Must-See Vintage Condo Buildings in Chicago's Gold Coast

Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood is widely celebrated for its charm and historic architecture, making it the perfect landing spot for anyone looking for an idyllic vintage condo. So while the area certainly has its fair share of historic brownstones and towering lakefront high-rises, it’s also a downtown location that isn’t short on vintage condos that are sure to exceed all your condo buying expectations. 

1325 N. Astor

Built back in 1929, 1325 N. Astor is the epitome of a big city vintage high-rise. Standing 14 stories high, you’ll find this brick and limestone building is loaded with character from top-to-bottom. Inside, most condos are packed with designer, yet tasteful, finishes, and you’ll also enjoy a number of desirable amenities as well once calling 1325 N. Astor home, including on-site management, 24-7 door service, in-unit laundry, and heated garage parking. And, if sweeping views are also an important feature you want in your Gold Coast living space, some of the upper floor units here also include some pretty unique glimpses of Lake Michigan as well.

1120 N. Lake Shore Drive

Looking for something even older than 1325 N. Astor? Check out 1120 N. Lake Shore Drive, a lovely brick condo building that was originally built back in 1924. Standing 18 stories tall, this vintage condo building features 61 stunning elegant condo residences, as well as a prime location that lies directly across the street from Oak Street Beach. And thanks to being one of the larger vintage condo buildings in the Gold Coast, it also includes a number of premium lifestyle amenities, including door service, a renovated fitness center, an on-site building engineer, extra storage space, and even a bike room. Oh, and did we mention 1120 N. Lake Shore Drive is also pet-friendly? 

70 E. Cedar 

We love 70 E. Cedar because it’s positioned perfectly on a quiet, tree-lined street right in the heart of the Gold Coast. Built back in 1926, this vintage property features just 2 condos per floor, providing residents with a little extra privacy than what you’d ordinarily see from a building that has nearly 30 units. Inside, common features associated with each condo include original wood burning fireplaces and hardwood flooring, enhancing each space’s overall charm and character. Building features at 70 E. Cedar include an elegant lobby, garage parking, a lovely common deck area with seating, garage parking, and private storage rooms for each individual residence.   

1500 N. Lake Shore Drive

Designed by New York architect Rosario Candela, 1500 N. Lake Shore Drive was originally built in the late 1920s, which tends to be the sweet spot for so many vintage condo buildings in the Gold Coast. Among all of its unique characteristics, what stands out most about 1500 N. Lake Shore Drive has to be all the artisan details you’ll find throughout the building, including hand-carved wooden doors, immaculate limestone carvings, and even stain-glass windows in places. As one of the most expensive vintage condo buildings in the Gold Coast, residents are also treated with full-time door staff, on-site management, a live-in engineer, and also valet parking. The views of Lake Michigan are also among the best you’ll find of any vintage condo building, and with many condos here offering over 4,000 square feet, there’s no shortage of space inside each unit either. 

1320 N. State 

While 1320 N. State may not be the most expensive or the most impressive vintage condo building in the Gold Coast, it still remains one of our favorites. Built back in 1924, 1320 N. State stands just 15 stories high but still houses 40 individual condo residences. Inside, the majority of the condos at 1320 N. State have between 2 and 4 bedrooms, providing prospective buyers with plenty of options when it comes to both space and budget. Building amenities at 1320 N. State are also noteworthy and include parking, on-site management, a newly revamped fitness center, and a pleasant outdoor patio with plenty of space and seating, which for our money might just be the best part about this Gold Coast icon.