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        <title>Real Estate Blog</title>
        <link>https://www.chicagosluxurycondos.com/blog/the-fine-art-auctions/</link>
        <description>Follow Linda Shaughnessy's Luxury Living Blog, reporting on luxe real estate trends for the affluent Chicago market. </description>
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    <guid>https://www.chicagosluxurycondos.com/blog/things-to-do-in-streeterville.html</guid>
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        <author>Linda@ChicagosLuxuryCondos.com (Linda Shaughnessy)</author>
        <title>Things to Do in  Chicago's Streeterville </title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
A Fall Weekend in Streeterville





 As fall breaks, Chicago's Streeterville  neighborhood bustles with residents and visitors exploring great views of Lake Michigan and the richness of our lake-adjacent neighborhood. Our three topics for fall include Streeterville parks, food and activities, and finally, a few notes on several contemporary and vintage home possibilities. 


 The Chicago Lakefront Trail is 18.5 miles long, with Streeterville in its pathway. In fall, the trail will continue to host a stream of cyclists, joggers, walkers and dog walkers. Adding to the wealth of parks and green space within Streeterville’s boundaries is the newly opened Bennett Park. The two acres are publicly accessible green space next to the luxury condo building One Bennett Park. Two.dog runs and a large children’s play area with a sandbox, swings and slides are among the amenities. And, Seneca Park on East Chicago Avenue, offers a small and quiet oasis just steps from Michigan Avenue. Alfresco choices abound. 


When the fresh air makes you a bit hungry, it’s nice to be able to duck into a cozy neighborhood pub and go ‘old school’. The purist’s choices include Timothy O’Toole’s Pub and Lizzie McNeill’s Irish Pub - firmly planted in the neighborhood for over twenty years. Or, walking the neighborhood might bring about the need for Streeterville's hearty steakhouses including The Capital Grille - “Stoli Doli” stat -  and Smith &amp; Wollensky. Bridging steak with Italian fare is Rosebud Steakhouse. east of the Drake Hotel  on Walton Street. For an authentic Italian comfort meal Volare or Francesca’s on Chestnut are your ultimate destinations. A casual option is NIU Japanese Fusion Lounge at 332 East Illinois. And, The Signature Lounge at the 96th, located at 875 North Michigan Avenue, serves specialty cocktails with a nonpareil view.


An afternoon in Streeterville can take you to the Museum of Contemporary Art, established in 1967 as one of the world’s largest contemporary art venues. The fall slate includes a Mika Rottenberg exhibition beginning in October 2019. Or, a brisk ten minute walk along Lake Shore Drive will bring you to the fifty acre Navy Pier on the shoreline of Lake Michigan, where you'll find more restaurants, gardens and our Chicago Shakespeare Theater - whose schedule breaks wide open in mid-September.


An evening suggestion is Winter’s Jazz Club at 465 North McClurg Court, entertaining visitors with live jazz six nights a week. Of course, Water Tower Place at 835 North Michigan Avenue is a great destination for shopping and going to the movies. Additionally, the 23,000 square foot Chicago Sports Museum resides on the 7th floor. Any Chicago sports aficionado will be thrilled to engage with the interactive exhibits, which include skill challenges.  


Chicago has an endless list of hotels, but if you want to stay in the heart of Streeerville, the Drake and Knickerbocker hotels are neighborhood favorites. Your dogs are welcome at the Westin Michigan Avenue. And, for a five-star choice, The Ritz Carlton is just off Michigan Avenue at Water Tower Place.


 Homes in Streeterville are a grand mix of contemporary style and traditional vintage condos and co-ops. Additionally, there are a host of townhomes located on the Chicago River. Your sacred space can reflect any style in Streeterville. East Lake Shore Drive just beyond The Drake hotel, boasts a row of historic co-ops and condos with old world charm and vast views of Lake Michigan. 189 East Lake Shore Drive, a Chicago Historical Landmark, and 219 East Lake Shore Drive are the two condominium buildings otherwise surrounded by classic pre-war co-ops. Pearson on the Park, built in 2003, is a contemporary full service condominium building. Urban living at its finest can also be found at 800 North Michigan Avenue in the luxury Park Tower condominiums, completed in 2000. The anchor tenant is the Park Hyatt Chicago hotel. Streeterville home choices are indeed endless.


 Let luxury Streeterville realtor Linda Shaughnessy and her partners Tanya Hamilton and Michele Miller introduce you to Chicago’s luxury real estate. Contact Linda at 312.961.612.  


 
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Mon, 02 Sep 2019 09:24:00 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.chicagosluxurycondos.com/blog/things-to-do-with-kids-in-chicago.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.chicagosluxurycondos.com/blog/things-to-do-with-kids-in-chicago.html</link>
        <author>Linda@ChicagosLuxuryCondos.com (Linda Shaughnessy)</author>
        <title>Things to Do with Kids in Chicago</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
 


10.....Kid-Friendly Things to Do on Your Chicago Family Vacation


  


It may come as a surprise, but families with kids of all ages can find plenty of things to do in Chicago whether you’re looking for fun, relaxation,  learning, culture or something completely new. The key is to choose a downtown hotel with age-appropriate amenities for your little ones. Most of Chicago’s family attractions are close and easy to get to—it’s up to you what kind of memories you want to make in the premier city on the “Third Coast.”


Choose the Right Hotel for Your Family


The selection of hotels that make kid-friendly accommodations without sacrificing luxury is what really takes the stress out of planning and traveling; many of them have kids’ menus at their onsite restaurants and partner with museums and attractions for package deals with family suites and tickets to destinations your kids will love.


 


The Four Seasons Chicago


The Four Seasons goes all out keeping kids busy during check-in and throughout your stay, beginning with kids’ &quot;registration,&quot; a free toy and passports with a reward of free ice cream for collecting stamps around the hotel. The Kids Clubroom provides hours of entertainment, and there’s even a kids’ “shoeshine” service. 





The Ritz Carlton Chicago Ritz Kids


Want to stay in for a night? At the Ritz-Carlton Chicago, young visitors get a Red Wagon Warm Welcome with their choice of a toy and a candy cart stops at each &quot;Ritz Kids&quot; hotel room door. The pet-friendly Radisson Blu Aqua offers a Kids Kamping Package with a tent, sleeping bag, snacks and a selection of family movies. 





The boutique-style Hotel Palomar takes the cake for infants with their Baby Butler service: a room or suite equipped with all the disposable baby essentials you could need during your trip. The Palomar also offers goodie bags for kids at check-in and complimentary bike rentals.           


1. Spend the Day at Navy Pier





What was once a World War II naval base is now a buzzing recreation destination. Known for its iconic ferris wheel and summer fireworks, Navy Pier has attractions and activities to keep the whole family busy all day and night. The highlights include rides and games at Pier Park, the Chicago Children’s Museum’s interactive exhibits, beautiful indoor Crystal Gardens, an IMAX theater, entertainment at Polk Bros Park and much more. The enormous complex on the pier is packed with shops featuring Chicago-focused gifts, souvenirs and Chicago’s essential eats. Garrett popcorn and Completely Nuts are Navy Pier snack favorites, and Giordano’s is the place for Chicago-style deep dish pizza.


2. See the City from a New Angle





While there are plenty of walking tours, there are much more interesting ways to see the Windy City that make for amazing memories. Take the elevator up to the famous Willis Tower Skydeck where you can creep out onto a four-foot glass ledge, or the 360 Chicago Observation Deck in the Hancock Building with an uninterrupted view. See Chicago’s famous sights from the water on an Architecture River Cruise or from the streets on a double decker bus or a Segway. Don’t miss Crown Fountain, Buckingham Fountain and Cloud Gate, “The Bean”


3. Sip Afternoon Tea at American Girl Place


 


American Girl Place at Water Tower Place on the Magnificent Mile is a dream for fans of the famous doll company. Specialty shops full of clothes, accessories, books and, of course, dolls, are just the beginning. Visit the Doll Hair Salon with ear piercing for dolls and girls, design a doll outfit and get it printed in-store the same day and enjoy private dining at restaurants inside American Girl Place. Water Tower Place has a Lego Store just a few floors up for patient siblings who aren’t into dolls.


4. Be a Sportsfan





Thousands of fans flock to the Windy City every year to watch their favorite major league teams battle it out on the field, the court and the ice. Even in the off-season, baseball fans can tour historic Wrigley Field and the surrounding Wrigleyville neighborhood, full of Cubs-themed shops and restaurants. Get a complete interactive experience at the Chicago Sports Museum.


5. Take a Trip to the Theatre





The Chicago Children’s Theatre brings beloved books and new stories to life in high-quality productions and showcases all kinds of kid-friendly performances, from live music to puppets to innovative shows for children with special needs. For a different kind of cinematic experience, check out the Park District’s Movies in the Park program all summer long.


6. Learn Something New





R. Gino Sana Maria


Museum of Science &amp; Industry


Young scientists and adventurers have much to explore at the Museum of Science &amp; Industry, including a baby chick hatchery, space center, diesel-electric passenger train, the world’s argest pinball machine and a German U-505 submarine that you can board and explore. 


 





The Field Museum


See a real-life dinosaur at the Field Museum: Sue the T-Rex towers over 13 feet tall at the hip and stretches over 40 feet long. Afterwards, young paleontologists can try their hand on a simulated dig at the Chicago Children’s Museum Dinosaur Expedition exhibit. 





Adler Planetarium 


Get a look into outer space at Adler Planetarium or learn about your family’s favorite authors and try out a vintage typewriter at the American Writer’s Museum, then head over to Oz Park to enjoy Dorothy’s Playlot and the Emerald Garden and see statues of L. Frank Baum’s famous characters.


7. See Some Wildlife





For the country’s third largest city, Chicago has a surprising amount of green space to be explored. You can sit in a room full of butterflies at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum or see amazing underwater creatures at Shedd Aquarium. Garfield Park Conservatory features beautiful botanicals and natural play spaces spanning 2 acres under glass domes and 10 acres outdoors. Lincoln Park Zoo is free year-round, and if you visit during the Christmas season, the Zoo Lights are a dazzling sight. 


8. Introduce Art





Children under 14 get in free at the Art Institute of Chicago, which contains such famous works as Wood’s “American Gothic” and Seurat’s “A Sunday on La Grande Jatte.” The Lions Trail audio tour is available to help children 10 and younger understand and appreciate the sprawling campus containing over 300,000 works. There are gift shops, an education center and a family room with toys and books to keep the youngest visitors entertained. 


9. Treat Yourselves to Ice Cream





If there’s one thing sibling rivals can agree on, it’s ice cream. The Original Rainbow Cone is a Chicago classic available at Navy Pier, with 5 flavors in 1 cone, and the familiar but so delicious Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams now has 6 locations in Chicago. Cone Gourmet is an Irish-themed ice cream shop where you can get European-style soft serve or a “Banshee” sundae, covered in Lucky Charms. For a luxurious twist, get housemade gelato at BomboBar in the West Loop; try a gelato sandwich between two Italian “bomboloni” hole-less doughnuts.


10. Eat





What’s a trip to Chicago without some fine dining? After lunching on the legendary Portillo’s hot dog, Pizzeria Uno is the place to go for original deep dish pizza, and there are plenty of kid-friendly restaurants where the whole family can enjoy upscale cuisine. Little Goat Diner is Stephanie Izard’s playful all-day breakfast diner with options like blueberry pancakes and milkshakes. Top Chef and James Beard Award–winner Sarah Grueneberg’s Monteverde offers a kids’ menu along with their handmade pasta.


 






 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Sun, 18 Aug 2019 10:47:00 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.chicagosluxurycondos.com/blog/things-to-do-in-chicagos-river-north.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.chicagosluxurycondos.com/blog/things-to-do-in-chicagos-river-north.html</link>
        <author>Linda@ChicagosLuxuryCondos.com (Linda Shaughnessy)</author>
        <title>Things to Do in  Chicago's River North</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Rent a paddle boat, dine on the Riverwalk: Day and night, there's always something fun to do in River North





 Things to do in River North


Bordering on the Magnificent Mile to the south and Streeterville to the east, River North is surrounded by miles of upscale urban things to do. It’s the all-around entertainment epicenter of downtown Chicago, boasting the highest concentration of restaurants and art galleries in the city as well as a busy night life scene. And with celebrity chefs and mixologists come celebrity sightings: famous people from all disciplines have been spotted wining and dining in River North’s world-class restaurants and night clubs. 


Between the Design District surrounding the Merchandise Mart, the picturesque Cathedral District and the brand-new Riverwalk, architecture lovers will feel right at home. Residents choose from trendy lofts, mini-mansions, and luxury condos in towering high rise buildings with spectacular views.  River North is the location of choice for dining, boating, shopping, and year-round entertainment. 





The Riverwalk


Chicagoans and tourists alike are just beginning to enjoy the urban planning masterpiece that is the award-winning Chicago Riverwalk, a 1.25-mile pedestrian oasis running along the south bank of the Chicago River from Lake Shore Drive to Lake Street. Made up of six distinct outdoor “rooms,” everyone can find their individual slice of paradise on the Riverwalk. The Marina is the place for dining and drinking: City Winery’s patio is a popular spot to lounge, covered by heated domes in the fall, and locals can take a staycation at the Island Party Hut or barbecue-inspired Tiny Tapp.





 The children’s play area featuring a zero-depth fountain in the Water Plaza and the River Theater seating area dotted with shade trees to enjoy a box lunch.. Nature lovers can flock to floating gardens in the Jetty area and enjoy kayaking, fishing and learning about the natural ecology of the Chicago River at the historic landmark McCormick Bridgehouse &amp; Chicago River Museum


Cruise


 Parallel to the Riverwalk proper is a linear extension of Chicago’s park system, with a pedestrian trail for walking, jogging and biking. There are lots of different ways to get out on the water too, from paddle boats and water taxis to party boats and luxury dinner cruises. Wendella Tours &amp; Cruises and First Lady Cruises both offer architecture tours, unique sightseeing experiences and private events.





Dining


River North is the best place to be in Chicago when it comes to dining, boasting over 50 Michelin rated restaurants: legendary Chicago culinary traditions to complement a trendy, ever-changing scene. Known for its steakhouses, Chicago Cut, Bavette’s Bar and Boeuf and GT Prime among many others, River North also abounds with traditional Italian, upscale Mexican and seafood. Chef Rick Bayless clustered his three Mexican hot-spots here, Topolobampo the notable standout for tasting. Siena Tavern has a great reputation for from-scratch pizza and pasta in a modern industrial setting, and Quartino is a standby for group gatherings, with regional Italian small plates. Beatrix is the go-to cafè with new healthy cuisine and a robust cocktail and wine program, and RPM Group has both Italian and Steak-focused locations to choose. This doesn’t even scratch the surface. If you want something a little different, you can easily find upscale cuisine from all over the world in River North. Brindille offers classic French dishes in a pristine atmosphere, Tanta Chicago serves up Peruvian fare with a few surprises and Sunda features super-modern Asian fusion creations.


Art Galleries


The River North Gallery District has the greatest concentration of art galleries in the United States, outside of Manhattan. Once a thriving industrial zone, the economic downturn of the 1970s caused most of its factories and warehouses to close their doors. However, artists quickly began adapting the buildings into studio spaces and galleries, forming a creative community that grew into the premier art scene that remains today.


 


Walking tours take art lovers through multiple galleries in one afternoon, or one might take their time and see a different collection every weekend. Colorful encaustic wax is on display at Melanee Cooper Gallery, and Andrew Bae Gallery showcases contemporary Asian art.Jean Albano and Hilton | Asmus Contemporary combine a mix of contemporary mediums and styles, and Richard Norton Gallery specializes in early-20th Century American art. 


More to Do


It would be remiss to skip over River North’s swanky night life. Enolo Wine Cafè is great for happy hour or a deep conversation while sipping wines from small vineyards, but more adventurous folk can head to The Underground to dance the night away. Three Dots and a Dash goes the extra nautical mile with over-the-top tiki bar decor. Untitled Supper Club is an expansive underground speakeasy with an unmarked entrance and over 500 whiskeys to choose from while enjoying nightly entertainment and a Michelin-starred menu. The Berkshire Room in the Acme Hotel is a favorite for craft cocktails in an eclectic but modern setting.


    Three Dots and a Dash


While River North is a destination for dining and art, it also serves as a charcuterie board of Chicago’s very best of almost everything else. The Godfrey Hotel has things to do at all hours of the day and night, from the IO Urban Roofscape with a fire pit and brunch all week to the day spa and bar, all housed inside an uber-modern Cubist-inspired facade with an elliptical floor-to-ceiling marble lobby. The Poetry Foundation hosts readings with world-class writers and art exhibits in its gorgeous glass building, and there’s always an A-list act at the House of Blues. Both men and women can stay dressed to impress with high fashion from Ikram and the Trunk Club Chicago Clubhouse. Executives, innovators and intellectuals alike find no shortage of stimulation in this exciting corner of the Windy City





 
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Mon, 05 Aug 2019 05:30:00 -0500</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
    <guid>https://www.chicagosluxurycondos.com/blog/the-gilded-age-still-reigns-supreme-in-chicagos-gold-coast.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.chicagosluxurycondos.com/blog/the-gilded-age-still-reigns-supreme-in-chicagos-gold-coast.html</link>
        <author>Linda@ChicagosLuxuryCondos.com (Linda Shaughnessy)</author>
        <title>All That Glitters is Chicago's Gold Coast Neighborhood</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
The Gilded Age still reigns supreme in Chicago's Gold Coast





 Chicago’s Gold Coast has been a destination for prominent Chicago families since the 1880s. The location is ideal, bordering Lake Michigan from Oak Street Beach, north to the entrance of Lincoln Park. The bucolic streets are home to greystones, luxury condos and co-op buildings built by the most significant architects of the early twentieth century, and continue to be highly valued today.                           


 Homes on Astor Street





Dine


A stroll down Oak Street takes you past a selection of high-end restaurants. Fig &amp; Olive offers Southern French fare to be enjoyed on their Rosé Terrace, in the elegant White Room or in the intimate Wine Room. Across the street,  Le Colonial serves up Vietnamese gourmet in an atmosphere inspired by 1920’s French Colonial Southeast Asia, with a private chef’s dining room available for a unique gourmet experience. Freds Chicago at Barneys New York is a destination unto itself, especially in the summer with views of the lake from the outdoor patio.


 Oak Street


Originally a school for women studying music, painting, and drama, the historic landmark on Dearborn Parkway in the heart of the Gold Coast, is now home to RH Chicago  70,000 square feet of inspiration for luxury home décor and fine dining in the 3 Arts Club Café. The restaurant is in the grand courtyard with seating around a restored historic fountain, heritage olive trees and an enormous chandelier topped with vaulted skylights. On your tour of Chicago’s Gold Coast homes, stop by the Barista Bar for a coffee and pastry or a relaxing breakfast, lunch, or dinner in the Café


RH Chicago





Shop


Concentrated on East Oak Street, the high-end shops of the Gold Coast are a luxury shopper’s dream. From the most sought-after designer brands like Dolce &amp; Gabbana to the laid-back simplicity of Vince and imported treasures: Loro Piana sources the most sumptuous Italian cashmere, textiles, and leathers for their luxury clothing, shoes, and accessories.  Tod's specializes in Italian leather shoes and accessories, with a store as beautifully designed as their offerings, featuring blond wood floors and signature “vacchetta” leather furniture and wall paneling. The sprawling Hermes flagship store is modeled after the original in Paris, with walls of windows, mosaics and a spiral staircase.





Bloomingdale Mall           


If you're visiting Chicago on a rainy or snowy day, don't let that keep you indoors. The Bloomingdale Mall at 900 N Michigan Avenue offers a full day - and night - of shopping, dining, and pampering. You'll find the best brands including Kate Spade New York, J Crew,  MaxMara, Michael Kors, Sur La Table, and Teuscher Chocolates....just to name a very few., and all-day dining in the Aster Food Court on floors six and seven. Bloomingdale is accessible from every floor and the Four Seasons Hotel  for afternoon tea is just an elevator ride way on the seventh floor. The Aster Hall Food Court on floors five and six serves everything from the best donuts to the freshest sushi. 


  


Relax and Pamper


The Gold Coast has no shortage of day spas to indulge in some serious self-care. Founder Elina Fedotova of Elina Organics changes the formulations of her handmade organic products for each season, tweaking treatments to rejuvenate skin from the elements. The Greek-inspired interiors of the Waldorf Astoria Spa make a heavenly backdrop for traditional and intensely relaxing treatments. Couples can reserve the Four Seasons 50-foot Roman-style indoor pool—all to themselves—to enjoy a bottle of Champagne and canapes after an 80-minute massage. 





 Living the luxury lifestyle means top quality treatment and beauty on the inside and out. The reincarnation of Elizabeth Arden’s classic Red Door salon and spa, Mynd, offers custom beauty and wellness services, and celebrities can be spotted getting trimmed and polished at Channing’s Studio &amp; Spa, setting standards for the past 35 years. Joseph Michael’s Salon and Spa is focused on their craft with a more industrial feel and an all-star staff and Mario Tricoci Salon and Spa in the 900 N Michigan Avenue Bloomingdale building is a neighborhood favorite.


See


History and opulence go hand in hand in the Gold Coast, boasting a concentration of magnificent buildings filled with sights to see and things to do. Click through the MetrowalkZ virtual walking tour to get a look at some of the most historic buildings in the neighborhood, including the Original Playboy Mansion. The Richard H. Driehaus Museum takes the cake for elegance in form and content: the 1858 mansion and former residence of banker and Chicago cultural luminary Samuel Mayo Nickerson now holds an expansive collection showcasing the art, architecture and design of The Gilded Age. The Eleanor Robinson Countiss House, built in 1891, now holds the International Museum of Surgical Science’s collection of medical and surgical art and artifacts. The historic Newberry Library hosts programs and events in its stately 1893 Spanish Romanesque building, and there’s always something new to see at the Museum of Contemporary Art., a few blocks off Michigan Avenue in Streeterville. 


The original Playboy Mansion, located at 1340 N State Parkway, is now home to seven luxury condominiums 





Those looking for a peaceful but upscale enclave in Downtown Chicago will not find a neighborhood more serenely lavish than the Gold Coast. Finding your niche in this exclusive area means having your own private haven in the Windy City, surrounded by only the finest places and things.





 
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    <pubDate>Thu, 25 Jul 2019 13:45:00 -0500</pubDate>
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