River North Real Estate

Nestled just above the Loop, River North is home to the highest concentration of art and design galleries in the United States outside New York City. Having undergone vast expansion and development since the early 1990s, River North also boasts numerous high-rise buildings as well as a dynamic food scene featuring award-winning restaurants and nightlife hotspots, particularly along Hubbard Avenue and Franklin Street. River North is the home of Merchandise Mart, a large complex full of furniture and wholesale goods showrooms catering to the citys design community. The building was the largest structure in the world until 1930; until 2008, it even had its own zip code.

History

Formerly a commercial and manufacturing district, River North was dotted with factories that lay dormant in the 1970s and 80s. Similar to New Yorks SoHo, River North eventually saw an influx of artists seeking large spaces in which to work that transformed the neighborhood into a creative and entrepreneurial hub. The subsequent wave of new galleries such as Hilton-Asmus, David Weinberg, and Perimeter effectively cemented River Norths status as a dynamic cultural district.

Demographic

River North is one of Chicagos hottest neighborhoods for young professionals. Between the years 2000 and 2010, the population of River North surged by 82% from just under 10,000 residents to nearly 18,000. New high-rises, condos, and rental buildings accounted for much of this growth. River North residents tend to desire easy access to downtown Chicago and prefer not to drive.

Landmarks and Institutions

River North is home to its share of important Chicago architectural icons including the corn cobs of Marina City and the glass and steel Mies van der Rohe tower on North Wabash Avenue. Other local landmarks as well as institutions include the Poetry Foundation, the Driehaus Museum, St. James Cathedral, the Museum of Broadcast Communications, and Washington Square.

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