(River North | Gold Coast | Streeterville | Old Town)
One of the 77 defined community areas in Chicago, the Near North Side is one of only four areas that make up downtown Chicago. With Lake Michigan to the east, and the Chicago River bordering it to the south and west, the Near North Side is one of the most desirable areas in all of Chicago.
The first known permanent settlement in the area occurred in the 1780s, when Jean Baptiste Point du Sable built “Eschecagou,” near what is today the Michigan Avenue Bridge. Six distinct neighborhoods make up the Near North Side, including the Gold Coast, Old Town, Goose Island, River North, Streeterville and the Magnificent Mile. Compared to the other downtown community areas, the Near North Side has the second largest total area, and the largest population count.
The Chicago Public School district serves all residents on the Near North Side, and a number of alternate schooling options are available. Walter Payton College Prep is a selective, magnet high school, and the Latin School of Chicago is a private school serving grades K-12. The Near North Side is home to a number of higher education institutions, including: Northwestern University Schools of Law and Medicine, Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Kendall College and the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago. Transportation is available through the CTA, offering numerous “L” and bus stops throughout the area.
The Near North Side is home to numerous famous buildings, museums and attractions, including: Chicago Water Tower, Holy Name Cathedral, Trump Tower, Chicago Children’s Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago Shakespeare and for shopping, the Magnificent Mile. However, the key attraction is undoubtedly Navy Pier, the 3,300 foot pier located in Streeterville. Featuring a number of popular rides and attractions, including the Navy Pier Ferris Wheel, hundreds of thousands of visitors descend upon the pier yearly, taking in all that Chicago has to offer. The area is also home to a number of world-class restaurants, including The Purple Pig, Farmhouse, and Bandera.
Having a quaint village atmosphere right in the middle of the city is no easy task, but Roscoe Village pulls it off.
If River North had a motto, it would be “Build it and they will come.” First came the art galleries and restaurants, then hip, urban homebuyers followed. Stretching from the Chicago River to Chicago Avenue, west of the Magnificent Mile, the old loft district has found its groove.
Chicago's biggest office building, the Merchandise Mart, anchors the southern edge of the neighborhood along the revitalized Chicago River and the new pedestrian Riverwalk that includes restaurants and park seating along with kayak and boat rentals. Residents have convenient access to several bus lines as well as the CTA Red and Brown lines.
Home to many of Chicago's premier eateries with famed chefs, River North is where you will find the finest steakhouses and just about every type of cuisine. The neighborhood is packed with shopping, entertainment and nightlife, including some of the city’s trendiest clubs and favorite hangouts.
Within one square mile, the Gold Coast offers lively beaches, internationally-renowned boutiques, incredible cuisine and vibrant nightlife. It also has a number of top public and private schools, beautiful parks, and cultural attractions.
Residents live just a few steps away from the best the city has to offer – a stroll down Michigan Avenue, a day at the beach, shopping along Oak Street, dinner at an award-winning restaurant or cocktails with a view atop the building formerly known as the Hancock Tower.
From the stately mansions on Astor Street to the magnificent high-rises overlooking the lake, the Gold Coast offers a surprising variety of housing choices. In addition to the historic apartment buildings that line Lake Shore Drive, there are walk-ups, townhomes and a number of contemporary high-rises offering all the modern amenities.
Horse-drawn carriages await those who enjoy traveling in style down Michigan Avenue. For those heading to work downtown, their “commute” is a brisk walk or a quick ride on a CTA bus or train.
Old Town is too hip to ever get old. This once hippie haven, located between Lincoln Park and the Gold Coast, continues to capture the interest of homebuyers with its diverse collection of restaurants, shops and entertainment venues.
The go-go clubs of the ‘60s and ‘70s may be gone but Old Town’s hip spirit lives on with popular pubs, Zanies comedy club and the world-famous Second City, where everyone from John Belushi and Bill Murray to Tina Fey and Steve Carell launched their comedy careers
In addition to nightlife, residents enjoy the neighborhood’s walkability, central location and variety of independent shops, restaurants, boutiques and specialty stores that highlight a fabulous mix of old and new. The community thrives during the summer, when The Old Town Art Fair and Wells Street Art Festival showcases the exceptional work of local artists.
The upscale neighborhood includes some of the city’s best-preserved historic homes; single-family homes priced well over $1 million and many newer condominiums. As the community has edged west in recent years, new development is bringing moderately-priced housing to the area
With its proximity to the lake, Lincoln Park and The Loop, Old Town is a top choice among Chicagoans. Easily accessible by public transportation, including two CTA train stops and numerous bus routes, the neighborhood also has well-traveled designated bike lanes along Wells Street.
Major development in recent years has put Streeterville on the map. In the past two decades alone, dozens of new buildings, high-rises, hotels, stores and institutions have sprung up, bringing with them a flock of residents to the high-energy community.
A wide range of housing is available, the majority in high-rise buildings. The neighborhood’s stunning array of architecture includes pre-war buildings, a collection of Mies van der Rohe buildings, and landmarks including the-building-formerly-known-as the John Hancock Center.
New construction and smaller mid-rise buildings, a few walk-ups and the occasional townhome or single-family home can be found throughout the neighborhood as well.
Streeterville is home to such notable attractions as The Magnificent Mile, Water Tower Place and the Museum of Contemporary Art. It is also home to Northwestern Memorial Hospital's state-of-the-art medical campus and downtown campuses of Northwestern University and the University of Chicago.
While the neighborhood offers a number of smaller "pocket" parks and playgrounds, the lakefront is the center of attention and it’s never more than a couple of blocks away. Dining out is easy; deciding where to dine with so many great restaurant options is not.
Residents are just steps from the CTA’s Red Line and numerous buses that run up and down Michigan Avenue.
The Refine Residential Team is a dynamic group of 8 real estate brokers who consistently rank in the top 1% of brokers in the Chicagoland area.