10 Amazing Views from Rental Apartments in Chicago

Nicky Iudean-June 23, 2016

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Chicago may have landed a complimentary second place in the “Best International Skyline” competition (as voted by the readers of USA TODAY), but it surely ranks first for any Chicagoan. Whether you’re overlooking the vacation-like panorama of Lake Michigan or the bustling downtown skyscrapers, Chicago’s landscape steals your heart away, time and again. The city’s skyline is an icon, a brand, and a source of local pride. Chicago dwellers connect with it and enjoy the view from wherever they are: skyscraper offices, observation decks, the Ferris Wheel on Navy Pier – even its reflection in The Bean!

In a city boasting so many eye-candy urban landscapes, it’s hard to pick an all-time favorite view. Beyond the touristic postcard-perfect vistas we all know and love, we discovered new angles to look at the city. We turned our attention to private vistas and we came across some really cool views from Chicago’s apartments.

Tall rental buildings have incorporated more and more design features into their architecture, offering bird’s eye city panoramas to potential renters. Not only are there apartments with amazing floor-to-ceiling windows and private balconies, but they also have access to community amenities such as 360 degree sun decks, large terrace areas, and outdoor pools. Rental apartments in these buildings have thus gained a persuasive advantage. They appeal to the natural desire of the city’s renters to afford themselves the sweeping views of the skyline and the sparkling waters of the great lake – all without leaving the property!

We just can’t decide which kind of panorama is more impressive. Is it the lush lake scenery, as seen from architectural marvels like Aqua, or the twinkling city lights that ignite the Chicago sky at night spotted from the windows of the Astoria Tower? We’ll let you choose. Here’s our selection of 10 bird’s eye views from some of Chicago’s most sought-after residential buildings:

#1. Aqua At Lakeshore East

Address: 225 North Columbus Drive, Chicago, IL 60601
Floors: 87
Built in 2009
476 rental units and 263 condos
Image: Lakeshore East Facebook Page

#2. Coast At Lakeshore East

Address: 345 East Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60601
Floors: 45
Built in 2013
515 rental units
Image: RentCafe

#3. Axis Apartments

Address: 441 East Erie Street, Chicago, IL 60611
Floors: 60
Built in 1986
79 rental units
Image: Axis Apartments Chicago Facebook Page

#4. Lake Point Tower Condominium

Address: 505 North Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60611
Floors: 70
Built in 1968
752 condo units
Image: Wikipedia by Banpei

#5. McClurg Court

Address: 333 East Ontario Street, Chicago, IL 60611
Floors: 46
Built in 1971
1,061 units
Image: RentCafe

#6. Hubbard Place

Address: 360 West Hubbard Street, Chicago, IL 60654
Floors: 43
Built in 2013
450 rental units
Image: RentCafe

#7. Echelon at Kinzie Station

Address: 353 North Des Plaines Street, Chicago, IL 60661
Floors: 39
Built in 2008
350 rental units
Image: RentCafe

#8. Alta at K Station

Address: 555 West Kinzie Street, Chicago, IL 60661
Floors: 41
Built in 2010
848 rental units
Image: Alta at K Station Facebook Page

#9. Astoria Tower

Address: 8 East 9th Street, Chicago, IL 60605
Floors: 30
Built in 2009
206 rental units
Image: RentCafe

#10. One Eleven

Address: 111 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60601
Floors: 60
Built in 2014
504 rental units
Image: RentCafe

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Nicky Iudean

Nicky is a Senior Communications Specialist for RENTCafé.com, where she researches and writes about real estate, interior design, and all things that spark renters’ interests. She is also your go-to person for content collaborations. Nicky double majored in Marketing and Applied Economics and holds a master's degree in Marketing Strategies and Policies. You can reach her via email at nicky.rentcafe@yardi.com.