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75-514: The East Lake Shore Drive District is a historic district in the Near North Side community area of Chicago, Illinois . It includes eight buildings at 140 E. Walton, 179-229 E. Lake Shore Drive , and 999 N. Lake Shore Drive designed by Marshall and Fox and Fugard & Knapp and the opposing park. It was designated a Chicago Landmark district on April 18, 1985. These buildings include seven luxury high rise apartment buildings and

150-662: A Mass in Spanish. Many of the streets and alleys, particularly in the Old Town Triangle section, predate the Great Chicago Fire and do not all adhere to the city's typical grid pattern. In 1927, sculptors Sol Kogen and Edgar Miller purchased and subsequently rehabilitated a house on Burton Place, near Wells Street, into the Carl Street Studios . Through the 1930s, an art colony emerged in

225-452: A founder of International Harvester , built what has been described as the centerpiece of the historic district. As a home to many of Chicago's leading families, Prairie Avenue became the base of many important political movements. Woman's suffrage had activists, such as Illinois Women Suffrage Association President Jane Jones, on Prairie Avenue. Illinois Central Railroad Co. v. State of Illinois , 146 U.S. 387 (1892), pitted

300-643: A parking garage. The conflict, which was not settled before wreckers had knocked a hole in a corner of the building and which included protests and a petition to the Illinois Supreme Court , was described on the front page of The New York Times . Preservationists, including the Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois and the National Trust for Historic Preservation , eventually dropped their appeals once

375-594: Is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Near North Side, Chicago The Near North Side is the eighth of Chicago's 77 community areas . It is the northernmost of the three areas that constitute central Chicago, the others being the Loop and the Near South Side . The community area is located north and east of the Chicago River . To its east is Lake Michigan , and its northern boundary

450-486: Is a neighborhood known for its fine dining, galleries, nightlife, and riverwalk amenities. It is home to the world headquarters of ConAgra , Groupon , Motorola Mobility , and the regional offices of Yelp . It is bounded by Michigan Avenue to the east, Chicago Avenue to the north, and the Chicago River to the south and west. River North has many towers and high-rises and some of its other famous structures include

525-567: Is currently part of the 2nd, 27th, 42nd, and 43rd wards of the Chicago City Council , which are respectively represented by Democratic aldermen Brian Hopkins , Walter Burnett Jr. , Brendan Reilly , and Michele Smith . In the Cook County Board of Commissioners the majority of the area is in the 3rd district, represented by Democrat Bill Lowry. The westernmost part, including the majority of Goose Island, and much of

600-542: Is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Marshall Field lived at 1905 South Prairie and purchased 1919 South Prairie for Marshall Field, Jr. It is believed that Solon Spencer Beman had contributed to the design of what is now known as the Marshall Field, Jr. Mansion. Then, Field hired Daniel Burnham to design extensions and additions to the property after purchasing it 1890. In 2007,

675-817: Is purported to be the city's oldest standing house. In addition to the Clarke House and the Glessner House, nine other houses from the late-19th century remain in the historic district portion of Prairie Avenue. Both the Glessner House and the Clarke House are on the National Historic Register and now serve as museums. Most of the Prairie Avenue families worshiped at the Chicago Landmark Second Presbyterian Church of Chicago , which

750-515: Is the early 19th-century city limit of Chicago, North Avenue . In 2020 the Near North Side had 105,481 residents, surpassing Lake View as the largest Chicago community area by population. It is also the most densely populated community area and has the second most skyscrapers , after the Loop. With the exception of areas near Goose Island in the northwest (which is undergoing development),

825-469: Is zoned to the following Chicago Public Schools schools: Ogden School and the prestigious Latin School of Chicago . Old Town is a Chicago neighborhood bounded by North Avenue on the north, Larrabee Street on the northwest, Division Street on the south, Clybourn Avenue on the southwest, and LaSalle Street on the east. It crosses portions of the community areas of southern Lincoln Park , as well as

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900-551: The Chicago Tribune newspaper . The street is the home of Chicago's famous Water Tower landmark, Water Tower Park with its historic clock, and the eight-level Water Tower Place shopping center which grew up next door to the landmark. North of the shopping center can be found the famous John Hancock Center , also known as 875 North Michigan Avenue tower; the Art Deco Palmolive Building ; and

975-631: The Commission on Chicago Landmarks announced the rehabilitation of the Marshall Field Jr. Mansion, which had been vacant for 40 years and which was renovated as six private residences, won a Preservation Award. Today, Prairie Avenue has buildings indexed in the Chicago Historic Resources Survey in the Near South Side , Douglas , Grand Boulevard , Washington Park and Chatham community areas . Among

1050-473: The Democratic Party in the past two presidential elections. In the 2016 presidential election , the Near North Side cast 32,150 votes for Hillary Clinton and cast 8,778 votes for Donald Trump (74.5% to 20.4%). In the 2012 presidential election , the Near North Side cast 24,592 votes for Barack Obama and cast 12,939 votes for Mitt Romney (64.5% to 34.0%). Several consulates are located on

1125-756: The Drake Hotel . Note that neither of the buildings on either end of the district actually has an East Lake Shore Drive address. This district is located within the Streeterville neighborhood and overlaps with the Gold Coast . As of 2014, East Lake Shore Drive ranked as the 6th wealthiest neighborhood in America with a median household income of $ 593,454. 41°54′03″N 87°37′19″W  /  41.9007°N 87.6219°W  / 41.9007; -87.6219 This Chicago geographical article

1200-423: The Gold Coast and more commonly the suburban North Shore . The Chicago Tribune highlighted 1898 Prairie Avenue as a place that was undesirable to those for whom it was affordable, and unaffordable to those for whom it was desirable. Light industry and vacant lots overtook Prairie Avenue during the second half of the 20th century. The elegant mansions were mostly torn down or fell into extreme disrepair. By

1275-645: The Great Chicago Fire by saving property records. At one point in the 1880s, sixteen of the 60 members of the Commercial Club of Chicago lived on Prairie Avenue. George Armour headed the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts, which became the Art Institute of Chicago . 1801 South Prairie resident, William Wallace Kimball , employed about 1500 people around the start of the 20th century in his organ and piano manufacturing company. John Glessner,

1350-597: The Loop . Along almost every boulevard of the Gold Coast has upscale boutiques and shops. Many upscale auto dearlerships are located here. Many of Chicago's best known and highly rated restaurants are located here as well. Also in the area are Lou Malnati's Pizzeria , Gibsons Steakhouse, and the original Morton's The Steakhouse . The " Gold Coast Historic District " was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on January 30, 1978. The Gold Coast

1425-659: The Merchandise Mart , the Wrigley Building , Holy Name Cathedral , the Marina City towers, and the House of Blues . River North was previously named Smokey Hollow, at the turn of the 20th century, due to the many factories and forges in the area. Smoke from the factories was often so thick that it blocked the sunlight. At the time, Smokey Hollow was a major transportation hub, with railroad tracks linking

1500-968: The United Kingdom , and Ukraine . Three trade missions have offices at 500 North Michigan Avenue: the Austrian Trade Commission is located in Suite 1950, the Italian-American Chamber of Commerce Midwest is located in Suite 506, and the Trade Commission of Spain is here. Chicago Public Schools serves residents of the Near North Side. Magnet schools: Charter schools: Private schools: Feltre School Newberry Library Chicago Public Library Near North Branch Chicago Public Library Water Works Branch Prairie Avenue Several of Chicago's most important historical figures have lived on

1575-427: The law and government of Chicago . The street has over time been influenced by the demographics of Chicago . The importance of the street declined, but it still has landmark buildings and is the backbone of a historic district. Preservation battles regarding various properties on the street have been notable with one having been chronicled on the front page of The New York Times . In the early 21st century, parts of

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1650-563: The 1800-block including the National Historic landmark designated John J. Glessner House designed in 1886 by architect Henry H. Richardson for Glessner; these provide a sense of the street's former character. Glessner House, which was the subject of a notable preservation battle in the 1960s, is considered to be Richardson's finest urban residence. This district includes the Henry B. Clarke House , which although twice relocated

1725-518: The 1850s, railroad related industries prospered near the lumber district along the South Branch of the Chicago River . Thus, the business district began to supplant the elegant residences along Michigan and Wabash Avenues south of Jackson Boulevard. Shortly after the Civil War , the city's wealthy residents settled on Prairie Avenue due to its proximity to the Loop less than a mile away and

1800-467: The 1970s, most of the residential buildings had been replaced by factories and parking lots. Starting in the late 1990s, the downtown housing market flourished in Chicago and the resulting boom that has transformed many neighborhoods revived Prairie Avenue, causing most of the factories to be demolished or converted to loft condominiums. The factories have been replaced by condominium projects and most of

1875-603: The Chicago Architectural Foundation. The Kimball house, which has been the product of a $ 1 million renovation in the 1990s by the USSF was featured in Richard Gere 's Primal Fear as well as several television shows. Al Capone and his family lived in the two-story red brick duplex at 7244 South Prairie Avenue from 1923, which is shortly after he moved to Chicago, until 1931, when he

1950-683: The Illinois Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and convened local and state societies to unite under a national organization ( American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ) that could combine its political strength and lobby Congress. The Illinois Institute of Technology was a successor entity of the Armour Institute of Technology, which was an outgrowth of the generosity of Philip and Joseph Armour . Historic preservation in Chicago has saved some of

2025-495: The Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority committed to incorporating the original facade of the building into the exterior of the parking garage at an additional cost of $ 2.5 million to the project. The Harriet F. Rees House at 2110 South Prairie was spared demolition in 2014 and moved one block north to 2017 South Prairie. A book on the history of the street, entitled Chicago's Historic Prairie Avenue ,

2100-629: The Midwest, Navy Pier , is located in Streeterville. The neighborhood also houses the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago . The Magnificent Mile is a stretch of North Michigan Avenue between the Chicago River and Oak Street . Along this portion of Michigan Avenue is a mixture of luxury stores, restaurants , office buildings, and hotels . The area has a high concentration of the city's major media firms and advertising agencies as well, including

2175-419: The Near North Side is known for its affluence, typified by the Gold Coast , Magnificent Mile , Navy Pier , and residential skyscrapers. The Near North Side is arguably the oldest part of Chicago. In the 1780s, in what is now the Near North Side, on the northern banks of the Chicago River near today's Michigan Avenue Bridge , Jean Baptiste Point du Sable built the first known permanent settlement in what

2250-555: The Near North Side. The main building and visa office of the Consulate-General of the People's Republic of China are here. Other countries with missions here include Austria , Bosnia and Herzegovina , Brazil , Bulgaria , Chile , Colombia , Denmark , Egypt , Germany , Greece , India , Republic of Ireland , Italy , Japan , South Korea , Lithuania , Poland , Serbia , Switzerland , Thailand ,

2325-608: The Near South Side. In 2003, the area redevelopment was well underway. Deindustrialization and urbanization had pushed out manufacturing . As a result, factories were generally demolished, or converted to loft apartment buildings. Some neglected mansions survive as restored or renovated properties in the historic district. Today, Prairie Avenue is undergoing a redevelopment that includes One Museum Park (1215 South Prairie Avenue) and One Museum Park West (1201 South Prairie Avenue). These Prairie Avenue addresses border

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2400-468: The area has many taverns, rooftop bars, dance clubs, popular restaurants, and entertainment venues. Between the years 2000 and 2010, the population in the four census tracts covering River North increased by an average of nearly 82%, boosting population from 9,835 in 2000 to 17,892 in 2010. Districts of River North include: River North is serviced by four CTA "L" train stations: the subway stations of Chicago Avenue (Red Line) and Grand Avenue (Red Line); and

2475-613: The area is mostly within Illinois's 7th congressional district , which is the most Democratic-leaning district in the State of Illinois according to the Cook Partisan Voting Index with a score of D+38 and represented by Democrat Danny K. Davis . Small parts in the north are within Illinois's 5th congressional district , which is represented by Democrat Mike Quigley . The Near North Side community area has supported

2550-592: The area—the western half of River North—is within District 6 represented by Democrat Sonya Harper , and the northeastern part—the eastern half of Old Town and the northern half of the Gold Coast—is within District 12, represented by Democrat Sara Feigenholtz . In the Illinois Senate the biggest portion of the community area is in District 3, represented by Democrat Mattie Hunter , while Streeterville and

2625-597: The careers of many successful comedians and actors. Old Town has three "L" rapid transit stations: North/Clybourn , Sedgwick , and Clark/Division . Goose Island is an island in Chicago covering 160 acres on the Chicago River that is completely surrounded by the rest of the city. It is separated from the mainland by the North Branch of the Chicago River on the west and by the North Branch Canal on

2700-648: The city's architectural heritage. The efforts of the Chicago Architecture Foundation and the Landmarks and Preservation Council of Illinois have been at the forefront of these efforts. The Commission on Chicago Landmarks (now part of the city's Department of Planning and Development) has designated the Prairie Avenue Historic District as a city landmark. A few of the mansions of the heyday still remain in

2775-461: The city's center. Many of Chicago's elite families settled along Prairie Avenue. By the 1870s and 1880s, Prairie Avenue was the location of elaborate houses between 16th Street and 22nd Street (now Cermak Road ). In 1886, the urban elite, including George Pullman , Marshall Field , Philip Armour and John B. Sherman all owned family homes in this area that created an opulent Prairie Avenue streetscape reminiscent of European city streets; as such, it

2850-517: The east. The canal was dug in 1853 by mayor William Butler Ogden 's administration and was dug for industrial purposes, thus forming the island. After Irish immigrants settled on the island, it took the name Goose Island, as well as that of Kilgubbin , which was the immigrants' original home in Ireland. The Goose Island Brewery makes Kilgubbin Red Ale, in honor of this name. The large facility on

2925-742: The elevated stations of Chicago Avenue (Brown Line) and Merchandise Mart (Brown Line). Streeterville is the easternmost neighborhood in Chicago north of the Chicago River. It is bounded by the river on the south, Michigan Avenue on the west, and Lake Michigan on the north and east. Streeterville houses some of Chicago's tallest skyscrapers (such as the John Hancock Center ); many upscale stores, hotels, restaurants; and Northwestern University 's Northwestern Memorial Hospital , Feinberg School of Medicine , School of Professional Studies , Kellogg School of Management 's downtown campus, and School of Law . The number one tourist attraction in

3000-482: The elite residents began to move north. By 1911, warehouses and factories cramped the Prairie Avenue District. Large industry overtook the district by 1950. Early 21st century deindustrialisation, urban congestion, and historic preservation have brought the return of trendy buildings, and restored as well as renovated structures. Simultaneously new infill housing is resuscitating the district. Now,

3075-507: The fact that traveling there did not involve crossing the Chicago River . In 1870, Daniel Thompson erected the first large upper-Prairie Avenue home. Marshall Field followed in 1871 with a Richard Morris Hunt design. Prairie Avenue was the most posh Chicago address by the time of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Many of South Michigan Avenue's elegant villas were destroyed in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The post-fire South Side of Chicago grew rapidly as all economic classes left

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3150-480: The former Ogden Avenue right-of-way, Clark Street, and North Avenue. It sits inside the community area of Lincoln Park and is part of Chicago's 43rd ward. Old Town north of North Avenue is in Lincoln Park, and south of North Avenue is part of the Near North Side. Old Town is now an affluent and historic neighborhood, home to many of Chicago's older Victorian-era buildings. However, in the 1950s, most of this area

3225-421: The former site of St. Dominic's Church. In the 1920s, Little Sicily developed a reputation for poverty and crime. As gentrification began to take hold in the 1990s, the buildings made way for new upscale developments. The final Cabrini-Green tower was demolished in 2011. Following the conclusion of a civil lawsuit, the former Cabrini-Green site was transformed and revitalized with new upscale development spurred by

3300-420: The growth of Old Town to the north, and the already affluent areas of the Gold Coast to the east and River North to the south. Goose Island , which sits to the west, is currently undergoing new development. The River North neighborhood got its name from Chicago real estate developer Albert Friedman (chief executive of Friedman Properties Ltd.), who in 1974 started to buy, restore, and build commercial property in

3375-545: The historic northern section of the street is part of the Chicago Landmark Prairie Avenue District that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places . It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 15, 1972 and declared a Chicago Landmark on December 27, 1979. The historic district includes the 1800 and 1900-blocks of South Prairie, the 1800 block of South Indiana and 211 through 217 East Cullerton. In

3450-494: The lavish Drake Hotel that sits across from a beach. Google 's Chicago offices are in the Dearborn Plaza building. Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways have offices in the John Hancock Center . The Wrigley Company had its headquarters in the Wrigley Building before moving to Goose Island, also within the community area, in 2012. After American Airlines acquired Simmons Airlines , and before Simmons

3525-502: The leading architects of the day, such as Richard Morris Hunt , Henry Hobson Richardson and Daniel Burnham designed mansions on the street. At the time of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition , guidebooks described the street as "the most expensive street west of Fifth Avenue ". However, after Bertha Palmer , society wife of Potter Palmer , built the Palmer Mansion that anchored the Gold Coast along Lake Shore Drive ,

3600-536: The life of a murderer and hoodlum. The house retains the security bars on the basement windows and the brick garage out back, which the Capone built for his bullet-proof Cadillac limousine . In 2000, the Howard Van Doren Shaw -designed 1907 Georgian Revival Platt Luggage Building at 2301 South Prairie was the subject of preservation debates when McCormick Place attempted to tear it down to build

3675-526: The main gayborhood) along Wells Street and Old Town was home to the longstanding gay-themed Bijou Theater until it closed in September 2015. As Old Town gentrified, the LGBT population of the nearby Lake View neighborhood continued to increase, as well as the LGBT populations of the Lincoln Park and Andersonville areas. Old Town is home to the famous Second City improvisational comedy troupe which has launched

3750-413: The mid-1880s. The last mansion, a three-story Georgian Revival residence with 21 rooms, was built in the district at 2126 Prairie Avenue in 1905. However, as the start of the 20th century came, industry's pervasive reach, increased railroad soot, and an encroaching vice district, caused the area to become less desirable, and the social elite vacated the region for quieter neighborhoods such as Kenwood ,

3825-572: The neighborhood as artists moved from the Towertown neighborhood near Washington Square Park. Old Town was home to many gays and lesbians from the 1950s through the 1980s. This was the first "gay ghetto" in Chicago, predating the current large Lake View neighborhood which also contains the Boystown district. There were numerous gay establishments in Old Town (now mostly closed as Lake View is now

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3900-523: The north end of Goose Island (visible from North Avenue, but by car only reachable from the south: Division Street to North Branch to 1132 W. Blackhawk) is the Wrigley Global Innovation Center, a 193,000-square-foot (17,900 m ) facility, which opened in September 2005 and was designed by Gyo Obata of Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabaum . While cars are able to approach from the south, trains, bicycles, and pedestrians can reach

3975-470: The north, Lake Michigan to the east, Chicago Avenue to the south, and Clark Street to the west. The Gold Coast became the home of the super-rich in 1885, when Potter Palmer , former dry goods merchant and owner of the Palmer House hotel, built a fanciful castle on Lake Shore Drive . Over the next few decades, Chicago's elite gradually migrated from Prairie Avenue to their new homes north of

4050-591: The northern Near North Side, and is part of Chicago's 43rd ward. Old Town includes the Old Town Triangle Historic District which is bounded on its northwest side by the former Ogden Avenue right-of-way, its northeast side by Lincoln Avenue and Wells Street, and on its south side by North Avenue. This historic district sits within the Old Town Triangle Association (OTTA), a Lincoln Park neighborhood bounded by

4125-569: The now demolished Cabrini–Green public housing project that once housed 15,000 subsidized tenants. It was made up primarily of high-rise and mid-rise buildings. The apartment buildings opened in 1958 and 1962, while the shuttered rowhouses (called the Frances Cabrini Homes, a few of which still exist) had opened in 1942. Cabrini–Green stood in what once was the former Italian enclave called the Little Sicily neighborhood, and

4200-517: The ports along the Chicago River to the surrounding areas. The now mixed-use Merchandise Mart was once a major storage warehouse for goods, and it still has railroad tracks underneath its sprawling structure. Former major retailer Montgomery Ward also had a major transportation and storage facility in River North. Massive coal bins were formerly located throughout the neighborhood, for storage of coal transported by ship. Little Sicily in Chicago

4275-402: The properties listed is a simple two-flat used by Al Capone in the 1920s at 7244 South Prairie in Greater Grand Crossing. Other current prominent addresses are the Kimball House at 1801 South Prairie (Near South Side), 2801, 3564, 3566, and 3600 South Prairie (Douglas), and 4919 South Prairie (Grand Boulevard). The William Wallace Kimball House , which is a three-story turreted chateau ,

4350-525: The public welfare of the city against the railroad industry and was the foundation for the public trust doctrine which facilitated the city's reclamation of much of the lakefront. Prairie Avenue residents bolstered other efforts to fight against the railroads. The concentration of wealth also made Prairie Avenue the target of complaints about taxation inequities. Many of these leading families also took part in philanthropy . John Shorthall, founder of Chicago Title & Trust and Prairie Avenue resident, created

4425-417: The remaining mansions have been renovated. During the 1870s, 1880s and 1890s, upper Prairie Avenue residents were central to cultural and social fabric of the city. The economy was supported by the thousands of jobs created by the Pullman Car Company and Armour and Company . Chicago's richest man, Marshall Field, changed the buying habits of the city. John Shorthall saved the property from total chaos after

4500-458: The site via the rail/pedestrian Cherry Avenue Bridge spanning from North Avenue to Goose Island. Additionally, there is seasonal access from the north via the Chicago Water Taxi service dock at the south end of the Cherry Avenue Bridge . On the south end of the island is Kendall College 's Riverworks campus. The southern end of the island is currently undergoing redevelopment with upscale condominiums, townhouses, and apartments. River North

4575-476: The southeast sector. Much of the area was a shabby urban neighborhood . In an effort to attract tenants Friedman began calling the area "River North". Within a few years, Friedman found photographers, ad agencies, and art galleries willing to rent the low-cost space and to coalesce into what is now the River North Gallery District , which has the largest concentration of art galleries in the United States outside of Manhattan. Along with hundreds of art galleries,

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4650-422: The southern half of the Gold Coast is in District 13, represented by Democrat Kwame Raoul , Cabrini–Green, Goose Island, and the western half of Old Town is in District 5, represented by Democrat Patricia Van Pelt , and the eastern part of Old Town and the northern half of the Gold Coast is in District 6, represented by Democrat and Illinois Senate President John Cullerton . In the US House of Representatives ,

4725-619: The southwestern part, including the majority of River North, is in the 12th District, represented by Democrat John Fritchey . Two parts of the area in the extreme south—the respective vicinities of Wolf Point and the Wabash Avenue Bridge—are part of the 2nd District, represented by Democrat Dennis Deer . In the Illinois House of Representatives the community area is roughly evenly split lengthwise between, from east to west, Districts 26, 5, 9, and 10, represented respectively by Democrats Christian Mitchell , Juliana Stratton , Art Turner , and Melissa Conyears . The southwest portion of

4800-498: The street were redeveloped to host townhouses and condominiums. In the late 20th century and early 21st century the street was extended north to accommodate new high-rise condominiums, such as One Museum Park , along Roosevelt Road . The redevelopment extended the street so that it has prominent buildings bordering Grant Park with Prairie Avenue addresses. Prairie Avenue once served as an Indian trail linking Fort Dearborn to Fort Wayne in Indiana and thus derived its name from

4875-406: The street. This is especially true of the period of recovery from the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 when many of the most important families in the city moved to the street. Residents of the street have influenced the evolution of the city and have played prominent national and international roles. They have influenced the political history , the architecture , the culture , the economy , as well as

4950-414: The time. By 1877 the eleven-block area of Prairie Avenue as well as Calumet Avenue housed elite residences. By 1886 the finest mansions in the city, each equipped with its own carriage house, stood on Prairie Avenue. In the 1880s and 1890s, mansions for George Pullman , Marshall Field , John J. Glessner and Philip Armour anchored a neighborhood of over fifty mansions known as "Millionaire's Row". Many of

5025-546: The vast midwestern prairie land between the two endpoints. In 1812, the Battle of Fort Dearborn occurred in the area that is now the northern section of the street, in what is known as the Near South Side community area . Casualties of the battle, such as William Wells and George Ronan , were struck down here. Over time, the district has evolved from an upscale neighborhood to a factory district and back to an upscale neighborhood. Zoning in 1853 anticipated residential development, although only one grand villa existed at

5100-517: Was also located in River North. The first Italian Roman Catholic Church in Chicago was Assumption, on Illinois Street, with a mandate to be the parish church for all Italians from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi River . Later, Sicilians began to move north from the immediate vicinity of Assumption and began to form their own parishes. Italians whose family roots were from other parts of Italy tended to move west along Grand Street and form parishes west of Assumption. The Near North Side formerly included

5175-469: Was an enclave to the first emigrants from Puerto Rico to Chicago , who referred to it as part of "La Clark" until commercialization decorated late 1960s shop signs with the name of Old Town. The neighborhood is home to St. Michael's Church , originally built to serve German immigrants, and one of only 7 to survive the great Chicago fire . St. Michael's, Holy Name Cathedral, Immaculate Conception, and St. Joseph's Catholic churches all catered to Latinos with

5250-510: Was called "Eschecagou." Today, this is marked by Pioneer Court . Especially in the vicinity of Rush and Erie streets, the Near North Side was once known as McCormickville; so named because it is here where many branches of the famous McCormick family of mechanical reaper fame built their mansions in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The Gold Coast consists mostly of luxury high-rise apartment towers and buildings and stone mansions throughout. Its borders are generally defined as North Avenue to

5325-484: Was designed by Solon Beman , who is best known for his work in the Pullman District of the Pullman community area. Adjacent to the Kimball House and across from the Glessner House is the Coleman-Ames mansion at 1811 South Prairie. These two houses were formerly owned by R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company and now jointly serve as the national headquarters for the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), which leased them from 1991 until 1998 when it purchased them from

5400-485: Was dissolved, Simmons had its headquarters on the Near North Side. At one point Indigo Airlines was headquartered on the Near North Side. The Tribune Company had its headquarters in the eponymous Tribune Tower before moving to One Prudential Plaza in the Loop in 2017. Potbelly Sandwich Works likewise was located in the Merchandise Mart complex before moving to the West Loop in 2015. The Near North Side

5475-661: Was published on June 2, 2008, as part of Arcadia Publishing Co.'s Images of America series. William H. Tyre is the author. In 2006, the Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance , a non-profit organization, was formed to provide representation for thousands of South Loop residents, including the Prairie District, Central Station and Museum Park, Motor Row, the South Michigan Ave Corridor, as well as other areas of

5550-419: Was sent off to prison for income tax fraud . The Capone family kept the home until his mother's death in 1952. In 1988, the privately owned house was nominated for the National Register of Historic Places by historians as the home of one of Chicago's most famous citizens. The nomination was withdrawn after local politicians and members of Italian-American groups sharply argued that it would appear to validate

5625-560: Was widely regarded as the city's most fashionable neighborhood. Businesses, such as the Pullman Company , Armour & Company and D.H. Burnham & Company , with ties to Prairie Avenue had national and international reach and impact. Additional grand homes (including many Queen Anne style architecture in the United States and Richardsonian Romanesque ) were located on Prairie between 26th and 30th Streets starting in

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