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Living in Goose Island

INDUSTRIAL INFLUENCES • NIGHTLIFE •  CONVERTED WAREHOUSES • RETAIL DENSE 

This man-made stretch of land along the North Branch of the Chicago River between the West Loop and West Town neighborhoods, once served as a settlement for Irish, Polish and German immigrants, and then, eventually, as the industrial site to a major utility company and other Chicago-based manufacturers. Long seen as an area of warehouses and grit, this Chicago community area is experiencing a revival and boost in residential living as well as local businesses.

The location of the Goose Island neighborhood is convenient for businesses needing easy access to Chicago’s downtown. In fact, the neighborhood is increasingly more attractive to companies and small businesses seeking more affordable rent and office space, while also maintaining close proximity to the city’s center. 

In the last couple of years, growth in business and residential tenants in Goose Island is on the rise. Luxury apartments and condos make up a large chunk of the housing inventory. Apart from the conveniences of high-rise living, Goose Island residents also benefit from several retailers within close reach. A few shopping centers, a mini mall and a shopping corridor all form part of the northeast side of Goose Island, making quick trips for groceries, clothes, shoes, personal care among other items a perk to living in the Goose Island neighborhood.

The neighborhood is also seeing a boost from the addition of more dining and entertainment options.  Of particular note is the 2022 opening of The Salt Shed (1357 N Elston Ave), a large, warehouse-style, live music venue by 16 on Center Hospitality Group. The Salt Shed occupies the former Morton Salt warehouse, and combines an indoor complex for live shows, plus a large outdoor space along the river called the Fairgrounds. Desiring to create an entertainment and dining district along the Chicago River, the team at 16 on Center envisioned a place where food and music on a grand scale could be enjoyed all year round.

Where is Goose Island?

The isle that makes up Goose Island, Chicago is located on the North Branch of the Chicago River, surrounded on all sides by the river’s canal. The main thoroughfare that runs through the neighborhood is Division St.

The neighborhood borders encompass parts of Chicago Ave to the south of the island, from the I-90/I-94 expressway east until Larrabee St. The same is true on the north, along a portion of North Ave.

The neighborhood’s eastern edge is largely composed of parts of Larrabee St and Halsted St, while the I-90/I-94 expressway serves as its western border. This small island community area makes up part of the 60642 zip code. Nearby neighborhoods include River West, Old Town, Noble Square, and Pulaski Park.

Goose Island Transportation

The convenience of living in Goose Island truly feels like you are living in the center of the city with new real estate development opportunities all around you. The old industrial Chicago meets the Chicago of the future on Goose Island. Reclaiming the Chicago River from its gritty and industrial past will be vital to the future of Goose Island real estate and the island’s residents.

Goose Island’s proximity to downtown Chicago means that there are several transportation options for getting to and from the area. The I-90/I-94 expressway runs along the west side of Goose Island, making it accessible via the North Ave, Division St, or Chicago Ave exits.

For those relying on public transportation, the island is nearest to the Chicago Ave and Division St CTA Blue line stations, as well as the North/Clybourn CTA Red line station. Commuters can take the #66 Chicago and the #70 Division bus routes to get to the Blue line train, and the #72 North to get to the Red line. Also, serving the area on its eastern end is the #108 Halsted bus route.

Goose Island Real Estate Market Snapshot

LOFT STYLE APARTMENTS • NEW HIGH RISES •  MODERN CONDOS • LOFT REMODELS

Goose Island residential living is characterized by urban, high-rise apartments and condos, generally located in the outskirts of Goose Island proper. Several of the units available are either high-end lifestyle apartments or modern condos for sale in multi-story, multi-unit buildings. The loft-style interiors of these units, with their high ceilings, exposed ductwork, concrete walls and large windows, borrow their aesthetic inspiration from the industrial character of Goose Island itself. 

A large majority of the units offer open concept living, hardwood floors and in-unit laundry, as well as on site amenities like parking and a fitness center.

The housing inventory in Goose Island is limited, however. Prices for Goose Island homes for sale are on the higher end, ranging from $400 - $1.3 million, with HOA fees from as low as $262 per month to upwards of $1,000 per month.

Call me for exclusive pre-market pocket listings in Goose Island before they are available to the public!

Live Like a Local in Chicago’s Goose Island Neighborhood

Talk to a Goose Island real estate agent to set up a few condo viewings and then familiarize yourself with the neighborhood. Here’s a quick self-guided tour of Goose Island.

Pop in for coffee and a pastry at Passion House Coffee Roasters (1200 N North Branch St), a local coffee company, before heading northeast to the stretch along North Ave from Kingsbury St to Halsted for some retail exploration. Just a short distance from Goose Island, this area, and its vicinity, is densely populated with large retailers, grocers and restaurants.

Consider setting your dinner plans at Goose Island Brewhouse (1800 N Clybourn Ave), one of Chicago’s longest running craft breweries which gets its name from the city’s man-made island, before an evening show at iO Theater (1501 N Kingsbury St) for some improv comedy.

Goose Island Dining & Breweries

Goose Island has a combination of restaurants and breweries representing some of the best Chicago the Chicago food scene has to offer. Goose Island’s gritty past gives way to excellent casual dining and drinking options, some come with views of the Chicago River.

• Goose Island Shrimp House (1011 W Division St) - this cash only, take-out dive has served jumbo fried shrimp for decades. In addition to shrimp, it also offers scallops, oysters, catfish and frog legs by weight.

• 1308 Chicago (1308 N Elston Ave)- one of the neighborhood’s newest restaurants describes itself as a “SpeakEatery,” combining the ambiance of a speakeasy bar with some tasty dishes, including some vegetarian options.

• Off Color Brewing Taproom: The Mousetrap (1460 N Kingsbury St) - another major craft brewery showcases its collection of beers at its Goose Island taproom.

• Ada St (1664 N Ada St) frequent diners to this establishment rave about the ambiance as well as the brussel sprouts, gnocchi and burrata dishes. 

• Vaca’s Creamery (1436 W Blackhawk St) - while its name may suggest your traditional ice cream made with cow’s milk, this ice cream shop is all vegan, and takes special care in listing ingredients for those with allergies.

• Sully’s House  (1501 N Dayton St) - this elevated Irish Sports Bar has two levels of dining, lounge and bar space, as well as a rooftop deck.

Goose Island Neighborhood Amenities

Goose Island residents and workers do not lack in retail amenities. Shopping for groceries and other household items can be done at nearby Whole Foods Market (1550 N Kingsbury) or Target (1200 N Larrabee St), or at the Mariano’s (1500 N Clybourn Ave, C104) located in NEWCITY (1457 N Halsted St), a shopping center along Halsted St on the eastern edge of Goose Island. Furnishing your new Goose Island home purchase is a breeze with a slew of furniture and home goods retailers close by, including The Container Store (908 W North Ave), Bed Bath & Beyond (1800 N Clybourn), Williams-Sonoma (1550 N Fremont St), Crate & Barrel (850 W North Ave), west elm and Rejuvenation (1000 W North Ave), to name a few.

Dog lovers won’t need to fret about dog care for their pet while at work or traveling with Dog. Hotel | Daycare (1030 N Halsted St), located on the island, and Bark and Play Chicago (1526 N Throop St, Unit 2401).

As for schooling, the options within the neighborhood’s borders include The Noble Academy High School (1443 N Ogden Ave) and Skinner North Classical School (640 W Scott St), an elementary school for children in grades K-8. Both are Chicago Public Schools. Just outside of Skinner North Classical School is Stanton (Edwin) Park (618 W Scott St). This Chicago Public Park has a few athletic fields for baseball, basketball and football, plus an indoor swimming pool. There’s also British International School, Chicago (814 W Eastman St), for parents wanting a private, international education for their kids.

And when a break from the hustle of urban life is needed, Goose Island residents can relax and refresh at Allyu Spa (600 W Chicago Ave), with a service menu that features massages, manicures and pedicures, reflexology, Chakra balancing, facials, and more.

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