$826,454Average Value$454Average Price per Sq Ft92Homes For Sale
Windy City neighborhood teeming with dining and entertainment
In Old Town, capping a grueling work week with a good laugh and some drinks is often a short walking distance from home. Located just a few miles north of the Loop, Old Town is well known in Chicago for its comedy institutions. Among them is Second City, the famous improv troupe that has been the starting ground for some of the most iconic comedic performers to have graced both the small and big screens. Not far on Wells Street is Zanies Comedy Night Club, where both photographed and painted portraits of those who have performed there cover the walls of the more intimate show space. Surrounding these distinct venues is a dense and eclectic lineup of dining establishments and boutiques found in rows of both contemporary and historic buildings in the heart of Old Town. Lincoln Park, one of the most renown urban green spaces in the country, borders the neighborhood to the east. “It’s been so desirable for buyers and tenants. There’s a very lively retail and restaurant scene right on Wells Street and people like to be within walking distance from that,” says Wendi Gordon, a Realtor with @properties Christie’s International Real Estate, who’s made several sales in Old Town. “I think it encompasses all the things people are looking for. They want city living and to be able to walk to bars and restaurants and retail stores. And yet, be able to walk to the lake front and enjoy nature.”
Old Town is located north of River North and West of Gold Coast giving it a mix of amenities.
Old Town residents are known to frequent the main retail strip on Wells Street.
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Enjoying institutions old and new along Wells
Both West North Avenue and North Wells Street are dense with shops and restaurants that occupy the bottom floors of multi-story buildings. The wider and more commercial West North features more chain brands, while Wells houses some of the neighborhood’s most distinct establishments. Many restaurant patrons enjoy taking in the neighborhood vibes during the warmer months as they take up seats on the outdoor patios commonly found along Wells. The dining scene here ranges from long-time staples to newer spots that have been popular with the younger twentysomething crowd. For over three decades, Topo Gigio Ristorante has delighted guests with traditional Italian dishes within its cozy brick spaces. An even older institution is Orso’s, which serves “exquisite” Italian fare under the decorative lighting of chandeliers. Both framed photographs and paintings add to the restaurant’s artistic environ. Then, for beers, slices and a laidback atmosphere, the Happy Camper is another favorite. The grocery options include a Whole Foods just south of Old Town.
Topo Gigio is Old Towns classic Italian gem, serving up great food on their warm patio.
Happy Camper is a popular pizza place to get drinks with friends in Old Town.
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Right on the border of Lincoln Park
Measuring just over 1,200 acres, Lincoln Park features a myriad of amenities and individual destinations ranging from the Lincoln Park Zoo and Conservatory to access to the Lake Michigan beaches. While there are pockets of open green spaces, it features a dense, natural canopy of well over 10,000 trees. Goers can take to the extensive web of trails to explore the expansive space, including roughly 7 miles of lakefront paths that go by nature areas and gardens. Along the way, they might marvel at the Neoclassical rotunda that houses the Elks Veterans Memorial. The Lincoln Park Zoo has free admission and is one of the oldest establishments of its kind in the country. The park is a destination for local athletes and friends who simply enjoy competing against each other. It boasts a number of sports amenities, with baseball, basketball and beach volleyball, just to name a few. On the north end is the state-of-the-art Diversey Driving Range, which features synthetic turf and an 18-hole mini golf course.
Residents of Old Town can explore Lincoln Park Zoo and its wide variety of animals.
Lincoln Park zoo has a great variety of species to explore for Old Town residents.
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Brick condos, townhouses and some historically styled houses
Much of the homes in the neighborhood come in the form of units in one of the many multi-story brick buildings along the bustling, tree-lined streets. Bay windows and Italianate designs are not uncommon on the more vintage structures, and pedestrians can occasionally pass by some colorful artistic installations on the sidewalks. Price points can go from just under $400,000 for a two-bedroom condo to over $650,000 for a three-bedroom unit. There are also townhouses, which can range from over $800,000 for a three-bedroom unit to just over $1 million for a four-bedroom one. There are some Second Empire influenced single-family homes that can go from around $2 million to over $3 million.
Old Town features a number of newer townhouses that have first floor garage doors.
Old Town features a variety of homes from the late 19th century and also newer builds.
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Second City shows and the Art Fair
Among the neighborhood’s distinct festivities is the Old Town Art Fair festival in June. The event, which takes place over a weekend, includes live music and showcases genres like jazz, folk and blues. “They attract artists from all over the country. They set up their artwork up and down the street,” Gordon says. “You pay a small admission fee, but people from all over the Chicagoland area come downtown to come to the Old Town Art Fair.” Then, there are the comedy shows, with the nationally renown Second City being an obvious destination. John Belushi, Chris Farley and Tina Fey are just a few of the many who have taken to the venue’s stage over the decades. “When people come to town, I often try to take them to Second City,” Gordon says.
The LaSalle academy’s world language focus
Some highly rated schools serve Old Town. They include the Abraham Lincoln Elementary School, LaSalle Elementary Language Academy and Lincoln Park High School, which respectfully received an A-minus, A-minus and A from ratings site Niche. Both Abraham Lincoln Elementary and LaSalle serve students from kindergarten to eighth grade. Abraham Lincoln Elementary offers a Virtual Calm Room, which comprises of various therapeutic tools ranging from sounds and music and digital coloring and drawing to guided meditation and yoga. For instance, selecting the sound and music option can lead to extended clips of waterfalls or thunder and rain. As its name suggests, the LaSalle magnet school emphasizes a world language education that starts in kindergarten. Its students regularly take courses in Mandarin, French, Spanish or Italian, and the school typically performs above local, state and national averages on standardized tests.
Main entrance tree lined streets with sitting at the trees, Lincoln Elementary School, Chicago.
The LaSalle Language school is one of the premier choice's for students of Old Town.
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L train lines to Chicago Loop
Old Town has a couple “L” train stations, as well as a number of Chicago Transit Authority bus stops. For those who prefer to drive, U.S. Highway 41 provides a route to the Chicago Loop, which is a roughly 4-mile drive south of the neighborhood. Old Town is a roughly 5-mile drive north of the Illinois Medical District, which has institutions like the RUSH University Medical Center and the John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County. Chicago O’Hare International Airport is a roughly 14-mile drive to the west.
Be sure to catch the train at the historic Sedgwick station in Old Town.
It is super convenient to grab a ride on the CTA train in the Old Town neighorhood.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Old Town, Chicago sell after 23 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Old Town, Chicago over the last 12 months is $538,375, up 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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