Given the name, Gold Coast probably conjures up images of beautiful architecture, opulent lifestyles, and an air of sophistication, and you wouldn’t be wrong! This neighborhood is a dazzling mix of historic charm and modern luxury, where Michelin-starred restaurants and designer shops wind around the lakefront. From the impeccably preserved mansions that line the historic districts to the sleek, contemporary condos with their stunning lake views, the Gold Coast truly lives up to its gilded name. It’s a place where tradition and trend intersect, offering residents a taste of the high life in one of Chicago’s most coveted locales.
The Gold Coast truly shines along Walton and Oak streets, checkered with upscale boutiques interspersed with luxury apartments. This area is a fashionista playground, where high-end international designers and exclusive boutiques attract the style-savvy. Just a block over on Rush Street, the scene shifts to decadent dining, with pressed tablecloths and leatherbound menus making way for dishes plated by master chefs. This neighborhood doesn’t skimp on class or cash, and whether you’re window shopping or expanding your wardrobe (and belly!), Gold Coast is synonymous with quality.
In Gold Coast, your own two feet are your best transport. The neighborhood is perfectly walkable, with everything you need just a stroll away. If you’re heading out of the neighborhood, Lake Shore Drive is the scenic route, and while the public transit options are a tad sparse, the nearby ‘L’ Red Line stations at Clark/Division and Grand make getting to and from other parts of the city easy.
The Gold Coast's culinary scene is a standout, especially along Rush Street northward, where some of Chicago’s finest steak and seafood restaurants await with open arms. After dinner, the area’s cocktail bars and nightclubs are filled to the brim, where champagne-sippers show off their newest threads. Most enticing of all are the historic mansions on Astor, Goethe, and Schiller streets, once the stomping grounds of Chicago’s wealthiest tycoons, which now stand side-by-side with sleek, modern buildings filled with up-and-coming young professionals. Gold Coast might be one of the swankier neighborhoods in Chicago, but with the cost comes quality, and Gold Coast apartments are some of the best in the area.
Right off the bat, the Gold Coast gives you that classic Chicago feel—grand, yet totally approachable. Just a quick hop from downtown, this neighborhood is a little slice of the city’s ritzy history mixed with today’s desire for high-end amenities. With clusters of historic mansions and vintage row houses sprinkled with luxury modern apartment buildings, there’s no hiding the neighborhood's grandiose charm. Add to that the architectural delights of historic giants like the Old Chicago Water Tower, the Charnley-Persky House designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, and the Drake Hotel, and you have a neighborhood that’s brag-worthy.
Life here strikes a balance between the peace and quiet of residential bliss and lively streets peppered with the city’s best shops, eateries, and nightlife. It’s an area that attracts everyone, from eager young professionals to those looking to enjoy a stylish retirement. With Gold Coast rentals ranging from stunning high-rises to quaint, gilded-age homes, residents can enjoy the best of both worlds. And enjoy they do! This neighborhood hosts a variety of local events and festivals that bring everyone together, from outdoor concerts and art shows to food festivals and holiday celebrations. It’s events like these that take Gold Coast from an upscale shopping and dining district to a communal neighborhood full of friendly faces.
Although living in Gold Coast might feel like you’re on your own private island, moving about the great Chicago area is as easy as it could get. Residents have excellent public transportation options that provide access to downtown and beyond, and drivers can enjoy beautiful views as they coast down Lake Shore Drive. Whether heading to work in the Loop, catching a flight from O'Hare, or exploring other neighborhoods, Gold Coast's prime location makes it an exceptionally convenient place to live.
Gold Coast sits on the shores of Lake Michigan, just north of downtown Chicago. It is bordered by North Avenue to the north, Lake Shore Drive to the east, Oak Street to the south, and Clark Street to the west, its proximity to the lake makes it the perfect neighborhood for anyone who loves a stunning view. This is especially true given that many Gold Coast apartments sport rooftop decks, providing residents with spectacular panoramas of the lake and the city skyline from the comfort of their own homes.
Close to other prestigious Chicago neighborhoods, Gold Coast residents can quickly head over to Streeterville to the southeast to admire the cultural attractions like Navy Pier. To the northwest, Old Town is befitting its name, filled with historic charm that’s been upgraded with modern conveniences. Lincoln Park to the north is famed for its expansive parkland, zoo, and conservatories, an ideal neighborhood for those fun, nature-infused day trips.
This central spot makes Gold Coast apartments a top pick for anyone looking to live right where the action is, surrounded by all the perks of city life.
In 1882, Potter Palmer, one of Chicago's most influential capitalists, laid the foundation for what would become a landmark on North Lake Shore Drive, between Banks and Schiller Streets. The construction of his extravagant 10,000 square-foot mansion, designed by architects Henry Ives Cobb and Charles Sumner Frost, took three years and cost a whopping one million dollars to complete.