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The 52-story, 624-unit Newberry Plaza, 1030 N State St, was built by The Habitat Company in 1971 and converted to condominiums in 1981. At more than 550 feet in height it is taller than any building further north in Chicago, and was the sixth-tallest residential building in the world at the time of its completion. One measure of how the city has changed over the years is that several dozen Chicago residential towers are now taller than Newberry Plaza.
Another measure of change is what Newberry Plaza replaced. According to architect Ezra Gordon: “The site was formerly occupied by some wonderful old walk-up apartments. The inhabitants were scholars who were doing research at the Newberry Library. When our clients decided to purchase that property and take those apartments down, I was clearly disturbed. I was disturbed about who we were moving out of there.”
The location
Newberry Plaza can boast one of the most attractive residential locations in Chicago. Literally at its front door is a stunningly rich urban scene, a triangle park ringed with lively al fresco dining venues. Oak Street’s glittering boutiques and salons are a short block away, and a few minutes’ walk takes residents to the shops and restaurants of the Magnificent Mile and the sweep of Oak Street Beach. The location has a Walker’s Paradise Walk Score of 98, a number that understates its attractiveness.
Dining, nightlife. The original location of Morton’s Steakhouse is in the building, as is The Blue Agave. Within a few steps you’ll find Dublin Bar & Grill, Carmine’s, Gibson’s, Tavern on Rush, Hugo’s Frog Bar, Bistrot Zinc, the Hunt Club, Jilly’s Piano Bar, Ashkenaz Deli, Corner Bakery – and dozens of other venues. Division Street nightlife is two short blocks to the north.
Groceries. Nearby full-service grocery stores include Treasure Island, Jewel and Potash Markets.
Shopping. Virtually everything you could want is within a short walk or a few minutes by car, and the opportunities are too extensive to even contemplate describing them.
Transportation. Newberry Plaza is a short walk from the CTA’s Division St and Chicago Ave 24-hour Red Line stops. The #70 Division bus, a minute’s walk away, connects to the Blue Line to O’Hare Airport. The #36 bus stops at the front door, and Clark St and LaSalle St buses are a few blocks west. Airport Express shuttle service to O’Hare and Midway airports is half a block away at the Sutton Place hotel. Taxis swarm the area at any time of the day and night, and the building has a cab light to summon one.
Lake Shore Drive is nearby, and the building has decent access to the Chicago’s expressway grid via Division St and the Ontario St feeder ramp onto the Kennedy.
Parks. A small, triangular park is across the street. Oak Street Beach is a block away. Lincoln Park is a few minutes’ walk. The tranquil, tree-shaded Washington Square Park is two short blocks from Newberry Plaza. Goudy Square Park, a few blocks north on Astor St, is a kids’ favorite for the sandbox and playground equipment.
Overview
Newberry Plaza includes a number of townhomes above the building’s parking garage – the first development of its type in the US. At ground level, warm masonry softens the starkness of the concrete tower.
Newberry Plaza, in addition to the 52-story tower and townhomes, has commercial office space and several restaurants in the building. The tower’s top 13 floors are slightly wider than the first 39, and have a different floor plan configuration.
Building amenities. Newberry Plaza is a full-amenity building with a large sundeck and outdoor pool above the attached parking garage, a multi-use / hospitality room, on-site dry cleaners, laundry and several on-site restaurants. Storage lockers are available on each floor. A recently-remodeled fitness room has individual 19-inch flat panels for each piece of cardio gear and two 42-inch HD flat panels in the free weight area.
Resident services. Newberry Plaza has 24/7 door staff, on-site maintenance staff, an on-site management office and a package receiving room.
Pets. Cats are allowed, but not dogs.
Parking. Parking in the attached, heated garage is owned by a separate entity. Monthly rentals ($300) and visitor parking are available.
Unit types, floor plans. The building has a mix of studio, convertible studio, 1-bedroom, 2- and 3-bedroom / 2-bath units. Three-bedrooms are typically available on floors 40 through 52, and on lower floors in units that have been combined.
Original floor plans for each floor in the building are available online. The plans do not reflect unit combinations or changes.
Unit amenities. Floors 1 through 39 have recessed, sheltered balconies. Units have almost floor-to-ceiling windows. Thoughtfully-designed bathrooms have larger vanities than you’ll find in most 70s buildings. Some units have in-unit stacked washer / dryers. Many units have been extensively remodeled and upgraded over the years.
Views. The Newberry Plaza tower is centered exactly on Bellevue Pl, and provides an uninterrupted view down that street. East-facing units have excellent views of Oak Street Beach, Lake Michigan and Streeterville. Because of the building’s height in relation to others near its location, units in other tiers also enjoy sweeping panoramic views.
Monthly assessments, fees. Monthly assessments include heat, air-conditioning and basic cable service.
A separate fee is charged for pool use. Sales and leases are subject to processing fees, move-in and move-out fees for the elevators, and credit check fees. See the sales and lease packets (pdf files) for details.
Elevators. The building is served by three elevators.
Rentals. Rentals are subject to the board’s 30-day right of first refusal. There are typically a few units available for rent in the building.
Owner-occupancy. Information is not available at this time.
Reserves, finances. Information is not available at this time.
Management. The association is managed by Sudler Property Management.
Website. The building has an official Web site where you can find detailed information about building amenities and services, floor plans, fees and more. A variety of resident services are accessible through the building Web site.
Condominium documents are available for purchase.
Alternatives to Newberry Plaza
If you’re attracted to the immediate area you’ll find a large number of alternative choices, both for sale and for rent.
Share your take on Newberry Plaza
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