More than a sub-neighborhood of Uptown, Buena Park is a full-fledged, self-sufficient community that
has perfected the art of active lakeside living. A waterfront golf course,
public beach, off-leash dog park and protected boat harbor are all within
walking distance of your front door, not to mention amazing restaurants,
happening bars and reputable theaters. Of course the warmer weather months are
when things are really swinging in Buena Park. Folks can't resist Lake
Michigan's draw — sun, sand and surf — a relaxing vacation spot located right
in Chicago. But even when the wind bites at your nose and the beach is
deserted, Buena Park bumps up the coziness with lots of comfy coffee houses,
belly-warming eateries and welcoming neighborhood pubs.
Although many lump Chicago's Buena Park neighborhood in withUptown, Buena Park is considered a neighborhood all its own—a small residential nook located within the larger umbrella region of Uptown. It has its own unique identity and history and, in fact, the development of Buena Park actually predates that of Uptown.
The area now known as Buena Park originally began as a suburb of Chicago when wealthy Chicagoans started building homes there during the 1870s. One of those wealthy residents was Robert A. Waller, a prominent real estate developer. Waller contributed to the expansion of the suburb in 1887 when he subdivided his considerable property and offered it up for residential growth. For his role in Buena Park's progression, Waller is considered the neighborhood's founder.
In 1889 Chicago annexed the developing area. The Northwestern Railroad came to Uptown a year later, bringing with it the development of large apartment buildings and an influx of people to a region that had previously been only sparsely populated by immigrant farmers. While Uptown continued to flourish for the next three generations as a popular entertainment destination, Buena Park thrived as a residential haven for middle and upper classes seeking proximity to Uptown's spotlight, while staying out of its harsh glare.
After the economic boom of the 1920s came the bust. The aftermath of World War II led to a severe housing shortage and as a result Buena Park's stately houses and apartment buildings were broken up into small, inexpensive living units. The area was in severe decline until it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. Since then, efforts have been made to restore Buena Park's former architectural glory through upscale renovations and restorations.
Buena Park facts
Location: 5.5 miles north of the Loop Bordering Neighborhoods:Lakeview East, Uptown, Graceland Cemetary Boundaries: Montrose Avenue to the north, Irving Park Road to the south, Lake Michigan to the east and Sheridan Road to the west Crime Statistics: Go to CLEARMap to search specific streets and areas for crime incidents
Buena Park transportation
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Buena Park Real Estate
Although it's officially been part of Chicago for more than 100 years, Buena Park hasn't entirely lost its suburban feel. The residential enclave consists of tranquil, leafy streets lined with turn-of-the-century Georgian and Prairie School mansions and single-family homes nestled comfortably on spacious lots—many of which have their own driveways.
Buena Park's Hutchinson Street was designated a Chicago Landmark in 1977. The street, originally called Kenesaw Terrace, is home to one of the city's best collections of Prairie-style residences, many of which were designed by famed architect George W. Maher. Other distinct designs found up and down Hutchinson Street (and the rest of the neighborhood) include Classical Revival, Queen Anne and Richardsonian Romanesque. For the architecture buffs, this north side Chicago street offers a unique perspective on residential construction from 1890 through 1920.
Buena Park real estate also has several large, vintage apartment buildings housing people of all walks of life, from single young adults to new families to retirees. Along Marine Drive—the neighborhood's prime stretch of property—high-rise condominiums, townhomes and single-family houses offer residents beautiful views of the lakefront.
The average sale price of a home in Buena Park is represented by the chart to the right. The red line indicates the average price based on the total time frame selected in the drop-down window. The blue line indicates the average sale price for the particular month within that time frame. For more detailed information on Buena Park sign up for the trends report below or contact your Dream Town broker.
The average number of days a home in Buena Park spends listed for sale is represented by the chart to the right. The red line indicates the average number of days based on the total time frame selected in the drop-down window. The blue line indicates the average number of days a home spent on market during the particular month within that time frame. For more detailed information on average market listing times in Buena Park sign up for the trends report below or contact your Dream Town broker.
The average sale price of a home compared to its listing price in Buena Park is represented by the chart to the right. The black line indicates the baseline listing price for homes during the time frame selected in the drop-down. The red line indicates the difference between the average listing price and the average sale price during the particular month within that time frame. For more detailed information on Buena Park sign up for the trends report below or contact your Dream Town broker.
The total number of listings in Buena Park is represented in the chart to the right. The red line represents average number of days based on the total time frame selected in the drop-down window The blue bar represents the current number of listings during the particular month of that time frame. For more detailed information on Buena Park sign up for the trends report below or contact your Dream Town broker.
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