Gold Coast

CHICAGO, IL

Residents of quiet, laid-back Gold Coast enjoy a leisurely lifestyle that revolves around the lakefront. They can go for a swim at Oak Street Beach, dine at a number of upscale restaurants, go shopping at high-end designer stores including Prada, Chanel, Gucci, Hermes, St. Laurent and more, or visit the historic Astor Street District. The pedestrian-friendly neighborhood is home to some 15,000 residents and is known for its charming vintage townhouses and well-established character.

Gold Coast is a pedestrian and commuter’s dream. Getting to and from the neighborhood is just a matter of catching the nearby CTA Red or Brown Line, or several buses that stop near the area.

• Historic homes and architecture. A stroll through the tree-lined streets of Gold Coast will reveal one historic home after another. The Astor Street District is home to 19th century houses, including the Charnley-Persky house which was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and Louis Sullivan. Hugh Hefner’s former Playboy Mansion is also located here.

• Lakefront recreation. Lake Michigan is a prominent part of the Gold Coast lifestyle, and you’ll often find locals flocking to Oak Street Beach on a good weekend. Visitors can indulge in a variety of food and drink, explore the area on a bike, or play a round of beach volleyball.

• The highest concentration of restaurants in all of Chicago. While it’s one of the more tranquil neighborhoods in the city, Gold Coast is home to the vibrant Rush Street where you’ll find one of the highest concentrations of restaurants in all of Chicago. Upscale establishments like Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse, The Bellevue, Nomi, Maple and Ash, Le Colonial, Adalina, 3 Arts Club Cafe at RH, Z Bar at The Peninsula, and Hugo’s Frog Bar & Fish House

From compact luxury apartments to single-family homes, the Gold Coast housing stock tends to be more varied than its neighbors. It benefits from having some well-established properties, which were built around the 1940s and 1950s. However, newer walk-up apartments and condos with upscale amenities are still the most common property types, with beautiful views being a highlight in many homes.