Neighborhood Guide
One of the most popular neighborhoods for the last several decades, as its name suggests Lakeview offers easy access to Lake Michigan and Chicago’s defining lakefront park space as well as Wrigley Field, home of the Cubs. It has a strong bar, restaurant and even theater scene and offers a range of housing from high-rise apartments to condos, homes and small multi-units.
Perhaps the most famous section of Lakeview is that area known as Wrigleyville. The Chicago Cubs are the economic heart of the area. For decades leading up to the team’s historic World Series win in 2016, the Cubs have had and continue to have a loyal fan base that draws hundreds of thousands of fans throughout the regular season to patronize not only the ballpark, but the many businesses that line Clark Street to the south. The area is posed for a transformation as the Cubs’ owners, the Ricketts family, work to redevelop large areas and add more amenities like a hotel to the booming district.
But Lakeview is among the most diverse neighborhoods in the city, with a pedestrian-oriented small retail district along Southport Ave., in the western end of the neighborhood, and many high-rises on the east with access to all of the amenities of the lakefront.
It also has a strong entertainment scene in the Belmont Theater District with fixtures like the Briar Street Theater, 773, Chicago Theater Works and more. While other neighborhoods have taken the crown as top dining destinations, Lakeview still has all of the dining options that Chicagoans expect.
