North Center Community

North Center

North Center

North Center is the geographic center of the intersection of Lincoln Avenue, Irving Park Road, and Damen Avenue. Built on strong family values, this Chicago neighborhood is and has both superior schools and economic stability with a long-established presence boasting natural beauty and class. North Center features commerce, dining, shopping, and clubs along its major streets while enjoying quiet, tree-lined streets everywhere else. North Center is a neighborhood on the rise with a well-kept residential area, a pleasant nightlife, and an amiable antique shopping strip Many homebuyers who are unable to find acceptable real estate in the more popular neighborhoods to the east, Lakeview or Lincoln Park, are opting to go just a little further west..

With such a variety of housing options in North Center, the price of properties vary, thus providing people of all lifestyles with homeownership opportunities. From riverfront residences on the west end to majestic Victorian houses with wrap-around porches in the east, this Chicago neighborhood provides homebuyers with a wealth of desirable real estate options  and more importantly, a place to call home. Mixed in with some longstanding architecture resides newly constructed properties. More and more, aging apartment buildings are being converted into updated condominiums. Constant renovations are always underway, yet all the while keeping intact many of the beautifully crafted homes occupying spacious lots. The cost of houses here are less than in other north side Chicago neighborhoods, which are closer to the lake or the Loop. Nevertheless, their value does continue to rise, and many of the North Center homes provide amenities such as single and double car garages — a luxury those downtown residences do not often see.

North Center is a nice balance of residential blocks and business sections. The restaurants are unique, not like the typical neighborhood cafés and family diners. Art and antique dealers join in with original works and ingenious furniture and home décor ideas. A local theater venue and informal bars complete the package, making North Center a fine spot for everything you would want in a Chicago neighborhood.

St. Ben’s

Named for the 100-plus year-old parish on Leavitt Street, named St. Benedict is at its center; St. Ben’s is a strong family-oriented neighborhood offering gorgeous residential streets and enticing cuisine within its picturesque borders. St. Ben’s, an increasingly popular locale for young professionals, but also a family-centric community focused heavily on its children.

Elegant, well-preserved Victorian homes are an example of St. Ben’s old-school architecture, yet with a sense of innovativeness by newer construction of townhomes, condominiums, and loft conversions. The regal beauty of St. Ben’s neighborhood is the presence of the community’s original architecture. Rows of two-flat, brick buildings, and single-family homes are also commonplace in this north side Chicago community. This is another Chicago neighborhood with no shortage of greenery; rows of trees shade the residential blocks where sizable lawns and landscaped yards flourish. Instead of big box retail stores and chain restaurants, there are a pleasing number of favorite, independent neighborhood hangouts, always packed with regular patrons.

Community Features:

• Every year, St. Ben’s residents make every effort to impress for “BenFest”, a two-day block party that is heavy on the family fun.
• Ribfest is another event equally important, especially if you are on a mission to find the best slab of ribs in Chicago.