FREE Chicago Neighborhoods Map

Framable 32" x 20" wall poster of Chicago's 181 neighborhoods with coordinates & street names Shows CTA trains, expressways and major avenues.

FREE Chicago Buyer's Guide

64 pages of buyer's tips, negotiation strategies, home inspection checklist, closing cost worksheet, 9 steps to home buying success and much more!

Currently Available Units

  • Address
  • Bed
  • Bath
  • Price

Recently Sold Units

  • Address
  • Bed
  • Bath
  • Price

Welcome To United Center Park

Slightly west of the Chicago Loop, United Center Park (also known to many as the Near West Side) is a thriving neighborhood of young working adults and first-time homeowners. An economic boom along with rapid construction is taking place throughout the neighborhood due to its proximity to downtown and the popular United Center sports arena. Sure you can see the Chicago Bulls play a couple blocks from your front door, but the rest of the area is nothing to scoff at. Cute, family-owned coffee shops and bakeries are a good balance to the massive live concert shows held at the neighborhood's namesake 25,000-seat, indoor venue. A couple trendy lounges keep the nightlife exciting in United Center Park, but the daytime is hopping with great lunch spots and a small, yet sufficient selection of retail outlets.       

Read More About United Center Park...

Contents


[Demographics, Shopping, Entertainment, and more...]
Loading Map ...
 

Jump to another Chicago neighborhood:

United Center Park Home Sales Statistics


United Center Park Facts

Location: One mile west of the Loop.
Boundaries: Grand Avenue to the north, Ashland Avenue to the east, Congress Parkway to the south and Western Avenue to the west
Bordering Neighborhoods: West Loop, Ukrainian Village, East Village, East Garfield Park, Medical District
Crime Statistics: Go to CLEARMap for crime stats on specific Chicago neighborhood, intersection, address or police beat.
[Back To Top]

Then and Now

As long as there have been cities, there have been folks who wanted to live, not just in the city, but as close to the thick of it as possible. Such is the story of this near west side Chicago neighborhood.

The area where United Center Park now exists was originally settled in the 1860s by Chicago elite who were looking for a comfortable neighborhood that was just a bit offset from the heavy downtown bustle and pollution. Eventually, though, these wealthy residents began to focus their attention -- and property -- closer to the Loop, which made plenty of room for the immigrant workers and lower-income families who subsequently discovered the convenience of the neighborhood's location. Before long, the area around Lake Street, Kinzie Street and the Chicago River was settled with a mixture of Irish, African American, German, Czech, and French inhabitants. By the 1870s, much of United Center Park was filled with middle-class folks that came from a slew of international backgrounds.

As a result, trade businesses and manufacturing plants appeared on the scene throughout the 1870s and 1880s, relying on the wealth of laborers in the area and providing jobs for United Center Park residents. The next fifty years saw an ebb and flow of demographic changes within the small community as one ethnic group aged and began to disappear; a new group of younger immigrants took its place. With the constant influx of new residents, a trend toward class structure and ethnic segregation arose among United Center Park inhabitants that continued throughout the rest of the century and on into the next. During the 1930s and 1940s large numbers of Mexicans and African Americans moved into the neighborhood and, over sixty years later, the current make-up of the area still reflects these early migrations to United Center Park.

As the century progressed, the construction of the Stevenson Expressway and the modification of existing modes of transportation brought a little more activity to United Center Park. In 1994, the United Center professional sports arena was constructed for a staggering 175 million dollars, drawing nationwide attention to the area. It stands as one of the largest arenas in the United States and hosts not only the world famous Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks, but also dozens upon dozens of concerts each year.
[Back To Top]

Parks

The majority of United Center Park neighborhood recreation is dedicated to the indoor United Center sports arena. However, there are still some green outdoor areas where you can relax or play some ball instead of just watching it.

The eight-acre Touhy-Herbert Park (2106 W Adams St, 312-746-5562) was founded in 1928 and is referred to by locals as Touhy Park (don't get this Touhy Park confused with the Touhy Park in East Rogers Park, though). The name honors John J. Touhy, a former city alderman, and Victor Herbert, an American musician and conductor who played to sold-out crowds within Chicago whenever he toured. Within the parkland, there is a community meeting hall open for public use. Baseball and tennis are the sports of choice among United Center Park residents who put this neighborhood recreation spot to good use. If you have little ones, they'll love the spray pool, which is open all summer long for wet fun under the sun. A great day at Touhy Park doesn't have to end when the sun goes down either; during the summer months there are select evenings when you can stick around for a screening of classic American films and family favorites at the Chicago Park District's "Movies in the Park" series, which is open to all ages and absolutely free!
[Back To Top]

Real Estate

United Center Park is experiencing construction fever right now. Modestly priced homes are being built just one mile west of the Loop, offering quite an advantage to people who work downtown but don't want to live right in the middle of the hectic Chicago city center. The unique mix of business professionals and working-class families who are moving into the area have created a friendly vibe with a new emphasis on neighborhood upkeep.

Surrounding the United Center sports arena, both business and residential areas have begun to grow. The residential streets hold a blend of apartments, low-rise flats, and two- and three-story walk-ups. A variety of smaller houses and single-family bungalows are also available in United Center Park for families who need a little more space.

Generally, the average sales price for a one-bedroom condo or attached home is $215,000 but you can easily find one in the low $100,000s. Two or three-bedroom units average around $312,000 for United Center Park, although there are places that cost as much as $1.5 million. The average sales price for detached single-family homes with three bedrooms is about $366,000, but can reach the million dollar mark.

What's on the Menu?

The neighborhood can get pretty jumping before and after concerts or games at the arena, and there are plenty of great restaurants to meet everybody's tastes. This means a little bit longer of a wait and a heck of a lot of fun folks lounging at bars and restaurants, talking up the latest game.

Voted the "Best Caterer in Chicago" in 2006 and 2007 by the Independent Restaurant Association, Cafe Penelope (230 S Ashland Ave, 312-243-3600) is not only a caterer, but a friendly family-owned, full-service restaurant. Open from breakfast through the late evening hours, Penelope dishes out everything from fresh bagels to ladles of homemade soups -- we always go for the turkey noodle. There's a full service bar, without the "bar" feel and plenty of tables to sit down for a spell and enjoy the evening...and that definitely means trying the caramel apple pie, warmed up with ice cream.

Are you an early riser like we are? Then try Uncle Mike's Place (1700 W Grand Ave, 312-226-5318). It's been serving United Center Park breakfasts and lunches for more than 15 years. Open at 6 am on Sunday and at 5 am the rest of the week, Uncle Mike's offers patrons a menu packed with morning cuisine classics to start your day right, as well as daily specials. Our favorite for breakfast is the pumpkin pancake platter and the lunch menu is great, too, with everything from the standard grilled cheese and a pickle to a vegetarian pita sandwich. Don't be surprised if you managed to eat a hearty meal for under 10 bucks; it's one of the things we love about Uncle Mike's. Another early-bird neighborhood diner is Moon's Sandwich Shop (16 S Western Ave, 312-226-5094). Okay, so the outside is a little bit worse for wear, but Moon's has been in business since 1933 and that tells you they're doing something right. Inside is clean and friendly with career servers who have plenty of stories they're willing to dish out with your meal. The mile-high corned beef sandwich is worth a drive from nearly anywhere, and the meatloaf sandwich will make even your grandma jealous of the recipe (just don't tell her).

If you don't have tickets to the game, but want to watch it in style, grab a beer and order up some pizza at Moretti's Ristorante & Pizzeria (1645 W Jackson Blvd, 312-850-0208). Parking's free and there are 60-inch plasma TVs and surround-sound to give the whole restaurant a sports bar feel. Beware, though: On game days it does get busy, as it should. The coconut shrimp can be eaten by the handful, and the meatball sandwiches are so gigantic that you have to eat them with a knife and fork. Seriously, don't even try to pick one of those suckers up. Rather some peace and quiet with your pizza pie? Pizza-Ria (1744 W Grand, 312-243-4444) is a nice sit-down joint that is popular among United Center Park locals. Or don't even go out -- they deliver. Order the huge and finger-licking boneless chicken bits for starters. Then, if you haven't already filled up, go for the barbecue chicken pizza and get a veggie pizza for the non meat-eaters in the group. If you don't feel too stuffed at the end, the brownies (yep, brownies from a pizza place) are awesome. And this whole, huge meal won't be a huge deal to your bank account because everything at Pizza-Ria is reasonably priced.
[Back To Top]

Best Shopping Stops

A select group of great shops are located in United Center Park, many of which are affordable home furnishing stores. When on the lookout for the perfect sectional or maybe a new kitchen table, this near west side Chicago neighborhood is the quiet secret for trendy furniture finds.

The sleek, practical and modern European look is in and you'll find it at the European Furniture Warehouse (2145 W Grand Ave, 312-243-1955), a 70,000-plus-square-foot furniture heaven. Everything on display -- couches, computer chairs, desks -- is generally available in multiple colors and different fabrics. Huge swatch books showcase near infinite possibilities for your future home decor. If you're a little overwhelmed, the staff is friendly, but not pushy, so they can help you sort through the gigantic selection and narrow it down to a manageable few choices. Prices can get a bit on the high side, but you're sure to find completely unique, completely gorgeous furniture -- so go ahead and splurge a little. Similar hip furnishings can be found at Milk Design and Metalworks (2133 W Fulton St, 312-733-9053) in a more intimate-sized showroom. Their simple, innovative styles look like the face of the future. Already receiving reviews in popular magazines such as Metropolitan Home, Milk Design studios has classic furniture, concept designs, and even creates metalwork accents, such as railings and doors, for your home. Also continually mentioned in the press is United Center Park neighborhood's Troscan Design (320 N Damen Ave, 312-733-0158). Troscan is practically a furniture gallery. Everything is handmade with considerable care and skill. Cabinets from Troscan will practically become museum display cases, and coffee tables transform into modern art.

Once the house is fully furnished, how about some flowers to add the finished touch? Flowers with Feeling (1812 W Hubbard St, 312-829-1141) has the perfect centerpiece for your new dining room table and will create fabulous accents for any room in the house. Founded in 1986, Flowers with Feeling makes bouquets that bring warmth and subtle definition to any setting and make for a superior birthday, Mother's day, anniversary or everyday gift for friends and family members. United Center Park residents have been hitting this unique flower shop up for years, stop in yourself and see why.
[Back To Top]

Night on the Town

United Center Park has plenty of places to get lost in a good conversation over a glass of beer or a cocktail, but there is also a wild side to this Chicago neighborhood -- due in part to the large crowds of fans and music-lovers who come to the near west side for the a the live action at the United Center arena.

Rock and roll and an edge of punk rock keeps things cool at Cobra Lounge (235 N Ashland Ave, 312-226-6300). Here's a hot nighttime hangout with no TVs and a heck of a lot of music. The red and black color scheme creates a dark cave-like realm where drinks are cheap and chances are, you'll meet some of those "weirdos" your mother warned you about. There's a small stage in the back room where bands perform regularly, plus an awesome jukebox for when there's no live act. Food is the usual bar fare -- wings, burgers and the like -- and the drinks are poured with a heavy hand, just the way we like it. By the way, there is definitely no reason to dress up to rock out at the Cobra Lounge, in case you were wondering.

For a laid back evening on the weekdays and a raucous hipster club on the weekends, head on out to Betty's Blue Star Lounge (1600 W Grand Ave, 312-243-1699). This is where serious drinkers go for the $2 PBR and $4 Jack Daniels and stay for the live music -- the rock and roll mixed with R&B is worth the $5 cover charge. Betty's is all about letting go, feeling loose on the dance floor and great people-watching. Don't expect to find a seat if you get here past 11 pm as this neighborhood joint is popular among United Center Park's younger residents and the spillover from whatever event is happening at the arena.

Since the early 1990s a dominant driving force in large-scale Chicago entertainment has been the neighborhood's United Center (1901 W Madison St, 312-455-4000). The United Center arena covers 960,000 square feet and can seat between 20,000 and 25,000 people, depending on the event. The championship-winning Chicago Bulls call the United Center home, but during their off-season, the floor is flooded and frozen for when the Chicago Blackhawks take to the ice for some hardcore hockey. And that isn't all. Some of the best concerts in town are held at the United Center; past performers have included Beyonce, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, and the operatic Andrea Bocelli. Just a rule of thumb: Any time there's a show that everyone in Chicago wants to see, there's a good chance it'll be held at the United Center.
[Back To Top]

Getting Around

Slightly west of the Loop, United Center Park offers Chicagoans a short trip downtown. Countless amenities and the office are a short bike ride away, but if you would rather, there are also other major transportation outlets that are a little less strenuous.

While your best bet for getting into the city center is to take surface roads such as Madison Avenue or Congress Parkway, the Eisenhower Expressway (I-290) does run along the southern edge of United Center Park neighborhood providing a great route for traveling to other parts of the city and suburbs.

If you want to settle into a train instead of a car for your morning commute, there are three CTA "El" trains (so-named for its sections of elevated track) that service the neighborhood. The Blue Line runs in the median of the Eisenhower Expressway on the southern edge of United Center Park with stops at Western Avenue and Ogden Avenue. The Green Line runs straight through the neighborhood and stops (with a transfer available) at Ashland Avenue, and finally, the Pink Line travels north/south through United Center Park and then turns east towards the Loop, stopping at Ashland as well. While the El lines have got the majority of this near west side Chicago neighborhood covered, the bus may get you closer to where you're going, so it's best to check out the CTA website for a map that will show you exactly what route you should take.
[Back To Top]

School's in Session

United Center Park offers academic options for elementary school all the way to college-bound students looking for that perfect university.

The largest educational institution in United Center Park is Malcolm X College (1900 W Van Buren St, 312-850-7500), located on the neighborhood's southern border. Malcolm X is an accredited community college that brings affordable academics to an urban setting. It's a great school for adults to take a couple of classes to update computer know-how or to work towards a degree. The best part is the immense library which is open to both students and members of the community for daily use.

There are also plenty of elementary and high schools for the younger folks in the family. United Center Park has over a dozen young adult schools. In addition to the following list, you can find out more information about United Center Park neighborhood schools and other Chicago area educational facilities at our Chicago Guide Schools page.

Best Practices High School 2040 W Adams St - (773) 534-7610
Crane Achievement Academy 2245 W Jackson Blvd
Creiger Elementary School 2040 W Adams St - (773) 534-7490
Dett R Nathaniel Elementary 2306 W Maypole Ave - (773) 534-7160
Foundations Elementary 2040 W Adams St - (773) 534-7605
Herbert Victor Elementary School 2131 W Monroe St - (773) 534-7806
Malcolm X College of Chicago 1900 W Van Buren St - (312) 850-7000
Mancel Talcott Elementary School 1840 W Ohio St - (773) 534-7130
Nia Middle Elementary School 2040 W Adams St - (773) 534-7494
St Malachy Elementary School 2252 W Washington Blvd - (312) 733-2252
St Martin De Porres Catholic High School 2248 W Washington Blvd - (312) 733-2252
Suder Elementary School 2022 W Washington Blvd - (773) 534-7685
William H Brown Public School 54 N Hermitage Ave - (773) 534-7250
[Back To Top]

Basic Needs

Here's a list of some of the places to get your daily life rolling in United Center Park. Compiled is a list of places to get everything from refrigerator staples to the best of the literary classics.

Transit

Chicago Transit Authority - (888) 968-7282

Emergency Room

Rush-Presbyterian-St Luke's Medical Center 1653 W Congress Pkwy - (312) 942-5000
University of Illinois Medical Center 2045 W Washington Blvd - (312) 996-2000

Grocery Stores

Anzuini Grocery 518 N Leavitt St - (312) 738-0558
Atlas Spice Traders 2010 W Fulton St - (312) 733-2697
F & F Food and Liquor 2349 W Lake St - (312) 421-1537
Jimmy's Food Plaza 2132 W Washington Blvd - (312) 733-6145
Ohio and Damen Food Mart 1959 W Ohio St - (312) 226-4277

Gyms

Curves 600 S Western Ave - (312) 563-1450
First Step Fitness 538 N Western Ave - (312) 738-3778

Library

Mabel Manning Branch Library 6 S Hoyne Ave - (312) 746-6800
Malcolm X College Library 1900 W Van Buren St - (312) 850-7000

Pharmacies

Ben's Pharmacy 1551 W Madison St - (312) 421-9670
Save RX-Teamster City Pharmacy 1645 W Jackson Blvd # 205 - (312) 421-4293
Walgreens 2340 W Madison St - (312) 226-7863

Post Office

116 S Western Ave 312-243-2560

Everyone needs to relax after work. Here are some of the best locations in United Center Park to mellow out and enjoy your evenings and well-deserved weekends. Discover the rest as you explore the dining, shopping, and entertainments options yourself.

Entertainment

All 4 Fun 2010 West Fulton Street - (312) 666-7800
Goose Island Microbrewery 1800 W Fulton St (800) 466-7363
United Center 1901 W Madison St - (312) 455-4000

SHOPPING

Burchell Upholstery 2039 W Carroll Ave - (312) 733-5728
Celine Bakery Supplies Inc 1843 W Fulton St - (312) 666-3656
Decoro Studio 2000 W Carroll Ave - (773) 880-9838
European Furniture Warehouse 2145 W Grand Ave - (312) 243-1955
Evergreen Plaza Shopping Center 9 N Western Ave (708) 422-5454
Flowers with Feeling 1812 W Hubbard St - (312) 829-1141
Milk Design and Metalworks 2133 W Fulton St - (312) 733-9053
Salvage One Artifacts 1901 Hubbard St - (312) 733-0098
Salvation Army 133 S Ashland Ave - (312) 455-8059
Troscan Design 320 N Damen Ave - (312) 733-0158

DINING

Bakeries
Midnight Bakery 2011 W Fulton St - (312) 850-2253
Red Hen Bread 250 N Western Ave - (312) 433-0436

Bars
Betty's Blue Star Lounge 1600 W Grand Ave - (312) 243-1699
Club Babalu 1645 W Jackson Blvd - (312) 733-3512 (Saturday nights only)
Cobra Lounge 235 N Ashland Ave - (312) 226-6300
West Lake Tavern 2059 W Lake St - (312) 733-9430

Cafe/Coffee Shops
Bombon Cafe 38 S Ashland Ave - (312) 733-8717
Corduroy's 1650 W Ogden Ave - (312) 455-2989

American Cuisine
Ann's Restaurant 2335 W Lake St - (312)
Cafe Penelope 230 S Ashland Ave - (312) 243-3600
Couch Bar and Restaurant 2344 W Grand Ave - (312) 942-9030
Hound Dogs 2257 W Grand Ave - (312) 666-5797
Moon's Sandwich Shop 16 S Western Ave - (312) 226-5094
Nay'b Grill 1800 W Grand Ave - (312) 997-2400
Popeye's Chicken and Biscuits 50 N Western Ave - (312) 829-2595
Potbelly's Sandwich Works 1915 W Hubbard St - (312) 279-0107
Tommy's Grill 456 N Damen Ave - (312) 421-3915
Uncle Mike's Place 1700 W Grand Ave - (312) 226-5318

Asian Cuisine
China Dragon Restaurant 2008 W Madison St - (312) 666-3766

Italian Cuisine and Pizza
Fiore Delicatessen 2258 W Erie St - (312) 942-9419
Martellito's Pizza 2218 W Grand Ave - (312) 491-1758
Moretti's Ristorante & Pizzeria 1645 W Jackson Blvd - (312) 850-0208
Pizza Ria 1744 W Grand - (312) 243-4444

Mexican Cuisine
Chavas Tacos 2351 W Grand Ave - (312) 226-1129
[Back To Top]

Sometimes it makes more sense to view the city of Chicago as a bunch of separate neighborhoodsespecially when it comes to real estate. Whether you are in the market for a loft, condo, townhome, or house, it is just as important to inspect the surrounding area as it is to inspect the home's foundation. United Center Park neighborhood is just one Chicago community with an abundance of residential properties, and a life all its own. From where you send your kids to school to where you dine at night, the information we provide is an essential piece of the puzzle when you're trying to decide whether or not to buy that beautiful loft or adorable house in United Center Park.
[Back To Top]

Feedback