby’s to sell eight units at 5821 N. Winthrop Ave., and Byrne completed another townhouse project a few blocks away in 2002.
And though the first two units at Ardmore Academy Townhomes sold quickly, Camp is not taking any chances. His model is fully furnished, he says, because customers want to see exactly what they’re buying.
“I’ve been doing this for a long time, all new construction,” he says. “And this year, I’ve had to furnish everything.”
These look quite attractive, but are their spaces truly considered “massive?” My place is around 1,800 sq. ft., and I’m not sure I’d call it anything but roomy. Or have standards changed that much over the past 10 years?
Dmac,
We have a new writer on board, and he’s learning his way around.
These are, by no stretch of the imagination, either “massive” or “most unique.”
Patrick will soon learn that “unique” is the most overused word in the real estate vocabulary and often the least fitting.
I would not consider the “unique” views of Senn a plus. Attractive school absolutely, but in my experience not a top ten for buyer’s wish list to live across from a school (for the record, I lived across from a elementary school in Albany Park and sold our place quickly).
The townhomes also have a main entrance right into the living room, which is an annoyance for the layout. This, and the four story “stack” for a townhome can be par for the course. In fact, many townhomes feature the entry on the first level, and have the main living room kitchen on the second level which can be considered more desirable.
The townhomes themselves are a unique option for a neighborhood that mostly features center entry walk-ups, larger multi-units, two flats, two flats and more two flats… and single family homes. They look very nice in the location and I pass them often.
I live on Rosedale just a few houses down from Senn, and I would agree that the school is positive overall. The kids are pretty well-behaved and the only time I see them is walking to school in the morning and back to the El or home after school. The rest of the time, the Senn campus is a large park enjoyed by the whole area, a gathering place, a dog park, etc. The space is absolutely gorgeous. I was a bit hesitant when buying, but my fears were quickly put to rest.
You can see some of our photos of Senn at Flickr.
Thanks for the clarification, Joe – no doubt he’ll be providing a gimlet eye to those PR releases in the future. But that school’s grounds look terrific – a lot more inviting that what you see around here at Lane Tech – but that’s more a function of location than anything else.
I like the look of Lane Tech. And, it reportedly has some great murals.
For anyone who wants to see / learn more about Senn, we also have YouTube videos featuring the principal of Senn and a recently-retired teacher.
a bed in the basement does not count as a bedroom!!
Writer? You wound me, Joe – I’m the editor, and I’m taking everyone’s comments to heart in an attempt to tighten up Yo’s coverage of our fair city. So by all means, please chime in and help me keep things in perspective.
No wound intended, Patrick. I was referring to you in your role as the writer of this post, a reference that is accurate if incomplete.