Chicago Rogers Park
Rogers Park lies along the northern lakefront of Chicago - a gateway between the northern suburbs and the city. Rogers Park is bounded by Devon Avenue on the south, Evanston on the north, Ridge Avenue on the west and Lake Michigan on the east. Rogers Park is situated by Edgewater, Andersonville and West Ridge- often referred to as West Rogers Park. Few other neighborhoods in the city of Chicago can boast of over one and a half miles of lakefront beaches and parks, two commuter rail lines, and an incredible mixture of residential housing. Rogers Park reflects one of the most diverse populations in the metropolitan area. Living in Rogers Park one has a rich assortment of housing options, whether you wish to rent or to buy. Discover the many quiet tree-lined streets filled with single family homes, including the architectual styles of Frank Lloyd Wright , Prairie School and Arts and Crafts, ornate Victorians and the ever popular classic Chicago Bungalow. These homes all combine to convey the early 20th century neighborhood feel that so many other communities try and recreate. Residents enjoy an abundance of grand condominiums- some with lakeside frontage, gracious courtyard apartment buildings, classic two-six flats, charming restorations and contemporary townhomes and row houses, If your looking for an area with great upside potential, consider investing in Rogers Park. The demographics and transportation infrastructure of the area demonstrate that Rogers Park is brimming with commercial, retail and development opportunities. The area is seeing an influx of new residents with increasing disposable income thats giving rise to a variety of retail establishments. Rogers Park has four CTA elevated train stations, a Metra commuter rail station, a dozen key bus routes, and the Howard Street CTA Regional Transportation Terminal. At the heart of Rogers Park's vitality are the elements that make a neighborhood great. Elements such as: tthirteen easily accessible Chicago Park District beaches and lakefront parks; cultural richness offered by Loyola University'smusical, theatrical and arts programming; a creative community of some of Chicago's leading artists and craftspeople;rretail shops and restaurants that reflect the heritage of more then a dozen distinct ethnic cultures; and restaurants, coffee houses, jazz clubs, galleries, live-performance theatres and cinemas.
Named for Philip M. Rogers, an Irishman who first settled this land of sand flats and prairies in 1834, Rogers Park remained rural until the years following the Chicago Fire 1871 . The demand for more housing and the completion of the railroad stimulated construction of the large, gracious homes that made the Village of Rogers Park an attractive place to live. The addition of other rail lines and a land boom in the 1880's enticed real estate developers to build the roads and sidewalks and plant the trees that - to this day - give Rogers Park its unique residential character. Rogers Park became part of Chicago in the 1890's to obtain better water, schools , and police and fire protection . The extension of the elevated train and street car lines throughout Rogers Park in the 1910's led to an apartment, restaurant and theatre boom in the 1920's and 1930's. The well-appointed three-story courtyard buildings and apartment hotels that still grace East Rogers Park attracted new residents to a resort-like lakefront, perfect for summer coolness and recreation, just a short distance from downtown Chicago . Sheridan Road: Running the full length of Rogers Park, parallel to and just west of the parks and beaches, Sheridan Road provides a dignified mix of vintage homes and apartment buildings, eclectic shops, restaurants and coffee houses. The southern most end is anchored by Loyola University , the high-rise Granada Center and the Loyola EL Station. As one travels north, the mix changes from student oriented stores and restaurants to those serving the wider community, for example: Starbucks ; Chase Cafe; Flats and Sharps Music; and the Village North Theatre. Clark Street: Also running the length of the community, a half-mile west of Sheridan Road, Clark Street features a brand new Chicago Public Library and dozens of unique restaurants, bakeries and small stores from all over the world, particularly Mexico and Central and South America . Here you'll find Chicago's only exclusively Indian cinema, one of the north side's most comprehensive produce markets, and the Mega Mall- a collection of small immigrant shops under one roof. Prominent at the north end of Clark Street is the Gateway Bar and Grill , a mainstay since 1971 which features Greek-inspired seafood and a lounge bopping with Chicago Blues and Jazz almost nightly. The Metra commuter station is just west of Clark Street at Lunt Avenue, offers high-speed, air-conditioned rail service to downtown and the rest of the north shore.
Howard Street: Forming the border between Chicago and Evanston, Howard Street is being revitalized. The two cities are pooling their resources in making the street more visually appealing with vintage-style lighting, tree plantings and street furniture in addition to laying new streets, sidewalks and parking setbacks. These improvements will complement the multi-million-dollar integration of the Chicago Regional Trasnportation Hub with the adjacent Gateway Center, which boasts a Dominick's Food Store, Marshall's, Bally's Total Fitness and specialty shops. The conversion of the former Howard Theater to retail and residential space and the expansion of Gale Park surrounding the Gale Community Academy at Howard and Ashland, have increased the vitality of the street. Gale Park is the site of the Rogers Park summer and Fall Farmers Markets . Other developments in the planning stages include a center for the arts, a large townhouse and condominium development and an office/apartment loft conversion.Morse Avenue and Glenwood Avenue Arts District: Centered at the Morse/Lunt EL station in the heart of Rogers Park, the revitalization of these streets is building on the long-established Heartland Cafe , known for its wholesome food and progressive politics. The No Exit Cafe with its jazz and folk music, and the Lifeline Theatre offering award-winning productions for adults and children, have created a hub of galleries, cafes and private artist studios. The City of Chicago is committed to transforming Morse Avenue with vintage-style street-scape renovation. Loft developments and restaurants are in the works. West Ridge: Also know as West Rogers Park, this area is also a diverse community and truly a melting pot, reporting an almost equal blend of white, black and Hispanic residents. Bordered by Kedzie to the west, Howard to the north, Ridge Avenue to the east and Peterson to the south, West Ridge has single-family homes, a variety of two-six flats, courtyard style apartment buildings and many afordable condo conversions coming to market everyday. Residents enjoy many fine restaurants and interesting theaters as well as a variety of resale shops. Devon Avenue is the commercial center of the West Ridge neighborhood and is considered to be a national example of a stable urban community that is highly diverse in terms of its residents’ ethnicity, race, and economic status. Devon Avenue was originally settled by the English, who named the area after Devonshire in England. At one time Devon Avenue was a main Jewish shopping district, but it is now considered to be the main South Asian center in Chicago. It is known nationwide as a cultural haven for South Asians. On Devon Avenue between California and Ridge Avenues are restaurants that come highly recommended, as well as banks, grocery stores, beauty salons, travel agencies, and many other establishments that are useful to the community. In addition, you will have no trouble finding plenty of Indian and Pakistani import stores, as well the latest Bollywood films.
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