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Living in Old Town

HISTORY  • IMPROV COMEDY  • FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESSES  • DINING & NIGHTLIFE

An ornate iron sign with the worlds Old Town stands at the corner of North Avenue and Wells Street greeting visitors and passersby in the neighborhood. The intersection of North Ave and Wells is, perhaps, one of the busiest and well-known four corners of the neighborhood. The area that makes up Old Town was formerly a settlement of German Catholics in the mid 1800s, and remnants of Germanic influences are still present throughout the neighborhood. Following the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 that devastated a large part of the city at the time, including Old Town, brought many changes. In addition to new homes and buildings, the area’s population shifted as well and other ethnic groups moved into the neighborhood including Irish, French, Italian, Japanese, Eastern European, Filipino, Assyrian and Puerto Rican immigrants. Over the decades, Old Town became a unique enclave for the many cultural groups coming to Chicago in search of urban life. 

The neighborhood blocks are lined with trees and historic charm is definitely a part of the home designs prominent in the area. Old Town is especially known for its Victorian-era style homes and buildings. Additionally, there are a number of small brick streets and alleys that predate the Great Chicago Fire that are still present in the neighborhood. 

This near north side neighborhood sits between the Gold Coast neighborhood to its southeast and the Lincoln Park neighborhood to the north. Residents of the area benefit from the area’s proximity to the downtown Loop, Chicago’s largest city park and the lakefront beaches. 

Its location is not the only appeal. The neighborhood offers numerous bars, restaurants, coffee shops, comedy clubs, yoga/fitness studios and more. It's also one of the few city neighborhoods with a hotel, convenient for visiting out-of-town guests.

Where is Old Town?

The boundaries of Old Town are made up of Armitage Ave to the north, Division St to the south, Halsted St and parts of Clybourn Ave to the west, and Clark St to the east. The southern end of Lincoln Park and North Ave beach are located directly east of Old Town, making it one of the city’s most attractive lakefront neighborhoods.

The Old Town neighborhood falls primarily within the 43rd ward, with the southern portion of the neighborhood making up the 2nd ward. The zip codes of 60610 and 60614 are located within the Old Town neighborhood borders.  

Home buyers considering a home purchase in Old Town will find that its location lends itself well to getting around via public transportation. The CTA “L” train goes through the neighborhood with a station at Sedgwick (Brown and Purple Lines), and near the western border of the neighborhood is the CTA Red line stop at North/Clybourn. All lines connect downtown in the Loop to other train lines, making it possible to get to various parts of the city with little hassle. 

Alternative options for moving to and from the area include the following bus routes: the #22 Clark, #73 Armitage, #73 Halsted, #37 Sedgwick, #72 North, and #70 Division.

Old Town Real Estate Market Snapshot

HISTORIC HOMES • LUXURY CONDOS • MODERN APARTMENTS • OPEN FLOOR PLANS

The real estate inventory in Old Town primarily includes condos for sale as well as townhouses for sale. The area’s condo inventory is a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom units, many of which favor oak and walnut flooring, modern and/or updated kitchen fixtures, open floor plans and in-unit washer and dryers.

Many of the area’s buildings exemplify the history and charm of Old Town, and you’ll find some buildings with a historic landmark designation. While there are limited houses for sale in the neighborhood, the majority of them are modern, multi-level brick buildings priced closer to the $1 million range.

Mid- and high-rise buildings in Old Town with outdoor terraces and decks, elevators and floor-to-ceiling windows make up a decent portion of the condos for sale in the area. Assessments on these units can range from around $200 to upwards of $700 depending on the building’s amenities. 

There are also a number of apartments for rent in Old Town. If you’re looking to rent an apartment, depending on the amount of square footage you’re after, you can expect to pay rent that is on the higher end but comparable to other premium areas of the city that are also attractive due to their location and neighborhood amenities. 

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

Live Like a Local in Chicago’s Old Town Neighborhood

Schedule a home or condo showing with an Old Town real estate agent and then explore the neighborhood on your own. Here’s a quick self-guided tour of the Old Town neighborhood. 

Stop in Eva’s Cafe (1447 N Sedgwick St) in the morning for a brew of local Intelligentsia coffee and a warm breakfast sandwich. Spend the early afternoon winding through the neighborhood blocks and checking out the shops along Wells St. For lunch, get cozy at La Fournette (1547 N Wells St) and select from salads, crepes, sandwiches and quiches at this French bakery.

Then, for dinner enjoy a Tuscan-style menu at long-time neighborhood favorite, Topo Gigio Ristorante (1516 N Wells St). If it’s a comfortable, breezy night enjoy elevated views and evening drinks at the J. Parker (1816 N Clark St) rooftop at Hotel Lincoln, just across the street from Lincoln Park.

Old Town Dining & Nightlife Hotspots

This historic Chicago neighborhood has no shortage of delightful eateries and bars, some with years in the neighborhood and others that are new to the area. The ever growing options provide you with a wide array of choices. Check out some of these spots as you explore the neighborhood:

• Twin Anchors Restaurant & Tavern (1655 N Sedgwick St) this former speakeasy is known for its ribs and its celebrity patrons.

• Nookies (1746 N Wells St) one of three locations, this American eatery serves food from morning until night. 

• Kamehachi (1531 N Wells St)  - a Japanese restaurant with menu inspiration hailing from Tokyo, this neighborhood favorite has been around for more than 40 years.

• Two Lights Seafood & Oyster (227 W North Ave) - this airy and modern family-owned restaurant is new to the neighborhood and its menu is inspired by the eastern U.S. coast.

• Old Town Pour House (1419 N Wells St) - a vibrant gathering place for friends, this pub offers an extensive beer list.

• Orso’s (1401 N Wells St) - a decades-old, family-owned Italian restaurant offering a classic, romantic ambiance. 

• Cocoa + Co. Coffee and Chocolate Cafe (1651 N Wells St) - chocolate lovers rejoice! This small cafe serves up some decadent treats. 

• Old Town Ale House (219 W North Ave) - “if these walls could talk.” Well, the art on the walls of this bar sure makes a statement. This cash-only bar is an old-school watering hole once featured on Parts Unknown with Anthony Bourdain.

Old Town Neighborhood Amenities

For those living in Old Town the amenities and attractions in and near the neighborhood are especially a draw. 

Expansive green space, North Avenue Beach and the Lake Front Trail are within walking distance just past the eastern border of Old Town. If you have young ones and are looking for a smaller play area to contrast the larger city park take them down to Bauler Playlot Park (501 W Wisconsin St). 

Grocery stores in the area include Plum Market Old Town (1233 N Wells St), a specialty grocer with a wine bar inside, and local chain Jewel-Osco (424 W Division St). There’s also a Mariano’s (1500 N Clybourn Ave) just at the western border of the neighborhood located in the Newcity Shopping Center. The nearest Target is located at 1200 N. Larrabee, southwest of the Old Town neighborhood boundaries.

Schooling options for families include Manierre Elementary School (1420 N Hudson Ave) Franklin Fine Arts Center (225 W Evergreen St), and La Salle Language Academy (1734 N Orleans St). All are Chicago Public Schools for grades K-8. 

Once you purchase a condo or buy a house in Old Town be sure to mark you calendars in June every year for the annual Old Town Arts Fair, a local celebration of artists, music and families.

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