Right across the bridge from The Loop and bordering busy Michigan Avenue/Magnificent Mile, River North is as dynamic and high-end as many of its neighbors. It’s transformation from smokey, factory-dense district (at the turn of the 20th century it was known as “Smokey Hollow”) to art and design epicenter is quite remarkable: Outside of Manhattan, River North has the highest concentration of art galleries in the country. It is also home to many production companies, photography studios, interior design firms, antique shops, and furniture stores.
The River North Gallery District, located around the intersection of Superior and Franklin Streets, was born in the neighborhood’s 1970s post-industrial age. Artists and entrepreneurs settled in the area to set up studios and showrooms in vacant warehouses, and since then business has boomed in River North.
The neighborhood is also home to quite a few architectural landmarks in the country, including the iconic Wrigley Building, the Trump Hotel & Tower, Marina Towers and the Merchandise Mart.
- River North has a significantly higher median household income than Chicago overall, reflecting its concentration of luxury high-rises and high-income households.
- River North is predominantly made up of smaller and non-family households, consistent with its dense, downtown residential character.
- One of River North’s most recognizable landmarks is theMART (formerly the Merchandise Mart), the massive Art Deco landmark along the Chicago River that serves as a major hub for architecture, design, showrooms and events.
- Other notable River North landmarks include Marina City, the Mies van der Rohe-designed 330 N. Wabash, and the Richard H. Driehaus Museum, along with easy access to the Chicago Riverwalk.
- River North is known as one of Chicago’s major art, design, dining and nightlife districts. The neighborhood’s former warehouses are home to galleries and studios, while its restaurants, cocktail bars and clubs make it one of the city’s most active downtown destinations.
- The Chicago Riverwalk forms a major part of the neighborhood experience, offering waterfront dining, recreation, architecture views and access to river cruises and other activities.
- The Ogden International School of Chicago
- Rueben Salazar Elementary Bilingual Center
- YCCS – Innovations High School
- Muchin College Prep
- Community Services West Career Academy High School
- Walter Payton College Preparatory High School
- Higher learning institutions also have campuses in Streeterville, like the Northwestern University Chicago campus, the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and the DePaul downtown campus.
Dining, Nightlife, and Shopping
Residents of Southport enjoy easy accessibility to an incredible selection of restaurants, cafés, bars, groceries, and specialty stores. From June to October, The Low Line Famers Market offers a wonderfully curated selection of food and flowers. Whether you prefer big name chain stores or local restaurants and shopping, Southport has you covered.
Real Estate Options
River North’s location in the heart of downtown Chicago has made it one of the most desirable places to live in the country. Luxury high-rise and mid-rise condos dominate the housing stock, with new developments continually making their way into the market.
Some of the most prestigious addresses here include neighborhood landmarks like The Montgomery and Trump Tower. Newer developments such as the award-winning The Contemporaine and the Ritz-Carlton Residences offer the first-rate amenities and spacious living on par with the world’s most luxurious properties.
One to watch out for is The Ronsley at 676 N. Kingsbury, a turn-of-the-20th-century building that’s currently being developed to house 41 unique residences with high-end appointments. All around River North are loft and high-rise condos and rentals coming in a wide range of sizes, architectural styles and prices.
Single-family homes are rarities, and while there are still a number of brownstones and greystones in the neighborhood, they’re slowly giving way to the chic and contemporary high-rise condos that are defining the River North landscape.
