Apartments in Chicago's River North
Quick Quiz: How many square blocks does it take to house two of the largest structures in North America, the second highest concentration of art galleries in the United States, a thriving design community, a major metropolitan newspaper, more theme restaurants than a fleet of tourists could ever hope to fill and incredibly sought-after real estate, to boot?
Assuming you're not taken aback that all of this in addition to scores more fantastic resources are actually all nicely nestled inside a neat-and-tidy thirteen blocks by nine, then you're doubtlessly familiar with Chicago's River North area! Bordered by Michigan Avenue towards the East, Chicago Avenue on the North, and the Chicago River establishing de facto Southern and Western borders, River North is a tiny but beautiful treasure within Chicago's Near North Side.
It wasn't always this way, though. Despite having the cultural and economic importance of Merchandise Mart, the region which would develop into River North used to be known to be one of the more dangerous sections of the city before the '70's.
It's real estate developer Alan Friedman that the community has to thank for it's modern revitalization. In '74, Friedman and a slue of photographers, ad agencies, boutiques and galleries swooped into one of the most unjustly underdeveloped neighborhoods in Chicago, gave it an artistic and architectural make-over of massive proportions, and christened it with the punchy nickname "River North."
Since then, River North has increased tremendously in social relevance and housing worth. Home to the city's "Gallery District," a child of Friedman's first art house installation, River North today offers the highest amount of fine art galleries in the usa outside of Ny. It is likewise referred to as the "Cathedral District" regarding the beautiful juxtaposition of the Holy Name Cathedral and St. James Cathedral fighting against a skyline of glass and steel. Bring in the Rock 'n Roll McDonald's, the first Pizzeria Uno, the offices of the Chicago Sun-Times newspaper, a tremendous amount of deluxe apartment buildings as well as the second tallest construct in America, The Trump Hotel and Tower Chicago, and you don't merely hold the makings of a premier tourism attraction -- you've got a critical life line of a leading metropolis.
Assuming you're not taken aback that all of this in addition to scores more fantastic resources are actually all nicely nestled inside a neat-and-tidy thirteen blocks by nine, then you're doubtlessly familiar with Chicago's River North area! Bordered by Michigan Avenue towards the East, Chicago Avenue on the North, and the Chicago River establishing de facto Southern and Western borders, River North is a tiny but beautiful treasure within Chicago's Near North Side.
It wasn't always this way, though. Despite having the cultural and economic importance of Merchandise Mart, the region which would develop into River North used to be known to be one of the more dangerous sections of the city before the '70's.
It's real estate developer Alan Friedman that the community has to thank for it's modern revitalization. In '74, Friedman and a slue of photographers, ad agencies, boutiques and galleries swooped into one of the most unjustly underdeveloped neighborhoods in Chicago, gave it an artistic and architectural make-over of massive proportions, and christened it with the punchy nickname "River North."
Since then, River North has increased tremendously in social relevance and housing worth. Home to the city's "Gallery District," a child of Friedman's first art house installation, River North today offers the highest amount of fine art galleries in the usa outside of Ny. It is likewise referred to as the "Cathedral District" regarding the beautiful juxtaposition of the Holy Name Cathedral and St. James Cathedral fighting against a skyline of glass and steel. Bring in the Rock 'n Roll McDonald's, the first Pizzeria Uno, the offices of the Chicago Sun-Times newspaper, a tremendous amount of deluxe apartment buildings as well as the second tallest construct in America, The Trump Hotel and Tower Chicago, and you don't merely hold the makings of a premier tourism attraction -- you've got a critical life line of a leading metropolis.
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