But riverside condos are nothing new to the area, there are at least six sets dating back to 1971:

• Schellinger Square in 1971
• Northshore Club in 1971
• Bercado Farms / River Isle in 1974
• River’s Edge built in 1984
• Bittersweet Cove built in the 1990s
• River Point in 2000

There are six condos on the market that can legitimately claim river views. Today, I’ll take you through 820 Niles Avenue, Unit E, in the River Point complex. Disclosure – this is my listing.

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Features:

• Intimate all brick building of just five units
• End unit for increased privacy
• 3 bedrooms and 3.5 baths - private baths for everyone
• Open kitchen, living and dining rooms
• Large windows and glass doors on the west walls facing the river
• Spacious, high-end master bath
• Two large balconies
• Attached 2-car garage

History:
The River Point condos are unique to the area, and for something built in 2000, have a fairly complex history. They were built by a Chicago developer who asked $179,900 for each unit. The listing agent at the time reports that people were “tripping over themselves to get into them [at the open houses], but no one made any offers.” The developer eventually sold them at auction in August 2002. Four were sold for $110,000 to $112,500. The units weren’t complete – needing paint, carpet and some other finishing details, and the final unit to be sold, unit E, brought $142,500 six months later in February 2003. Since then, prices have climbed steadily and the last sale, in August of 2007 was for $227,667.

With only 5 condos in the building, there isn’t much turnover at River Point, and most units are now sheltering their second or third owners. Unit E did not sell at auction in 2002, but was sold in February 2003. The buyer, a Notre Dame alumni kept the condo for his and his family’s personal use and has since moved on to Florida. We listed it for $230,000 in February 2008. Just after we put the sign in the yard, a neighboring condo pulled his FSBO sign – he had been asking $275,000.

Interior:
At the time of listing this was probably the most visually interesting condo in South Bend. The owner had an artist paint the interior and it featured a mural of the Vancouver skyline in the dining room, as well as faux finishes, a support pillar made into a totem pole, and walls painted to resemble stone blocks. Since listing, it has been repainted a fresh and neutral color, urban putty, that will appeal to more people.

You enter this end unit from the rear, or through the attached 2-car garage. From there, you can descend a few short steps to a level with a bedroom, full bath and laundry or ascend to the main living room. The lower level has three large windows above the ground level – you can see them below the lower balcony on the front shot of the building. It has closets and makes a fine bedroom, but if you don’t need three bedrooms, it is ideal for an office or exercise space.

If you enter up to the living space, you’ll find yourself in a large room with high ceilings and a mostly glass wall opening to a balcony. It’s separated from the dining room by about four feet and a simple railing. Both rooms have a Pergo type floor. The dining level has a half bath, and island kitchen with wood cabinets and ceramic tile.

Climb to the final level, that’s 33 steps altogether for those of you counting, and you’ll find two bedrooms each with a private full bath. The master bath has a whirlpool tub, shower, and separate water closet. It also has a private door to the upper balcony.

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