Chicago’s Loop includes the area known as the New East Side, which in turn includes the Lakeshore East development. You’ll find all of your major apartment options in the Loop and New East Side on our at-a-glance list of downtown apartments.
Our goal is to help you find the apartment that best fits your needs. Renters simply have so many differing priorities – and budget constraints – that singling out an overall best building would be a pointless exercise. We’ll identify the Loop / New East Side buildings that rank highest on each of eighteen different criteria in three main groups:
Location. Views; Grocery shopping convenience; Public transit access; Close to parks, beaches; Proximity to the expressway grid; Walking distance to Loop; Most dining, nightlife nearby; Shopping
Building features. Affordability; Amenities package; Boutique ambiance; Pet-friendliness
Apartment features. Apartment finishes; Private outdoor space; Studio / convertible floor plan; One-bedroom floor plan; Two-bedroom floor plan; Three-bedroom floor plan
If proximity to a large selection of bars and restaurants is your priority, you can rule out apartments on the New East Side – unless you’re a fan of hotel-based establishments.
Nightlife in the Loop is limited, apart from the Theatre District, which is within easy walking distance of all of the Loop apartment towers.
First place for most nearby bars and restaurants goes to 200 Squared. The building is a short walk from the crowded River North dining and nightlife scene.
200 Squared also has good proximity to the Chicago Riverwalk and the bars and restaurants along the river.
Chime in with a comment if you disagree with our selections.
You’ll find links to our objective, visually-rich apartment reviews of Loop / New East Side buildings, and links to near real-time availability checks for most of the buildings, at our downtown apartments at-a-glance list, and some tips and advice at our Guide to renting in Chicago’s Loop / New East Side.
We’ve also spotlighted the best apartments in River North, Streeterville, the South Loop and the West Loop / Near West neighborhoods.
Next topic: Retail shopping.