Chicago’s Gold Coast includes the Streeterville and Mag Mile neighborhoods and is true to its moniker. Perhaps some of the finest Chicago luxury real estate is located there. A long time elegant and sophisticated stop for living, working and playing, Chicago’s Gold Coast has the finest shopping west of Park Avenue.

The Gold Coast Historic District is located just north of downtown Chicago and is part of Chicago’s Near North Side community area. It is roughly bounded by North Avenue, Lake Shore Drive, Oak Street, and Clark Street. The streets of Gold Coast are lined with historic mansions and specialty boutiques, making it an extremely popular area for residents and visitors.

The coast part of the name comes from its proximity to Lake Michigan. The neighborhood grew in the wake of the Great Chicago Fire. In 1882, millionaire Potter Palmer, who was an American businessman responsible for much of the development of State Street in Chicago, moved to the area from the Prairie Avenue neighborhood on the city’s south side. He built Palmer Mansion, which was a forty-two-room castle like structure designed by Henry Ives Cobb and Charles Sumner Frost. Soon after Palmer moved to the neighborhood, other wealthy Chicagoans followed as well. By the late 1980s, the Gold Coast and neighboring Streeterville neighborhood comprised the second most affluent neighborhoods in the U.S., following Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Today, you can find anything from mansions, row houses, to high-rise apartments. Some of the most noteworthy landmarks include the Astor Street District and the James Charnley House.

0-2 miles

15 minutes to Midway Airport

6 minutes to Chicago Loop

29 minutes to O’Hare Airport

Transportation An elaborate system of expressways, taxis, buses, subway, and elevated trains makes transportation convenient.

Located just steps away is one of Chicago’s most popular beaches called Oak Street beach. Here you can relax on the beach or go for a walk, run, or bike ride along Lake Shore Drive. In the summer, you can also enjoy watching the AVP beach volleyball tournament or you can play with some friends on the beach courts provided. Here, you will enjoy a beautiful view of the skyline whatever it is you are doing. Gold Coast is also known for its extravagant nightlife. Clubs are open until the early morning and feature rock, rap, blues, jazz, and so much more.

Chicago’s Gold Coast is home to some of the best shopping around, making it one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in the city to live. Michigan Avenue is the most famous spot in the city for shopping. It offers everything from small boutiques in Water Tower Place to department stores like Macy’s and Nordstrom to a huge Crate and Barrel. Oak Street is most definitely home to Chicago’s premier stores. Renowned designers such as Tory Burch, Hermes, Armani, Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo, Barney’s, and Harry Winston all have retail locations lining this quaint street. 

Don’t miss the Restoration Hardware Gold Coast Showroom, which is an elegant five-floor retail store featuring some of the most stunning furnishings. Make sure to go to one of the most popular brunch spots in Chicago, called The 3 Arts Club Café, which is located on the ground floor and features a full food and bar menu. For plenty of restaurants and more shopping, be sure to go to Rush Street, which is a narrow one-way road that has a village like feel to it. With Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse, Hugo’s Frog Bar & Fish House, Maple & Ash, Fig & Olive, Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria, the opportunities are endless. You will most definitely not run out of options for dining or shopping in this neighborhood.

The Gold Coast neighborhood is home to Ogden Elementary School (PK-5), Ogden International School of Chicago (K-12), and Wells Community Academy High School (9-12). There are also a few private and charter schools including Latin School of Chicago Lower (PK-4), Latin School of Chicago Upper (5-12), and The Latin School of Chicago (PK-12).