It’s hard to believe, but it’s already been eight years since the 606 trail opened. Built along an old train line, the 606—a namesake for Chicago’s zip code prefix— is a 2.7-mile trail and elevated park that runs east-west through some of the city’s coolest neighborhoods, including Wicker Park, Bucktown, Logan Square and Humbolt Park.
It’s that time of year. Pumpkin spice and apple flavors are everywhere. As summer heat fades, crisp autumn air arrives and so do fall colors.
Fall in Chicago is magical, like a breath of fresh air. But before too long, fall and all its splendor will be a distant memory. So, if you’re hoping to truly savor the colors and beauty of autumn in the Midwest, here’s a roundup of great – and sometimes unexpected – places to see fall foliage in the city and suburbs.
Supporting Chicago’s vibrant arts scene, iconic architecture and rich cultural history are a number of world-class museums, including the Art Institute of Chicago, Museum of Contemporary Art, Field Museum, DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center and the Museum of Science and Industry. And while these institutions are certainly must-visits, the city also has a collection of museums that are a little more off the beaten path…and in some cases downright weird.
If you’re looking for a different adventure this fall, here are Chicago museums that delve into the macabre, the impossible and everything in between.
Love is the heart and soul of @properties Christie’s International Real Estate. It defines our people, our culture, our celebrations, and our conversations. It’s who we are and where we are, because @properties wouldn’t be @properties without Chicago – the city that we’ve proudly called home for the past 23 years. From Chicago and the surrounding suburbs to Southwest Michigan, Northwest Indiana, and Southeast Wisconsin, love is in the communities that give us life and make us who we are today.
This notion carries on with Love Letters – a new endeavor that lets our communities know just how much we love and appreciate them. In good times and challenging times, through thick and thin, it all comes down to LOVE.
Love came into the @properties lexicon years ago with our Love Where You Live ad series, which soon morphed into Love Where You Work. Then in 2015, we commissioned Chicago-based artist Matthew Hoffman to paint a mural adorning our office in Chicago’s Bucktown neighborhood. The mural featured the word “love” in Hoffman’s signature script font and quickly became a popular backdrop for Instagram pictures, holiday cards, and engagement photos. Today the “love” script can be found everywhere from murals to apparel to bumper magnets that have been spotted all over the country.
“Love is what everyone desires in a home and a community. It’s the most powerful force in the world, and it enriches our lives in so many ways. The idea was to spread love, and it snowballed from there,” said @properties Christie’s International Real Estate co-founder and co-CEO Thad Wong.
Look out for Love Letters in local print publications, social media, postcards, email, and more, and watch our tribute to Chicago here.
What do you love about your neighborhood or town? We want to know! Share with us on social media using the hashtag #atloveletters and be sure to tag @atproperties.
In search of a venue larger than their previous home of Wrigley Field, the Chicago Bears moved into Soldier Field full-time in 1971. Since then, Soldier Field, and its classically columned façade, has become a symbol of the Bears, with 61,500 fans pouring into the stadium on game days to watch their favorite team.
But after more than 50 years at Soldier Field, which has become the smallest-capacity stadium in the NFL, the Bears have started to search for a new home. They first declared their interest in moving by purchasing the former Arlington Park race track in Arlington Heights. But as negotiations with that suburb have dragged on, the Bears have received several overtures offers from other towns eager to have (or, in the case of Chicago, keep) the team.
As the Bears season gets underway, we’re taking a look at potential new homes for the team…and nearby homes for you if you’d like to follow in their footsteps.
Fall in the Midwest delivers beautiful weather and ample activities to take advantage of the scenic surroundings. Grab an extra layer and join us as we enjoy the great outdoors this autumn.
Parks, Forests and Preserves – Oh My!
Less than 100 miles southwest of Chicago, Starved Rock State Park is an Illinois gem that shines through November. Voted the number one attraction in Illinois, the topography of the region is unlike anything found in the state. Visitors can experience 13 miles of hiking trails through various elevations and terrain along the Illinois River. A guided color tour and “ghost tour” are two adventures available in October, among other highlights including hotels, camping and dining.
One of the unique things about Chicago is the way in which predominant architectural styles lend a sense of order and character to certain neighborhoods. From bungalows to workers cottages to two-flats, specific building styles help to form a neighborhood’s identity and tell its story. One of the most prominent, stately and coveted building styles in the city is the Chicago greystone.
Named for the color of the Indiana Bedford limestone used in their construction, greystones first appeared in Chicago in the late 1800s as a sturdier and safer solution to the wood-frame structures that were devoured by the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. From 1890 to 1915, these buildings sprung up around the city, in an area now called the “greystone belt,” extending as far north as Chicago’s Andersonville and Lakeview neighborhoods, and as far south as Hyde Park and Woodlawn.
With its trendy eateries, renowned art galleries, and late-night clubs, River North is one of the most popular neighborhoods in Chicago. Originally known as Smokey Hollow (drop that little piece of trivia into your next cocktail conversation), over the past 40 years, this dynamic neighborhood has morphed from a warehouse district into a place where new concepts in art, design, and cuisine are fomented. River North also has diverse housing options, from the city’s newest and most luxurious high-rises to converted lofts, affordable condos, and an enclave of mansions favored by professional athletes. The list of things we love about River North is as long as the river itself, but here are 10 that are timeless.
@properties has been named to the Inc. 5000 list – the most prestigious ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies – for an incredible 14th time.
A focus on industry-leading technology, marketing, and agent-training programs has consistently made @properties one of the top brokerage firms in the country, leading to the December 2021 acquisition of the Christie’s International Real Estate global luxury network. Today, @properties ranks #8 on the RealTrends 500 list of the largest residential brokerage firms in the U.S. by sales volume. The company also holds the #1 market share* in the entire Chicago metro area, the city of Chicago, Southwest Michigan, and several sub-markets.
“We’re incredibly honored to make the Inc. 5000 list for the 14th time. It’s not only a testament to what we have built, but inspiration for how we want to keep evolving,” said @properties co-CEO Mike Golden.
“Since our start more than 20 years ago in an industry not known for being on the cutting edge, we’ve focused on innovation,” added @properties co-CEO Thad Wong. “This vision has helped us stand out among a crowded field of brokerages, while remaining true to our core values.”
Earlier this year, @properties was named to the HousingWire Tech100 Real Estate list, which recognizes the most innovative technology-focused companies in real estate. The award reinforced @properties’ position as a real estate tech leader while highlighting our commitment to providing – and continually improving – best-in-class resources like our pl@tform™ technology.
Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found here.
Source: #1 market share based on closed sales volume data from BrokerMetrics LLC (MRED & MichRIC), 8/1/2022 to 7/31/2023
One of Chicago’s most beloved – and thrilling – events, The Chicago Air and Water Show, is returning to the city this weekend for its 63rd edition. The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, the U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights and more will be flying over Chicago’s lakefront on Saturday, August 19 and Sunday, August 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with practice flyovers beginning Friday, August 18.
Every year, millions of spectators gather along the shores of Lake Michigan to witness a display of daredevil stunts. The main viewing area stretches from Oak Street to Fullerton Avenue, with North Avenue Beach serving as center stage.
But while many spectators flock to Chicago’s beautiful beaches, rooftop bars are another popular destination, offering an enhanced viewing experience hundreds of feet off the ground. Read on for our picks of the best rooftop bars to watch the Chicago Air and Water Show 2023.