$1,157,849Average Value$464Average Price per Sq Ft7Homes For Sale
A tree-lined slice of residential serenity in Chicago's North Center
Primarily residential, the tightly-packed neighborhood of St. Ben's in Chicago’s North Center sits with one foot in the past and another stepping towards the future. Towering over the north end of this neighborhood is Saint Benedict Catholic Church, an anchor of the neighborhood since 1918, when German Catholic families first founded the parish on what was then farmland. Some of these influences continue, with tales of the old days still being told in restaurants and bars. Older homes are prevalent here, with natural greenery and wide sidewalks separating porches from the narrow streets - which at times barely have enough room for two cars to pass one another. It’s a small neighborhood, sometimes overshadowed by the neighboring Horner Park and Roscoe Village communities. Still, the calm streets under the old maples and oaks are a welcome trade-off for residents, leading to St. Ben's becoming an increasingly desirable place to live, with properties selling quickly.
Home owners in Saint Ben's decorate their front porches with flags and banners.
Saint Ben's is a peaceful residential neighborhood in Chicago.
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Condos and single-family homes spanning centuries
Low-rise condos, brick and stone two-flats and single-family homes with a mix of Greystone, bungalow and Victorian features sit along the tree-lined streets of the St. Ben's community. “There are townhouses and condos in the area that are decently affordable. The whole Northeast has been appreciating more and more,” says Real Estate Agent Jennifer Lane with @properties Christie’s International Real Estate, who has almost 20 years of experience selling in Chicago. One- and two-bedroom condos in buildings dating back to the early 1900s sell for $190,000 to $430,000, while those with two to four bedrooms in post-2000 buildings can go for $280,000 to $700,000 – penthouse units can reach up to $850,000. The classic Chicago-style two-flat and three-flats are popular, and some have converted three-flats into the popular duplex-up and duplex-down combo. These regularly sell for $465,000 to upwards of $1.1 million. Single-family homes start in the $800,000, with new construction and thorough remodels of older homes reaching as high as $2.75 million in price. Homes fly off the market in St. Ben's – on average, they sell after only 10 days on the market, whereas the national average is 44 days.
Modern single family homes with mansard roofs can be found throughout Saint Ben's.
There are many Chicago greystones in Saint Ben's.
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Long-standing cultural touchstones and modern dining
While some old-school taverns and restaurants have faded as the neighborhood has evolved, Laschet’s Inn still stands as a testament to the neighborhood's heritage. Serving traditional German-American fare like chicken schnitzel, frikkadellen and potato pancakes alongside steins of beer, it’s common for a hearty meal to be topped off with a schnapps for digestion. Patrons are surrounded by photos, artwork and beer steins, while a soundtrack of folk songs plays dimly in the background. Across the street, O’Donovan’s is another long-running spot featuring modern American tavern fare. Reclaimed Bar & Restaurant, on the community's west side, is a lively spot that serves Southern-inspired dishes and craft cocktails, with live music on the weekends on their heated patio. For a nightcap, Grace & Leavitt sits tucked amidst residences, an informal tavern with a deep menu of cocktails and craft beers. Tortorice’s Pizza fires up Chicago-style deep-dish pizzas and double-dough slices for take-out or a casual meal. Chain stores and commercial businesses sit on the neighborhood's edges along North Western Avenue and West Irving Park Road, including Walgreens. Just south, Roscoe Square shopping mall has a Jewel-Osco and Mariano’s for those who cook their meals at home.
Have some beers at the dog friendly Grace and Leavitt in Saint Ben's.
Head to Laschet's Inn for traditional German-American fare in Saint Ben's.
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High-performing Chicago public schools
Many children in the neighborhood will start at Bell Elementary School for prekindergarten through eighth grade. Located in the center of the community, it’s common to see students walking to school. Bell earns an A-minus grade from Niche and is noted for its extensive after-school programs supporting science and math students. Students living in the neighborhood's southeastern corner will head to Audubon Elementary School, which gets a B-plus. Both schools lead to Lake View High School, which gets a B-minus and features a STEM program and over 20 AP courses on top of its dual enrollment program. Lane Tech College Prep High School is just west of the neighborhood, a popular selective enrollment school that Niche rates as an A-plus school. Niche also ranks it as the seventh-best public high school in Illinois. “You can apply to schools and go there if they have a specific program that’s of interest – there are some schools that focus on arts, some focus on IB, some focus on STEM,” says Munds of the district’s magnet school opportunities.
Private schools include St. Benedict Preparatory School, located adjacent to the church. It’s home for prekindergarten through eighth grade and was a 2019 National Blue Ribbon School. From there, many students will head to DePaul College Prep, a few blocks west of St. Ben's, which gets an A grade from Niche.
Bell Elementary school entrance and green space.
Saint Ben's students can attend the prestigious Lane Tech College Prep.
Lake View High School serves grades 9-12 near Saint Ben's.
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Clark Park’s athletic amenities
St. Ben's doesn’t have parks or recreation within the neighborhood, but just west residents will find a wealth of activities at Clark Park. It sits on the eastern shore of the North Branch Chicago River and “No one really swims in there but there’s definitely kayaking and canoeing and rowing," says Rob Munds, Realtor with Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty. "There’s also the WMS Boathouse over by Lane Tech High School that has an indoor rowing area in winter and an access point there for the river too.” The Garden provides a spot for BMX riders to work on their skills, while the Chicago Riverview offers a walk or leisurely bike ride along the bank. Along Irving Park, Road, Revere Park is home to baseball fields, while ClimbZone Chicago and Waveland Bowl provide indoor recreation for cold or inclement weather.
Saint Ben's features many amenities in its nearby parks, like the boat launch at Richard Park.
Saint Ben's residents can stay active and bike or run along the nearby trails.
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Subway stations, bus stops and highways
Getting in and around St. Ben's is easy thanks to high walkability and quiet side streets for biking. “They’re building more protected bike lanes, they’re trying to put them in where they can fit them,” says Munds. “The Divvy bikes are pretty popular,” he goes on, speaking of the rental bikes that allow residents to get around without worrying about bike storage in their condo or apartment. “Most people have cars, but it’s very transit-oriented, where you don’t need one,” Lane says. To explore beyond the nearby neighborhoods, residents can hop on the Brown Line of the L at either the Irving Park or Addison station. Additionally, bus stops are located along West Irving Park Road, North Damen Avenue and West Addison Street. Those who prefer to use their own vehicles can travel 3 miles west down Irving Park to the Kennedy Expressway or 2.5 miles east to get to US Route 41. For air travel, O’Hare International Airport is 12 miles away and takes from 25 minutes to 45 minutes, depending on the time of day. St. Ben's has three local hospital options within three miles providing 24-hour emergency care. Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital, Methodist Hospital, and Thorek Memorial are all within a 15-minute drive.
Brown Line in St. Bens.
Hop on the 'L' from the Addison Brown Line in Saint Ben's.
Saint Ben's commuters can access the CTA bus on Western Ave.
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Beer steins and ball games
Since 1966, St. Benedict Parish has hosted St. Ben’s Oktoberfest, celebrating that German heritage. The three-day event—usually the last weekend in September or the first weekend in October—features German-American music, a Beer Stein Holding contest, a Yodeling contest and more. Traditional German dishes are washed down with the appropriate beverages. Wrigley Field is less than 2 miles from the neighborhood, with games and concerts scheduled throughout the spring, summer and fall. While residents may choose to walk or ride a bike there, they should plan to avoid the game-day traffic that can sometimes clog Irving Park Road and Addison Street, the main thoroughfares to the ballpark.
Crime
With a CAP Index Crime Score of 3, St. Ben's is below the overall national score of 4. The neighborhood also achieves the lowest possible score of 1 in the sexual assault and assault with weapon categories.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Saint Bens, Chicago sell after 15 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Saint Bens, Chicago over the last 12 months is $870,000, up 20% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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