$861,573Average Value$363Average Price per Sq Ft4Homes For Sale
Close to Northwestern University athletic facilities
North of Evanston along a busy thoroughfare that courses past Northwestern University sports venues and numerous restaurants and businesses, the Central Street neighborhood stretches from a large city park to the Central ‘L’ train station on the CTA’s Purple Line. Even with a large amount of economic activity and extended renovation work at Northwestern’s football stadium, Central Street doesn’t lose the neighborly spirit that’s captured in the colorful murals painted on garage doors along a few of the community’s alleyways.
Gear up for game day with Northwestern apparel at Gameday Spirit on Central Street.
Vibrant murals decorate the sides of Central Street’s local businesses.
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Green Bay Road links to shops and restaurants
Following tracks that lead to Chicago and Downtown Evanston, Green Bay Road is a major north-south thoroughfare intersecting with Central Avenue in the heart of the community's small business district. Because sometimes dessert should be eaten first, Leonidas Chocolate Café has over 90 varieties of imported Belgian chocolates. Waffles, omelets and quiche are also available for a complete meal. DeSalvo’s Pizza is a family-owned pizza shop specializing in thin-crust pies with gluten-free and vegan options. Backlot Coffee is an independent coffee house with locally roasted coffees and gelato. It’s also a community hangout where patrons work on their laptops or gather with friends. The Spice House has been around since 1957, selling various spices, rubs and blends for the casual or professional chef. Gameday Spirit has plenty of purple and white Northwestern apparel to show team spirit. Grocery store options include Whole Foods Market and Foodstuffs Gourmet Food.
Indulge in Belgian chocolates at Leonidas Café Chocolaterie on Central Street.
DeSalvo’s Pizza serves up thin-crust pies loved by Central Street locals.
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Solidly built homes in the Central Street neighborhood
While this neighborhood is close to Northwestern University’s campus, more faculty than students live here. “Students tend to live near the downtown area to the south, closer to the academic buildings,” says Alan May, a Realtor with Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty. The oldest homes in the neighborhood are from the late 1800s, but a lot were built around the 1920s. “There’s a lot of brick construction, and the homes are solidly built,” May says. “Some look at the homes from out of the area and are concerned about the homes that are 100 years old. I tell them they’re made of brick and have been well maintained.” Single-family homes range from $500,000 to $1 million for Colonial Revivals, American Foursquares and Craftsman bungalows. The homes are far from limited to those architectural styles, though, as many were custom made or modified with additions and other upgrades over the decades. “You’re going to have trouble finding under half a million,” May says. “If it is, it probably needs some work, or it won’t have an updated kitchen or bathroom.” Larger homes include farmhouses and Prairie style from $1 million to $2 million. Condos built around Central Street are mainly between $200,000 and $400,000, while townhouses are fewer, priced from $250,000 to $650,000.
Colonial Revival homes are a classic architectural staple in Central Street.
Cozy homes on Central Street’s west end offer charm and affordability.
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Catch-and-release fishing at Lovelace Park's pond
In the northwest part of the neighborhood is Lovelace Park, with athletic fields of all kinds, a catch-and-release pond and a sledding hill for winter fun. A grassroots group called Friends of Lovelace Park works with the city to keep the park looking good. Locals know Ackerman Park as the 4th of July Park due to its proximity to the Independence Day parade on Central Street. It’s close to the shops and restaurants on Central, has a playground, a couple of tennis courts and, during the winter, an outdoor skating rink. Youth soccer games are often held in Bent Park.
Plan a relaxing picnic at Lovelace Park, a Central Street favorite.
Ackerman Park’s playground is a favorite for kids in Central Street.
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Garage murals at the north part of Central Street
In the north part of the neighborhood, alleyways off Thayer Street have murals on garage doors, thanks to an artist who lives nearby. Teresa Parod started doing her art with permission from homeowners during the COVID-19 lockdown, and she got the idea after visiting Cuba. The alleys are between Thayer and Isabella Streets and between Thayer Street and Park Place. The Mitchell Museum of the American Indian concentrates on the cultures and traditions of Indigenous people from North America and Tribal Nations across the Great Lakes region. Close to Lake Michigan is the Grosse Point Lighthouse, constructed in 1877, a national historic landmark. It’s open for tours during summer weekends. Nearby is Lighthouse Beach, which is open for swimming from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Support local talent at the Indigenous Artist Market pop-up in Central Street.
Explore Indigenous culture at the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian in Central Street.
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Willard Elementary School is in the neighborhood
High Niche grades and low student-to-teacher ratios highlight the K-12 pathway for students living in the Central Street neighborhood. Willard Elementary School gets an A-minus from Niche. Students can get individualized attention with an 11-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio. Similar small class sizes are at Haven Middle School, with a B-plus grade. Evanston Township High School is rated an A-plus and is ranked the 23rd-best public high school in Illinois out of more than 700. The school also has an average graduation rate of 93%. St. Athanasius is a private school option for K-8 students with an A-plus grade. Northwestern University is one of the leading research universities in the country, with much of the campus offering picturesque views of Lake Michigan.
Evanston Township High School offers a wide range of honors courses for Central Street students.
Willard Elementary offers Central Street students K–5 education with small class sizes.
Haven Middle School earns a solid B+ rating, perfect for Central Street students.
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Metra and ‘L’ train stop at Central Street station
The Central Street Metra station is close to the busy intersection of Green Bay Road and Central Street, which provides service for customers who want to take the commuter train into downtown Chicago for a half-hour trip to the Ogilvie Transportation Center. The purple line CTA elevated train also stops at the station. Bus riders can choose from CTA buses, which have routes on Central Street or the Pace suburban bus system with stops on Green Bay Road. It’s about 4 miles to Interstate 94, and the tip to Chicago O’Hare International Airport is about half an hour.
Convenient bus routes make commuting easy along Central Street.
The Central Street Metra whisks commuters to downtown Chicago in under an hour.
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Ongoing renovations at Ryan Field
Usually, the Northwestern Wildcats play their home football games at Ryan Field, close to the eastern part of the neighborhood. But for the next two seasons, they are being played closer to Lake Michigan, about 2 miles east, while Ryan Field is being renovated. “People have been receptive to the temporary stadium even though it's much smaller,” May says. “They wish that Ryan Field would be built on the lakefront.”
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.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Are you familiar with the Central Street neighborhood?
to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Central Street
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
3
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Central Street Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Central Street, Evanston sell after 12 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Central Street, Evanston over the last 12 months is $670,000, up 59% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Sitting on a beautiful tree lined street on one of Evanston's beloved blocks is this 4-bedroom 2-bathroom house that is a great opportunity for someone looking for a full renovation project. The first floor includes two bedrooms, a full bath and a living and dining room and kitchen with a nearly identical floorplan on the second floor. This can be a great setup for a single-family home or
Vicki VranasBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago
ONLY 10 REMAIN! Located directly across the street from Evanston's beautiful Bent Park, Bent Park Homes is a brand-new, semi-custom Townhome development from long-time North Shore builder Kaplan Custom Homes featuring 11, +/-3,800 sf luxury residences. Thoughtfully configured with 4 bedrooms & 5.5 bathrooms, each home has been meticulously crafted to include all of the high-end features you'd
Outstanding value for this 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo in a boutique building with exterior parking located in the Evanston Central Business District. Approximately 1400 square feet with good sized bedrooms. Some updating has been done over the years to kitchen and baths. Kitchen has 42 inch cabinets, and granite countertops. Real oak hardwood floors predominantly in unit. Primary bedroom is great
Harry Maisel@properties Christie's International Real Estate
Attention builders, developers, investors, and custom home buyers! This lot is ideal for gut rehab/rebuild and is being sold as is. Value is in the land with zoning variance approved, city-approved plans, architectural drawings, and building permits. The approved project offers great potential and is currently designed for a 4 bed (+1 in basement), 4.5 bath, attached garage, 2-story home with
The residences at Central Station are attractive, spacious, and functional featuring upgraded spacious floor plan, upgraded kitchens, washer and dryers in, in each residence and built in computer niches. The goal is to design the interior unit finishes to be at the highest end of this submarket.All the energy-efficient residences at Central Station have high ceilings, walk-in closets with wire
Nestled in a great location across from Ackerman Park, this beautifully remodeled two-story home perfectly blends classic charm with modern convenience. The open-concept main level features a sun-filled great room with hardwood floors, combining living and dining areas, and a spectacular updated kitchen with quartz countertops, a breakfast peninsula, new stainless steel appliances, and generous
Mary SummervilleColdwell Banker
$1,200 - $1,695 per month
Discover Comfortable Living at Hampton Parkway in Evanston!
A quick drive from all the shopping, dining, and nightlife that downtown Evanston has to offer. Located on a quiet tree-lined street, it's a short walk to Lighthouse Beach and Lake Michigan. Minutes to Northwestern University, Shopping on Central St and Lighthouse Beach on the shores of Lake Michigan.Units feature:- Stainless steel kitchen appliances including dishwashers- Latch
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
