By Peter von Buol
Special to Inside
The site of one of Chicago's best known car dealerships, Bert Weinman Ford, will be sold after a sealed-bid auction that ends on Nov. 18. A total of just under 28 city lots will be offered under the sale that ends at 4:30 p.m. on that date.
The property's real estate agent, Arthur Goldner and Associates, Inc., emphasizes that the sale does not include the car dealership, which has been located at 3535 N. Ashland Ave. since 1967. The dealership was founded in 1957 and was one of the pioneers in local television advertising.
"Only the land underneath the dealership is being offered for sale," says Arthur Goldner, president of the Northbrook-based real estate services firm.
Approximately 44,958 square feet of contiguous land on the east side of 3500 N. Ashland Ave. will be offered for sale. In addition, 10 nearby lots are also being offered for sale; a lot at 3530 N. Ashland, two contiguous lots at 3516-20 N. Ashland, two contiguous lots at 3536-40 N. Ashland and one parcel containing 5 contiguous lots at 3842-48 N. Ashland.
"It's actually more than 27 city lots, but less than 28 city lots," says Goldner, who adds the sale may not necessarily be to the highest bidder.
"The terms and conditions incorporated in the offer may have as much to do with a successful bid as the price," says Goldner, whose company offers a range of real estate services.
Interestingly, a couple of weeks ago, Lee Weinman, the president of Bert Weinman Ford, assured Inside that his family's dealership would be remaining at its 3535 N. Ashland Ave. location for the foreseeable future. Lee Weinman is the son of company founder Bert Weinman, who has retired from day to day operations.
An attempt was made to contact Lee Weinman for this article but he was unavailable for comment in time for publication.
Goldner says the car dealership leases the land on which it is located and while some members of the Weinman family own parcels involved in the upcoming sale, most are not owned by the family.
Goldner says his company has already sent out sales information to prospective investors and developers who have been active in Lincoln Park and Lake View.
Not included in the sale is the site of a former Burger King restaurant at 3501-3509 N. Ashland. The property is slated to be redeveloped into a 24 unit condominium building by developer Pat McHugh. Real estate agent Goldner says his company was not involved with that sale.
For sale information contact: Arthur Goldner & Associates, Inc., 707 Skokie Blvd., Suite 100, Northbrook, IL 60062; (847) 291-4800, ext. 129; (847) 291-4812; www.agarealestate.com. |
