@properties

The Loop

Neighborhoods within The Loop

Zip codes within The Loop

Not too long ago, Chicago's Loop was an area where people came to work or play, but not to live. That began to change in the 1990s as developers started constructing new high rises and repurposing existing office buildings for residential use. Now, homebuyers can find a wealth of housing options - as well as amenities to complement their daily lives - in the historical center of downtown Chicago, which is bounded on the west and north by the Chicago River, on the east by Lake Michigan and on the South by Congress Parkway.

In addition to luxury condominium buildings interspersed among office high rises, the Loop also is home to several large-scale mixed-use developments with a variety of housing types, from condominiums and town homes to row homes. These planned communities include amenities like grocery stores and schools that were previously unavailable in the Loop. Home prices in the area are high, reflecting the growing popularity of the Loop as a residential .

The Loop offers an unparalleled opportunity to live among the landmarks that define Chicago, from Grant Park, Millennium Park and Navy Pier to the Theatre District and the Art Institute. Loop residents also have a front row seat to Chicago's marquee events, such as the Taste of Chicago, the Air and Water Show and the Chicago Blues Festival. And they can easily sample downtown Chicago's plentiful fine dining and shopping.

South Loop: Recently dubbed the fastest growing neighborhood in America by Chicago magazine, the South Loop is a boom town with a storied past and an incredibly bright future. Chicago's original "Gold Coast" in the late 19th century, the South Loop was home to such business icons as Marshall Field and George Pullman. But the area went undeveloped for most of the 20th century. The introduction of Central Station in the mid 1990s brought the first wave of thousands of new homes. Virtually every corner of the South Loop is experiencing new development today, from the lofts of Printers Row and the Motor Row Historic District to the high-rises of Central Station and a booming retail corridor along Roosevelt Road.

Renovations and conversions abound in the South Loop, and many older warehouses and factories have been completely gutted and refashioned into trendy lofts, condos, and apartments. But the big story is new construction - in every size and shape. High-rises featuring classic and contemporary architecture, single-family homes, town homes and mid rises are going up everywhere with prices ranging from about $200,000 to $1 million plus.

Residents of the South Loop benefit from proximity to the Loop, Museum Campus and lakefront; great access to transportation; and incredible views of the lake and skyline. The area's housing boom has brought with it an influx of retailers, sophisticated eateries and a trendy nightlife scene.