After the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, city dwellers built elegant waterfront homes in Evanston. Today, residents of Downtown Evanston enjoy distant views of Chicago's glittering skyline by night and sweeping Lake Michigan vistas by day. The area keeps some nostalgic charms with vintage architecture. "It's a unique area where you get the serenity of Lake Michigan's shores along with the busy atmosphere of downtown," says Michael Marin, a managing broker and top producer with Signature Homes Realty.
Northwestern adds college-town flavor
An integral part of Evanston is Northwestern University, just north of downtown. It's the No. 1 college in Illinois, according to Niche. The 240-acre campus links to the much smaller Chicago campus, about 12 miles away, via a free shuttle. The university has approximately 23,000 students and 2,500 faculty members and is Evanston's largest employer.
Picnic pick up, deep-dish circa 1974
Downtown Evanston offers eateries, small businesses, big-box stores, hotels and more. Trader Joe's and Whole Foods Market are right near home. Cupitol Coffee & Eatery serves fresh-baked goods, cold-press juices and all-day brunch. For lunch on the go, pick something up at Picnic, where the menu's full of healthy fare.
Giordano's, which started in 1974 in the South Side of Chicago, now has 45 locations in Illinois. Their stuffed deep-dish pizza has received accolades from the Chicago Tribune, the New York Times, Eater and more.
Young actors get on stage at Mudlark Theater Company, a non-profit offering camps and classes for youth. For a movie night out, AMC Evanston 12 supplies the flicks.
Cupitol Coffee & Eatery in Downtown Evanston is a local favorite.
Downtown Evanston' Picnic has many delicious grain bowls and salads to choose from.
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Art Deco to high-rise apartments
There's a mix of historical and contemporary styles within this waterfront cityscape. "We have a good spread of different architecture, from hundred-year-old lakefront mansions to modern attached condominiums," Marin says. Townhouses, condominiums and apartment blocks line major thoroughfares, sharing curb appeal with modern mid- and high-rises. Apartments make up close to 50% of the property mix.
Vintage and historical single-family homes include Tudor Revival and Art Deco styles, plus features like wainscoting, original hardwood flooring, fireplaces and spacious windows. The average listing price in the area is just under $500,000. Twenty percent of homes fall under $200,000 and about 5% are over $1.3 million.
A gorgeous house in Downtown Evanston is surrounded by dense landscaping.
Modern glass high-rise buildings dot the landscape of Downtown Evanston.
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Parks like Centennial and Raymond
Within walking distance of most downtown homes, Lake Michigan's shoreline is the star. The Northwestern Sailing Center rents out catamarans, kayaks and stand-up paddle boards and windsurfing and sailing lessons are also popular. Public beaches are open during warmer months, with free season passes for those living in specific ZIP codes.
A lovely spot for waterside picnics, Clark Street Beach offers volleyball courts. Dog Beach is a favorite for water frolics or off-leash socializing in a fenced area. Centennial Park is the place for a lakeside walk to the peninsula on Northwestern's campus.
Amid the manicured green spaces of Raymond Park, there's a playground with an abstract climbing sculpture.
Dawes Park is a stunning lakeside park in Evanston.
Deborah Butterfield's 1998 sculpture "Duna" sits in the center of Oldberg Park in Evanston.
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Do's in Downtown Evanston
There are plenty of things to do downtown. Fountain Square's annual Fall Festival offers live music, kids' art activities, ice cream and coffee trucks, food vendors and a maker's market. The Holiday Bazaar hosted by the Woman's Club of Evanston showcases 50 curated vendors of handmade goods. The Young Evanston Artists festival, or YEA!, is held on the third Saturday of May at Raymond Park.
The L, Divvy bikes and Metra
The Chicago Transit Authority Purple Line L trains run all day between the Chicago Loop and seven stops in Downtown Evanston. The CTA also runs bus routes. Evanston Davis Street Metra station has service on the Union Pacific North line. Traveling south, Chicago's Ogilvie Transportation Center is the fifth stop from Evanston. Going north, it's about 50 miles to Kenosha, Wisconsin, the only Metra stop outside Illinois. There's a Divvy bike share station, plus spots for bike racks, dedicated lanes and tune-up stations. O'Hare International Airport is about 15 miles away.
The CTA Purple line runs through Downtown Evanston.
Downtown Evanston has a large offering of bus lines with a depot just off of the CTA and Metra.
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Public schools include giant ETHS
Children residing in Downtown Evanston may attend public schools like Dewey Elementary, graded A-minus by Niche and Nichols Middle, graded B-plus. Evanston Township High, graded A-plus, is No. 23 in the state, according to Niche. With more than 1.2 million square feet of indoor space, ETHS is the largest single-building high school in the country. Some highlights of the 65-acre campus include a planetarium, greenhouse, swimming pools and tennis courts.
There are many private schools in the Evanston area. One of these, Beacon Academy, graded A-plus, is located downtown. It combines an International Baccalaureate curriculum with Montessori principles for ninth through 12th grade.
Nichols Middle School is public school in Evanston with 687 students in grades 6-8.
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
Lovely 1 bedroom co-operative in downtown Evanston. This move-in condition unit features high ceilings, pristine parquet flooring and a lovely view. Gracious living/dining room with large picture windows and built-ins. The kitchen has abundant wood-cabinets including a large pantry and utility closet. The private spacious bedroom is next to the full bathroom with a tub/shower and vanity. Newer
Check out this sleek, urban condo in the heart of downtown Evanston-Ultimate location, location, location! This remodeled unit features Bamboo flooring, granite countertops with backsplash. Lots of natural light streaming throughout. Enjoy the expansive balcony, perfect for relaxing or entertaining. Additional highlights include an in-unit washer and dryer, generous closet space and a designated
Classic 1920s Elegance Meets Modern Comfort in This Pristine Co-Op. Step into timeless sophistication with all the conveniences of today. This beautifully maintained co-op blends the architectural charm of the 1920s with thoughtful modern updates throughout. Featuring 9-foot ceilings, rich cove moldings, and gleaming hardwood floors, the expansive 30' x 17' living room offers a welcoming space,
DOWNTOWN EVANSTON NEWLY UPGRADED 2-BED 2-BATH UNIT AT PRIME LOCATION. NEW FLOORING AND FRESH PAINT. GOURMET KITCHEN WITH GRANITE COUNTER TOP AND NEW STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES, CUSTOM SHADES THROUGHOUT. LIVING ROOM WITH DOUBLE SLIDING DOORS TO LARGE BALCONY. SERENE WESTERN VIEWS. GARAGE SPACE #151 INCLUDED. AMENITIES INCLUDE DOORMAN, INDOOR POOL, FITNESS/PARTY ROOM AND BEAUTIFUL ROOF-TOP PATIO &
You cannot do better than this! Located in lively downtown Evanston. One of Evanston's most desired full amenity's buildings, walk to Northwestern, lake, or just hang out in one of our beautiful parks. A bright unit facing south and west, with floor to ceiling windows throughout, sliding door to balcony overlooking the buildings green space. This unit comes with a dedicated heated garage space,
Enjoy the perfect blend of suburban tranquility and city convenience in this fresh downtown Evanston condo! Floor-to-ceiling windows offer lovely east views, filling the space with natural light. Inside, you'll find rich Brazilian cherry hardwood floors, granite countertops, and a breakfast bar-ideal for casual dining and entertaining. The spacious primary suite features a walk-in closet and a
Evanston Place Apartments, located on the North Shore of Chicago, IL 60201, offers new community amenities and upgraded kitchen and bathrooms in select homes! These upgraded homes include stainless steel appliances, modern cabinetry, quartz countertops, chalkboard wall and in unit washer and dryer. Smart home technology including locks and thermostat available! New community features include a
Luxury 1 bed/1 bath located in the heart of downtown Evanston! Premium finishes including granite countertops, Italian cabinets, stainless steel appliances, and hardwood floors. Features a private deck with views of downtown, 9' ceilings, in-unit washer/dryer, custom window treatments, and double closets in the bedroom. Full amenity building with doorman, pool, exercise room, party room, and sun
Whatever you do, make it yours. The Park Evanston has stylish, open amenity areasincluding a huge fitness center, pet spa, and an impressive rooftop pool deck with built in grillsthat fit your active, modern lifestyle. Plus, the newly renovated apartments are designed with your style in mind. With an unbeatable location that places everything within steps, The Park Evanston is downtown Evanston
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Erik Schwab,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
8,131
Median Age
35
Population Density
32 ppl/acre
Population under 18
15%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
18.2%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$62,789
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$87,205
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
97.9%
College Graduates
83.7%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
43.5%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
51.9%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
40''
Average Winter Low Temperature
17°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
18''
Area Factors
Biker's Paradise
Bike Score®
92/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
98/ 100
Good Transit
Transit Score®
62/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
