Real estate megasite Redfin’s annual list of the nation’s hottest neighborhoods — an analysis of 10,000 active homebuyers and 130,000 listings in 16 national markets — turned up a top 10 that included eight California communities, one in Seattle and our very own Logan Square. Furniture designer, @properties broker and 25-year Logan Square resident Joaquin Calle isn’t surprised. “It’s an incredible melting pot of cultures, places, restaurants and retailers that just keeps getting better.” New openings such as Italian restaurant Reno and craft cocktail bar Billy Sunday prove his point, along with housing stock that’s still economical. Calle’s own Logan Square pad is a 1910 two-flat that he rehabbed into a sleek single-family home and furnished with some of his designs, including Crate & Barrel’s best-selling Big Sur table. But “anything goes here,” he says. No single style prevails; a perfect case in point is 2620 N. Washtenaw (above), a meticulously restored 1906 Victorian cottage with four bedrooms and 3.5 baths for $629,000. It’s situated right off the area’s elegant thoroughfare, Logan Boulevard, and was updated into a sun-filled family home with a three-level addition by noted architecture firm Burns + Beyerl. Unsurprisingly, the listing (marketed by Coldwell Banker broker…

Real estate megasite Redfin’s annual list of the nation’s hottest neighborhoods — an analysis of 10,000 active homebuyers and 130,000 listings in 16 national markets — turned up a top 10 that included eight California communities, one in Seattle and our very own Logan Square. Furniture designer, @properties broker and 25-year Logan Square resident Joaquin Calle isn’t surprised. “It’s an incredible melting pot of cultures, places, restaurants and retailers that just keeps getting better.”

New openings such as Italian restaurant Reno and craft cocktail bar Billy Sunday prove his point, along with housing stock that’s still economical. Calle’s own Logan Square pad is a 1910 two-flat that he rehabbed into a sleek single-family home and furnished with some of his designs, including Crate & Barrel’s best-selling Big Sur table. But “anything goes here,” he says. No single style prevails; a perfect case in point is 2620 N. Washtenaw (above), a meticulously restored 1906 Victorian cottage with four bedrooms and 3.5 baths for $629,000. It’s situated right off the area’s elegant thoroughfare, Logan Boulevard, and was updated into a sun-filled family home with a three-level addition by noted architecture firm Burns + Beyerl. Unsurprisingly, the listing (marketed by Coldwell Banker broker Carolyn Fortman, 312-915-4742) just went under contract.

Other possibilities in Logan Square include 3531 W. Shakespeare, unit 4 (above), a beautifully renovated 1,450 square-foot, three-bed two-bath with garage parking included for $255,000 (contact @properties broker Nancy Gaspadarek, 773-259-9353).

If you’re up for a DIY project, consider 3534 W. Wrightwood, a four-unit brick building on an oversized lot with a possible fifth unit below grade, sold as is in a short sale for $499,999 (contact @properties broker Peter Diaz, 312-254-0200). A contingent short sale to watch is 3233 W. Palmer, unit 3, a 1,600 square-foot, three-bed three-bath for $215,000 (contact @properties broker Ryan Parks, 773-387-3010).

Infuse your home with greenery — and combat winter boredom — with a DIY terrarium. Score the necessary items at Sprout Home (745 N. Damen, Sprouthome.com), where options range from $30 to $300. Or, for $50, take an evening terrarium class, which includes supplies and instruction.

Story by Lisa Skolnik