New Eastside Chicago Condos & Lakeshore East Real Estate

Downtown Chicago's master-planned residential enclave

New Eastside condos are located in the northeastern part of The Loop, bordered by the Chicago River to the north, Randolph Street to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, and Michigan Avenue to the west. The area is a mixed-use master-planned urban district that combines the older Illinois Center development with the newer 28-acre Lakeshore East community. Together they create one of downtown Chicago's most distinctive residential enclaves, organized around a 6-acre botanical park and steps from Millennium Park, the Chicago River, and Lake Michigan. [Continue reading about Chicago's New Eastside real estate market...]

Curious about New Eastside condos in Chicago? See New Eastside real estate listings below or keep reading about this distinctive community. You can also use our free registration to save your favorite properties, customize searches, and receive email alerts when New Eastside homes become available that match your criteria.

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Contingent

$990,000

225 N Columbus Drive 5901, Chicago, 60601

3 Beds 2.5 Baths 1,800 SqFt Residential MLS® # 12717507

$975,000

195 N Harbor Drive 801-809, Chicago, 60601

4 Beds 4 Baths 2,360 SqFt Residential MLS® # 12697092

Contingent

$975,000

↓ $25,000

195 N Harbor Drive 4903, Chicago, 60601

3 Beds 2.5 Baths 1,600 SqFt Residential MLS® # 12733915

$950,000

225 N Columbus Drive 7702, Chicago, 60601

2 Beds 2.5 Baths 1,581 SqFt Residential MLS® # 12699235

New

$895,000

363 E Wacker Drive 1405, Chicago, 60601

1 Bed 1.5 Baths 1,014 SqFt Residential MLS® # 12696010

$895,000

211 N Harbor Drive 1801, Chicago, 60601

2 Beds 2 Baths 0 SqFt Residential MLS® # 12639362

New

$890,000

211 N Harbor Drive 2403, Chicago, 60601

2 Beds 2 Baths 1,408 SqFt Residential MLS® # 12665559

New

$875,000

340 E Randolph Street 907, Chicago, 60601

1 Bed 1.5 Baths 1,186 SqFt Residential MLS® # 12678272

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About Chicago's New Eastside Neighborhood

The New Eastside is one of the most distinctive residential neighborhoods in downtown Chicago. It occupies the small wedge of land bounded by Michigan Avenue, the Chicago River, Randolph Street, and the lakefront, sitting between the Loop business district to the south, Streeterville across the river to the north, and Grant Park and Millennium Park to the south and west. The neighborhood is technically part of the Loop community area (#32 in Chicago's official 77-community-area system), but it has its own identity that buyers and residents almost always recognize separately.

The neighborhood combines two distinct planned developments. The older is Illinois Center, originally approved as Planned Development #70 in 1969 and built out through the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Illinois Center buildings include Aon Center, Prudential Plaza, the Hyatt Regency Chicago, the Fairmont Chicago, and several residential towers including Park Millennium, Harbor Point, 400 East Randolph, The Buckingham, and The ParkShore. These buildings define the western and northern edges of the New Eastside and represent the neighborhood's first wave of downtown residential development.

The newer development is Lakeshore East, a 28-acre master-planned community begun in 2002 on land that was previously Illinois Central rail yards and, more recently, the Illinois Center golf course (which closed in 2001). The Lakeshore East master plan was developed by Magellan Development Group with master architects Skidmore Owings & Merrill (SOM), and the resulting design won the American Institute of Architects Planned Community Award and the FIABCI Prix d'Excellence International for excellence in real estate development. The development is centered on the 6-acre Lakeshore East Park, a botanical recreational park with lighted fountains, a dog park, a children's playground with splash pad, and curved pedestrian pathways that connect to all the residential towers ringing the park.

The combination of older Illinois Center buildings (which provide affordability and established HOA structures) with newer Lakeshore East towers (which provide cutting-edge architecture and amenity infrastructure) gives the New Eastside an unusually wide range of price points and product types within a small geographic footprint. Buyers can find anything from older studios under $300K to ultra-luxury penthouses above $20M, all within roughly a 10-minute walk of each other.

Lakeshore East vs. Illinois Center: Two Developments, One Neighborhood

The single most common point of confusion for buyers searching New Eastside real estate is the relationship between the broader neighborhood, the Lakeshore East development, and the older Illinois Center buildings. Here's the clean version:

The New Eastside is the neighborhood. It contains both developments, the park, the retail, the schools, and the overall street grid. When someone says "I live in the New Eastside," that's the geographic area they mean.

Lakeshore East is the newer 28-acre master-planned development within the New Eastside, begun in 2002 and still adding towers. The buildings here are newer (2003 to present), more architecturally distinctive, and generally higher-priced than the Illinois Center buildings. The 6-acre Lakeshore East Park is the centerpiece.

Illinois Center is the older development, started under a 1969 planning approval and built out over the following three decades. The buildings tend to be larger (Aon Center is one of Chicago's tallest), more conventional in design, and offer more affordable pricing relative to the Lakeshore East towers. Illinois Center buildings include Park Millennium, Harbor Point, 400 East Randolph, The Buckingham, and The ParkShore.

Buyers who say "I want to live in Lakeshore East" specifically usually mean the newer Magellan / SOM development centered on the park. Buyers who say "I want to live in the New Eastside" mean either development is fine. Sellers and listing agents sometimes use these terms interchangeably, which adds to the confusion.

Key Condo Buildings in the New Eastside

The New Eastside contains a substantial collection of condo and rental buildings. For buyers focused on for-sale inventory, the most relevant condo buildings break into two groups.

Lakeshore East condo buildings (newer, 2003 to present)

Aqua at 225 N. Columbus is the most architecturally famous building in the neighborhood and one of the most internationally recognized Chicago high-rises. Designed by Jeanne Gang of Studio Gang Architects, Aqua's wavy, organic balcony profile makes it instantly identifiable on the skyline. Completed in 2010, the 86-story tower combines hotel, apartment, and condominium uses, with the condominium portion concentrated in the upper floors.

St. Regis Chicago (formerly Vista Tower) is the newer Jeanne Gang tower in the neighborhood, completed in 2020 at 363 E. Wacker Drive. At 101 stories and 1,191 feet, it is the third-tallest building in Chicago and one of the tallest residential buildings in the western hemisphere. The building combines a St. Regis hotel on the lower floors with luxury condominiums above, with pricing that runs into the highest tier of Chicago condo inventory.

Cirrus is the newer Lakeshore East condo tower completed by Magellan Development, offering full-amenity luxury condo living adjacent to the 6-acre park. The amenity stack and modern construction make Cirrus a frequent choice for buyers who want new construction with the Lakeshore East community feel.

The Lancaster at 201 N. Westshore Drive was one of the earliest Lakeshore East condo buildings, completed in 2005. The building offers traditional luxury condo living with a strong amenity package and direct access to the park.

The Regatta at 420 E. Waterside Drive is another early Lakeshore East condo tower, known for its 45-story curved profile and direct views of both the park and Lake Michigan from upper floors.

The Chandler at 450 E. Waterside Drive offers a more contemporary aesthetic among the early Lakeshore East condos, with floor plans optimized for younger downtown professionals and empty-nester downsizers.

340 on the Park at 340 E. Randolph is one of the most popular condo buildings in the neighborhood, with a strong amenity package, sustainability credentials (the building was LEED-certified at completion), and a balanced unit mix.

Coast at Lakeshore East and The Tides are predominantly rental buildings within the Lakeshore East development, but worth knowing for buyers tracking the full neighborhood inventory.

Illinois Center condo buildings (older, late 1980s to 1990s)

Park Millennium at 222 N. Columbus is one of the largest condo buildings in the neighborhood, offering a wide range of layouts at price points generally below the newer Lakeshore East towers. Strong amenity package, established HOA, and direct walking access to both Millennium Park and the Lakeshore East amenities.

Harbor Point at 155 N. Harbor Drive is one of the original Illinois Center residential towers, with a strong following among long-term Chicago residents and downtown professionals.

400 East Randolph is a large Illinois Center condo building offering some of the most accessible price points in the neighborhood, making it a frequent first-condo or downtown pied-a-terre choice.

The Buckingham at 360 E. Randolph and The ParkShore at 195 N. Harbor Drive round out the major Illinois Center condo buildings, both offering established luxury condo living at price points well below the newer Lakeshore East alternatives.

For a full neighborhood tour with current listings in any of these buildings, contact our team at (312) 953-0961.

Lifestyle: Park, Walkability, and the Pedway

The New Eastside is one of Chicago's most walkable neighborhoods. The combination of grocery, dining, retail, parks, transit, and downtown business district within a small geographic footprint means many residents genuinely do not need a car. The 6-acre Lakeshore East Park is the daily-life centerpiece for residents on the lakeshore side of the neighborhood; the lighted fountains, dog park, and splash pad make it function as both an aesthetic amenity and a practical lifestyle resource for families and pet owners.

Grocery and daily-life services concentrate around the Village Market shopping center at the base of several Lakeshore East buildings, anchored by a Mariano's specialty grocery store. Additional restaurants, cafes, dry cleaners, fitness studios, and other neighborhood services line the Village Market and the adjacent streets.

One feature buyers from outside Chicago consistently miss: the Pedway. Chicago's downtown pedestrian tunnel system connects many New Eastside buildings to the Loop business district, Millennium Park's underground levels, Millennium Station (for Metra commuter rail), and the CTA Red and Blue Line subway stations. During winter, residents can walk from their condo to the Loop's office towers, the Cultural Center, or Macy's on State Street without ever going outside. The Pedway access is genuinely valuable for residents working downtown and is one of the practical reasons the neighborhood works well for year-round downtown professionals.

For outdoor recreation, the neighborhood sits at the convergence of multiple downtown park systems. Millennium Park (including the Cloud Gate "Bean" and the Pritzker Pavilion) is immediately south. Maggie Daley Park, with its ribbon ice skating path and climbing wall, is adjacent. Grant Park extends further south, and the Chicago Riverwalk runs along the neighborhood's northern edge. The Lakefront Trail and DuSable Harbor are within walking distance to the east.

Schools and Family Considerations

The New Eastside is one of the more family-friendly downtown Chicago neighborhoods, and the Lakeshore East development specifically was master-planned with family use in mind. GEMS World Academy Chicago, a private elementary and middle school, is located within the neighborhood. Public school options for residents depend on attendance boundaries, which buyers should verify with Chicago Public Schools directly based on the specific address.

The 6-acre Lakeshore East Park, the playground with splash pad, and the proximity to Maggie Daley Park's children's facilities make the neighborhood unusually well-equipped for families compared to other downtown Chicago neighborhoods. Several condo buildings include playrooms or family-oriented common spaces.

Pricing in the New Eastside

The New Eastside has one of the widest price ranges of any small downtown Chicago neighborhood, reflecting the mix of older Illinois Center buildings with newer Lakeshore East towers and the full range from rental conversions through ultra-luxury new construction.

Approximate current pricing tiers:

• Studios and small 1BRs in older Illinois Center buildings: $250K to $450K
• 1BR units in mid-tier buildings: $400K to $700K
• 2BR units across most buildings: $600K to $1.5M depending on building age, floor, and view
• 3BR units: $900K to $3M
• Luxury units at Aqua, Cirrus, and 340 on the Park: $1M to $5M
• Ultra-luxury at St. Regis Chicago: $2M to $20M+ with the highest penthouse pricing in the city

HOA fees vary widely across the neighborhood. Older Illinois Center buildings typically run $1.00 to $1.50 per square foot per month. Newer Lakeshore East buildings run $1.20 to $2.00 per square foot. St. Regis Chicago carries the highest HOA stack in the neighborhood given the hotel-affiliated service tier. Always pull the specific building's HOA disclosure and reserve study before making an offer; both the older and newer buildings have their own reserve and assessment dynamics.

For buyers comparing carrying costs across downtown Chicago options, the New Eastside generally offers more affordable pricing per square foot than equivalent Streeterville or River North inventory for the older buildings, while the newer Lakeshore East towers run comparable to other top-tier downtown luxury. Penthouse seekers should focus on St. Regis Chicago, Aqua, and select large units at 340 on the Park.

Who the New Eastside Works For

The neighborhood tends to fit several specific buyer profiles unusually well:

Downtown professionals working in the Loop who want a short, weather-independent commute via the Pedway. The combination of walkable distance and indoor pedestrian access means residents can work downtown without weather affecting their daily routine.

Empty nesters from the Chicago suburbs downsizing into a walkable urban environment. The park access, grocery infrastructure, and full-service buildings solve the lifestyle transition cleanly, and the range of building ages and price points means there's typically an option in the buyer's preferred budget.

Families wanting downtown living without sacrificing outdoor space. The 6-acre park, splash pad, and adjacent Maggie Daley Park make the neighborhood unusually family-functional. GEMS World Academy provides a private school option within walking distance.

Out-of-state and international buyers who want a recognized Chicago luxury address. St. Regis Chicago specifically attracts a national and international buyer pool, and the Jeanne Gang architectural pedigree resonates with buyers who care about design provenance.

Investors targeting the luxury long-term rental market. The neighborhood's combination of walkability, Loop access, and architectural prestige supports strong long-term rental demand. Most buildings restrict short-term rentals like Airbnb; buyers focused on STR income should look at our Airbnb-friendly Chicago buildings guide for alternatives.

Buyers who shouldn't focus here: anyone whose primary criterion is detached single-family living (this is a high-rise neighborhood with very few townhome options), anyone whose budget is below approximately $250K (limited inventory below that point), or anyone who specifically wants vintage or pre-war architecture (most New Eastside buildings are 1980s or newer). For vintage options, look at our Chicago vintage condos page.

The Architectural Story

The New Eastside, and specifically Lakeshore East, is one of the most architecturally significant residential neighborhoods in the United States. The master plan from Skidmore Owings & Merrill set the bar for early-21st-century downtown master-planned communities, and the individual buildings have included some of Jeanne Gang's most recognized work.

Studio Gang's Aqua tower introduced the wavy, biomimetic balcony profile that has since influenced high-rise design globally. St. Regis Chicago (originally Vista Tower) refined that approach into a more sculptural, three-stem profile that creates the distinctive form visible across the Chicago skyline. Both buildings have appeared in international architectural publications and exhibitions, and they materially elevate the design profile of the broader neighborhood.

For buyers who care about architectural provenance, the New Eastside offers more concentrated significance per acre than nearly any other downtown Chicago neighborhood. For buyers who don't specifically care about architecture, the neighborhood still benefits from the buildings' reputation in resale dynamics and broader brand recognition.

Considering New Eastside Real Estate?

The New Eastside contains an unusually wide range of buildings, price points, and product types for a small downtown Chicago neighborhood, and the right building depends heavily on what you're optimizing for. Older Illinois Center buildings offer more accessible pricing with established HOA structures. Lakeshore East buildings offer newer construction and modern amenity stacks. St. Regis Chicago sits at the ultra-luxury tier. Each works for a different buyer profile, and the differences in HOA structure, amenity programming, and resale dynamics matter.

In my 20+ years selling downtown Chicago condos, I've represented buyers and sellers across nearly every building in the neighborhood. If you're evaluating the New Eastside against other downtown options, or trying to choose between Lakeshore East buildings, contact me at (312) 953-0961 or helaine@chicagocondofinder.com. I can walk you through current inventory, recent comparable sales across the neighborhood's buildings, and how each building has performed relative to the broader downtown luxury market.

Frequently Asked Questions About the New Eastside

Where is the New Eastside in Chicago?

The New Eastside is in downtown Chicago, in the northeastern corner of the Loop community area. It is bordered by Michigan Avenue to the west, the Chicago River to the north, Randolph Street to the south, and Lake Michigan (Lake Shore Drive) to the east. The neighborhood sits between the Loop business district to the south, Streeterville across the river to the north, and Grant Park and Millennium Park to the south and west.

What's the difference between New Eastside and Lakeshore East?

The New Eastside is the broader neighborhood. Lakeshore East is a 28-acre master-planned development within the New Eastside, begun in 2002 by Magellan Development Group with master architects Skidmore Owings & Merrill. The New Eastside also includes the older Illinois Center development (begun under a 1969 planning approval) with buildings like Aon Center, Park Millennium, Harbor Point, and The Buckingham. Lakeshore East buildings tend to be newer and higher-priced; Illinois Center buildings tend to be older and more affordable.

How much do New Eastside condos cost?

Pricing varies widely depending on building, age, floor, and view. Studios and small 1BRs in older Illinois Center buildings typically run $250K to $450K. 1BR units in mid-tier buildings run $400K to $700K. 2BR units across most buildings run $600K to $1.5M. 3BR units run $900K to $3M. Luxury units at Aqua, Cirrus, and 340 on the Park run $1M to $5M. Ultra-luxury at St. Regis Chicago runs $2M to $20M and above, with some of the highest penthouse pricing in the city.

What buildings are in the New Eastside?

The New Eastside contains both newer Lakeshore East buildings and older Illinois Center buildings. Lakeshore East condo buildings include Aqua, St. Regis Chicago (formerly Vista Tower), Cirrus, The Lancaster, The Regatta, The Chandler, and 340 on the Park. Illinois Center condo buildings include Park Millennium, Harbor Point, 400 East Randolph, The Buckingham, and The ParkShore. The neighborhood also contains several rental-only buildings (Coast, The Tides, North Harbor Tower, Shoreham) and the Hyatt Regency and Fairmont hotels.

Who designed Aqua and St. Regis Chicago?

Both Aqua (completed 2010) and St. Regis Chicago (completed 2020, originally called Vista Tower) were designed by Jeanne Gang of Studio Gang Architects. Aqua's distinctive wavy balcony profile and St. Regis's three-stem sculptural form have made both buildings internationally recognized examples of contemporary high-rise architecture. The combination of two major Studio Gang towers within a single neighborhood is unusual; very few residential districts in the United States contain comparable architectural significance.

What is the Lakeshore East Park?

Lakeshore East Park is a 6-acre botanical recreational park at the center of the Lakeshore East development. It includes lighted fountains, a dog park, a children's playground with a splash pad, and curved pedestrian pathways connecting to all the surrounding residential towers. The park was part of the original Skidmore Owings & Merrill master plan and is one of the largest privately developed urban parks in downtown Chicago. It functions as both an aesthetic centerpiece and a practical daily-use amenity for residents.

What is the Pedway and does the New Eastside have access?

The Pedway is Chicago's downtown pedestrian tunnel system, an underground walkway network connecting buildings throughout the Loop and adjacent neighborhoods. Many New Eastside buildings have direct Pedway access, which allows residents to walk to the Loop business district, Millennium Park's underground levels, Millennium Station (for Metra commuter rail), and CTA Red and Blue Line subway stations without going outside. During Chicago winters, the Pedway is a meaningful daily-life advantage for residents working downtown.

Is the New Eastside walkable?

Yes; the New Eastside has a "Walker's Paradise" rating on Walkscore and is one of Chicago's most walkable neighborhoods. The combination of Mariano's grocery, the Village Market retail center, multiple restaurants and cafes, the 6-acre park, Millennium Park to the south, Maggie Daley Park immediately adjacent, the Riverwalk along the north edge, and the Pedway access means many residents do not need a car for daily life. Commuters working in the Loop can walk to most major office addresses in under 15 minutes.

What schools are in the New Eastside?

GEMS World Academy Chicago, a private elementary and middle school, is located within the neighborhood. Public school attendance boundaries depend on the specific address and should be verified directly with Chicago Public Schools. The neighborhood's high-amenity park system and the residential building infrastructure make it more family-functional than most other downtown Chicago neighborhoods, and the resident population includes a meaningful number of families with children.

Can you Airbnb a condo in the New Eastside?

Most New Eastside condo buildings restrict short-term rentals like Airbnb, consistent with the broader pattern in downtown Chicago luxury buildings. Long-term rental is generally permitted, and the neighborhood has an active luxury long-term rental market driven by downtown professionals and corporate housing demand. Buyers focused specifically on short-term rental income should look at our Airbnb-friendly Chicago buildings guide for buildings that do permit STR.

What's the history of the New Eastside?

The land that now contains Lakeshore East was originally Illinois Central railroad yards, used as freight terminal space through the 20th century. After the rail uses ended, the site became the Illinois Center golf course until that closed in 2001. Magellan Development Group purchased the 28-acre parcel in 1997 and spent the following five years working with Skidmore Owings & Merrill on the master plan that became Lakeshore East. The older Illinois Center portion of the New Eastside developed earlier, starting from a 1969 planned development approval. The combination of older Illinois Center buildings with newer Lakeshore East towers gives the neighborhood its distinctive mixed-era character.

How does the New Eastside compare to other downtown Chicago neighborhoods?

The New Eastside is the most park-centered and master-planned of the downtown residential neighborhoods. Compared to Streeterville, it has more concentrated newer architecture and a more master-planned feel. Compared to River North, it is quieter, more park-oriented, and has fewer restaurants and nightlife options. Compared to the Loop proper, it is more residential and family-friendly. Compared to South Loop, it is more compact, more architecturally distinctive, and generally higher-priced per square foot. The right comparison depends on whether you prioritize park access, architectural significance, walkability, or specific building features.