Park West is a section of Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. As the name implies, it is located just west of the park and the lakeshore, making it a great place for those who want to connect with nature while still remaining in the city. The area is also known for its historic architecture. It is densely populated, with plenty of restaurants and shopping for residents to enjoy.
Over the years, Park West has become a very desirable neighborhood with many luxury buildings. However, the population is a mix of families, young professionals and even some college students from nearby DePaul University.
Where is Park West?
Park West is located within the broader Lincoln Park neighborhood. It is bordered by the park to the east and the Wrightwood section of Lincoln Park to the west. The Lakeview neighborhood is to the north and the Old Town neighborhood is to the south. Clark Street is the main thoroughfare in Park West and connects to many other lakefront neighborhoods throughout the city.
History
The Park West area was home to Native American settlements before it was developed as part of the city of Chicago. Clark Street was initially called the Green Bay Trail and stretched all the way to Wisconsin. Land in this area was very cheap in the mid-1800s because it was considered rural at the time, so people slowly started to move there and build their own homes. This area was initially part of Lakeview Township and then was annexed into the city of Chicago. The city started to build the park, including the zoo and many other attractions, in the late 19th century.
This area attracted many upscale residents when it was first developed, but struggled when the Great Depression hit. This resulted in a major urban renewal initiative in Park West in the 1950s. This preserved many of the area’s notable historic buildings. Today, the area is highly desirable because of its location near the park.
Lifestyle
What To Do
One of the reasons why Park West is such a hotspot is because there is so much to do there. It is located directly next to the North Pond Nature Sanctuary and the Diversey Harbor, where residents can enjoy the warm weather during the summer. It’s also within walking distance to attractions like the Fullerton Beach, Theater on the Lake, Diversey Driving Range, Lincoln Park Zoo and Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum.
View this post on Instagram
The area is also one of the biggest commercial centers in Lincoln Park. The Clark Street and Halsted Street corridors are home to a mix of popular chain retailers as well as local boutiques. The Halsted area is also a great place to enjoy some live music, with noted venues like Kingston Mines and Lincoln Hall nearby.
Where To Eat And Drink
There are also plenty of excellent places to eat and drink in the Park West area. The neighborhood has a mix of restaurants, with cuisines from all around the world. For an upscale dinner, Mfk. restaurant, Galit, Sappori Trattoria and North Pond are great options.
View this post on Instagram
This neighborhood is also known for having excellent Chinese food, with options like Chengdu Impression, Mr. Dumpling and D Cuisine. Other cuisines you’ll find in the neighborhood include Mexican, Korean, Indian, Japanese, Italian and more, so there’s no shortage of options if you’re feeling hungry.
View this post on Instagram
During the day, there are several cafés where you can relax, enjoy a coffee or even get some work done. These include Colectivo Coffee, Bourgeois Pig Cafe and Cafe Deko. If you’re looking to grab a drink after work, you’ll also have plenty of options in the neighborhood. Golden Dagger offers craft cocktails and live music, while Tin Lizzie and The Field House are both great place to catch a game while enjoying a drink.
View this post on Instagram
Moving To Park West
Real Estate Snapshot
Park West consists mainly of high-rises and multi-unit buildings, but there are also some single-family homes in the area. The average for apartments for rent in Park West is $1,820 per month, which is slightly less expensive than the overall Chicago average of $2,012. However, the cost of living overall in this area is considered to be relatively high.
Transportation
One of the biggest benefits of living in the Park West area is that it is very walkable. You’ll find grocery stores and many other essentials within walking distance. It’s also a great place to live if you’d prefer to use public transportation. The CTA runs several bus routes through the area, and it’s also a short walk away from the Fullerton and Diversey L train stations. From there, you can access the Red, Brown and Purple lines, which connect to downtown as well as many other neighborhoods throughout Chicago. Whether you drive or take the train, it takes about 15 minutes to get to downtown Chicago from Park West.
Schools & Employment
While there are no major corporations based in Park West, there are many small businesses as well as outposts of large chains that employ local residents. DePaul University is also located nearby, so the area is home to many of the university’s students and staff. There are both public and private school options in the area for those with families as well.
Looking to move to Park West? Be sure to check out RentCafe for all of the latest apartment listings in the area!