A renowned center for African American culture, Bronzeville’s past residents include famous figures such as civil rights activist Ida B. Wells and Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Gwendolyn Brooks. This proud legacy is reflected in the neighborhood’s many monuments and strong community ties.
Bronzeville’s historical significance extends to its row houses built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries that feature ornate brick and stone facades. These properties line the streets and can cost anywhere between $125,000 and $500,000, depending on square footage. “On average, housing is less expensive in that area compared to other Chicago neighborhoods,” says Real Estate Broker David Piche with Fulton Grace Realty, who has over 25 years of experience. The Greystone is a quintessential neighborhood structure, and most can be found along Martin Luther King Drive, the community’s main thoroughfare. While most of the homes are relatively old, new developments have started to spring up throughout the area for roughly $700,000 to $850,000.
Bronzeville has several restaurants and cafés in the area to enjoy. A fine dining establishment with a dress code, Pearl’s Place elevates homestyle meals such as slow-smoked ham hocks and shrimp po’boys. There’s also Yassa African Restaurant, which specializes in traditional Senegalese cuisines like fish stew and fried plantains. For a casual bite to eat, Chicago’s Home of Chicken and Waffles dishes out its namesake meal and other soul food favorites. Those who want to cook at home can grab groceries from Mariano’s or King Supermarket.
Bronzeville residents celebrate the community’s heritage and artistic endeavors through various community activities. “There are a ton of festivals and cultural events in Chicago,” Piche says. The annual Bud Billiken Parade is the largest African American parade in the country, featuring live bands, food and contests. Additionally, art enthusiasts can join a monthly tour of local galleries or visit the South Side Community Art Center. As a designated Chicago Landmark, it’s been hosting cutting-edge exhibits since 1940.
When residents need a break from the city, they can head to one of Bronzeville’s numerous parks. Anderson Park is small but has basketball courts and a baseball field that it shares with Well Preparatory Elementary School. Residents can also stretch their legs at Ellis Park, a 13-acre green space featuring athletic fields and a playground. The new recreation facility, which opened in 2016, contains a pool, fitness center and rooftop terrace. Or head just a mile east to access the beaches and sprawling parks along Lake Michigan’s shore.
With Downtown Chicago just 5 miles north, Bronzeville residents can easily hop on the Green Line at the Indiana Avenue and 40th Street subway station to explore more of the city. There are also bus stops all along East Pershing Road, South Martin Luther King Drive and East 35th Street. “In terms of walkability, the area is kind of spread out, so it’s not convenient but it’s still walkable,” Piche says. Those who drive their own vehicles can head west to get onto Interstate 90 and travel throughout Chicago.
The Bronzeville neighborhood is home to several public schools, including Wells Preparatory Elementary Academy, which teaches kindergarten through eighth grade. Despite its C grade from Niche, Wells is listed as a 21st Century IB World School and partners with Chicago Youth Centers (CYC) to provide after-school extracurriculars for its students. From there, students can attend Wendell Phillips High School. It may have a C-minus Niche grade, but the school’s student-run media program received the Spotlight on Technology Award from Chicago Public Schools in 2013. Phillips High is also known for its notable alums, including jazz icon Nat King Cole and members of the original Harlem Globetrotters.
James Morris
JMRI Corp
(866) 860-1362
75 Total Sales
1 in Bronzeville
$58,500 Price
Lauren Shimmon
Baird & Warner
(312) 561-3244
170 Total Sales
1 in Bronzeville
$358,500 Price
Maikol Akintonde
Coldwell Banker Realty
(855) 287-8462
100 Total Sales
1 in Bronzeville
$274,000 Price
Kenneth Sabino
Baird & Warner
(773) 906-4690
46 Total Sales
1 in Bronzeville
$225,000 Price
Adam McDowell
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago
(888) 366-7309
45 Total Sales
1 in Bronzeville
$705,000 Price
Darren Allen
Real Broker LLC
(224) 507-1815
247 Total Sales
1 in Bronzeville
$315,000 Price
Airport
Chicago Midway International
16 min drive
Subway
Indiana Station
Bus
35th Street & Rhodes
Bus
Pershing & Giles
Bus
Cottage Grove & 40th Street
Bus
Pershing & Michigan
Bus
King Drive & Oakwood Boulevard
Bus
3600 S King Drive
On average, homes in Bronzeville, Chicago sell after 63 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Bronzeville, Chicago over the last 12 months is $292,000, down 13% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
$3,015 per month
$3,937 per month
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Historic landmarks, homes and civil rights activism just 4 miles south of The Loop
A lively college community with ample public transportation
Historic homes walkable to the White Sox stadium and Lake Michigan
Historic Bronzeville community packed with parks and homes on Lake Michigan
An historic neighborhood on Chicago’s south side where music giants once played
Big surprises in store in this small Second City neighborhood
