Some cool real estate values images:
Earth Infrastructure Ltd | Director Earth Infra
Image by Earth Infrastructures
MR. VIKAS GUPTA - A well-established player in the realty industry, he is known for giving value for money to the customers. His zeal and enthusiasm has earned him the image of a youth icon and a team player.
Wicker Park / Ukrainian Village - Uber cool
Image by seeChicagorealestate.com
deepdishrealestate.com/2009/11/wicker-park-ukrainian-vill...
Wicker Park/Ukrainian Village/East Village, The Hipster Triangle with a Storied Past
Many years ago, in the now distant mid eighties to early nineties when Earwax was mecca for the upscale bohemian movement not a medical condition, The Bongo Room was THE best hang for Sunday brunch and the most HEAVENLY pancakes ever created with a 45 minute wait instead of the now requisite 2 hours on the weekends and Jeremy Piven didn’t know about it yet so there were no tantrums of “Don’t you know you should really treat me like the GOD that I am!! My family created a method acting dynasty in this second rate town you douche so gimme some pancakes… NOW! ” as we all hid suppressed giggles behind forks heaped high with banana pancakes laced in wedding cake design precision with sticky hazelnut sauce, before The Double Door was ever featured in a movie or a reality show because the genre didn’t exist ( : D ) and you had to run to your car at the end of a Pere Ubu show because being mugged was part of the experience, yes in those Halcyon days I used to define Wicker Park in the following terms “whatever, they took a bunch of liquor stores, strung them together and called it a neighborhood” but in the same breath I would concede “ yeah sure there are some pretty streets. If you are willing to buy and hold for 10-15 years… maybe…”
Truth is it only took the world 5 years to discover what we already knew back in 1985 and it only took me another 10 years to buy into neighboring East Village because I had missed the Wicker Park tidalwave! (Honorable mention for making it my days off hang and for going to many midnight shows at The Blue Note/The Note and Double Door midnight shows alone) I reluctantly retired my derisive one liner once I became aware of the hidden gems and storybook streets of these historic neighborhoods. It’s the closest thing Chi-town has to NY’s Greenwich Village/Soho and certainly has some of the coolest people and homes with a past. (Unlike the banal yuppie boxes of the West and South Loop created by indifferent developers with cheesy ½ granite in “sandstone” covering every conceivable surface but for the Krapmade cabinets and Pergoliscious floors the developers so adroitly value-engineered right down the delicate throats of banana republic clad members of the junior league… but I digress…
Wicker Park, Urkanian Village and East Village have direct connections to the rebuilding effort of Chicago after the great fire of 1871.Ukrainian, Polish, Swedish, Russian and German immigrants created these neighborhoods in the European tradition and it is no accident that several streets and churches and are now landmark status.
Below are a few highlights and a highly recommended walking tour…
Winchester St is one of my favorite streets in East Village. This is a very pretty street which has gracious mansions and new construction built in a compatible scale. In addition Wood St also has an upscale feel. The East Village and Ukrainian Village were generally working class and housed many of the servants and support staff of the Industrial Barons who lived in Wicker Park.
Hoyne St in Wicker Park was nicknamed “The Beer Baron’s Row.” One drive down this street and its neighboring blocks like Pierce for example, will confirm the intentions of the original owners; unbridled wealth and the American Dream were here to stay.
Caton Ave in Wicker Park in my opinion is the crown jewel of Wicker Park (2nd runner up, Wicker Park Ave.) This street is so special and so hidden the homeowners on this Street will now hate me for spoiling the secret cachet of this storied enclave. Caton Ave was conceived and constructed specifically to show the throng of Europeans visiting for The World Colombian Exposition of 1893 that we too know a bit about refinement and craftsmanship. The street is breathtakingly beautiful as each home outshines the next in glistening cut glass, craftsmanship and cupolas. Truly an extraordinary achievement!
I know this because a friend of mine (a designer/architect of course) had acquired one of these architectural masterpieces back in the seventies. He bought it for a song because quite frankly that’s all he could afford at the time and he didn’t mind the gangs as neighbors. Of course by the time I saw Caton Ave. (the mid-nineties) the price of admission was at least a million. I had the sense that I was seeing the street just as the Parisians must have seen it over 120 years ago. Truly exquisite…
“The Church of the Angels” Holy Trinity Cathedral was constructed in 1903 and was funded in part by Russian Czar, Nicholas II. This is bar none the most beautiful Church I’ve found in America. One look inside and you’ll be convinced that you’ve suddenly been transported to Prague!
In 1989, the "Around the Coyote" festival was launched to help working artists and micro-galleries in the neighborhood gain a level of local and international prominence. This 501(c)3 non-profit was established with the mission to "bring to the art community a professional organization that will help artists network and exhibit their art.” For decades, the festival was housed in the historic Flatiron Arts Building in Wicker Park typically held in October. (Chicago's Artist Month.) As of 2008 "Around the Coyote" revised its preferred locations for the annual festival and was held coincidentally with Looptopia in May in Chicago's Loop. A soulless transition I can only surmise was approved in order to drain any lifeblood or purpose that remained in the movement. I Assume that merging Coyote and Looptopia (??) was a strategic move to sell more art after a supersize meal at the Bennegans no?
A 30 second guide to the neighborhoods
1300-1700 Milwaukee Ave is the new Greenwich Village (funny, funky indie shops, bars and restaurants)
1600-1800 Damen is the new Soho (They’re Heeeeerrrrre Marc by Mark Jacobs, Nanette Lapore, BCBG Max Azria, Joes Jeans see what I mean?)
Chicago Ave and Division Btw Ashland and Western is mecca for original, quirky and inspired offerings. The Wicker Park of 10 years ago and very much NY’s Lower East Side of today…
A highly subjective list of the best of the best. If you don’t agree with me, I suspect you have no taste…
Upscale Designer Boutiques on Damen
Joe’s Jeans
Neighborhood: Bucktown/Wicker Park
1715 N. Damen Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647
773-252-1715
A huge array of Joe’s fabulous fitting men’s and women’s premium denim has arrived!
BCBG Max Azria
Neighborhood: Bucktown/Wicker Park
1714 N. Damen Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614
773-292-9485
High style and glamour is forever changing the face and crunchy roots of Wicker Park
Marc by Marc JacobsNeighborhood: Bucktown/Wicker Park
1714 N. Damen Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647
773-276-2998
Vegas has one, L.A. has two, New York City has three on Bleeker Street alone -- now Chicago has its very own Marc boutique featuring fashions for men and women. The decor is decidedly downscale, starting with cheap finds piled in metal bins near the front such as fingerless gloves, condoms, compacts, leather bracelets and plastic rings all under . Fashionistas do not despair, this is still Marc J not Urban Outfitters! Further back in the store one can find fabulous shoes and plenty of other signature Marc pieces for upwards of 0-0.
If your interested in viewing properties in Wicker Park/Ukranian Village ~ Please call Ted Guarnero at Baird&Warner 31-810-6693 Or stop by www.seechicagorealestate.com
