Over a three-week period in August 2010, the number of downtown-area condos, townhomes, and single-family homes listed for rent on the MLS plunged from 1,628 to 1,043. From there, the number of listings rose gradually, peaking on the Friday before Thanksgiving with 1,316 homes available, and has been going down ever since.
As of this morning, there are just 1,041 homes listed for rent in downtown’s 14 ZIP codes, the smallest number we’ve recorded since starting this process in late 2009. As usual, the majority of those homes are located in three ZIP codes — 60611 (Streeterville), with 240; 60610 (Gold Coast, Old Town, and the Near North Side), with 196; and 60605 (South Loop), with 121.
The median list price for a rental is $2,000, and there’s plenty to choose from at that price — 46 units, to be exact. Examples include:
- 60605: 1522 S Prairie Ave Unit K: 2 / 2, 1,477 square feet
- 60607: 711 S Ashland Ave Unit B: 3 / 2.5, 1,500 square feet
- 60608: 1140 W Washburne Ave: 3 / 2.5, 2,200 square feet
- 60610: 1313 N Ritchie Ct Unit #503: 2 / 2, 1,000 square feet
- 60611: 540 N Lake Shore Dr Unit #513 (pictured): 2 / 2, 1,500 square feet
- 60616: 3144 S Prairie Ave Unit #1S: 3 / 3, 3,000 square feet
- 60622: 914 W Hubbard St Unit #102: 2 / 2, 1,200 square feet
- 60654: 700 N Larrabee St Unit #806: 2 / 1, 1,100 square feet
- 60661: 226 N Clinton St Unit #227: 2 / 1.5, 1,100 square feet