HOUSE CALLSUpping the `wow' factor of a Chicago duplex
By Annemarie Mannion
Special to the Tribune
Published November 26, 2004
On a clear day, Mitch Newman can see the outline of Chicago's famous skyline. That's not so unusual, perhaps, but Newman can see it from the comfort of his master bathtub.
As a former artistic director for Thirsty Theater, a small theater in the Pilsen neighborhood that stopped productions two years ago, Newman knows how to create drama. And his bathroom--with a taupe-and-cream marble Jacuzzi-style tub, skyline view and glass-enclosed shower--shows it.
"On a good day you can see downtown. It's like the Emerald City. It's amazing," said Newman, who also was a family-practice physician.
The bathroom is in a four-story brick building in Chicago's Bucktown neighborhood that Newman built. Using a small inheritance, Newman, 47, decided four years ago to focus on residential development. He worked with an architect to design the three-unit building, which includes the two-story, four-bedroom duplex in which he now lives.
Now Newman is moving on to his next project. Once his unit is sold, he plans to relocate to a condo in a building he is developing in Lincoln Park.Although he has become acquainted with the ins and outs of overseeing building construction, Newman has spent little time decorating his duplex. "I literally bought the dining room table in order to show [the unit]. I have a minimal amount of furniture," he said.Geno Petro, a real estate consultant with Chicago Home Estates in Chicago, agreed that Newman needs to add furniture and artwork and replace generic fixtures to draw buyers' interest and add drama.Newman said his unit will be listed in the $600,000 range.
Because of its higher price and because the unit will be competing with new construction, Newman needs to pay attention to small details that newer units likely will have, Petro said.For instance, the door hardware in Newman's home is gold. Although unit is only 4 years old, Petro said it already looks dated and recommended replacing it with brushed nickel.The same advice goes for the maple pulls on the kitchen's maple cabinets. "I'd go with the brushed nickel knobs. They'd go with the stainless-steel appliances," said Petro.He also recommended painting the master bath to maximize its appeal.The walls are off-white. Petro recommended painting them taupe or a deeper shade to complement the marble.
"If you had one place to paint, I'd paint this room," Petro said. "Most bathrooms aren't huge spaces so you can make a big statement in a bathroom."The bathroom, which is on the top floor, will likely be the last room that buyers see as they complete their tour.However, Petro said that Newman also can attract buyers by creating dramatic statements as soon as buyers walk through the unit's front door."People walk in and they're already deciding if they like it or not," he said.
For example, Newman's front door opens into a small foyer that leads to a staircase with a landing at the midpoint. Petro advised hanging a compelling piece of artwork on the landing's wall to draw buyers' attention as they climb the stairs."You need to have that `wow' factor," he said. "Put something there--like a piece of art that's cool and hip and will jump out a you."He also recommended changing the staircase railing. "I'd change the railing to some kind of stainless steel instead of the [white] painted railing. It will look more contemporary and it would only be a couple hundred bucks," Petro said.
The living room features a fireplace and soaring ceilings. But Petro recommended Newman replace a white ceiling fan with something less generic-looking and move a drafting table piled with blueprints to a bedroom.The unfurnished bedroom then could be turned into a home office, he added."I'd still keep it minimalist. But anything you could put in here that makes it look like an office would be good," he said.Another bedroom has a large entertainment center that looks dated. "That's a hand-me-down. It's probably 25 or 30 years old," said Newman.
If Newman isn't planning on keeping it when he moves, Petro advised replacing it with a newer entertainment center and turning the room, which presently serves as a catch-all for boxes and other items, into a family room. "The next [entertainment center] doesn't have to be so big," he added.The unit also has two outdoor decks--one off the kitchen and one off the master bedroom. Petro advised that Newman arrange potted plants and furniture on the decks to make them look more useable and inviting."It has a city-urban feel to it, which is cool," Petro said of one deck. "
But organize it. Put all the potted plants in one area and then put the patio umbrella up [when the unit's being shown]. Make it look inviting."
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