Lincoln Square/Ravenswood

Location

Ravenswood is located on the north side of Chicago and is defined by Foster Avenue to the north, Montrose Avenue to the south, Clark Street on the east and Kedzie Avenue on the west.  Ravenswood is officially part of the Lincoln Square community.

Real Estate

Ravenswood is one of Chicago’s first planned neighborhoods and features a broad mix of architectural styles:  Victorian, Prairie School, brick bungalow, brick row houses, two and three flats.  Today, single and multi-family homes and condominiums are generally affordable, ranging from the $190’s up to the $450’s.  Many live in rehabbers are revitalizing the neighborhood and increasing property values, making it one of the most in demand markets in Chicago.  Rent is affordable in the area though rates are steadily rising throughout the city.

Transportation

Ravenswood has been said to have one of the most convenient transportation arrangements within Chicago with nearby Lincoln Square as the hub for downtown and the Loop via the “L” Brown line.  Regular CTA buses run across several major streets in the neighborhood including the #146 Express bus to downtown.  There is also a Metra station at Lawrence and Ravenswood Avenues.

Schools

Many public and private elementary and high schools are located in the heart of Ravensood.  North Park University and Northeastern Illinois University are close by.  Lill Street Art Center, on Ravenswood Avenue, offers art classes for adults and children, a retail shop and a cafe.

Entertainment / Restaurants / Shopping

Lincoln Square and Andersonville are the shopping hubs for the area and there is no shortage of trendy, ethnic and traditional restaurants and bars.  The local fare includes many styles of food including Cuban, Mexican, Greek, Thai, German, Japanese, Ethiopian and Vietnamese.  The Old Town School of Folk Music, a legendary arts education center and performance hall, and the Davis Theater are among the popular entertainment and cultural venues.

Festivals / Parks / Recreation

The spacious and popular Welles Park serves the area with playing fields, tennis courts, basketball courts and a playground.  The field house has an indoor pool and several gyms.  Three of the main festivals held in Lincoln Square/Ravenswood are The Old Town School of Folk Music’s Square Roots Festival, the eco-friendly Ravenswood Remix and the Ravenswood Art Walk.

History

Ravenswood is a diverse and beautiful neighborhood featuring tree lined streets and landscaped parks.  In 1889, Chicago annexed the village of Ravenswood and, at one time, poet Carl Sandburg lived in Ravenswood on Hermitage Avenue.  The area has been described as a suburb in the city.  Ravenswoods’ quaint shops, restaurants and outdoor cafes reflect the heritage of its original German settlers.