about

 
 
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who we are.


 
 

At Suzanne Gignilliat Inc., we are a dynamic team united by a passion for innovation and excellence. Together, we are redefining possibilities and shaping a brighter future. Welcome to our world of endless possibilities.

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the founder

Suzanne Gignilliat

The best of the best, Suzanne runs a boutique practice that’s focused on luxury properties in North Side. When you hire Suzanne, you get Suzanne. Discreet, patient, tenacious, Suzanne wins sales awards and client praise year after year. Nearly all of her business is referrals and repeat customers. Clients love working with Suzanne, whether it’s a condo purchase or a multi-million-dollar home sale; she’s the calm in the emotional business of buying or selling a home. 

How does Suzanne’s team operate? She is the team leader. Clients work with her and two seasoned associates trained by Suzanne over 30 years. She won’t pass you off to a revolving door of junior agents to show your home. Her full-time administrative staff handles marketing, processing and administration. This frees Suzanne to focus exclusively on you, her client. She is present, engaged and involved with buyers and sellers, which smooths the process. 

While Suzanne specializes in high end properties in the near North side, her team’s client base is as diverse as the properties they represent: from rentals, to first-time home buyers, to condos, co-ops, lofts, townhouses, single-family homes, and new construction projects. They welcome any all inquiries. 

Suzanne lives the Lincoln Park life she sells: she’s connected, she can solve a need, she understands historic homes and landmarking. Very visual and creative, she will work side by side with you to present your home in the best light.

Suzanne’s reputation is stellar: she’s professional, ethical, trustworthy. She’s intelligent but approachable, thoughtful and candid, respectful and available. She won’t waste your time. In the high-end market, she’s been a top seller since day one. 

Don’t be fooled by Suzanne’s low-key, gracious manner. When it comes to closing a deal, there’s a reason her associates call her “The Velvet Hammer.”

Awards & Recent High End Sales


 
  • • A top seller in @properties East Lincoln Park office (2017-present)

    • A top seller in Coldwell Banker’s Lincoln Park office (2010 - 2017)

    • NRT/Coldwell Banker National Holding Company Top 1% out of 47,000 agents (2010-2017)

    • Coldwell Banker President’s Club (2011 – 2017)

    • A top seller in Koenig & Strey’s $1.2 billion Lincoln Park office (22 years)

    • Rookie of the year in 1988

    • Top 1% of all Illinois Realtors (24 years)

    • Luxe Mart Top 25 Realtor (2009 - 2016)

    • NRT National Top 1% agent (out of 47,000 agents)

    • Highest Chicago Condo sale in the first quarter of 2020 ($6,250,000)

    • Highest Chicago Co-op sale in the first quarter of 2020 ($3,712,500)

  • • $10,650,000 1956 N. Orchard St. (2023)

    • $8,650,000 1837 N. Orchard St.

    • $7,000,000 189 E. Lake Shore Dr. #17

    • $6,250,000 451 E. Grand Ave. #6311

    • $5,825,000 2550 N. Lakeview Ave #T3501

    • $5,300,000 1956 N. Orchard St. (2012)

    • $5,200,000 1500 N. Lake Shore Dr. #18A

    • $4,687,500 2430 N. Lakeview #9N

    • $4,600,000 1912-14 N. Orchard St.

    • $4,195,000 2235 N. Fremont St.

    • $3,950,000 1520 N. Dearborn

    • $3,850,000 55 E. Erie #5202

    • $3,712,500 1448 N. Lake Shore Dr. #16AB

    • $3,575,000 1507 N Dearborn

    • $3,475,000 77 E. Walton #22C

    • $3,292,000 1448 N. Lake Shore Dr. #19AB

    • $3,250,000 1833 N. Howe St.

    • $3,125,000 1950 N. Orchard St.

    • $3,100,000 1500 N. Lake Shore Dr. #11A

    • $3,075,000 199 E. Lake Shore Dr. #8E

    • $2,875,000 1925 N. Fremont St.

    • $2,850,000 1806 N. Wood St.

The Partners of SUzanne Gignilliat Inc.

  • A licensed real estate professional since 2002, Joelle has worked with a variety of clients; from first-time home buyers to selling properties in the high-end luxury market. After purchasing her first condo in Chicago, Joelle knew it was time to start her career in real estate. She took the first step, working as an assistant for me, then deciding to become a full-time real estate agent. Joelle was honored as Chicago Magazine's Who's Who of Real Estate in 2012 and has continued to receive awards from her brokerage firms. Formerly a licensed mortgage broker, she is knowledgeable on lending guidelines and can offer advice on the current market and potential financing restrictions. Joelle was previously the elected Treasurer,  then Board President of her 250-unit Gold Coast condominium association. She can help both buyers and sellers navigate through the detailed process of trading a property within a condominium or co-op. Purchasing in the right building is just as important as the unit itself. Whether finding the perfect home or negotiating the right price, Joelle homes in on her clients’ needs and is determined to succeed. Joelle was formerly a Gold Coast resident for over 14 years before moving to Roscoe Village with her husband and children.

  • Within months of joining my top-selling Lincoln Park group, Kirste Gaudet sold her first listing for just under $3 million. That's Kirste: dive in, make a splash, finish strong. Entrepreneur, sales pro and design expert, Kirste brings her unique background and talents to Chicago real estate. Kirste specializes in the luxury market. Skilled with numbers, comfortable with sales and a love of Chicago's rich residential architecture led Kirste to real estate. What a great fit. Kirste excels at market analysis for clients. Her design background gives her the ability to walk into a home and quickly envision space. Calm and tireless, Kirste understands that buying or selling a home is one of life's largest and most emotional transactions. Kirste is with you every step of the way. Kirste embraces the city life she sells. She and her family live in the North Center neighborhood. Her children attended St. Clement School and St. Ignatius College Prep. Athletes all, the family enjoys the Saddle & Cycle Club. Kirste plays for a doubles team at Midtown Tennis Club, ranked #5. Kirste loves walking Michigan's white pine forests with her dog, a daily game of tennis and Little Harbor Club summer reunions with extended family in Harbor Springs, Michigan.

  • Real estate knowledge and an eye for planning raw spaces are the driving forces behind Sara's success as a broker. Licensed early 2014, Sara hit the ground running and quickly built a successful real estate career through word-of-mouth referrals and repeat clients. Genuine care and going above and beyond in every transaction is Sara's number one goal. She is a certified negotiation expert and is known for her extensive market knowledge and high ethical standards in every situation. Sara grew up in La Grange Park, IL (Lyons Township High School) and went on to graduate from the University of Kansas with an Art History degree. She has been living in Chicago since and settled in the West Loop neighborhood. Her favorite things to do are spending time with friends and family, meeting new people and discussing her peers’ goals for homeownership and investment opportunities in the city.

 
 
  • Melinda is a real estate professional who understands the significance of buying or selling a property. She specializes in Chicago neighborhoods; Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Gold Coast, Budlong Woods, North Center as well as Evanston and Skokie. Melinda offers valuable insights into schools, amenities and the qualities that make a neighborhood desirable. She raised her children in Chicago and has an intimate knowledge of this amazing city. Navigating estate sales and supporting families during transitions is a strength of Melinda’s. She is dedicated to ensuring comfort throughout the process, using integrity and honesty to keep clients’ interests at the forefront. As an expert in negotiation, she prioritizes satisfaction and helps guide clients to achieve their goals rather than solely focusing on closing the deal.

  • At the center of Amanda’s work ethic is knowledge, tenacity, and integrity. Empowering clients to make real estate decisions that work. She is driven not only by the desire to turn her clients’ aspirations into concrete realities but also by her love of Chicago real estate. Her objective is to surpass clients’ expectations while making the process enjoyable. Beyond her outstanding reputation, Amanda has extensive training and broad knowledge of the local market. Her clientele ranges from first-time home buyers to international investors to the luxury market. She provides creative solutions, due diligence, and unparalleled insight, making her a real estate maven. Amanda currently lives in Andersonville with her daughter. 

 

The Executive Assistants

 
  • As a graduate of Indiana University with a degree in advertising and a love for real estate, Montgomery has an eye for the creative aspects of the business. He got his start working as a leasing agent when he moved to Chicago in 2020. Ready to dive headfirst into the real estate market, Montgomery started as Suzanne’s assistant in 2021 and now handles most of her marketing design and social media. Montgomery is currently working towards getting his real estate license, something he has always dreamt of. He’d search Zillow for fun and show off his latest finds to anyone who would listen. As Suzanne’s assistant, he gets first-hand experience in the entire buying and selling process. Montgomery is organized, patient, and full of creative ideas that help buyers and sellers feel at ease every step of the way.

  • After graduating from Illinois State University, Gina was thrilled when she was presented with the opportunity to become an assistant for Suzanne. A skilled communicator and lover of all things Chicago, Gina always knew that she was interested in pursuing a career in Chicago’s real estate market. Gina is currently working toward getting her real estate license, looking forward to helping people find the apartment, condo or home of their dreams. As Suzanne's assistant, Gina is given hands-on experience in the world of buying and selling, preparing listing paperwork, organizing property information and scheduling showings. Gina’s personable demeanor, organization and knowledge of Chicago, help buyers and sellers feel at ease throughout the process.

 

 testimonials

 
 
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work with us

 
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