Fully gut-renovated 1,284 sqft 2BR/1.5BA on the most coveted block of the Southport Corridor. Private outdoor space, in-unit laundry, central HVAC, walk-in closet, and finishes that belong in a custom single-family home. Walk Score 95+. Available May 15, 2026. A Designer-Done 2BR/1.5BA in the Heart of Lakeview Welcome to Unit 1 at 1518 W Melrose, a fully gut-renovated 1,284 square foot first-floor residence on one of Lakeview's most coveted tree-lined blocks. This is not a freshly painted rental refresh. The unit was taken to the studs in 2024 and rebuilt with finishes you would expect to own, not rent. Every surface, every fixture, every system is new. Why the First Floor Wins This residence offers advantages the upper-floor units cannot match: Private outdoor space accessible directly from the unit (rare in vintage Lakeview) Direct grade-level entry, so dog walks, grocery hauls, and Amazon deliveries never require stairs Easier move-in and move-out for movers, large furniture, and bicycles The same gut-renovated, top-shelf finish package as the rest of the building Inside the Unit Kitchen White Shaker cabinets with soft-close hardware and matte black pulls Quartz countertops with full-height backsplash detail Black subway tile feature backsplash Full stainless suite: French-door fridge with water and ice, gas range, built-in microwave, full-size dishwasher Butcher-block prep island and bonus coffee bar nook Under-cabinet lighting and recessed LEDs throughout Living, Dining, and Workspace Wide-plank oak hardwood floors throughout Custom millwork accent walls and designer paint palette Three statement light fixtures sourced from a designer showroom Bay window with a built-in workspace alcove (perfect for hybrid or full-remote work) Open-concept flow from front living to dining to kitchen, ideal for entertaining Gray shiplap accent in the dining area Primary Bathroom Dual rectangular vessel sinks on a floating black-finish vanity Honed quartz countertop LED backlit smart mirror Walk-in shower with dark slate tile and frameless glass Half Bathroom (true second bath, not a split) LED smart mirror with built-in lighting and demister Floating vanity with stone counter and matte black fixtures Designed as a true guest powder room Bedrooms Two true bedrooms with custom geometric millwork accent walls Walk-in closet in the primary Italian-imported solid-core interior doors with matte black hardware Oversized windows for natural light in both bedrooms Tech and Comfort USB-A and USB-C charging built into wall outlets in every room In-unit stacked GE washer and dryer Central forced-air heating and central air conditioning Smart thermostat Hard-wired smoke and CO detectors Comcast Xfinity and AT&T Fiber both serviced to the building The Block and the Neighborhood 1518 W Melrose sits on a quiet, tree-canopied block surrounded by multi-million-dollar single-family homes. This is widely considered one of the most desirable pockets of all of Lakeview. Walk Score in the mid-90s. You will not need a car for daily life. Within a 5 minute walk: Whole Foods (under 30 seconds away) Target, PetSmart, Walgreens, and the full Roscoe Village retail strip Two full-service spas and a boutique gym Southport Brown Line CTA stop, 15 minutes to the Loop Burley Elementary, one of CPS's top-rated elementary schools (the building is in-boundary) Crosby's Kitchen, Coda di Volpe, Tango Sur, Schubas, Music Box Theatre Within a mile: Wrigley Field Lakefront Trail and Hawthorne Park Lincoln Park Zoo (1.5 miles south) What's Included, What You Pay Owner pays: Water and sewer Trash and recycling Building exterior maintenance and common area upkeep Tenant pays: Electric (ComEd) Gas (Peoples Gas) Internet and television service of choice Expect roughly $120 to $180 per month combined for utilities and internet, well below the equivalent in a downtown high-rise. Pets Pet-friendly building. Cats and dogs welcome with a one-time $500 non-refundable pet fee. No monthly pet rent. Direct grade-level exit means no stair-climb at 6 a.m. for the dog. Parking and Transit Free permit street parking on Melrose and surrounding streets (Chicago Zone 384 permit, $25 a year). Garage rentals nearby start around $200 a month if you prefer covered parking. The Brown Line at Southport is a 4-minute walk. The 152 Addison and 77 Belmont buses run east to the lake. Lyft to the Loop is 12 to 18 minutes off-peak. Lease Terms and Application Available May 15, 2026 12, 18, or 24 month lease lengths available (longer term preferred) Security deposit equal to one month's rent Application requirements: 650+ credit, gross monthly income of 3x rent, and prior landlord references Renter's insurance required ($100,000 liability minimum) No smoking inside the unit Same-day approval possible for fully qualified applicants Schedule a Showing In-person and FaceTime tours both available, weekday evenings and weekend mornings. The top-floor unit at this same address leased in under 14 days at full asking when last on market. Apply with credit, ID, and proof of income on the first showing for fastest approval. Owner pays for water/ garbage. You pay for electrical, gas and internet.
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