Robert Darrow, @properties

Archive for the ‘Lakefront’ Category

There’s barely three weeks left in Chicago’s traditionally short Summer before most of the kids are back to school, Labor Day passes marking the official “Back To Work” deadline.  We’re cramming in a few big ones this weekend, however.

Chicago Air and Water Show

The U.S. Navy Blue Angels and U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights will headline the 52nd Annual Chicago Air and Water Show along the lakefront from Fullerton to Oak Street, with North Avenue Beach as the focal point. New time this year; the water and air portions have been combined for one continuous show beginning at 11 am and ending at 4 pm both days.

Stay hydrated…bring water, bring water bottles – there are fountains along the beach. Bring sunscreen, hats and umbrellas as there is very little shaded area.

Don’t forget Lake Shore Drive, and most of the other Lakefront Streets between Irving Park Road and Grand Park are going to be a nightmare!

Rockin’ on the River Ribfest

A new, three-day fest includes live music and finger-lickin’ food vendors. Try ribs from local spots Smoke Daddy, Robinson’s No. 1 Ribs, Uncle Bub’s BBQ and Bar-B-Que Bob’s, plus a half-dozen national joints, and additional eats from the Original Rainbow Cone, Joe’s Crab Shack and others. DJ Sye Young spins throughout the weekend.

August 13 : 11 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
August 14 : 11 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
August 15 : 11 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Grand Avenue at the river, 560 W. Grand.

http://www.rockinriverchicago.com/

Honorable Mentions

14-15:  Armenian Fest (Galewood) St. George Armenian Church @ 6700 W. Diversey

14-15:  Chicago Korean Festival (North Park) Bryn Mawr between Kimball & Kedzie

14-15:   Gethsemane Garden Center Art Fair (Andersonville) Gethsemane Garden Center 5739 N. Clark St.

14-15:  Wrigleyville Summerfest (Lakeview) Seminary Ave & School St.

15:  Croatian Fest (Bridgeport) Princeton Ave & 28^th Place

Of course, the big event this weekend is the @properties Softball & Volleyball Tournament & Picnic!

I’d like to state the obvious, again, that we work for the coolest Real Estate Company in the known universe.  Sharp eyed spotters can seek out their favorite Real Estate Agents in skimpy outfits TODAY, Friday, in the late afternoon and evening at the UIC softball fields near Maxwell and Halsted.  The event is closed to the public, so I’m not publishing the exact address.  But if you just happen to stroll by…

Softball Highlights:

GAME 1 – 4:30pm: “B@d @pples” vs. “I’d Hit That”

GAME 2 – 5:30pm: “Where My Pitches @?” vs. “Bank Owned”

GAME 3 – 6:30pm: “The Shockers” vs. “Golden Showers”

Volleyball Highlights:

GAME 1 – 4:30pm: “PB&K Ballers” vs. “Don’t Dink and Dive”

GAME 2 – 5:15pm: “Kiss My Pass!” vs. “Let Me Hit Th@!”

GAME 3 – 6:00pm: “Sandy Ball Breakers” vs. “Dig This!”

GAME 4 – 6:45pm: “Over One Million Served” vs. “Spiking the Competition”

Bags, Bocce Ball and Horseshoes all evening long.  As Your Guide fancies himself as more of an “Athletic Supporter” you will undoubtedly find me brown nosing, and hanging out by the coolers.

Just in case you were thinking of driving anywhere near the lake this weekend, you might need a reminder of…

The Chicago Air and Water Show

Chicago Air & Water Show info here.

The 51st annual event, billed as the oldest and largest free show of its kind in the country, annually draws two million spectators to the lakefront. This year, the air and water portions have been combined into one continuous show.

Air show highlights: The AeroShell Aerobatic Team, the Golden Knights parachute team, the F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter plane, the Firebirds, the Lima Lima Flight Team, Sean Tucker and Team Oracle and more.

Not to be left out…

• Edison Park Fest up in Edison Park – 6700 N Oldmsted
• North Side Summerfest in Lincoln Square – Lincoln up at Cuyler
• Ribs ‘n’ Soul – First annual gathering for Ribs and Soul Music in the Fulton Market, 1500 W. Randolph.
• Green Music Fest – in Wicker Park, 1330 W. Chicago.
• Armenian Fest in Little Armenia – 6700 West Diversey

Hey, there’s only four official weekends left in Chicago.  Get out there and enjoy the weekend. 

We usually post our guide to weekend diversions on Friday, but we received word on two fun things to do around Chicago during the week this week, and both are for mid-week events.  For your enjoyment:

Chicago Outdoor Film Festival

On Tuesday, July 21, at Butler Field in Grant Park, we’re breaking a record.

Join us for that evening’s presentation of the Marx Brothers classic “Duck Soup” and we’ll give you a Groucho nose and glasses as we attempt to enter the Guinness Book of World Records for “the most people wearing Groucho Marx glasses.”

Be sure to sign in to receive your glasses. We must wear them for a total of 10 minutes and pose for video and photo, at approximately 8:15pm.

Bring your friends, bring your family and join us and our partners, The Goodman Theatre, for this unique experience. It’s history in the making and you don’t even need to say the secret word!

For this season’s complete line up of films and more information on the Chicago Outdoor Film Festival, visit www.ChicagoOutdoorFilmFestival.us

Raffle to throw out the first pitch at September Crosstown Classic

In honor of Valspar’s new partnership with the Cubs, you can bid on a chance to throw the first pitch at Wrigley Field when the Cubs take on city rivals the Chicago White Sox on 9/3.

Valspar is also collecting donations for Habitat for Humanity and will match the amount collected. All of the information you need is located at:

 http://www.valspar.com/fieldcolors/.

Learn more about the new Cubs color palette inspired by Wrigley Field and enter for a chance to win the first pitch sweepstakes.

Conveniently located on the shores of Lake Michigan, comfortably within one day’s carriage ride from the movie studios located in the South Loop you’ll find this tranquil paradise far removed from the hectic city. 

That’s how this popular destination was billed to the movie stars and studio moguls of Chicago during the early 1900′s.

Today this popular neighborhood lies along the lakefront and Marine Drive stretching from Lawrence to Foster Avenues.  Out of character for traditional Chicago neighborhoods, some streets such as West Castlewood Terrace feature oversized lots with luxurious mansions built during the heyday of Chicago’s Silent Film era.

Charlie Chaplin, Gloria Swanson and other early film stars are rumored to have owned homes or visited the gracious mansions in the neighborhood and relaxed along the dunes in what is now a part of Lincoln Park.

Not every street in Margate Park is as luxurious as this, but even the more traditional streets such as Ainslie and Margate Terrace are tranquil oasis’ in an otherwise bustling neighborhood.  Most streets don’t go all the way from Marine to Sheridan or Broadway, rather dead end.  The apartment buildings lining these streets featured units with gracious flowing floor plans of exceptional size. 

Still a hidden gem in Chicago, selecting a condo in Margate Park can be quite  a treasure.  Still priced affordably, it’s possible to locate  a sprawling 1,700 square foot two or three bedroom condo priced in the low $300,000 range featuring vintage details such as exposed woodwork, exposed wood trim, wood floors and lots of charming rooms.

Lake Shore Drive at Hollywood, Chicago

There are a number of cool things about the map above.  And before I get to the point of the article that I set out to write about, I really must give a rave review to a couple of products that I discovered over the weekend.

1. This blog post (and the one on Lincoln Park) were written in Windows Live Writer.  This desktop publishing tool seems to blend the best of a desktop application with the easy-access of an online writing tool like Google Documents.  The interface is elegant and graceful, offers tons of tools, and publishes to almost any online host effortlessly.  Windows Live Writer went out and fetched all the settings from my Blogger account and seamlessly writes my posts in the same style and formatting as my blog.  I’m amazed.

2. Windows Live Writer allows me to insert photos with gorgeous effects, tables, video from YouTube and other sources as well as the amazing Windows Live Map you see above.  Check it out closely:  it’s draggable; it’s clickable; it’s totally interactive.  It’s not just a simple screen capture from Windows Live or Google Earth.

Alright, back to the topic at hand:

The Friends of the Park recently tried to revive the discussion with Edgewater residents about what they thought of extending the lakefront path north of Hollywood Avenue in front of the lakefront high rises that are east of Sheridan Road from Hollywood up to Loyola University.

Extending Lincoln Park north of Hollywood is not a new idea.  About three-dozen high rises between Hollywood and Loyola are built right up against the lake.  Past proposals including a shoreline protection study in 1987 have called for expanding the shore east of these private buildings.  Six years ago, Mayor Daley called for lakefront paths to be stretched north to run all the way to Evanston (Chicago’s closest suburb to the north.) 

None of the proposals have ever materialized.  Residents in the fancy high rises and a few from Rogers Park (the most northern neighborhood in Chicago) opposed efforts expanding the shore.  They fought attempts to build marinas and helped pass an advisory referendum opposing an extension of North Lake Shore Drive.

But with the Centennial Anniversary of Daniel Burnham’s 1909 plan approaching, Friends of the Parks set out to re-visit ways to complete public access to the City’s lakefront.  Four of the city’s 30 miles of shoreline remain in private hands despite Burnham’s vision of a public lakeshore stretching from Indiana to Winnetka (north of Evanston.)  The group soon found that the idea remains a hard sell.

Mind you, folks living WEST of Sheridan Road seemed excited about greater access to the lake.  The president of an association representing 33 buildings along Sheridan Road supported the idea of extending the lakefront path.

But several residents in high rises EAST of Sheridan Road say they weren’t consulted.  They say they were not aware that Friends of the Parks was developing ideas for a park extension until it was too lake to offer input.

They also worry about privacy and security issues should public park space be constructed right behind their buildings.  They fear clogged traffic on Sheridan Road will become even worse.

Your guide hopes that continued efforts in the coming years results in the opening of the lakefront along this stretch of Sheridan Road.  One of the complaints of Sheridan Road residents was that the sidewalk alongside Sheridan Road is already congested with pedestrians and bicyclists.  Residents have forced local police to vigilantly patrol this stretch for bike riders on the sidewalks.  But Sheridan Road is so narrow that any bicyclist brave enough to ride in traffic along Sheridan Road surely takes their life into their hands as they dodge turning cars, CTA buses and delivery trucks.  In reality, the creation of the lakefront path would alleviate much of the sidewalk congestion in this area and make both areas safer for pedestrians and bicyclists.

I helped out some clients today with renting out their investment condo, and since they brought the whole family in from the suburbs, and the condo is located near the Lincoln Park Zoo, I couldn’t resist dragging the family over to the new Children’s Park inside the Zoo.

The new Tree Canopy Climbing Adventure can be found just south of the Sea Lion pool inside the main gate to the zoo.  This thing is amazing.  Where were play parks like this when I was a kid? 

The multi-level environment is filled with exhibits featuring animals found in jungle canopy trees. 

Outside, other animals seemed to be making do in the early Spring snow. 

Yeah, this guy doesn’t look like he’s anticipating the warmer weather any time soon.

These two look like they took care of the Easter Bunny.

It was one of Chicago’s founders, Daniel Burnham’s idea that Chicago’s Lakefront should be free and clear for the enjoyment of its residents. Burnham’s plan dates back to 1909 after the Great Chicago Fire and allowed Chicago to be re-built in an orderly and thoughtful fashion. One of the hallmarks of the new Plan for Chicago was the creation of the Parks and Lakefront Boulevard to act as Chicago’s front yard for everyone to enjoy.

Today, the lakefront path stretches from the South Shore through Downtown and up through Edgewater. This tour highlights the lakefront from Downtown in Grant Park, northward for eight miles, through seven eclectic Chicago neighborhoods, until it ends near Chicago’s border with its closest suburb – Evanston.

In the heart of Downtown along the lakefront is Grant Park. In the early 1900′s, captains of industry such as Marshall Field and Montgomery Ward built skyscrapers over Michigan Avenue looking towards the lake. In the center of Grant Park is one of Chicago’s most recognized landmarks – Buckingham Fountain. A gift from Kate Buckingham in memory of her brother, Clarence Buckingham, and modeled after Latona Fountain at Versailles.

To the north, and seamlessly across the street is the newly finished Millennium Park. Less formal and more interactive, Millennium Park contains sculpture, water fountains and gardens where you’re invited to touch and interact with your surroundings. The centerpiece is closest to Michigan Avenue – the sculpture called “Cloud Gate” and affectionately referred to by Chicagoans as “The Bean.” As you touch the sensuously polished stainless steel facade, ask yourself if you think it’s worth the $25-million paid for it.

Leaving Millennium Park the path turns east to give room for the “New East Side” and its glimmering new high-rises.

Next, you’ll join automobiles and pedestrians in a congested stretch to cross the Chicago River on a double-decker draw-bridge. Immediately after the bridge is Navy Pier. Chicago’s most popular tourist attraction with over 6-million visitors each year, the pier serves up food-on-a-stick, offers carousel and ferris wheel rides as well as hosting glitzy galas in its renowned ballroom and on the many cruise ships docked alongside.

A little known insider’s spot can be found just north of Navy Pier. Rather than following the path directly alongside Lake Shore Drive, follow the sidewalk out towards the lake past the Water Treatment Plant. The small “Olive Park” features vistas from a few hundred feet out into the lake looking back at Chicago’s Gold Coast and Streeterville neighborhoods. Usually only boaters have such a magnificent view of the skyline, and photos of the city from here will be the envy of all who see them.

The landscape is minimal as you continue as the path is only a few yards wide wedged in between the water and the roadway. Notable architecture abounds, however. Keep your eye out for the soon-to-be demolished Lakeshore Athletic Club at Chicago and Lake Shore – the perfect Beaux-Arts foil for Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s exquisitely skeletal 860-880 Lake Shore Drive next door.

As you round the corner that takes you a little west, note that this stretch of East Lake Shore Drive is the toniest address in Chicago with 3,000 square foot apartments selling for multi-millions. Oak Street Beach is literally an oasis where you can relax on the sand and find food and water at the lakefront cafe.

In the next stretch of lakefront path, the most notable lakefront architecture is the absence of Potter Palmer’s mansion on the site of the hideously ugly (but perfectly landscaped) twin orange apartment towers at 1350 and 1360 North Lake Shore Drive. Potter Palmer was Chicago’s most famous Hotel Baron and the builder of the Palmer House Hilton on Wabash.

As you travel through a small grove of trees and past a pavillion where men and boys play chess, you stumble upon North Avenue Beach and the beginning of Lincoln Park. Anchoring North Avenue Beach is the boat house. Modeled after a ship, the building contains lockers, showers, a restaurant and cafe’s. Stretching northward is a mile of sandy beach filled with volleyball courts and sun-bathers.

Keep your eye out for a bridge over Lake Shore Drive if you wish to take a diversion into the park. Meandering through the park rather than along the lakefront offers less eye-candy, but more activities. First you’ll come across the Lincoln Park Zoo. One of the nation’s oldest zoos housing 1200 animals representing 230 species. Even better – admission is free! Next door to the zoo is the Lincoln Park Conservatory. Lincoln Park Conservatory was designed by a well known architect of the Victorian era, Joespeh L. Silsbee. With its four display houses: the Palm House, Fern Room, Orchid House and Show House – home to the annual flower shows – the Conservatory continues to provide a haven in the city. Around the corner from the Conservatory is the Notebaert Nature Museum - a natural oasis right inside the city. One highlight is a greenhouse filled with butterflies, including many not found in our region.

Travelling north from Fullerton Avenue, the path takes you past tennis courts, atletic courses and a variety of other paths leading to various corners of the park. Stay on the path for a fast ride to Belmont, or turn off at Diversey Harbor for a ride past the boats and a golf practice range. Stay in the park and you’ll come across kids play areas and some wide open fields where weekend touch-football is popular. Both paths converge near Belmont Harbor where a small beach is crammed in alongside all the boats.

Near Addison is a popular meeting spot for running and biking clubs – the Totem Pole. Amenities abound as you pass north from the Totem Pole. Ten tennis courts, a large parking lot and two baseball diamonds draw nearby residents to the park in droves. A nine-hole golf course is laid out towards Montrose and paths diverge – one along the water and another along Lake Shore Drive. Both lead to Montrose Harbor.

From Montrose to Foster, the park widens to accommodate many recreational amenities. This one-mile stretch contains baseball fields, basketball courts, a dog beach, the boat harbor, a nature preserve, kid playgrounds, a skateboard park, soccer fields, tennis courts and volleyball courts. An access road meanders between Montrose, Wilson and Foster with plenty of parking. The lakefront path branches off to take you to all the different corners of the park, but eventually all meet up on the north end funnelling you towards Hollywood Beach – the last bit of public lakefront in Chicago.

View all the photos from our Lakefront Tour.