Streeterville is a hugely popular neighborhood among visitors and Chicagoans. It offers celebrated museums, theaters, shopping, dining and entertainment.
Although debatable as to where Streeterville actually begins and ends, there is a general agreement it is bounded by the river on the south, the Magnificent Mile on Michigan Avenue on the west, and Lake Michigan on the north and east. Streeterville is home to Navy Pier, one of Chicago’s best-known destinations and best tourist attraction.
The history of Streeterville involves a classic Chicago-style story of George Wellington ‘Cap’ Streeter, who laid claim to this patch of prime lakefront land around his shipwrecked schooner in the 1880s. Numerous gunfights with police and court battles led to his eventual eviction.
Public Amenities, Services, Civic Organizations
Many landmarks and Historic Districts are located in Streeterville. Two notable districts within Streeterville are the East Lake Shore Drive Historic District, which consists of a row of early 20th century luxury apartments, and also the Old Chicago Water Tower District that contains the only public buildings that survived the 1871 Great Chicago Fire.
Perhaps the neighborhood’s most prized amenity is its mile-plus of lakefront, part of the Chicago Lakefront Path. Start on the north boundary of Streeterville at perhaps the most famous of Chicago beaches – Oak Street Beach. Run or bike along the breakwater to Ohio Street Beach, culminating at Navy Pier and its host of dining, drinking, boat tours and entertainment of all types. Then take a breather at Olive Park. Adjacent to Navy Pier, this stretch of greenery juts into Lake Michigan and sports a breathtaking view of the city over the water.
Homes in Streeterville, Chicago
You won’t find many single-family homes in Streeterville. When you do, expect to pay in the millions. Townhomes can be found mostly in the newly-developed River East neighborhood by the river, with prices starting in the high $300s up into the millions.
Housing in Streeterville consists mainly of upscale condominiums with prices that range from the mid $200,000s for a studio unit to several million dollars for a posh penthouse unit atop one of the area’s luxury high-rises.
There are plenty of apartments for rent in the host of high-rises, both vintage and newly-constructed. You may find a studio for just under $1000. Fancier digs may set you back several thousand per month.
Transportation
Streeterville is accessible via Lake Shore Drive with multiple direct exits. In addition, the CTA Red Line has stops at Chicago and Grand stations. From the Kennedy Expressway the Ohio Street exit feeds into Streeterville. Numerous Chicago Transit Authority bus routes run within the neighborhood, especially along Michigan Avenue. There is also a free trolley service to Navy Pier with numerous stops at different spots.
Shopping, dining and nightlife
Considered to be the Rodeo Drive of the Midwest, the Magnificent Mile offers many shopping options. Located on and around Michigan Avenue, high-end boutiques and major brands like Nike, Disney, GAP, Burberry, GUESS sport their flagship stores. Water Tower Place is an indoor multi-level mall in a 74-story marble-clad tower.
Dining options in Streeterville are in abundance; from a local bar and grill like Timothy O’Toole’s, to the first Japanese Sushi bar in Chicago, Kamehachi, to newly introduced burger place, M Burger. Navy Pier offers a wide array of family and visitor friendly spots including Harry Caray’s Tavern and Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
Younger Chicagoans may prefer P J Clarke’s to unwind and catch their favorite sporting events. Lucky Strike Lanes offers a more upscale casual club atmosphere with bowling. To complete the evening, nothing beats the Irish bar experience at D4 Irish Pub & Café. During the summer months, be sure to visit the Navy Pier Beer Garden for great live bands and regularly-scheduled fireworks.
Schools
Several prominent Chicago universities have downtown campuses located in Streeterville. Northwestern University‘s downtown campus hosts the Feinberg School of Medicine, School of Continuing Studies, School of Law, part of its famed Kellogg School of Management. The University of Chicago maintains a downtown campus at the Gleacher Center in Cityfront Plaza. Loyola University Chicago has two buildings on Rush Street as part of what the school calls its Water Tower Campus
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