Welcome to Irving Park
Originally intended to be a Chicago suburb, Irving Park instead became a thriving part of the city itself, yet one that never set aside the cozy charm, larger homes, and broad leafy streets of an area much farther from the big city.
Today, Irving Park real estate is experiencing something of a boom. Along with its proximity to the Loop, the area enjoys strong transport links and some of Chicago’s most stunning architecture — including the 120 architecturally significant buildings of the five-acre Villa Historic District. In fact, any building with historical details that have been well-maintained is allowed to stand, so prospective homeowners can easily find themselves with a period property.
Recent History​
The rising prices in areas such as Roscoe Village and Bucktown have seen interest in Irving Park real estate grow significantly in the last few years. Homebuilders have suggested that lot prices in Old Irving Park have increased around 15 percent in recent years, marking the start of a huge interest in properties.
The area has seen a massive advance in the building of new homes, and the downzoning of Irving has meant that residential lots must be a minimum of 5,000 square feet, so buyers are getting a lot more for their money than the 3,125 square feet that are typical in most of the city.
Neighborhood
The Neighborhood is home to CICS Irving Park, a K-8charter school that in 2013 was the recipient of a $30,000 Breakthrough Schools NGLC grant that will be used to initiate a “personalized learning redesign of the school.”
While an exceptional school may make the area appeal to young families, there are also plenty of shops to keep you busy. Stores such as Target and K-Mart have outlets for your essentials, while dozens of unique shops provide something a little more interesting. The Farmers’ Market Garden Center provides an outstanding resource for beautifying your yard. The Unique Thrift Store lets you pick up vintage wonders for bargain prices, while the Lincoln Antique Mall allows you to decorate your historical home accordingly.
Restaurants run the gamut from traditional American fare at Smalls to a feast of Moroccan delicacies at Shokran. Other popular options include traditional shepherd’s pie or corned beef and cabbage at McNamara’s, delicious Thai food at Thai Aree House, or a romantic Italian accompanied by live piano music at Sabatino’s.
A Day in the Life​
Irving Park is characterized by an abundance of wide-open spaces, and the jewel in its green crown would undoubtedly be Horner Park. At close to 55 acres, it’s one of the largest parks on the North Side and offers residents nine softball fields, three baseball diamonds, two football or soccer fields, four outdoor basketball standards, five tennis courts, a nature area, 13 picnic groves, and a huge playground for younger children. You’ll also find educational programs of all types for all ages; the kids can spend the morning in music and theater classes while the adults go for pottery or participate in a jazz band.
Other parks include Independence Park, which has been a community hub for over a century, and California Park, which boasts an NHL-sized ice rink that seats up to 1,200 spectators — so there are plenty of venues for watching sports, getting involved yourself, or simply sitting back and relaxing.
When you’re feeling like a midday snack, just head to one of the area’s boutique cafés, such as the Café Versailles. You’ll be able to sample some delicious fresh crepes while enjoying freshly brewed coffee. Or, for something a little more exotic, head to Java Thai for vegetarian snacks, eastern coffees, or even Taiwanese bubble tea.
In the evening, there are a host of eateries to fulfill your every culinary desire. Along with the diverse restaurants mentioned above, families can head to the Umi for stellar Japanese cuisine, or make their way to La Humita for tamales and other South American treats. La Humita has even opened a fashionable cocktail lounge just above their restaurant, so you can sit back and enjoy live music after your meal.
Borders and Transportation
Irving Park is bordered by W. Montrose on the north, W. Addison on the south, N. Pulaski on the east, and the Chicago River on the east.
Irving Park real estate benefits from a multitude of transport links. Two stops on the Metra lines and the CTA Blue Line allow you to reach out into the wider area with ease, and the Kennedy Expressway passes right through for convenient commuter access. Owning a car comes with no hassles thanks to Irving Park’s abundance of street parking.
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Explore Irving Park Real Estate With Chicago Home Partner
Irving Park real estate is more sought-after than ever and with good reason. For more information, just contact Chicago Home Partner today. We can help you find rental opportunities, houses, and condominiums to fit your budget in Irving Park.
