Real Estate
Residential real estate in Wicker Park has changed in recent years due to a large development boom in the 1990s and the early years of the Millennium. New construction three- and four-flat walkups were built in mass and older residential buildings were gutted and rehabbed to keep up with the fresh trend hitting this burgeoning northwest side Chicago neighborhood.
On the lower end of the market, home buyers will find a number of one and two bedroom condos in low-rise buildings. Many units have been upgraded with granite kitchen countertops, refinished hardwood floors, new carpeting, fresh paint and stainless steel appliances. But, if you fancy a fixer-upper, there are some older condo conversions in need of remodeling that the handy house hunter can buy for a steal. Prices for attached properties in Wicker Park start around $200,000.
Mid-range units offer more in the way of space, even though the $300,000+ price range is mostly condos, lofts and half-duplexes with no more than two bedrooms. These properties are often newer developments with contemporary interiors, lots of natural light and rooftop decks. Even if the exterior is vintage, you can bet the inside has been redone to accommodate the high demand for modern comforts and finishes. Wicker Park is full of century-old structures, but very few have retained the original floorplans, since buyers here are looking for clean, like-new homes with updated style and state-of-the-art amenities.
The more expensive multi-unit real estate in Wicker Park is a mix of good-sized condos, townhomes, half-duplexes and penthouses. Many properties include garage parking and outdoor square footage. Prices typically fall between $400,000 and $700,000, with pockets of luxury properties topping off in the mid $800,000s.
Inventory of detached single-family homes in Wicker Park is much more limited than its market for attached housing. Still, there are dozens of houses for sale along the neighborhood's residential streets, tucked amid the condominiums and loft buildings. Single-family homes here start in the $600,000s, which includes small, 100+ year old workman's cottages. However, these charming historic homes can easily hold price tags in the $700,000s and above. Wicker Park's more spacious and modern residences quickly cross the million-dollar threshold and several houses are listed for over two or three million.