If you’re torn between wanting to live by the water but don’t want to be on Lake Shore Drive, you’ll enjoy discovering Chicago’s River North neighborhood, just south of Chicago Avenue and north of the Loop, east of the Magnificent Mile, and bounded on the south and west by the Chicago River, dubbed Chicago’s second shoreline by Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Surrounded by Chicago’s premier downtown neighborhoods, the Loop, the Gold Coast, and Streeterville, River North has become a living and entertainment destination in its own right. It boasts the highest concentration of restaurants in the city of Chicago, including over fifty Michelin rated eateries like the popular Beatrix and Bavette’s Bar & Boeuf. Bordered by the Magnificent Mile to the east, River North residents enjoy easy access to upscale shopping, but leave the traffic to Michigan Avenue. The Chicago River wraps around the South and West edges of the neighborhood, punctuated with picturesque bridges, tranquil waterside walkways, and patios for outdoor dining. A destination for architects and interior designers, the River North Design District is home to the Merchandise Mart, a four million square foot building with block-long floors of wholesale showrooms brimming with furniture, fabrics, and home accessories. LuxeHome, located on the main floor, has restaurants and select showrooms open to the public.
Living and Playing in River North, Home to Chicago's Million Dollar Riverwalk
Posted by Linda Shaughnessy on Thursday, March 29th, 2018 at 12:37pm.
BROWSE RIVER NORTH CONDOS FOR SALE>>>
If you’re torn between wanting to live by the water but don’t want to be on Lake Shore Drive, you’ll enjoy discovering Chicago’s River North neighborhood, just south of Chicago Avenue and north of the Loop, east of the Magnificent Mile, and bounded on the south and west by the Chicago River, dubbed Chicago’s second shoreline by Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
Once a thriving industrial area, the economic downturn of the 1970s forever transformed River North into a creative colony, offering emerging artists and writers affordable lofts and studios in shuttered warehouses. Fortunately, with growth and prosperity, a sense of the neighborhood’s bohemian culture remained. Today, the officially designated RIVER NORTH GALLERY DISTRICT has the greatest concentration of art galleries in the United States, outside of Manhattan.
From Daytime Boating to Evening Fireworks
click here and map your day of fun on the Riverwalk
The Riverwalk is an uninterrupled 1.25 mile pedestrian walkway from Ogilvie Station to the lake, connecting the lakefront with the heart of downtown.
Each of the six blocks has distinctive identities and purposes, and each “room” was thematically named:
The Marina – State Street to Dearborn Street
The Marina Plaza is the connection between the existing formal Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the new Riverwalk additions to the west. The Plaza offers docking for recreational boats, for an hourly fee, restaurants, and seating from which to relax and view activity on the river.
The Cove – Dearborn Street to Clark Street
The design of the Cove is a surface that gently slopes toward the waterway, similar to a beach. The purpose of The Cove is to have fun on the River. There is dock space for smaller human-powered crafts and kayak rentals. Public seating areas and concession space beneath Upper Wacker Drive are included. Lush plantings along the water landscaping can tolerate the rising river levels during major storm events.
The River Theater – Clark Street to LaSalle Street
The River Theater will serve as a vertical connection between busy Upper Wacker Drive to the peaceful Riverwalk. An ADA compliant ramp integrated in to the steps down to the waterway accommodates wheelchairs and strollers. Trees growing from the steps will be an urban forest providing shade as well as an interesting visual effect. Dock wall amenities will allow docking of water taxis or charter boats.
The Water Plaza – LaSalle Street to Wells Street
Instead of observing the water, the water is integrated into the overall design. The children’s zero-depth fountain is the prominent feature. It will allow children to play and run in the mist while accompanying parents and pedestrians relax nearby on a series of long and gracious stairs that function as seating.
The Jetty – Wells Street to Franklin Street
The Jetty is a place for educational observation along an urban river. It provides places to observe fish and learn about the river ecology. Piers support the extensive series of floating wetlands and water gardens.
The Boardwalk – Franklin Street to Lake Street
A gently sloping ramp over extensive landscaping, accommodating wheelchairs and strollers, will again bring the pedestrian flow of the Riverwalk from the water level up to the street. The Boardwalk is the western anchor of the Riverwalk, and provides stunning views of the confluence of the three branches of the Chicago River.
Information provided by the Chicago Department of Transportation
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