8/19/02 - Sales Start for Welbourn Row in West Lake View.

Monday, August 19, 2002
Sales Start for Welbourn Row in West Lake View
Moderately priced condominiums will replace long-neglected land parcel

Chicago-based Dubin Residential has announced the start of sales for Welbourn Row in West Lake View, near Hamlin Park. The residential development will convert a long-neglected parcel at Wellington and Clybourn into moderately priced condominiums for homebuyers attracted to the neighborhood's residential and retail rebirth.

The plans have yet to be finalized, but Welbourn Row will offer approximately 125 residences in six new-construction buildings, the developer said. Phase I calls for two, four-story brick buildings with 15 homes each. Five floor plans will range in size from 875 to 1,206 square feet, with one bedroom plus den and one bath, or two bedrooms and two baths. The homes will feature open, contemporary layouts and 9-foot ceilings. Prices will start at $210,000, not including parking. Both indoor and outdoor parking will be available.

According to David Dubin, president of Dubin Residential, Welbourn Row will help improve the community. "The redevelopment of West Lake View has been dramatic during the last five to 10 years, and Welbourn Row will return to productive use a land parcel that's been an eyesore for years," he said.

The development will replace the North Chicago Wet Wash Laundry building and its adjacent parking lot, both of which have been closed for about 15 years. According to Dubin, the development's size makes Welbourn Row economically feasible and will best fulfill the need for moderately priced housing in the area.

"I think we've struck a good balance between keeping the prices within reach of first-time buyers, while at the same time not overcrowding this stretch of Clybourn," he said. "The scale of the buildings will be consistent with the surrounding structures, and Welbourn Row will complement the city's goal of strengthening Chicago neighborhoods."

Dubin said at least 10 percent of the homes will be set aside for homebuyers qualified by the Chicago Department of Housing through its affordable housing program called Chicago Partnership for Affordable Neighborhoods (CPAN). Qualified CPAN homebuyers must earn between 60 percent and 120 percent of the city's median household income - between $45,240 and $90,480 annually for a family of four - and attend workshops for new homebuyers. Prices for the 10 percent of affordable homes will start at $155,000.

In describing what he called Welbourn Row's benefits to the community, Dubin pointed to the findings of Chicago Metropolis 2020, a study commissioned by the Commercial Club of Chicago to examine long-term challenges facing the metro area. The study found that a lack of affordable housing forces many people to live farther and farther from their jobs, which creates problems for the entire city - including increased traffic congestion, longer commutes and more pollution.

"We're helping to provide moderately priced residences for working professionals like teachers, nurses, police officers and firefighters, who add to the stability of many neighborhoods but are often priced out of them," Dubin said.

"Not every one at every stage of their life can afford a single-family home, but middle-income buyers make a big contribution to their neighborhoods by being responsible homeowners and taxpayers, supporting area retailers, and taking an active interest in their communities," he added.

Dubin said Welbourn Row would give many first-time buyers the chance to enjoy the pride of homeownership. During the community's first phase of sales, standard features will include private balconies; hardwood flooring or carpeting in living rooms, kitchens, foyers and hallways; carpeting in dens and bedrooms; phone and cable wiring; and individual gas forced-air heat and central air conditioning.

Free-flowing layouts for the kitchen/living room/dining room include a choice of hickory or oak kitchen cabinets; stainless-steel, double-bowl sinks; an optional kitchen island; and a Whirlpool gas range, 18-cubic-foot refrigerator, five-cycle dishwasher, and built-in microwave/hood fan combination or range hood.

Baths will include 6-foot soaking tubs; designer ceramic or vinyl tiling on floors, bath and shower surrounds; a choice of hickory or oak cabinets; and cultured marble vanity tops.

Welbourn Row was designed by Chicago-based Hartshorne + Plunkard Architecture, an American Institute of Architects-award-winning firm with 15 years experience designing multifamily residences.

Dubin said Welbourn Row's location would also benefit buyers. Several new retail outlets, including Costco, have recently sprung up in the area, and the community is near popular surrounding neighborhoods like Bucktown, Lincoln Park and Roscoe Village.

Welbourn Row and its sales center are located at 2975 N. Clybourn Ave., one mile east of the Kennedy Expressway at the southeast corner of Wellington and Clybourn. If heading south on Interstate-90, take the 46A/California Avenue exit. Turn left onto Diversey, and left again on Clybourn. If heading north on Interstate-90, take the 46B/W Diversey exit, go east on Diversey and turn left onto Clybourn.

Sales center hours are Saturday through Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., or by appointment. For more information call (773) 528-8000 or visit www.dubinresidential.com.

Dubin Residential has garnered a reputation for quality and value. The company is currently developing nearly 300 townhomes and lofts, including Buck City Lofts in West Buck Town, Ainslie Row in West Albany Park, Arcadia Place in the West Loop, Emerson Point in Rogers Park, and The Courts of Evanston.

Prices subject to change.