Central Station: Chicago's Largest Lakefront Community

Central Station is an 80-acre planned community being constructed, on land previously owned by a railroad just south of Grant Park and adjacent to Lake Michigan. It is close to the city’s business district with clear views of both the lake and Grant Park.

This neighborhood is not quite as congested as others, making it an ideal location for car owners in the city. Besides that, the neighborhood is popular due to the availability of different types of homes in various price ranges. Builders here are currently constructing lofts, townhouses and condominiums. Central Station has units for all budgets. One-bedroom lofts start at about $225,000. A luxury 3,500-square-foot townhome overlooking the lake costs about $1.7 million.

Traditional Chicago architecture awaits you in Central Station. The new homes mirror the neighborhood's old ones. New homes have stone and limestone exteriors, wrought iron fencing, gabled roofs, turrets and vintage street lamps. With brick-paved streets, lush parks, large boulevards and garden paths, the residences truly define luxury urban living within one of the most beautiful cities in the nation.

Central Station is a development comprised of condominium and rental buildings along the perimeter of the site, with a low-rise development centered on Indiana Boulevard. All 80 acres are under active development. Located adjacent to the City’s new Museum Campus, and just minutes from the heart of Chicago's Loop, Central Station is the fastest growing residential community in the city, with over $300 million dollars of construction underway now involving over 2200 housing units.

Located in Central Station, the Sky55 Apartment residence is the tallest building in the Near South Side of Chicago. Sky 55 Chicago apartments are designed with luxury and fine living in mind, so that when you purchase a home here, the property will be well-finished and maintained. Opened in April 2006, Sky55 is a 411-unit apartment tower that offers panoramic views of Lake Michigan and downtown Chicago. You can relax by the pool, hot tub, sun deck, fire pit or the beautifully landscaped rooftop gardens. Entertain simply with a private DVD theater or the provided entertainment lounge. The building includes a cardio-focused fitness facility with additional strength training facilities, a screening room, conference center, library and lounge with wi-fi access as well as the entertainment lounge. An outside area offers a pool, sundeck, extensive gardens, outdoor grill/cooking area and a fire pit.

Rents for the market-rate condos range from $1,503 to $2,493 for a one-bedroom, from $1,896 to $3,509 for a two-bedroom, two-bath unit, and from $3,306 to $4,614 for residences with two bedrooms, two baths and a den. Rents in the seniors building are $705 for studios and $750 for one-bedroom units.

Residents of a planned community like Central Station benefit from the pre-planned guidelines that control the area's population density and open space. When designing Central Station, planners followed strict density requirements, so as not to crowd residents or the lakefront with over-development. In addition to density and open space requirements, stringent building guidelines control the placement and size of all buildings to protect the views of the lake and Grant Park.