BASICS:

Located just north of Lincoln Park, the Lakeview Neighborhood is within walking distance of almost everything trendy, from boutiques, spectacular nightlife, a wealth of restaurants and coffeehouses, to Chicago's "Off-Loop" theater district. In 2000, the population of Lakeview made it the second largest community in Chicago. It is home of Chicago's most visible gay and lesbian communities, known colloquially as "Boys Town," and centered on Halsted Street, a major gay entertainment strip.

Another area within Lakeview is Wrigleyville, which is centered on the famous Wrigley Field ballpark, home of the Chicago Cubs. Wrigleyville consists of homes, sports bars, restaurants, theaters, and souvenir shops.

HOUSING:

Lakeview today is a mostly a mainstream middle-class and bohemian neighborhood. The housing in the area consisting mostly of a mix of bungalows, high-rises, and modern condominium buildings.

Belmont Harbor and Diversey Harbor gave the Lakeview 'East' sub-neighborhood its name. This densely populated area of Lakeview features lakefront high-rises with vintage condominiums and apartments. Many are conversions offering large square footage and close proximity to the lakefront, neighborhood shops, and restaurants.

Two other sub-neighborhoods include "Southport Corridor," in the center of Lakeview; and "Roscoe Village" to the west. Low-density living attracts homebuyers to both of these areas. These sub-neighborhoods offer vintage apartment buildings, storefront conversions, and single-family homes.

LOCATION:

Lake View is north of Lincoln Park, bordered Irving Park Road and Diversey Parkway, spanning west of Ashland Avenue to Lake Michigan on the east. Lake View is broken up into various sub-neighborhoods.

Lake View overlooks Belmont Harbor and the Chicago lakefront. This gives Lake View easy access to the Lake and the many parks in the area. Transportation to and from downtown is an easy hop on the "El" or a short commute by way of Lake Shore Drive.

HISTORY:

Lakeview began as a peaceful settlement where farmers grew celery and greenhouse flowers (It was once known as the celery capitol of the world). Immigrants from Germany and Luxembourg were attracted to the areas high ground and fertile soil. Wealthy Chicagoans saw the opportunity to build spacious homes and apartment buildings along the beautiful lakefront and just outside of the bustling city.

Legend has it Lakeview got its name from "Hotel Lake View," built on the lakeshore in 1853. The owners were standing on the hotel's portico trying to decide upon the right name when Walter L. Newberry, delighted with the unbroken view of the lake, proposed the name Lakeview. The hotel has since been torn down.

In the 1880's, with industry jobs in abundance further inland, row after row of affordable balloon frame houses were built inland for the workers. By 1887 the town of Lake View was incorporated into the city of Chicago. A large shopping area at Clark Street and Diversey Parkway emerged to service the quickly growing populations.

Another historical distinction of the Lakeview neighborhood is "Boys Town," a commonly accepted nickname for the neighborhood. More formally, the area is known as "North Halsted Boys Town" and has the distinction of being America's first officially recognized gay village. In 1998, a $3.2-million restoration of the North Halsted Street strip included street lamp sized lighted rainbow pylons as land markers for the neighborhood. Two main thoroughfares dominate the heart of this area, Halsted Street and Broadway. Halsted Street caters to nightlife with more than 60 different gay and lesbian bars, restaurants, and nightclubs while Broadway offers many different types of specialty shops and restaurants, as well as some neighborhood institutions.

EVENTS

Every year, Lakeview attracts large numbers of Chicagoans and tourists alike for such annual celebrations as Mayfest, North Halsted Market Days, The Gay and Lesbian Pride Parade, and numerous open-air markets. Street vendors and live music fill the streets during the summer festivities.

ZIP CODE

Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood's zip code is 60657.