NORTH CENTER
Originally settled by European immigrants, the cultural influences of the neighborhood can still be felt in the architecture and cuisine. While North Center does provide some peace and quiet within the city, its music venues, theaters, summer festivals, and sports pubs ensure that its residents are never bored.
North Center, once known as "Bricktown" because of its many brickyards and clay pits, is now home to million-dollar-plus homes. This area, five miles north of the Loop, was mostly undeveloped and unused until after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, when some German farmers began cultivating the land.
Commute Times
The Loop by train, by car
Merchandise Mart by train, by car
Union Station by train, by car
Millennium Park by train, by car
37m
16m
36m
14m
40m
14m
37m
17m
Boundaries
East to West - Ravenswood to Chicago River
North to South -Montrose to Addison
Nearby Neighborhoods - Lakeview, Irving Park East, Avondale, and Ravenswood
Closed Prices:
$155,000 to $3,100,000
Median Sale Price:
$580,000
Average $ per sq ft:
$343
Association Fee Ranges:
$1946, $0, $0 to $660/mo
Square Footage:
742 to 5600 Sq. Ft.
Type:
Attached Home (Condo, Townhouse, Loft, etc.), Single-Family Home
Year Built:
Current Prices:
$185,000 to $2,175,000
Quick Facts
Bedrooms:
Bathrooms:
1 to 7 Bedrooms
1 to 7 Bathrooms
1871 to 2022
THE NEIGHBORS
Six elementary schools and several pocket parks in the area make this a great neighborhood for starting a family while still being close to some nightlife.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Home to a diverse assortment of devoted residents and businesses.
Tree-lined streets on either side.
Residents come to North Center for Lane Tech, one of the city's most sought-after magnet high schools, and many other residents would rather cultivate a garden than hit the clubs. While parks are few and far between, almost every street has trees on both sides.
THE LIFESTYLE
More settled residents than city dwellers in more entertainment and nightlife-oriented neighborhoods.
Catch up with friends over burgers and beer at a local pub, then head to a local music venue or theater for some live entertainment. You might also check out any of the breweries in the neighborhood to try something new from the source. Half Acre Beer Company is a popular choice.
UNEXPECTED APPEAL
Variety of great places to spend weekends.
Soccer fans can enjoy brunch and a match at The Globe Pub or play a pickup game at Horner Park. Town Square is also a great place to spend a Sunday because it hosts a weekly farmers market during the warmer months, and Lincoln Avenue has a variety of unique shops to explore.
THE MARKET
If you're looking for space, you've come to the right place.
There are plenty of single-family homes in North Center that have more square footage (and bedrooms) than the average Chicago home—the catch is that they are more expensive. However, this may be worthwhile because most single-family homes have either a front or back yard (or both!). If money is an issue, there are a few more reasonably priced mid-rise condo buildings, or you can always head over to Lakeview for a more affordable home.
YOU'LL FALL IN LOVE WITH
A great melting pot of all types of cuisine.
North Center is a great melting pot of all types of cuisine due to its international history. A stroll down Lincoln Avenue reveals some of the best restaurants in the area, ranging from pizzerias to Irish bistros. The Bad Apple is one of the area's most popular restaurants, serving up inventive burgers and a diverse selection of craft beers. Korean, Japanese, and Thai cuisines, as well as many of the European dishes popular in the neighborhood's early days, are all represented. Laschet's Inn serves a German-American menu as well as steins of great beer.
TRANSPORTATION
The Brown Line, which has two stations at Addison and Irving Park, is the most popular mode of transportation in North Center. This train will take you to the Albany Park neighborhood in the northwest or the Loop in the south. You can also use the various bus lines that run north/south on Lincoln Avenue and east/west on Irving Park Road. The main focal point of the neighborhood is the consistently congested intersection of Damen Avenue, Lincoln Avenue, and Irving Park Road. While having three major roads makes getting around easier, their popularity means that (at least minor) traffic is always present. While North Center is not as walkable as neighboring Lakeview and Roscoe Village, it is less likely that you will get there on foot.
ANNUAL FESTIVAL
Rockwell Blues & Jazz Stroll
Enjoy free blues and jazz performances in the vicinity of Delmark Records' North Center location. The event, now in its second year, was conceived by Delmark CEO and President Julia A. Miller as a street festival in the spirit of old Maxwell Street, where electric blues was invented. The event will include food, live painting, and merchandise vendors.