Some people say that all suburbs look alike, and those same people probably say that all agents look alike; neither statement is true. I will admit that some ‘burbs lack a little personality, but unfortunately I’m not allowed to name them because my editor is tired of receiving angry e-mails about my column. I’m sure you can figure out which ones I’m talking about. How about sending me an e-mail with the suburb/neighborhood you hate the most and I’ll run it in the next column? I can’t be blamed for the answers my readers send.
The point is that there are really a lot of cool surburbs in Chicagoland, and many have their own unique attractions. Go check out some Frank Lloyd Wright houses in Oak Park, or visit McDonald’s first store and museum in Des Plaines. If you’re really adventurous, Elmwood Park has the largest Radio Flyer Wagon, Crystal Lake has a Muffler Man Lumberjack and in Gurnee you can find Big Onan Man With a Garage.
Speaking of neighborhoods, Highland Park has people buzzing that Lebron James is hunting for a home with the help of Michael Jordan. While these rumors can’t be confirmed, it’s fun to imagine King James in a Bulls uniform. And why on Earth would Michael Jordan be showing him homes? Has he gone the way of Joe Pepitone? Trust me, if Lebron needed an agent in Chicago, my phone would be ringing.
Baird & Warner corporate is pretty happy the CVS downstairs at their LaSalle office now carries tall boys. We know where they will be spending their break time now.
David Pisor took the stage at REIA’s case study of the Elysian at Maggiano’s on May 20. Architect Lucien Lagrange had front row seats next to his principals. I now see what it takes to get front row seats, so I guess that won’t be happening for me.
Another one of Lucien’s projects, Ten East Delaware, hosted a sales center opening party on May 20 as well. According to @properties, it was the “biggest opening party in several years.” Attendees even received actual mailed out invites prior to the event – I didn’t know that mail still existed.
Also on May 20, commercial brokers took the ring for the sold out annual Broker Boxing Federation’s event at the House of Blues. Nothing like seeing two competing brokers pound the crap out of each other.
Coldwell Banker has opened a new state-of-the-art Winnetka South office on Lincoln Avenue, which will be managed by Eve Bremen. I just hope she can handle the mean south side Winnetka streets with those $3 million homes.
Magellan breathed a sigh of relief as they signed a Radisson Blu Carlson Hotel to take up the first 18 floors of Aqua. Now how can I get a free night’s stay?
New England Homes celebrated a Model Grand Opening at Acadia on the Green in downtown Downers Grove the weekend of May 22. Visitors toured the decorated model and got some lunch! I hope they ate outside of the model, because I’ve seen how Realtors eat. To add to the festivities, the builder is offering $50,000 in savings through May.
Sudler Sotheby’s Lincoln Park office’s Jenny Sepulveda and Household Inspection Team’s Jeff Kaplan partnered to host a “Go for the Gold: How to Create a Memorable Customer Experience Through the Power of your Brand” at Jeff’s Advanced Real Estate Learning Center on Clybourn on May 20. The event was memorable, but I forgot what they actually said.
Jenny also hosted a Chicago celebrity fashion show at the Mercedes Benz showroom on May 13th featuring Sudler agent Desty Bahling and KW agent Maria Munoz, as well as a hotty little blonde CA staffer.
Serosun Farms, a new @properties-represented project in Hampshire (yes, @properties has a project in Hampshire), hosted their family-friendly Grand Opening and Lilac Festival along with planting demonstrations on May 22.
Before you head out to any parties, be sure to take a look at the back cover of this issue. It just might get you in the mood.
Birthdays! Greg Allen Eldridge on May 16, Jamie Franz on May 21 and Juany Monroy on May 23. Also on May 23, CA’s Kevin Nelson missed the season finale of “Lost” while vacationing in Cape Cod for the big day. John Ristau got down on May 24, and I know Ms. Karen Ranquist hit the clubs hard on her bday on May 28. Matt Wasik must wait until June 4 to eat his cake.
Agent X Keepin’ the “real” in real estate
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