What’s the best downtown neighborhood in Chicago if you’re looking to buy an ultra-luxury condo? My preference is for Streeterville, but what say you? There was a time when ultra-luxury high-rises could only be found in one place, the rarefied Gold Coast. Is it still top of the heap? There’s only so much developable land in the neighborhood that spawned the Viagra Triangle.
So developers and droves of empty nesters have turned their attention elsewhere, maiing downtown neighborhoods more livable. Ever since Daley dreamed up Millennium Park, it’s as if the Loop has been reborn and become much more than just empty offices on weekends. Highlights? The Art Institute of Chicago, the Chicago Cultural Center and the many great bars and restaurants. Ultra-luxe developments spawned by the park include The Legacy at Millennium Park. Farther away from the park, but still in the Loop is the Waterview Tower.
Heck, even the South Loop has some luxury product these days, in the form of One Museum Park.
Advantages of the South Loop? You get great views of the downtown skyline and the lake, you’re close to the Museum campus and new restaurants and retail are filling in the neighborhood, including Jewel Osco, Target and all those shops slated for Southgate Market at Roosvelt Road and Canal Street. Can anyone fill us in on recent newcomers to the South Loop restaurant or retail scene?
Streeterville‘s not a new neighborhood, but it’s becoming a better place to live all the time, with convenience retail like Dominick’s and Fox & Obel making life easy. There are loads of great restaurants, the massive Holmes Place Health Club, Mag Mile shops, the Museum of Contemporary Art, Navy Pier – and the list goes on. You’ll be waiting a while, but it looks like the tower formerly known as Fordham Spire, might break ground yet.
But if you’re a Lincoln Park loyalist, Lucien Lagrange’s Lincoln Park 2520 is taking reservations. It promises fab lake and skyline views and it’s located in an area with plenty of open green space and a vibe that’s a little more “neighborhoody” than its downtown competitors.
Yo wants yo’all to weigh in on the pros and cons of different downtown neighborhoods.