April 2018

The Chicago Loop is known more for being a bustling commercial and financial district as opposed to being one of downtown’s premier residential neighborhoods. Home to the Chicago Stock Exchange, the famed Willis Tower, the Chicago Board of Trade, City Hall and hundreds of other local businesses and corporations, The Loop truly is the core of commercial commerce here in the Windy City.

But among all the towering commercial high-rises and the thousands of workers commuting in and out of the neighborhood each and every day, some of the most luxurious downtown condo buildings are also lay claim to the Loop, also making it an attractive place to consider if you're looking to live right in the middle of all the action.

Condos lining South Michigan Avenue

Chicago’s next high-profile high-rise could already be in the works, according to a recent report from the Tribune. Also featured in a post on popular Chicago real estate blog Crib Chatter, developers Golub & Company and CIM Group have unveiled plans for a spectacular new condo-hotel combo tower that could stand as high as 1,422 feet, while also housing 200 hotel rooms, 439 apartments, and 125 luxury condo residences.

Although nothing has been made official, construction for the mega tower isn’t expected to begin until the end of 2019. But should everything move forward accordingly, new Tribune Tower project could eventually become Chicago’s second tallest tower, overtaking Trump Tower and the spectacular new Vista Tower development.

Thanks to a

Upscale townhomes, vintage brownstones and historic rowhomes are among the hottest, and most expensive, property-type in Chicago’s affluent Gold Coast neighborhood. When it comes to these landmark homes for sale, home buyers spare no expense to secure what’s essentially the home of their dreams in a downtown Chicago location that’s all about status and exclusivity. Many of these homes were originally built in the late 1800s and have since been updated to offer the perfect blend of modern amenities and old-fashioned charm. The architecture is magnificent and the interiors are as luxurious as any available real estate in all of Chicago. So where’s the best place to start searching these Gold Coast brownstones for sale and other high-end vintage properties?

As the birthplace of the skyscraper, Chicago is filled with unique architecture and high-rises that help define our city. The Willis Tower, formerly known as the Sears Tower, is perhaps Chicago’s most recognizable building, but several high-rise residential buildings are also a key part of the Windy City skyline.

While the list of spectacular condo and apartment buildings in downtown Chicago seems to go on and on, and only continues to get longer with each passing year, there may be no other residential high-rise more identifiable than the John Hancock Center at 175 E. Delaware in Chicago's Streeterville neighborhood. Standing over 100 stories tall and housing an unimaginable 700+ condominium residences, the John Hancock Center is an ideal solution for

Although Chicago’s Gold Coast is packed with some of the most expensive real estate you’ll find in the city, there’s also lots of affordable condo options for those with a bit tighter of a budget. The Gold Coast is an attractive and popular neighborhood for a variety of reasons, and it shouldn’t be a huge surprise that so many locals want to call this part of Chicago home. World class shopping lines nearby streets like Michigan Avenue and Oak Street, while fine dining, fun-filled entertainment, and vibrant nightlife are also prevalent throughout the entire community.

Depending on your budget, and what you’re willing to sacrifice, plenty of 2-bedroom Gold Coast condos are currently on the market for under $300,000—and believe it or not, some of these

When browsing the local Chicago real estate market for great deals, it’s not uncommon for home buyers to seek out active short sales currently listed to find the best prices. And contrary to popular belief, it’s certainly not uncommon to find stunning luxury properties listed as short sales, which can ultimately make for a smart and savvy real estate investment for high-end home buyers looking for more than just a place to call home.

Some statistics have shown that homeowners with mortgages of more than $1 million have defaulted almost twice the country’s national rate over the past couple years, and if you’re in buying mode and in the position to afford an upscale luxury property here in Chicago, a short sale may be the route to take if finding a