CHICAGO | General Discussions

[Steely Dan]

Originally Posted by Via Chicago

but it goes back to the point that 400k prototype homes are not going top be built in the north side neighborhoods we're talking about where they might be considered "affordable" given their neighboring peers. the idea is they would be built on city owned lots in predominantly south and west side neighborhoods where, were they to go up, would instantly be the most expensive home on the block. so it really solves for nothing, other than some token new construction.

oh yeah, agreed. $400K prefab homes going up on empty lots in north lawndale isn't the solution.

if they could drive the all-in cost down to $200K, then maybe we'd have something.

i was only bringing up our multi-family solution for being able to live in lincoln square in response to your comment about the fetishization of "new! newer!! newest!!!" in the real estate market.

i also happen to think there's a fetishization for SFH's if children are involved (at least among certain demographics). it's not that SFH's are bad or wrong or anything, but we can't all have one if we want to maintain our city's functionally urban, yet family-friendly neighborhoods. small-scale low-rise multi-family (the chicago flat) excels in that department, IMO.

every time a 2-flat gets deconverted, baby jesus cries.

[Baronvonellis]

Originally Posted by Steely Dan

oh yeah, agreed. $400K prefab homes going up on empty lots in north lawndale isn't the solution.

if they could drive the all-in cost down to $200K, then maybe we'd have something.

i was only bringing up our multi-family solution for being able to live in lincoln square in response to your comment about the fetishization of "new! newer!! newest!!!" in the real estate market.

i also happen to think there's a fetishization for SFH's if children are involved (at least among certain demographics). it's not that SFH's are bad or wrong or anything, but we can't all have one if we want to maintain our city's functionally urban, yet family-friendly neighborhoods. small-scale low-rise multi-family (the chicago flat) excels in that department, IMO.

every time a 2-flat gets deconverted, baby jesus cries.

Wait why is a prefab house $400k? That's the question, when you can buy new construction houses in suburbs for $250k, built on site? Shouldn't they be significantly cheaper than that?

[Kngkyle]

Originally Posted by Baronvonellis

Wait why is a prefab house $400k? That's the question, when you can buy new construction houses in suburbs for $250k, built on site? Shouldn't they be significantly cheaper than that?

Yea, this price doesn't make any sense. You can build houses on-site that are twice the size of that in Florida or Arizona for half the price. What are they doing to make it cost so much lol?

[LouisVanDerWright]

Originally Posted by Kngkyle

Yea, this price doesn't make any sense. You can build houses on-site that are twice the size of that in Florida or Arizona for half the price. What are they doing to make it cost so much lol?

Compliance with Chicago's absurd building code? They aren't making you hard pipe conduit in the burbs or Florida...

[galleyfox]

Originally Posted by LouisVanDerWright

Compliance with Chicago's absurd building code? They aren't making you hard pipe conduit in the burbs or Florida...

Cheap land and low wages (and untrained workers) for Florida at least. I'd also hope these new Chicago buildings are sturdier than most Florida houses? My childhood neighborhood is visibly falling apart, and it's not even 50 yet. There were abandoned properties even 20 years ago.

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by LouisVanDerWright

Compliance with Chicago's absurd building code? They aren't making you hard pipe conduit in the burbs or Florida...

Yes, Chicago's building code is extremely expensive. But a pre Fab home for $400k is absurd. And that's before land cost?