West Town

Long noted for its artistic exuberance and wide-reaching influence, West Town real estate is booming as the area enjoys a renaissance. The chic restaurants, intimate music venues, and bustling boutiques that characterize the eclectic cultural centers of West Town have put this area on the map for young professionals and new families. For beautiful houses and condos in a true center of artistic expression along with burgeoning development spearheaded by the 606 trail, West Town real estate is one of the finest options in the city.

Recent History

West Town has been reinvigorated since the turn of the twenty-first century, with a huge influx of young professionals and growing families moving in alongside the artists and bohemians for which the area is famous. The result is one of Chicago’s most compelling neighborhoods, with West Town real estate being more in-demand than ever.

Chic restaurants, bars, and shops have flourished between cultural landmarks and historical homes, making this one of the most walkable areas of the city. Funds have recently been committed to make sidewalks, curbs, and gutters flawless, and new bus pads and bike lanes — in addition to service from the CTA Blue Line — have made it even easier to get around. With a growth in interest from across the surrounding areas and a fresh cash injection from the city itself, it isn’t hard to see why the area is booming.

One of the most exciting recent developments is the opening of the 606 trail. It’s an elevated trail and park system built on a former rail line. The 2.7-mile linear park threads through Bucktown, Wicker Park, Logan Square, and Humbolt Park, running along Bloomingdale Avenue between Ashland and Ridgeway. It’s the perfect example of the kind of revitalization that’s been happening throughout West Town in recent years, and it’s a great way to get a firsthand look at the diversity of West Town’s offerings.

Popular Neighborhoods

One of the things that makes West Town real estate and the neighborhood as a whole such a charming attraction is the fact that it’s composed of a number of smaller areas, all with their own vibrant energy.

Ukrainian Village

Bordered by Division to the north, Grand to the south, Damen to the east, and Western to the west, Ukrainian Village is one of the most popular neighborhoods in West Town. As the name implies, the area was a premier destination for Ukrainian immigrants; today, it’s a melting pot with hip new restaurants and arts venues punctuated by historic landmarks such as St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral. Highlights include restaurants such as The Cotton Duck, which shows off local art in an avant-garde setting while serving sophisticated entrees in a BYOB environment, as well as more casual fare from places such as Fatso’s Last Stand. Venues like The Empty Bottle keep the area dancing with a regular stream of local and national musical acts, while the annual Ukrainian Village Fest is a fun reminder — and celebration — of the area’s roots.

East Village

East Village is just next door to Ukrainian Village, bordered on the west by Damen, on the east by Ashland, on the north by Division, and on the south by Grand. Like Ukrainian Village, it boasts a stunning range of eateries and shopping venues. Try world-class sushi at Arami, have a drink and soak in the old-school atmosphere at the Rainbo Club, or enjoy upscale Italian dishes at Briciola. You’ll also want to stop by shops like Paperish Mess, where handmade goods are sold alongside original artwork from local independent artists.

Noble Square

Noble Square is just east of East Village, from Ashland Avenue on the west to I-90 on the east and from Division on the north to Grand on the south. The area has experienced a culinary renaissance, with food available from all across the globe. You can sample the cutting edge of New American cuisine at Frontier, a range of Latin dishes at Flo, or delicious Italian food and cocktails at Charlatan. Retro shops have also become popular, such as Seek Vintage and Dovetail.

Wicker Park

Bordered to the north by North Avenue, to the south by Division, to the east by I-90, and to the west by Western Avenue, Wicker Park has seen a surge of new development. Hip restaurants like Piece Brewery and Pizzeria and The Bongo Room complement the artistic sensibility for which the area is historically known. The result is an eclectic neighborhood that’s swelled with an influx of urban professionals while still boasting the flavors of its past through shops like One Strange Bird and venues such as Jackson Jungle Gallery.

A Day in the Life

West Town really feels like its own little enclave, separate from the concerns of the rest of the city. You can spend the whole day strolling its streets, moving from historical landmarks to trendy bars to avant-garde theatres in just a few steps.

Humboldt Park lies just to the West, but West Town’s own Commercial Park is a cozier alternative that West Town residents have embraced and made their own. There’s a fantastic children’s park — Commercial Park is filled with young families during the weekend — but there’s also plenty for everyone to do. Outdoor cinema screenings, roller skating parties, and jazz concerts are all features of the park’s summer calendar.

From there, you can walk along the 1880s workers’ cottages that line Hoyne and Thomas Street and mark the center of Ukrainian Village. At the southern end of Hoyne, take a left, cross Damen, and you’ll come to Roots, a long-term family-friendly staple where children get a ball of pizza dough to play with while they’re eating and adults get to watch their pizzas being made. For something a little lighter, turn north on North Damen to find Black Dog Gelato just a few minutes away. You can play it safe with vanilla, but Black Dog is known for slightly more interesting flavors — how about blueberry French toast, goat cheese cashew caramel, or sour cherry root beer sorbet?

Alternatively, you could head to Wicker Park and enjoy some of the city’s finest Tex-Mex at Big Star, which boasts plenty of outdoor seating — perfect for watching the neighborhood. After your meal you might head east on Wicker Park Avenue, taking in views of the park that bears its name before heading north on Honore and east on Milwaukee. There you’ll find Wormhole Coffee, which stands out as much for the quality of its coffee as for its 80s-style décor, which includes a DeLorean and an original Nintendo Entertainment System.

When the day is winding down, see if you can snag a reservation at Schwa for Michelin star cuisine — quail egg ravioli is a specialty — or sample some creative vegetarian delicacies at Green Zebra. Once you’re done, you can head to one of the area’s numerous bars for live music and a friendly atmosphere, or even head to the famous Chopin Theatre for one of their theater, music, film, or literary events.

Borders

West Town is bordered on the north by W. Bloomingdale, on the south by W. Kinzie, on the west by N. Kedzie, and on the east by the Chicago River.

The area is served by the CTA’s Blue Line, with the O’Hare branch stopping in Ukrainian Village and Wicker Park. The area is also served by the MD-N and UP-W Metra lines from Western Avenue Station, which is located near the intersection of Western and Kedzie. The area also has the benefit of being served by several bus lines, including:

9 Ashland
49 Western
50 Damen
56 Milwaukee
65 Grand
66 Chicago
70 Division

Chicago Home Partner Offers Real Estate Across Chicago’s West Town

This neighborhood is already a destination of choice for the artistically minded, but its fine housing and unique appeal have turned West Town real estate into Chicago’s next big thing. Just contact us today for more information on how you can find your new home in one of the windy City’s hottest neighborhoods.