Chicago neighborhood teeming with nightlife, art and dining
River North is among the Chicago neighborhoods that showcases some of the Windy City’s cosmopolitan flair. Whether it’s during the day or at night, this neighborhood located right on the edge of the Chicago Loop is regularly bustling with pedestrian traffic passing below the L rail and through blocks full of structures ranging from low-rise and repurposed commercial buildings from before the mid-20th century to sleek and modern high-rises with glass, concrete and steel exteriors. Residents here can leave their homes and travel on foot to a variety of destinations that include art galleries, the Chicago Riverwalk for brunch meetups and the House of Blues for some memorable times. Or they can go kayaking at night on the Chicago River and marvel at the projection of a digital art display on the Mart, an impressive and nearly century-old art deco style building and one of the most significant structures in this part of the city. “In River North, there’s lot of restaurants and nightlife that are popular. It’s easy access to public transportation. You have a mix of newer construction high rises, some vintage buildings and lofts that are really attractive to people who want to live in the city,” says Loren Connell, a Realtor with Baird & Warner, who’s made several sales in River North. “It really is all different kinds of people, different ages who are really attracted to this area. There’s proximity to the Loop, proximity to the lake and the river.”
Art on The Mart is a unique digital art experience nightly during the summer in River North.
River North at night is an amazing sight to see with countless iconic buildings to see lit up.
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Ramen on Hubbard and grooves at House of Blues
River North boasts a plethora of dining spots, bars and cafes, as much of the neighborhood is filled with those types of establishments — and many of them can conveniently be reached on foot. Complementing the eateries are a number of late night venues ideal for younger residents looking for fun weekend entertainment. There are a few ramen shops along West Hubbard Street, including Kyuramen x TBaar. The restaurant comes complete with traditional Japanese decor like red lanterns marked with black syllabary. River North, of course, wouldn’t be among Chicago’s top destinations for dining if there were no Italian restaurants. Osteria Via Stato serves some fine Italian dining fare in an upscale setting. Those simply looking for some sweet pastries can pick up some within the modern spaces of regional staple Stan’s Donuts & Coffee. Then to celebrate the night, many fill the House of Blues’ European-style opera house setting to enjoy live music. Another popular spot here is the Fame Nightclub, which emanates a retro mood with its buttoned leather couches and mix of neon and chandelier lighting. Whole Foods on Chicago Avenue provides a close grocery shopping option.
River North residents enjoy amazing nightlife experiences at spots like House of Blues.
Dom's Market is a curated grocery store and high end cafe near River North.
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High-rise condos and some contemporary townhouses
Much of the homes in River North seamlessly blend into the urban scape, with many condos filling low- to high-rise buildings with concrete, stucco and brick exteriors. Price points can go from just under $300,000 for a one bedroom unit to just over $450,000 for a two-bedroom unit. A two-bedroom penthouse with access to amenities like a rooftop deck can go for over $700,000. There are some townhouses style homes, too, and price points for those can go from just under $600,000 for a three-bedroom half-duplex to nearly $1 million for a modern three-bedroom townhouse with contemporary features like a sleek exterior, more prominent window space and flat roofs. Some even larger and newer townhouses that are at least several thousand square feet can easily exceed $2 million.
River North features a number of townhomes that are typically newer builds.
River North features a number of condo buildings along the riverfront.
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Urban green spaces and the Chicago Riverwalk
Despite this neighborhood’s strong urban makeup, it is either home to or close enough to some notable destinations for those simply looking to stretch their legs, walk their dog or meet up for some basketball or softball games. The nearly 9-acre Seward Park is among the sites that caters to those activities. In addition to outdoor fixtures that include a water fountain, this tree-enclosed park is home to two gyms that are regularly used for organized sports meetups. The gyms also house unique sports amenities like a boxing ring for budding pugilists. Children enjoy going to the Ward Park playground to burn off some energy. The park is set against a backdrop of the Chicago River and urban cityscape and features public art installations like stainless steel “Commemorative Ground Ring” sculpture. Neighborhood residents can also cross the river to walk along the Riverwalk, book one of several boat cruises or go on an urban kayaking adventure.
River North residents are known to play basketball at Seward Park.
River North residents love to take their kids to Ward park on nice days.
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The academically distinct Walter Payton high school
Whether it’s through a private or public school, students in River North have access to a number of schools that emphasize diverse coursework. The public schools serving River North include the Manierre Elementary School, the Ruben Salazar Bilingual Center and Walter Payton College Preparatory High School, which respectfully received grades of C-minus, C-plus and A-plus from ratings site Niche. In addition to being regularly ranked as among the best public high schools in both the state and country, Walter Payton houses the Confucius Institute, an international organization intended to promote Chinese language and culture. Walter Payton is the only high school in the world to have the institute. The high school’s students can also take part in unique extracurricular activities that include improv comedy, judo and horseback riding.
Walter Payton College Preparatory High School is a public school in River North.
Manierre Elementary School serves the students of River North.
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Taste of River North has a large variety of art vendors in addition to great eats.
Taste of River North in July
One of the events here is Taste of River North, essentially a multi-day block party in July that sees many pack the neighborhood’s streets. Goers can enjoy live music performed from a fully equipped stage, as well as numerous food vendors.
Commuting on the L and highway routes to suburbs
Those looking for a quick commute to either downtown Chicago or other parts of city can get on the L train, which has several stations in River North. A number of CTA buses stop here, too. U.S. Highway 41 to the east provides a direct route to areas like the affluent North Shore, while Interstate 90 to the west of River North connects to the other suburban destinations northwest of the neighborhood. One of the places I-90 passes is Chicago O’Hare International Airport, located about 16 miles west of River North. Nearby medical facilities include Northwestern Memorial Hospital and the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, a nationally ranked research hospital known for its focus on traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries.
River North residents are able to access the rest of the city on the CTA bus system.
River North residents are known to commute on bikes and scooters as well as on the El.
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Written By
Yann Ranaivo
Photography Contributed By
Evan Brightfield
Video By
Ellie Brown
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Agents Specializing in this Area
Dina Florina
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Starck Real Estate
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Dina Florina,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Seward Park
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Playground
Millenium Park
Trails
Events
Amphitheater
Washington Square Park
Botanical Gardens
Multi-Purpose Field
Ward A Montgomery Park Chicago
Dog Park
Playground
Multi-Purpose Field
River Esplanade Park
Trails
River
Chestnut Park
Trails
Multi-Purpose Field
North Avenue Beach
Bike Trails
Lake
Beach
Stanton Park
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Pool
Durso Park
Basketball
Playground
Multi-Purpose Field
Transit
Airport
Chicago Midway International
20 min drive
Subway
Chicago Avenue Station (Brown, Purple Lines)
Subway
Grand Avenue Station (Red Line)
Subway
Merchandise Mart Station
Bus
Chicago & Franklin (Brown Line)
Bus
Illinois & State
Bus
Division & Clybourn
Bus
Grand & Franklin
Bus
Dearborn & Hubbard
Bus
Wells & Huron
Bus
Lasalle & Huron
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
River North
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
7
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
9
4
Burglary
8
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
6
4
Larceny
10
4
Crime Score
8
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in River North, Chicago sell after 40 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in River North, Chicago over the last 12 months is $522,347, up 8% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Kaylin Goldstein@properties Christie's International Real Estate
Located at 360 West Hubbard in the dynamic and prestigious River North neighborhood and steps from the Iconic East Bank Club, Hubbard Place is the newest luxury rental residence with exceptional views of the city. Over-sized windows and rich grey Eligna oak flooring create an urban chic aesthetic, with private balconies perfect for entertaining friends or enjoying a relaxing evening. Hubbard
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Dina Florina,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
41,745
Median Age
35
Population Density
82 ppl/acre
Population under 18
15.4%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
9.6%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$124,329
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$154,209
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
98.3%
College Graduates
84.2%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
38.6%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
83.4%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
34''
Average Winter Low Temperature
20°F
Average Summer High Temperature
84°F
Annual Snowfall
40''
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
87/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
99/ 100
Rider's Paradise
Transit Score®
92/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
