Lake Shore Plaza apartments, 445 E Ohio St, Streeterville

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Lake Shore Plaza is a 38-story, 567-unit full-amenity apartment tower at 445 E Ohio St in Streeterville. It was completed in 1986.

George Schipporeit, better known as the co-designer of Lake Point Tower, was the architect. Early in his career he worked in the office of Mies van der Rohe. The Miesian influence is evident at Lake Shore Plaza – except for the building’s parking podium. Mayfair Construction was the general contractor for the building.

The apartments

Lake Shore Plaza has studio, convertible, one- and two-bedroom, 2-bath apartments.

Floor plans and near real-time rent and availability information are accessible online. The building may have, on average, the lowest rents in the immediate area.

The apartments are carpeted and, in general, have not been upgraded to the same extent as those in nearby buildings.

The apartments have individual heating and air-conditioning units, and operating costs should be taken into consideration when comparing rents with competing apartments.

The building has a long-and-narrow configuration that results in functional floor plans with lots of windows and minimal loss of space to hallways. Closet space in most of the floor plans compares favorably with many of the newer apartment buildings. None of the units have balconies or in-unit washer / dryers. Ceiling heights, lower than today’s new buildings, are typical of the era in which Lake Shore Plaza was built.

Twenty percent of the units are subsidized affordable housing.

Views. South-facing units look out over the deck above the building’s garage. Park space is immediately beyond that, resulting in open views. Higher-floor units facing north have great views of the lake.

Amenities, services, policies

Lake Shore Plaza’s amenities include a fitness center, an expansive sundeck with an outdoor pool, a whirlpool and a grilling area, and a new business center. Reserved parking is available in the 275-space on-site garage.

Overnight guest suites are available.

Lake Shore Plaza has on-site leasing, management and maintenance staff, and 24/7 door staff.

Cats are OK, dogs are not.

The location

Lake Shore Plaza is four short blocks north of the Chicago River, three blocks from Michigan Avenue, close to Lake Shore Drive and Navy Pier. It has convenient access to Lurie Children’s and Prentice Women’s hospitals, and Northwestern University’s downtown campus.

Shopping. Treasure Island, which bills itself as “America’s most European supermarket,” is two blocks north.

There is a new Bockwinkel’s a block west of the building in the McClurg Court complex.

Whole foods recently opened a few blocks southwest of the building.

A Walgreen’s Pharmacy is two blocks south of Lake Shore Plaza.

Michigan Avenue’s Magnificent Mile shops and the Shops at North Bridge, anchored by Nordstrom, are a few blocks west of the building.

Dining, nightlife, entertainment.
There are literally 100s of dining and nightlife options within blocks of Lake Shore Plaza, although the building doesn’t have as good proximity to them as some of its competitors.

The misleadingly-named Hilton DoubleTree Mag Mile, a block west and south, is home to Markethouse restaurant and an Einstein Bros Bagels outlet. Yolk, a block away, is the go-to breakfast spot, but be prepared for a wait on weekends.

Many of the local restaurants and night spots cater heavily to hotel guests, tourists and office workers, but you won’t have any trouble finding a go-back-to neighborhood favorite. Timothy O’Toole’s Pub, a block west of Lake Shore Plaza, gets mixed reviews but has its regulars and a large selection of beers on tap.

If you’re a bowling or movie buff, the lanes at Lucky Strike are two blocks away, upstairs from the 21-screen AMC River East mega-plex theater.

Parks, recreation. Lake Shore Plaza has excellent park access.

Directly south of Lake Shore Plaza is a pleasant park that’s actually the roof of a parking garage.

The building is two blocks from Navy Pier and is close to Jane Addams Memorial Park, Ohio Street Beach and the Lakefront Trail. River Esplanade Park, home to Centennial Fountain, is four blocks south of the building.

Lake Shore Park, which has a running track, softball fields, tennis courts, a playground and a small field house, is four short blocks north. The Museum of Contemporary Art is at the west end of the park and just west of the museum is the delightful, tree-shrouded Seneca Playlot Park.

Transportation. Access to CTA and Metra train lines is inconvenient.

CTA bus service, via multiple routes, is excellent along Michigan Ave, Illinois St (one-way East-bound) and Grand Ave (one-way West-bound). Cabs are always plentiful in the area.

Zipcar car-sharing locations are nearby.

Lake Shore Plaza has quick access to and from Lake Shore Drive. Reaching I-90/94 and the rest of the city’s expressway grid can often be time-consuming. Expect near-gridlock conditions when there’s a major event in the neighborhood.

The competition

You’ll find additional options at YoChicago’s comprehensive Streeterville apartment guide.

Rentals are typically available in a number of nearby condo buildings.

Lake Shore Plaza in the news

More recent items are listed first.

  • Lake Shore Plaza to open ahead of schedule
  • Share your take on Lake Shore Plaza

    If you’ve lived at or visited Lake Shore Plaza, and are not a real estate agent, add your thoughts in a comment. Comments are moderated, and commercial messages are not allowed.

    Lake Shore Plaza

    Address 445 E Ohio St
    City Chicago
    # of Units 567
    Pets Cats OK; no dogs.
    Parking On-site 275-space garage
    Completed 1986
    Management The Habitat Company
    Website Lake Shore Plaza

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