October 2021 | Chicago Luxury Condos for Sale | Luxury Living Chicago Realty

Neighborhood Match-Up: South Loop vs. Chicago Loop

Posted on October 29, 2021 by Lindsay Smith

Are you comparing South Loop vs. Chicago Loop? These two downtown communities offer unique living experiences. See which one is right for you!

South Loop vs. Chicago Loop

The Chicago Loop is truly the heart of the Windy City. It’s the hub of downtown and considered the central business district. This area is home to some of Chicago’s biggest companies.

Beyond being a hot spot to work, tourists and residents enjoy plenty of activities and attractions in this bustling area.

The Loop is technically bounded by Lake Street (north), Wabash Avenue (east), Van Buren Street (south), and Wells Street (west). However, people often use this term to refer to downtown Chicago generally, particularly the area enclosed by the Chicago River, Michigan Avenue, and Congress Parkway.

As its name implies, South Loop sits directly below the Loop, also right along Lake Michigan. While South Loop houses popular Chicago attractions and businesses, the neighborhood is considered more residential and less business-centric than the Loop.

The two distinct living areas in South Loop include Museum Park and Printer’s Row. Museum Park offers a sprawling lakefront community of brand-new high-rise buildings with popular venues and museums. Printer’s Row offers a bit more character featuring former printing plants and publishing houses converted into contemporary lofts and condos.

Attractions and Activities

Living in the Loop places some of Chicago’s most iconic attractions in your backyard. This neighborhood boasts the popular Millineum Park and is home to the infamous Cloud Gate (aka the Bean), Crown Fountain, Lurie Garden, and the Jay Pritzker Pavilion that hosts an array of concerts and festivals.

The Loop also boasts Maggie Dailey Park, the Chicago Theatre, and the Chicago Cultural Center, as well as several live music venues, boutique shops, and world-class restaurants.

South Loop doesn’t disappoint when it comes to attractions either. Here, you have direct access to the Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, the Field Museum, Soldier Field, and plenty of shopping destinations, endless dining options, and a wide array of coffee shops. Plus, South Loop’s Grant Park offers many historic landmarks and hosts numerous events and festivals throughout the year.

Where to Live

If you’re drawn to the Loop, consider one of these condos:

Those who gravitate to the urban experience but see themselves in the South Loop neighborhood, consider these homes:

Whether you’re still weighing South Loop vs. Chicago Loop, or you’re ready to find your dream home, let Luxury Living Chicago Realty help. We have experts who can match your goals to the right neighborhood today!

Still deciding which Chicago neighborhood is right for you? Follow the link below!

Neighborhood Match-Up: West Loop vs South Loop Chicago

Posted on October 19, 2021October 22, 2021 by Lindsay Smith

Deciding whether to live in West Loop vs. South Loop Chicago is a tricky one, but the Luxury Living Chicago team is here to help you make your decision. Read on to discover some of what makes each neighborhood unique.

West Loop vs. South Loop, Chicago

Formerly known as the factory and warehouse hub, West Loop has gone through a transformation throughout the recent years and is now home to many of the city’s best restaurants, shops, and brand new living spaces. West Loop borders Grand Avenue on the north side, I-290 on the south side, Ashland and Ogden on the west side, and the Chicago River on the east side.

Just a tad right from West Loop sits South Loop. Full of historic charm with modern amenities, South Loop is a fantastic place to call home. Many trendy restaurants and shops are within walking distance. South Loop is also within close proximity to Soldier Field, Museum Park, and Printers’ Row. Directly south of the Chicago Loop, South Loop is bounded by Cermak, Michigan Avenue, the Chicago River, and Congress Parkway-Eisenhower Expressway.

Dining

You definitely won’t be starved of fantastic food if you choose to go with either of these Chicago neighborhoods.

The West Loop neighborhood houses Chicago’s famous Restaurant Row, a vibrant strip lined with some of the city’s best eateries. One of which, Bar Siena, is a lively Italian bar and restaurant with a casual patio to enjoy the summer nights. City Winery is another place to catch live music while tasting wines alongside their incredible food menu. Both of these restaurants are also just two of the many dog-friendly restaurants throughout West Loop.

South Loop is also home to many popular dinner restaurants and prime spots for lunch. Tapas restaurant, Mercat a la Planxa, offers an authentic dining experience that blends fresh meats and produce with the spirit of Barcelona. Burger Bar is a great spot for lunch in the South Loop. Here you can get handcrafted burgers, fresh cut fries, and hand-spun milkshakes.

Nightlife

Both West Loop and South Loop are bustling when it comes to nightlife.

West Loop has plenty of upscale cocktail bars and bars with games and live entertainment to make for an exciting weekend, every weekend. Visit PunchBowl Social to enjoy your favorite beverage alongside a game of bowling, vintage arcade games, or private karaoke. If you’re more in the mood for an upscale cocktail bar with live jazz performances, Lazy Bird does not disappoint.

South Loop is also known for their many popular brewpubs and cocktail bars. If you’re searching for a pet-friendly microbrewery with rotating seasonal beers, Motor Row Brewing has quite a few. In the mood for something a little classier? Try the M Lounge. This candlelit martini lounge features live Jazz performances and a menu with fine spirits and specialty martinis.

Arts & Culture

If you’re looking for a heavy emphasis on arts & culture, look no further than Chicago’s West Loop and South Loop neighborhoods.

The trendy West Loop neighborhood is scattered with many impressive art galleries, including The McCormick Gallery, Carrie Secrist Gallery, and Sarah Raskey Fine Art. Here you can explore a wide array of artwork from many Chicago-based artists.

There are also plenty of art galleries to peruse throughout the South Loop as well, including Elephant Room Gallery and Chicago Art Exchange.

Shopping & Activities

Both South Loop and West Loop neighborhoods offer an endless list of shops and activities for residents and tourists alike.

South Loop offers some great options when you’re looking to upgrade your wardrobe. Roosevelt Collection Shops is one of the neighborhood’s hot spots and is home to many household brands, including Banana Republic, Nordstrom Rack, LOFT, and more. Michigan Avenue is also not far from the South Loop, offering an endless array of boutiques and name-brand stores. When you’ve shopped til you’ve dropped, be sure to snag a pick-me-up from one of South Loop’s many coffee shops.

West Loop also has their fair share of boutique-shopping and local coffee joints. In addition to those, this booming neighborhood also has some of the best music halls and venues to enjoy live music. The Bassment in West Loop has a hidden entrance, giving you all the speakeasy feels; and Cobra Lounge is a microbrewery/music venue duo for all the craft beer lovers in the area.

Available Condos

Both West Loop and South Loop offer exceptional places to live. Check out some of the available condos:

The Reed Southbank – This luxury South Loop building offer one-, two-, and three-bedroom layouts with a 2-acre riverfront park.

1400 Monroe – These two and three-bedroom luxury residences in West Loop blend luxury living with a top-notch location right across from Skinner Park.

Embry – Nestled in West Loop, this premier condo building boasts top-notch walkability, brilliant design by Kara Mann, and exclusive amenities including a putting green, indoor/outdoor fitness center, and an oversized chess board.

Looking to explore more of Chicago’s neighborhoods? View our Chicago neighborhood guide below!

Neighborhood Match-Up: River North vs. Streeterville

Posted on October 18, 2021October 22, 2021 by LLCR Staff

Comparing River North vs. Streeterville is tough. Both neighborhoods provide phenomenal urban experiences in the heart of the Windy City. Let’s walk through the similarities and distinctions to understand better which community is the best fit for you.

River North vs. Streeterville

River North is a bustling area with rich history and activities, attracting plenty of young professionals, artists, and foodies. The neighborhood is bounded by Chicago Ave to the north, Michigan Ave to the east, and the Chicago River to the south and west. It is currently ranked as the fastest and largest growing neighborhood in Chicago.

Streeterville neighbors River North directly to the east and is bounded by the river on the south, the Magnificent Mile portion of Michigan Avenue on the west, and Lake Michigan on the north and east. Streeterville offers impressive walkability to popular attractions and the lakefront, making it a hot spot for tourists and residents. However, those who work outside the neighborhood may find the public transit options more limited than River North.

History

Both River North and Streeterville have colorful pasts.

River North truly began to evolve into the neighborhood it is today after the 1871 Chicago Fire. Afterward, it quickly rebuilt and introduced municipal buildings, housing for workers, warehouses, shipping facilities, and railroad tracks. Eventually, the industrial area became a warehouse district, with the construction of the Merchandise Mart, a 25-story building storing many of the city’s goods. While it struggled through the Great Depression, in 1945, Joseph P. Kennedy revitalized and re-opened Merchandise Mart to the public. It’s been a thriving spot since.

From the 1920s to the 1960s, River North lost many of its residents to the Chicago Suburbs. However, things turned around in the 1970s when artists reclaimed the area when they discovered low real estate prices and large spaces, beginning the River North Gallery District. Old abandoned buildings were repurposed into galleries, studios, offices, apartments, shops, and restaurants.

Streeterville’s name comes from the infamous Captain George Streeter, a man whose crazy life directly shaped the outcome of the Streeterville neighborhood we know today. Over a decade after the Great Fire, the area known as Streeterville was still recovering, and Lake Michigan became a dumping ground for contractors trying to clean up.

Around this time, Streeter used some of the “waste” to set up a sand bar Shanty in Lake Michigan. For 40-years, a dramatic battle unfolded among Streeter, the City of Chicago, and the actual owner of the land, millionaire Kellogg Fairbank, for the rights of the land.

In the end, Captain Streeter’s efforts to keep the land were unsuccessful, but his legacy remains in the neighborhood’s name.

Activities

The River North gallery district attracts plenty of creative residents and tourists alike. This district is centered around the intersection of Franklin and Superior Streets and bounded by Wells, Chicago, Orleans, and Huron Streets. Around these streets, you can find plenty of unique and imaginative art galleries.

River North also offers some of the city’s best restaurants and bars scattered throughout the area.

Both River North and Streeterville put residents next to Michigan Avenue, opening the door to some of the country’s top-notch shopping, from Saks Fifth Avenue to Gucci.

Living in Streeterville also puts Lake Michigan, Navy Pier, Centennial Wheel and the Shakespeare Theatre in residents’ backyard, making the area a fun spot to call home. Not only are there plenty of things to do and see in this neighborhood, but there are also several fantastic restaurants and cocktail bars to try out as well.

Available Properties

You can’t go wrong choosing River North vs. Streeterville. Here are some properties in both neighborhoods that are worth checking out.

One Bennett Park – 451 E. Grand – These ultra-luxe Streeterville homes offer two to four-bedroom residences with custom interiors and sweeping views of Lake Michigan and the city skyline.

One Chicago – 1 W Chicago – This brand-new River North development is currently under construction, but will house 77 elegant condo residences just blocks from the Chicago lakefront.

Renelle on the River – 403 N. Wabash – Situated in a prime River North Location, these sleek homes offer impeccable amenities, including an outdoor terrace with fire place, private screening room, yoga room, and more.

If you’re ready to find your dream home, connect with a Luxury Living Chicago Realty expert who can match your goals to the right neighborhood or follow the link below to compare them for yourself!

Neighborhood Match-Up: Old Town vs. Gold Coast

Posted on October 13, 2021October 15, 2021 by LLCR Staff

Let’s take a look at Old Town vs. Gold Coast.

Old Town vs. Gold Coast

Both Chicago neighborhoods offer unique advantages and living experiences.

Neighborhood Overviews

Old Town sits directly south of Lincoln Park, bounded by Division Street to the south, North Avenue to the north, Clybourn Avenue to the east, and Larrabee Street to the west.

The residential neighborhood features Victorian-era buildings, brick alleyways and narrow, tree-lined streets. Old Town boasts fantastic public transit options and impressive weekend itineraries, including hot dining spots, bars, and comedy clubs. The community provides undeniable energy, attracting plenty of young and vibrant residents.

Gold Coast sits directly east of Old Town right along Lake Michigan and is roughly bounded by North Avenue, Lake Shore Drive, Oak Street, and Clark Street. This picturesque and affluent neighborhood offers the same charm as Old Town, with a bit more luxury. It also feels a bit quieter and laidback than the Old Town area.

History

Old Town is one of Chicago’s most historically rich and lively areas and is home to some of the city’s oldest buildings.

German-Catholic immigrants began settling into the Old Town neighborhood in the 1850s. They began farming cabbage, potatoes, and celery in the area, earning it the nickname “the cabbage patch,” which stuck until the early 1900s.

Old Town is one of the only areas in Chicago to survive the Old Town Fire. Afterward, it began to grow, initially attracting many artists and even playing a part in World War II. After the war, the area was known as “North Town” and began hosting art fairs called “Old Town Holiday.” Eventually, the name evolved into its current name, “Old Town.”

In the late 1800s, The Gold Coast neighborhood was called the Astor Street District, after John Jacob Astor. While Astor never actually resided in Chicago, his achievement as one of the wealthiest men in the United States at the time earned him recognition and an entire neighborhood named after him.

This name helped to attract other wealthy families and individuals to the area. Potter Palmer was among these wealthy people who also played an instrumental role in developing the Gold Coast.

After the Chicago Fire in the late 1800s, Potter purchased a large amount of land and eventually converted the swampy land into a strip of desirable property along the Lake, now known as Lake Shore Drive.

Dining & Nightlife

While Old Town and Gold Coast both offer excellent evenings out, both give off different vibes.

Gold Coast is known for its upscale dining and drinking options, especially around Rush Street. Popular restaurants in this area include Tavern on Rush, Carmines, and Lux Bar.

The dining scene in Old Town feels a bit more laid back, often attracting a younger crowd. Many popular bars and restaurants line Well Street, including the Vig and Happy Camper. Most of the bars in this area stay open pretty late on weeknights.

Shopping & Activities

The Gold Coast area is a popular activity in and of itself, as many people enjoy sunbathing on Oak Street Beach, touring the original Playboy Mansion, and shopping the day away.

Gold Coast’s shopping scene is one of luxury. Along Oak Street, the neighborhood’s retail hub, you’ll find some of the city’s most upscale shopping, with high-end brands like Hermes, Barney, Jimmy Choo, and Tory Burch.

A day in Old Town is well spent visiting the Chicago History Museum, seeing a show at Second City or Zanie’s Comedy Bar, or lounging at North Avenue Beach. In June, the Old Town Art Fair and the Wells Street Art Festival become hot events for the neighborhood.

When it comes to Old Town Shopping, this area is known for its small boutiques along Wells Street.