If there’s plenty more where that came from, it could also be a single month’s rent at Chicago’s most expensive apartment. Whatever floats your boat (or likely in this case, yacht).
There’s a pretty big range of normal between the haves and the have nots in the Windy City. Nowhere else in the Illinois city is this more apparent than the 369 Grand apartment building.
This River North area building is swank in the extreme. Even a teensy studio unit with one itty-bitty bathroom comes in at more than $2,000 per month. It’s also home to the city’s most expensive apartment unit, thanks to a 4,330-square-foot apartment that will set you back a whopping $40,000 per month, should you choose to sign on the dotted lease.
Location, location, location
The oh-so-trendy Chicago neighborhood of River North is a stone’s throw from the world-famous Navy Pier, located on picturesque Lake Michigan. The Chicago River is also just around the corner. The area is known as the artistic hub of Chicago, stocked with art galleries, studios and everything in between. Among those is the Museum of Contemporary Art.
Shopping in the area is also unparalleled, especially thanks to the Merchandise Mart, which includes office and home design showrooms for shopper inspiration. Then there are the high-end shops at 900 North Michigan, a skyscraper that features everything from retail to dining to a Top Golf Swing Suite.
River North is also one of Chicago’s top neighborhoods for dining and nightlife. Clutch Bar Chicago, House of Blues and The Bassment are just a few options for an unforgettable evening out.
With everything in such close proximity, it’s none too surprising that the River North neighborhood has an impressive walk score of 96. Those who are cool with public transit can also enjoy that amenity’s perfect score of 100. Anyone who really wants to hop in the car won’t be in there long when hitting up other trendy areas. River North is only a five-minute drive to The Loop, Old Town and Gold Coast.
Serious square-footage
When it comes to luxury apartment living, size matters. The two-level PH2 floor plan at 369 Grand boasts four bedrooms, four baths and one half-bath within its 4,330 interior square feet. Then there’s access to the additional 2,108 square feet of outdoor space, which really sweetens the deal.
Part of the property’s “Penthouse Collection,” the outdoor spaces are utterly usable thanks to not one, but two private terraces (one on each level, naturally). The lower level terrace includes a barbecue, gas fire pit and some pretty unrivaled views. The upper level is where you can catch some rays laying out or via a soak in the top-of-the-line hot tub. It’s pretty much perfect for soirees that include Chicago’s A-list.
On a more practical note, the floor plan for PH2 includes multiple storage areas, tons of walk-in closets and absolutely enormous bathrooms. There’s also a media room, fitness area, elevator closet, living room and lounge among the considerable extras. So, pretty much anything a renter could want, and then some.
The dollar’s in the details
Want to lead a resort-like life without ever having to exit the premises of your home? The amenities at 369 Grand are fully stacked for even the most discerning resident.
First, there’s a family lounge that includes kid-friendly casual seating, perfect for smaller parties. The private dining room is a special event space that includes a professional-grade kitchen. Then, there’s a doggie run for furry friends to get their zoomies out. It’s accompanied by a lounge area for dog moms and dads to relax.
It’s also easy to have good old-fashioned fun on the property, thanks to the on-site arcade, as well as a media room featuring a full TV wall. The business center is a practical, not to mention convenient, feature that includes conference rooms for resident use.
There’s no need to join a pricey gym if you live at 369 Grand, either. The place is fully loaded with strength, free-weight and cardio equipment. The studio area is ideal for aspiring yogis and others who want a little exercise privacy to get the job done. Residents can finish it all off with a trip to the steam room and sauna.
In total, 369 Grand’s 41 stories include 30,000 square feet worth of amenities (both indoors and out), as well as a 24-hour concierge. So, at least whoever rents PH2 is getting some pretty serious bang for their buck, provided they actually rub noses with the other renters.
The ideal tenant for PH2
At $40,000 per month, the PH2 unit at 369 Grand costs just under a half mil to rent per year ($480,000, to be exact). Since financial experts recommend that no more than one-third of a person’s pre-tax take-home pay be spent on rent, that means that anyone who signs a lease on this unit should make a cool $1.44 million per year. In other words, you better be a brain surgeon or Oprah or starting member of the Chicago Bulls to get this place.
You could also buy…
Forty grand is an awful lot of celery to spend on a place to lay your head, no matter how luxe. Here are some other things that kind of cash can pay for:
- About 20,000 Wendy’s double-stack cheeseburgers
- 366 “one park per day” tickets to Disney World
- 1,000 adult tickets for the “Rally Days” tour of AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas
- 12,578.6 gallons of gasoline (assuming the national average price is $3.18/gallon)
Or you could get one of each and have a whole bunch of cheddar leftover.
(Slightly) less expensive Chicago units
If that price tag is a little steep for you, never fear. 369 Grand also has a PH1 floor plan available for a paltry $32,000 per month. It even has more square footage than PH2. Go figure! If that property just isn’t your speed, here are a few others:
- Sentral Michigan Avenue: The D4 unit goes up to $24,644/month
- TWO Old Town Park: The priciest penthouse plan is $17,500/month
- Prairie Shores Apartments: The swankest three-bedroom goes up to $9,595/month
- The Parker Fulton Market: A three-bedroom for $9,201/month
- The Bernardin: A two-bedroom for $9,047/month
Live the luxe life
Even though this is the most expensive apartment in Chicago as of press time, there are plenty of other lavish buildings and units to choose from. Just don’t spend all of your income on rent. You’ll need a high-end coat to get through Chicago winters in style
