It’s not uncommon for Chicago apartment websites and videos to engage in a little puffery about the advantages of their location.
WalkScore.com rates the location of Mondial River West, 910 W Huron St, as Very Walkable, with a score of 83.
That’s apparently not a high enough score for Mondial, which takes puffery deep into the realm of aggressive deception in a video at its website.
Let’s listen to the description in the video, and pay attention to the images that accompany it.
Experience contemporary living in sophisticated Chicago style … This brand new address is within walking distance of great shopping, restaurants and everyday destinations.
The images accompanying the above are of the Chicago Theatre, Italian Village, Penelope’s, Block 37, Target and David Barton Gym. The closest destination pictured is six-tenths of a mile, or an 11-minute walk per Google Maps. Very few people are likely to consider walking from Mondial to the other locations, except in extreme circumstances.
Let’s listen again:
Half a mile from the I-90 ramp at Milwaukee and Ogden and just 2 minutes from public transportation, Mondial River West is ideally suited for those looking for an easy commute.
The images that accompany the above are a clip from Google Maps, a Metra train, signage from the CTA Blue Line stop at Chicago Ave and Union Station.
Mondial is actually less than half a mile from that I-90/94 on-ramp, but the ramp is northbound only. You could walk to the Chicago Ave bus in the two minutes claimed, but not to the Chicago Ave or Grand Ave stops on the Blue Line, or to Union Station, more than a mile and a half away.
The video continues:
Add to that all the spectacular surrounding hot spots, markets and cafes and you can see what makes Mondial River West the address for the modern urban dweller.
As you listen to the above you see images from Washington Square Park, Blackbird, Sepia, Billy Goat, Whole Foods, Lou Mitchell’s, The Fifty, N9NE, Buckingham Fountain, and a bike path along Lake Michigan. The closest of those destinations to Mondial is about a 20-minute walk.
If you’re considering a move, investigate your new location carefully. You can’t rely on the information you find at some apartment websites, and you should never rely on anything you’re told by the rental services that we call bedbugs.
If you investigate the area around Mondial, you’ll find some walkable spots that aren’t mentioned In the video. And, as you can see from the above video, Mondial’s claim of “striking views of the city” is, if anything, understated.
Glad to read this-I checked out the building and found the claims made regarding location laughable. There is very little walkable within half of a a mile of the property. Its a good location to get on the blue line , a couple of buses, and catch a cab; but the only walkable amenity is really a cvs 5-10 minutes away.
AJ, there are a good number of restaurants and bars at/around the Grand and Milwaukee intersection. That said, I agree that this is not a *walker’s* paradise by any stretch (unless you consider 1+ miles of walking each direction through some industrial looking areas paradise). It is, however, a public transportation paradise. Both the 65 and 66 buses go straight to the lake/Navy Pier through River North, and both the 56 bus and Blue Line are great for getting into the Loop (or to O’Hare). Then there’s the 8 bus, which will quickly get you up to Lincoln Park, etc. and all the restaurants in the West Loop.
If you’re looking for a place that has excellent CTA options, this is it. If you’re looking to walk everywhere, keep looking.