Michigan Avenue - Niche Media - Michigan Avenue magazine is a luxury lifestyle magazine centered around Chicago’s finest people, events, fashion, health & beauty, fine dining & more!
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/385207
Even though single women purchase homes at nearly twice the rate of single men (a National Association of Realtors stat that's been consistent since the mid-1990s), at least 47 percent of men do pay a mortgage, notes Rent.com. And since they earn about 20 percent more than women, according to the most recent US Bureau of Labor stats, they have more to spend. But, anecdotally speaking, when successful bachelors buy their own homes, they spare no expense when it comes to getting what they want—a point driven home by Chicago luxury brokers Debra Dobbs of @properties and Nick Kluding of Baird & Warner. What reigns supreme with the bachelor crowd? Nick Kluding: Ironically, man caves and huge home theater setups are for husbands who need an escape, not bachelors. Their entire homes are man caves, but executed more subtly. Their biggest concerns are to be in prime locations and have complete automation, great entertaining spaces, and sexy skyline and city views. Forget the lake; they want to see lights, action, and architecture. Debra Dobbs: They're also less focused on dining rooms and more about kitchens that are versatile, functional, and fantastically stylish— but masculine, of course. They want to be able to cook, eat, relax, work, and entertain in that one space. But age makes a difference in their wants. How does age make an impact? NK: Bachelors in their 20s and 30s want technology aimed at entertaining and playing. Game nights are big. But older bachelors think about total comfort and privacy more universally. One- button automation systems for lights, temperature, shades, sound, and AV are an important feature to them. What about balconies, spa bathrooms, and parking? DD: Those are universals. But men also want master suites at the opposite end from the guest suites, killer spa bathrooms with steam and rainforest settings on the showers, balconies (if you can use them for grilling, even better), high ceilings with expansive windows, and last but not least, several parking spaces. NK: They almost always have more than one car and want to be able to accommodate guests, too. So where do you find all that? NK: Bachelors usually want new construction, precisely because they want all those features. That's why they buy in River North and South Streeterville, in buildings like 600 North Lake Shore Drive and 600 North Fairbanks Court, which are both really sleek and have high ceilings, great views, and parking. DD: Anything in the Cathedral District—The Fordham (25 E. Superior St.), The Pinnacle (21 E. Huron St.), and 55 East Erie Street— really has most of what bachelors want, and these buildings were built with lots of parking spaces. Debra Dobbs, @properties, 1586 N. Clybourn Ave., 312-307-4909; atproperties.com. Nick Kluding, Baird & Warner, 737 N. Michigan Ave., 312-981-2565; bairdwarner.com MA What Men Want When bachelors go on the proWl for real estate, it's not all about man caves. by lisa skolnik above: Debra Dobbs's listing at 250 East Pearson Street boasts skyline views, a popular request from single men. left: Her offering at 201 West Grand Avenue in River North has 3,000 square feet of outdoor space. bottom: Nick Kluding's offering at 2032 North Clifton Street features a custom kitchen by O'Brien Harris and a second kitchen for entertaining in the lower-level media room. 128 michiganavemag.com haute property Brokers' roundtable