A Walking Tour of the Gold Coast

March 20, 2023

One of the most exclusive neighborhoods of Chicago, the Gold Coast is known for its picturesque streets, luxury boutiques, and architectural grandeur. It runs along the Lake Michigan shoreline, making it a perfect location for historic mansions to enjoy a fantastic view. One of the best ways to get a feel for the area? On foot! Enjoy a roundup of some of our favorite sights and architectural jewels to explore in the Gold Coast below.

Mariano (Louis) Park

1031 N State St, Chicago, IL 60610, United States

The southernmost landmark on our walking tour is Mariano Park, a historic park named after local resident and reporter Louis Mariano (1906-1970). Mariano was a reporter and editor for the Chicago Daily News, spending his evenings at a restaurant across from the park writing stories for his North Loop News column. Totalling only 0.18 acres, this park is perfect for people watching, reading a good book, or admiring the local architecture. One of its notable structures is a small fountain and Prairie-style pavilion designed by Birch Burdette Long in 1900, an architect commonly known as one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s protégés.

Frank Fisher Studio

1209 N State Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60610, United States

Designed in 1936 by Andrew Rebori and Edgar Miller for Frank Fisher, Jr., the Fisher Studio is known for its unique architecture that sets itself apart from the rest of Chicago. Designated a Chicago Landmark in 1996, the building is a classic and historic piece in the neighborhood with 12 residential units inside. The rounded exterior is fused with glass and covered in a bone white color, drawing on European modernism. This is definitely a Gold Coast classic to pass by and is located directly across the street from our Gild property!

Lake Shore Drive Mansions

1250-1260 N Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60610

Lake Shore Drive is famous for its beaches, parks, mansions, and scenic views of Lake Michigan. An iconic portion of the road includes the Lake Shore Drive mansions, a cluster of homes along the waterfront representative of Romanesque Revival, Venetian Gothic, and Georgian architectural styles. Among one of the most desirable houses in the city, 1260 features a Georgian-inspired exterior to compliment its whopping 10 bedrooms inside.

Charnley-Persky House

1365 N Astor St, Chicago, IL 60610

Up next is the Charnley-Persky House, a National Historic Landmark designed by Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright in 1892. A hallmark of modern architecture, the house is known for its use of abstract forms during the era of Victorian architecture. If you’re a fan of Louis Sullivan, it’s also one of his few surviving residential pieces. The building is now the headquarters of the Society of Architectural Historians and a museum, so if you’re taking your walk on a Wednesday, Friday, or Saturday, stop inside for a guided tour.

Archbishop’s Residence

1555 N State Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60610

This is the residence of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Chicago, a unique Queen Anne structure with a red brick exterior and 19 chimneys built in 1885. This is where Chicago’s Archbishops have resided ever since, and it’s complete with a small chapel and rooms for resident priests and guests. Enjoy the view of this historic home, and then easily cross over North Avenue to nearby Lincoln Park!

Original Playboy Mansion

1340 N State Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60610

Built in 1899, this sprawling mansion is home to 70 rooms and was purchased by Hugh Hefner in 1959 for only $400,000. Added to the mansion was a pool, steam room, bowling alley, and theater. During the 60s and 70s, you could usually find Mr. Hefner throwing iconic parties in this very estate. As he transitioned to his modern Los Angeles Playboy Mansion, this original one was rented out as a dormitory to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago for only $10 per year.

The Gold Coast is a historic gem of Chicago for architectural enthusiasts, so we hope you’ll enjoy your walking tour around the sights. To explore more of Chicago’s neighborhoods and our communities within them, visit our neighborhoods page.

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