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Astor House is a 30-story, 218-unit contemporary apartment tower at 1340 N Astor St in the Gold Coast. As of summer 2018 a complete makeover of the apartments and amenities is underway.
The building was completed in 1969 and designed by Hirschfield & Reinheimer. Another Chicago building in Rogers Park is also named Astor House.
Astor House is the third-newest rental building north of Division St in the Gold Coast. It’s one of only a handful of apartment buildings in an area that has just seen first new rental construction since 1972.
The apartments
Astor House has a mix of convertible, 1- and 2-bedroom, 2-bath apartments in 8 different floor plans.
Floor plans and near real-time rent and availability info are online.
The apartments have a mix of carpeting and hardwood flooring. The all-electric kitchens have varying finishes and an appliance package that includes a dishwasher and built-in microwave.
Apartments have floor-to-ceiling windows, good closet space and spacious, functional layouts with well-defined dining areas. Two of the 2-bedroom plans have balconies and the split-bedroom layout preferred by roommates and people who work from home. Heat and air-conditioning are included in the rent.
Views. Astor House is not a view building, but some of the higher-floor units enjoy good views of the lake, park and downtown skyline.
Amenities, services, policies
Astor House’s common-area amenities include a rooftop pool and sundeck.
The building also has a rooftop fitness room, storage lockers, a laundry room and a bike storage room. A limited amount of heated valet parking is available.
Astor House does not allow pets. Astor House has on-site management, maintenance and leasing staff, and 24/7 door staff.
The location
Astor House is in a very attractive location, a short block west of Lake Shore Drive on a quiet, beautiful street of architecturally distinctive homes.
Shopping. Residents of Astor House have reasonably convenient access to several major grocery stores, in addition to the popular seasonal farmers market on Division St.
The building is a few blocks from the Sandburg Village Potash Market. CVS and Walgreens pharmacies, and convenience stores and delis, are also nearby.
A new Jewel Foods is under construction at 1200 N Clark St and is slated to open summer 2017.
Glamorous Oak Street boutiques and Michigan Avenue’s Magnificent Mile shops and Water Tower Place are about a 10-minute walk from Astor House.
Dining, nightlife. There’s a dense and varied dining and nightlife scene within a short walk of Astor House.
The fabled Pump Room, PJ Clarke’s, McFadden’s, Hash House and Zebra Lounge are along State St, a few blocks south of the building.
The storied Division Street nightlife strip, home to Bootleggers, the legendary Butch McGuire’s and more than a dozen other establishments is a also short walk from Astor House.
Just south of Division you’ll encounter one of the liveliest restaurant and nightlife clusters in Chicago – what some call the Viagra Triangle.
Locals just call it “the triangle,” after the shape of Mariano Park.
Parks, recreation. Residents at Astor House have access to a variety of parks and recreational activities.
Oak Street Beach, with its spectacular views of the Lake Shore Drive skyline, and the 18-mile lakefront trail, is just east of Astor House.
The fabulous Lincoln Park, home to the Zoo, Conservatory, North Avenue Beach and a host of playing fields and other attractions, begins a few short blocks north of Astor House.
Goudy Square Playlot park is a quiet retreat just south of the building on landmark-laden Astor Street.
Transportation. Astor House has good access to public transportation.
The CTA Red Line stop at Clark and Division is an 8-minute walk from Astor House.
A variety of CTA bus routes criss-cross the area along Division and State Streets, and steps from the building on Lake Shore Drive.
Access to I-90/94 and the rest of the city’s expressway grid can be slow along Division St during peak hours. If you’re southbound or headed for the Eisenhower Expressway (I-290), Ontario St is a better option. Lake Shore Drive access is excellent.
Several Zipcar car-sharing locations are nearby. Taxis are easily available 24/7.
The competition
You’ll find additional options at YoChicago’s Gold Coast apartment guide.
Rentals are also typically available in a number of nearby condo buildings.