textfield=Lakeview, Roscoe Village, St. Ben's and Wrigleyville

Located between Diversey Street and Irving Park Road, and west from the lakefront to Ashland Avenue. Lakeview has a history apart from that of Chicago. In 1865, Lakeview was officially made a town by an act of the Illinois General Assembly. In 1887, the town of Lakeview was granted a city charter dividing it into seven wards. By 1889 the area had grown so greatly, that a movement began to annex Lakeview to Chicago. After a bitter fight, the Chicago City Council annexed the town on June 29, 1889 when the voters of Lakeview approved the annexation. The Clark, Belmont and Broadway shopping districts contain a wide variety of stores that accommodate all needs. The restaurants and bars cater to all tastes and are plentiful. Today, Lakeview is comprised of three contiguous areas: East Lakeview, Belmont Harbor and West Lakeview. East Lakeview encompasses the area from Diversey Parkway to Addison and from the lake west to Halsted Street. Belmont Harbor is that part of Lakeview immediately surrounding the fabulous harbor. West Lakeview Lakeview stretches west from Halsted to Ashland Avenue and north from Diversey to Addison. Perhaps the hottest section of Lakeview is the Southport region from Diversey north to Addison. In the past few years, this area has become the refuge of Lincoln Park expatriates who tired of the congestion and bustle that have become trademarks of Lincoln Park. This area has retained its neighborhood charm while providing quick access to Lincoln Park, East Lakeview and Wrigleyville.

Lakeview East

Diversey Harbor and Belmont Harbor, on the lakefront, and the eastern portion of the Wrigleyville neighborhood, are all part of Lakeview East. Many of Belmont Harbor's apartments are in newer buildings, but restored walk-ups dot east-of-Broadway side streets, such as Roscoe and Aldine. Some vintage apartments feature inlaid wood floors, 10-foot ceilings, fireplaces and intricate woodwork. There has been little new construction in Lakeview East in recent years, but condo conversions and renovations continue, especially around Wrigley Field, the home of the Chicago Cubs.

Housing:Property values are higher along the lakefront in Lakeview, where single-family homes sold for an average of $397,283 in 1997, with the low being $78,000 and the high being $680,000. The average 1997 sale price for a condominium or townhouse in Lakeview was $161,564. Typical apartment rents in the Diversey Harbor area range from $500 to $650 for studios; $725 to $950 for one-bedroom units; from $1,100 to $1,450 for two-bedroom units; and $1,300 to $1,900 for three-bedrooms. In the Belmont Harbor area, typical apartment rents are: $485 to $700 for studios; $650 to $950 for one-bedroom units; $950 to $1,500 for two-bedroom units; and $1,100 to $1,800 for three-bedroom units.

Wrigleyville

The Wrigleyville section of Lakeview, bounded by Halsted, Ashland, Roscoe and Byron, is a neighborhood dominated by two- and three-flat buildings-and by Wrigley Field. Housing. About 80 percent of the buildings in Wrigleyville are graystone or brick. Many three-bedroom units have fireplaces, oak floors and up to 1,500 square feet of space. In 1997 the average sale price for a detached single-family home in Wrigleyville was $342,115. The average sale price for a condominium or townhouse in Wrigleyville in 1997 was $192,363. Landmark Victorian row houses can be found on Alta Vista Terrace, a block-long street between Grace and Byron, just north of Wrigley Field. Forty homes on the block, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, were built between 1900 and 1904. Now they are valued at $309,000 to $350,000. Monthly apartment rents in Wrigleyville typically range from $485 to $700 for studios; $625 to $900 for one-bedroom units; $925 to $1,550 for two-bedroom units; and from $1,250 to $1,900 for three-bedroom units.

Transportation: The CTA's Howard-Dan Ryan trains stop at Addison, steps away from the "friendly confines" of Wrigley Field. The station has undergone a several-year, multi-million-dollar renovation, making it fully accessible to the disabled. CTA Ravenswood and Howard trains also stop at Belmont. Frequent CTA bus service is available on Belmont, Addison and Irving Park, and along Lake Shore Drive, Halsted, Broadway and Clark. Taxicabs are also plentiful.

Lakeview West, St. Ben's

Although West Lakeview officially begins at Clark Street, most of the new construction starts a few blocks west of Clark, beginning around Clifton Avenue. Dozens of buildings are being renovated, new single-family homes are replacing older houses, or being built on vacant lots. For several years, young people have been attracted to West Lakeview by rents more affordable than those in Lakeview East. The housing stock consists of brick and frame two- and three-flats and a few brick courtyard buildings. Affordable single-family homes also can be found in West Lakeview, but values have risen steadily in recent years. St. Ben's. Just northwest of Wrigleyville is a quiet section surrounding St. Benedict's Church, 2215 W. Irving Park Road. Dubbed St. Ben's, this small area-bounded by Irving Park Road, Damen Avenue, Addison Street and Western Avenue-is known for wide lots and quiet, tree-lined side streets, such as Byron or Bradley Place.

Roscoe Village

Located between Belmont and Addison Avenues and west from Paulina Street to Western Avenue. This peaceful neighborhood is comprised primarily of post World War II bungalows and two-family flats dating from the early 1900's. This area caters mostly to working couples and families with a current and growing influx of urban professionals. Roscoe Village features a quaint downtown area on Roscoe Avenue from Damen to Western that has a remarkable small town feel. On Belmont from Damen to Western is Antique Row, a five block stretch which is known throughout the Midwest as the place to go when seeking antiques. The recent renovation of the defunct Wieboldt's building into condominium lofts together with the opening of Whole Foods supermarket on Ashland Avenue threatens to expand westward the borders of Lakeview. This expansion has dismayed local Roscoe Villagers, who feel that their cozy little neighborhood is no longer a well kept secret. 

Rehabbers generally invest $50,000 to $100,000 into Roscoe Village homes, sometimes converting two-flats to single-family residences, or expanding a second floor attic into a finished living area.

Housing: The average sale price for a detached, single-family home in Lakeview in 1997 was $397,283. In West Lakeview, home prices ranged from the low $78,000s to more than $680,000 in 1997. In St. Ben's, the 1997 average price for single-family homes was $243,665. In Roscoe Village, the average price in 1996 for a single family home was $225,341. Monthly apartment rents in Roscoe Village typically range from $475 to $550 for studios; $625 to $825 for one-bedroom apartments; $800 to $1,350 for two-bedroom units; and $950 to $1,700 for three-bedroom units. Rents are somewhat lower in other parts of West Lakeview.

Transportation: Lakeview is about six miles north of the Loop. The CTA's Howard-Dan Ryan (elevated) rapid transit trains stop at Belmont and Sheffield; the ride downtown takes15 minutes. Ravenswood Line (elevated) trains also stop at the Belmont station, and there are Ravenswood stops in West Lakeview at Southport, Paulina and Addison (just west of Ashland). Many CTA bus routes also serve the area. Lake Shore Drive and the Kennedy Expressway (I-90/94) are within easy driving distance.