Geoff Manaugh’s BLDGBLOG isn’t always about homes, or even buildings, but it’s one of the coolest sites on the web. That picture above should be reason enough, but do check it out for some creative thinking about how humans inhabit the spaces we build and the environment we share.

Last week Dennis Rodkin of Chicago Magazine’s Deal Estate blog featured an unfinished development at 2609 West Belmont in Lakeview. It was supposed to be a 46-unit condo building with prices ranging from from $269,900 to $389,900, but the developer ran out of money and stopped work over a year ago. The accompanying photo gallery chronicling the development from its original artist’s rendering to the shell of a building left standing is a fascinating reminder of the promise and changes in the recent Chicago condo market.

Price: $294,900
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Welcome home to this large 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom corner, penthouse condo in Lincoln Square. This top floor condo has an expansive living room with 13 ft ceilings and a 23 ft wall of large windows. The living space is open to a large dining space and is adjacent to a spacious chef?s kitchen with access to the back deck perfect for grilling. The bedrooms are at the end of the hallway providing privacy from the living space. Both bedrooms are large and the master has a charming bay window perfect for a sitting area. The master suite also includes a walk-in closet and updated bath. This home has hardwood floors throughout, central air and gas forced heat, in-unit washer/dryer, extra storage and an on-site, secured parking spot. This well run building is professionally managed and located in desirable Lincoln Square just a few blocks from the Rockwell Brown line stop.

Price: $449,900
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Dramatic, highly up-graded, tri-level home steps from all of the fun and conveniences of Wicker Park’s Division Street. A private entrance leads to the main floor with a spectacular light-filled living space with 18ft high windows. This level includes ample space for a dining table, spacious balcony for entertaining, gas fireplace, fabulous kitchen and powder room for guests. The beautiful, open kitchen is finished with maple cabinets, a large granite breakfast bar and pantry. The upper level includes a lofted office/den space and private master suite w/ huge windows, an organized walk-in closet and marble bath with separate tub and shower. The lower level has a full bath & two private and large bedrooms. The larger bedroom is currently set up as family room and opens to a fantastic slate patio. With hardwood floors throughout, in-unit washer/dry and garage parking included, this is truly a fabulous home in a stellar location.

Price: $325,000
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Beautiful and spacious 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom condo designed by Papageorge Haymes on an extra large 50X150 lot! A welcoming foyer leads to a huge living/dining room with plenty of space for a large dining table. The kitchen is open to the living room with granite, stainless steel and a large breakfast bar great for entertaining. The master suite is large with great closet space, balcony and bath with double sinks. This home has exceptional storage space, hardwood floors, washer/dryer in unit and a wood-burning fireplace. One parking space is included in the price. Great location on a quiet tree lined street steps from parks, restaurants, and the el!

Price: $425,000
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This beautifully built, extra wide, two bedroom, two bathroom condo overlooks a beautiful tree-lined street in south Lakeview. Four large windows surround the extra wide living room and dining area and provide great light and treetop views. Straight out of a Pottery Barn catalog, this home is finished with the finest stone, hardwood floors throughout, and custom paint colors. The master is located in the middle of the unit to provide for extra privacy. The second bedroom is located in the rear and is perfect for a guest room, lounging space, or office because of the great light and direct access to the large deck. The deck is also accessible from the hallway, perfect for entertaining. The kitchen is finished with maple cabinets, granite counters and breakfast bar. The floor plan’s extra width is unique to three unit condo buildings and makes this home feel much larger than the competition. Just three blocks to the el train line and steps from all that Lakeview & Lincoln Park offers, but still situated on a cozy residential street. Garage parking and a large storage space make this home a great package.

Price: $415,000
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Southport Corridor extra-wide 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, quiet, corner unit with 27X12 private deck! Very wide living/dining room with wood-burning fireplace and front balcony. Beautiful granite and stainless kitchen with fantastic storage including a pantry and an enormous breakfast bar, great for entertaining. Master suite with walk-in closet and stone bath. Second bedroom leads to a huge deck with plenty of room to dine and relax. Attached, heated garage parking for 1 car included. Second spot available for rent $125/month. Well run elevator building in an amazing location steps from Whole Foods, Gym, el and everything Southport offers!

Price: $239,900
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Amazing eastern views of the lake and city from this large true one bedroom at the coveted James House. This fantastic home has a beautifully updated kitchen with granite counters that opens to a breakfast bar overlooking the huge living/dining space. The bath was recently remodeled with a large walk-in shower and gorgeous tile. The spacious east-facing balcony is perfect for enjoying stunning lake and city views. This home is situated in the heart of the Gold Coast and steps the beach, transportation, Old Town’s fabulous restaurants and shopping on Michigan Ave. The James House building is equipped with a rooftop deck, laundry room, work out facility, tennis courts, 24 hour door person, on-site management, and access to the outdoor pool and on-site leased parking for you and your guests.

With Chicago’s big newspapers slashing newsroom staff and alt-weeklies forced to survive on shoestring budgets, coverage of the city’s various neighborhoods increasingly falls through the cracks. That’s where “hyperlocal” sites like The Center Square Ledger come in. Launched this week, it covers the Lincoln Square, North Center, and Ravenswood Manor neighborhoods exclusively, from local elections to events to feature stories about neighborhood residents and businesses. Those of you who live in one of these great Northside communities or are thinking of moving there should definitely check it out.

Price: $299,900 + 25K parking
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Extra wide stunning 2 bedroom, 2 bath in a newer elevator building within steps of all that Andersonville has to offer. Overall, this unit is much larger than you typically see. The kitchen is spacious and beautiful with cherry, granite and stainless overlooking the living/dining room with plenty of room for a large table, a cozy fireplace and a front terrace. Both bedrooms are huge with good closet space. The master suite includes a walk-in closet, balcony, jetted tub, separate shower and even a sauna! Garage parking $25K.