I visited Hyde Park‘s newly-renovated Shoreland apartments last Saturday for a sponsored video shoot. Here are my first impressions of what I saw, and what I heard.
The contrast between the Shoreland’s ornate Spanish Renaissance Revival exterior and its Art Moderne lobby couldn’t be more striking.
A variety of furniture groupings and colorful rugs reduce the lobby’s vast size to spaces scaled for more intimate social gatherings or hangout venues.
Also striking were brief conversations with residents, and prospective residents who were touring the building. If the people I spoke with are representative, the Shoreland is drawing residents who’ve looked at and are living at downtown apartments. That’s a phenomenon I haven’t seen in several decades of passing familiarity with Hyde Park real estate. In prior years renters who considered downtown living wouldn’t even give Hyde Park a look. The Shoreland and developments like Harper Court are apparently prompting people to take a fresh look at Hyde Park.
Shoreland’s common areas are extensive, and some of its showiest spaces are still awaiting renovation.
Apartment finishes rival those in the better new buildings downtown. Kitchens have ample cabinet and counter space, granite counters, stainless-steel appliances, under-mount sinks, built-in microwaves and gas ranges. All of the apartments have in-unit washer / dryers.
The Shoreland allows residents to paint their apartments, and the furnished models illustrate the potential of accent walls for expanding the space and adding a touch of drama.
Shoreland apartment rents are typically several hundred dollars lower than rents at comparable downtown apartments. Studios start at $1,245, one-bedrooms at $1,300, two-bedrooms at $1,800 and three-bedrooms at $3,575. Floor plans, rents and availability dates are accessible online.
In an earlier post we noted that Shoreland is the first apartment community in Chicago to offer gigabit-speed internet connections.
Ian Spula, late of Curbed, recently visited the Shoreland and reported in more depth at Chicago Magazine on the building’s history and makeover.
Check back in a few days for a video tour and our in-depth review of the Shoreland’s apartments, amenities, services and location.