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2828 North Pine Grove is a 6-story, 106-unit vintage courtyard building in Lakeview.
The building has a domed entrance rotunda, and an ornate façade with a riotous profusion of Baroque terra cotta ornamentation. It was built in 1922 as the Pine Grove Apartment Hotel, and designed by Loewenberg & Loewenberg, a predecessor of the current firm.
The four Germanic turrets are among the building’s most distinctive features.
The interior of the entrance rotunda and the grand marble hallways repeat the bold hues of the building’s exterior.
2828 North Pine Grove is in the landmark Surf – Pine Grove District (pdf), which encompasses the 400 and 500 blocks of Surf St and part of the 2800 block of Pine Grove. The area has been featured in a number of major movies.
A number of the buildings in the district date to the 1890s, including the beautiful graystone rowhouses across the street from the building.
The apartments
2828 North Pine Grove has studio, 1-, and 2 and 3-bedroom, 2-bath floor plans.
All of the 3-bedrooms are corner units, and the building has an unusually large number of them. One of the bedrooms has an en-suite bath, and another has a curved wall with three windows.
Floor plans are accessible online.
Apartments have a mix of wood-look flooring and carpeting. Vintage touches include crown moldings. Kitchens have been updated with newer cabinets, gas ranges, dishwashers and built-in microwaves.
Room sizes are reasonably spacious in most of the units. Closet space varies.
Views. The building’s limited height relative to surrounding buildings results in streetscape views only.
Amenities, services, policies
Like most vintage buildings, 2828 North Pine Grove has a limited common-area amenities package.
The building has a lobby-level fitness room, a large adjacent laundry room and a bike room.
There’s a rooftop sundeck with limited views. The building has no on-site parking, and parking in the area is scarce.
2828 North Pine Grove has on-site maintenance. It’s a cats-only building.
The location
2828 North Pine Grove is on a quiet, tree-lined one-way street. It’s a half-block north of the border of the Lincoln Park and Lakeview neighborhoods. The location is attractive and conveniently close to the park and a wide selection of bars, restaurants and neighborhood shops. Saint Joseph Hospital is a block east. Wrigley Field, Boystown and other attractions are within walking distance.
Shopping. 2828 North Pine Grove has excellent proximity to grocery shopping.
There’s a 7-Eleven is a half-block south on Diversey.
Trader Joe’s on Diversey and Walmart Neighborhood Market on Broadway are a few short blocks from the building. The Walmart has a pharmacy and there’s also a Walgreens at Clark and Diversey.
Anyone setting up housekeeping for the first time will appreciate having Bed Bath & Beyond two short blocks west.
Dining, nightlife, entertainment.
There’s a good selection of bars and restaurants along Clark, Broadway and Diversey, and nearby in the park.
Yakzies, the Great Falafel, The Chipmunks and a number of other venues are a half-block from 2828 North Pine Grove. The popular Yolk is opening shortly. Expect a wait for breakfast on weekends.
Duffy’s Tavern, Pars Cove and Miss Asia are just a few of the venues you’ll find clustered along Diversey east of 2828 North Pine Grove.
Chipotle, Starbucks, Potbelly and Panera are also on Diversey, just west of 2828 North Pine Grove.
Grill in the Park is a little-noticed spot to grab a quick bite when the weather’s good. The North Pond is a highly-rated restaurant in a tranquil, beautiful setting.
Century Centre Cinema is just north of Diversey on Clark St, two blocks from the building.
Parks, recreation.
Lincoln Park has too many attractions to list.
The Zoo, the Conservatory and its gardens, the landmark Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool, the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum and other Lincoln Park draws are all within a half-dozen blocks of the building.
Active recreation opportunities are abundant, some of them unexpected. Fly fishing lessons, for example, are available at nearby North Pond in the park and the golf driving range at Diversey is open year-round. There are clay tennis courts and miniature golf adjacent to the driving range.
With a little bit of luck you might strike up a friendship with someone who has a boat in Diversey Harbor.
The park also offers endless opportunities for quiet relaxation.
Transportation. 2828 North Pine Grove’s access to public transportation is good, but not great.
The #151 bus, a block east, connects to the Loop via Michigan Ave. The #22 Clark and #36 Broadway buses are two short blocks west, and also connect to the Loop.
The nearest CTA train stop, at Diversey, is a 12-minute walk from 2828 North Pine Grove.
Taxi service is nearly always available just south of the building on Diversey. Several Zipcar car-sharing locations are nearby.
Access to I-90/94 and the city’s expressway grid is inconvenient, and can be a source of major misery during peak hours.
The competition
You’ll find additional options at YoChicago’s Lakeview apartment guide.
Rentals are typically available in a number of nearby condo buildings, sometimes at lower rents than in the managed apartment buildings.
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