The Shelby, 2300 S Michigan Ave, South Loop

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The Shelby is a 7-story, 94-unit building with ground-level retail space located in Chicago’s South Loop neighborhood.

The Shelby, originally named Motor Row Condominiums, was built as a condominium but fell into foreclosure. Marc Realty Residential acquired the project from the lender, Starwood Capital Group, after the condo development failed, and converted it to apartments in 2013.

Marc Realty Residential was the developer, FitzGerald Associates Architects was the architect and Tishman Construction Company was the general contractor.

The apartments

The Shelby offers 9 different one-, and two-bedroom, two-bath floor plans. All of the one-bedroom apartments have one bath, and two of the plans have dens. Half of the one-bedroom plans have balconies. Two-bedroom units have either one or two baths and all have balconies. Floor plans and near real-time availability information can be accessed online.

The apartments include open floor plans with 10- or 15-foot ceiling heights, floor-to-ceiling windows and in-unit washer / dryers. Living areas have hardwood floors and bedrooms are carpeted. Closet space is good. Units with dens have no separate room, but instead open space in the living area designated as a den.

Kitchens include granite counter tops with espresso cabinetry, pendant lighting, subway tile backsplash and stainless steel Frigidaire appliances.

A number of the floor plans have large baths with dual-bowl vanities.

Most of the two-bedroom plans have the split-bedroom layout that’s preferred by roommates and people who work from home.

Amenities, services, policies

The Shelby is a limited-amenity building. Amenities include a fitness room, resident lounge, bike storage and an attached parking garage.

The Shelby has on-site leasing and management staff and is pet-friendly, subject to breed restrictions. The building offers complimentary Wi-Fi in all common areas.

The location

The Shelby is near the southern boundary of the South Loop neighborhood.

The location has excellent proximity to McCormick Place, Chinatown and Mercy Hospital. McCormick Place is only a block from the building to the east.

Shopping. Access to shopping is not one of the location’s strengths.

The nearest full-service grocery is a new Mariano’s, a mile north and west of The Shelby. South Loop Market, one block north at the LEX, is a family-run convenience store with a terrific selection of wines and craft beers.

There’s little to no retail development within a short walk of The Shelby. The Shops at Roosevelt Collection and the large and growing cluster of big-box shops just west of the river along Roosevelt Rd are the most viable retail destinations.

Dining, nightlife.
Dining and nightlife options in the immediate area of The Shelby are limited.

The Shelby is part of the Motor Row District, which is slated to become a music, entertainment and dining hub, taking advantage of its proximity to McCormick Place. Plans for the district have thus far resulted in little visible progress.

There are several restaurant choices at the nearby Hyatt McCormick Place, but residents of The Shelby are likely to opt for some of the more casual local venues. Papa John’s Pizza, Pizzeria Brandi, Chef Luciano and the Velvet Lounge are two blocks north and west of the building.

There’s a fun restaurant and nightlife strip just north of Cermak along State St, three blocks from The Shelby which includes Big Mike’s and Reggies.

Chinatown’s dining scene is a half-mile west of The Shelby. There’s also a lively restaurant and bar cluster along Michigan Ave and Wabash Ave approximately a mile north of the building.

Parks, recreation. The nearest public parks are several blocks from The Shelby.


Chicago Women’s Park, half a mile north of The Shelby, is a tranquil spot for relaxing or helping tend the community gardens.


Grant Park, Soldier Field and Northerly Island’s 12th Street Beach are an easy bike ride from The Shelby.

Ping Tom Memorial Park, a mile north and west of The Shelby, is a neighborhood jewel. The park has great vistas along the Chicago River, kayak rentals, play areas, ball fields, an indoor swimming pool and a great deal more to offer.

Transportation. Public transportation from The Shelby’s location is good.

CTA bus routes criss-cross the area, with stops a block away from the building.

The CTA recently opened a new Green Line station on Cermak Rd, a block north and west of The Shelby. The nearest CTA Red Line train stop is the Chinatown station.

Metra Electric train stops at 18th St and at McCormick Place provide transit to Millennium Park to the north and the University of Chicago and suburbs to the south.

The location doesn’t have the same near-instant taxi service that you’ll find at other South Loop apartment buildings. Zipcar car-sharing locations are nearby.

The location has good access to Lake Shore Drive and to the city’s expressway grid via the nearby Stevenson Expressway (I-55).

The competition

Rentals are typically available in a number of nearby condo buildings, sometimes at lower rents than in the managed apartment buildings.

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

The Shelby

Address 2300 S Michigan Ave
City Chicago
# of Units 94
Pets Pet-friendly, subject to breed restrictions
Management Village Green
Website The Shelby

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(Visited 1,584 times, 1 visits today)