Marina City, designed by architect Bertrand Goldberg and constructed between 1960 and 1967, is an icon of Chicago architecture and urban planning. This “city within a city,” was the first of its kind to layer residential, commercial and entertainment uses into a dense high rise complex in the center city.  

Designed to primarily house middle-income singles or childless married couples and as a model for reinvestment and revitalization of Chicago’s downtown, its success as a dense high-rise residential development anticipated the later transformation of downtown Chicago from a nine-to-five business district to a thriving and bustling residential and commercial community. The development’s use of the Chicago River as an amenity was also years ahead of its time.

River North is perhaps the most stylish section of Chicago, and that’s no small accomplishment. This neighborhood features a truly staggering array of art galleries and a cutting-edge design district, making it a magnet for locals who are passionate about the visual arts.

The dining and nightlife scenes are just as diverse and exquisite as the local arts community, with a massive assortment of restaurants, bars and clubs catering to every taste. The tech sector is well represented here and attracts local professionals with major companies like Google operating their regional headquarters in River North.

The landscape is a treasure trove of architecture, featuring many well-preserved historic buildings well over a century old alongside mid century masterpieces and ultra-modern skyscrapers. The Magnificent Mile runs along the east side of the neighborhood, and Downtown is right across the river.