River North
Real Estate and Neighborhood Information

With the expansion of the railroad into Chicago's North Side in the 1800's came an influx of industrialization in the then largely Irish and Sicilian community. This section of town suffered from terrible industrial pollution, leading to its nickname 'Smokey Hollow.'

Following its industrial boom, River North went through a major transformation. In the wake of World War II, manufacturing slumped and many of the once-bustling factories were converted into dormant storerooms and warehouses. The result was a warehouse district that lasted until the 1970s, when the need for warehouses faded almost entirely. After the mass of storehouses and stockrooms were shut down, the neighborhood was left with a bunch of vacant buildings that were no longer useful.

Fortunately, the large, open layouts of the abandoned structures seemed a perfect fit for creative needs. The abundance of empty warehouse space drew artists, writers and architects to the area in search of studios and lofts. Today, River North maintains its status as an art center due to its population of artists and growing number of gallery showrooms. It's also growing its reputation as a food and nightlife mecca with its amazing restaurants and streets of new clubs and bars.