7/21/04 - Welbourn Row Home Goes From Bricks to Reality for Buyer

July 21, 2004
Welbourn Row Home Goes From Bricks to Reality for Buyer

As one of the owners of a Chicago-based masonry contractor, 24-year-old Marta Powroznik is giving new meaning to working for a “brick-and-mortar” company. And now, Powroznik is watching her new home go up – brick by brick.

Thanks to a connection she made through her job, Powroznik bought a condominium at Welbourn Row, a new community of 140 homes in West Lakeview by Dubin Residential. Powroznik's company, Masonry Company, Inc., won the bid to provide the masonry for Welbourn Row and after working closely with Dubin on this development, she decided it was the opportunity she had been waiting for to take the plunge into homeownership.

Now that she's on the buying end, her relationship with Dubin has gone from professional to personal.

“It's a special feeling to buy a home you had a hand in building,” said Powroznik. “Even though I'm in the construction business, buying a new-construction home of my own was still exciting. I work with a number of homebuilders in the area, but I was most impressed with Dubin Residential's design, quality and reasonably-priced homes. Plus, I wanted to make an investment in a home.”

“Also, I wanted to buy new construction so that I would be able to make all of my own design and decorating decisions,” she added. “Dubin has worked with me every step of the way to make the homebuying process a breeze.”

Located at the corner of Wellington and Clybourn avenues, Welbourn Row is comprised of six four-story brick buildings that occupy an entire city block. Nine floor plans are available measuring from 829 to 1,299 square feet. Homes are base-priced from the $210s to the $290s and come standard with two bedrooms, one to two baths, and balconies. Deeded parking costs $24,900 for a garage space and $19,900 for an outdoor space.

Powroznik selected a floor plan with 1,299 square feet, two bedrooms and two baths. Although a number of homes are available for immediate move-in at Welbourn Row, Powroznik is anticipating a move-in date of next spring.

Welbourn Row's convenient downtown location was an important factor to Powroznik. She wanted to be near the interstate and also close to city life. Plus, she is considering pursuing a master's degree at nearby DePaul University .

“When my company began working on Welbourn Row, I became more and more interested in buying there,” said Powroznik. “It will be easy to get to work, and there is so much to enjoy right in the area – like shopping, restaurants and the local club scene. Plus, one of my friends also bought a home at Welbourn Row, so it will be fun to explore our new neighborhood together.”

Although Powroznik was seeking a more vibrant city lifestyle, she still wanted her new condo to have a “homey feel.”

“Living in a 50-story high-rise isn't for me,” she said. “I like the fact that the buildings at Welbourn Row are only four stories tall. I ended up buying a top-floor corner unit, so I'll be able to enjoy a view of the Chicago skyline and lakefront buildings.”

A lot of windows and an open floor plan are among the best features of her new home, according to Powroznik. She said she especially likes the bright, combined kitchen/living room area with 9-foot ceilings, which opens onto a 48-square-foot balcony.

“I enjoy entertaining and having friends over for dinner, so I'm already picturing barbecues and dining al fresco on my new balcony,” she said.

In addition, she selected the floor plan with the largest master bedroom, featuring a walk-in closet as well as a double-door closet.

Powroznik said the model at Welbourn Row has really provided her with inspiration for decorating, helping to show her Dubin's wide selection of standard finishes and upgrades. She also is looking forward to working with Dubin's new Design Center , which is located on-site at Welbourn Row and is a retail-style studio where buyers can evaluate home finishes. She is considering granite countertops in the kitchen and bathrooms, 42-inch upper kitchen cabinets with undercabinet lighting, a preparation island, stainless steel appliances, and hardwood floors throughout.

“Everything will be brand new and chosen according to my taste,” Powroznik said. “I also plan to have my mom help with the selections process because she's a great decorator.”

Welbourn Row is located just north of the Clybourn shopping corridor, close to stores like Costco, Old Navy and Pier 1. Nearby recreation includes the Diversey Bowl, the AMC City North 14 movie theaters and Hamlin Park , which offers two city blocks of green space and a number of sports and fitness amenities. Dining options in the vicinity include Meritage Café, Café Bolero and Bar Louie.

The Welbourn Row sales center is located at 2933 N. Clybourn Ave. , one mile east of the Kennedy I-90 expressway at the southeast corner of Wellington and Clybourn avenues. To visit the center from Interstate 90 East, take the Fullerton Avenue exit and turn left onto Clybourn Avenue . From Interstate 90 West, take the west Diversey exit; head east on Diversey and turn left onto Clybourn. Sales center hours are from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, or by appointment. For more information, call (773) 528-8000 or visit www.dubinresidential.com .

Building condominiums and townhomes in Chicago since the early 1990s, Dubin Residential has earned a reputation for quality and value. The company is currently developing more than 400 homes at such communities as Arcadia Place in the West Loop , Kilbourn Court on the Near Northwest Side and The Courts of Evanston. Visit www.dubinresidential.com for more information.

Prices are subject to change.