About the West Town neighborhoods of Bucktown, Wicker Park, East Village, Ukrainian Village, West Loop and River West.  

Situated northwest of the Loop and Interstate 95, West Town is a community known for its cultural diversity and eclectic neighborhoods. Several groups of European immigrants settled in the West Town district giving the area its colorful history. West Town contains several neighborhoods including Bucktown, Wicker Park, Humboldt Park, Ukrainian Village, East Village, Noble Square, West Loop and River West – each with its own unique character.

The West Loop was primarily a industrial neighborhood of factories, markets and warehouses, now successfully developed into loft homes and new construction mid rise condos.  West Randolph Street between Halsted and Racine houses some of the best restaurants in the city intermixed with thriving produce and meat markets. The near West Loop (Canal Street to Halsted) is a bit more urban canyon with high rise new construction condo towers and converted loft buildings.  Adjacent to Ogilvie Metra Station and the blue and green line el trains, it's proximity to transportation and the Loop office complexes make it attractive for urban dwellers looking for convenience and proximity to the lakefront, Loop and lifestyle choices. Greek Town is part of the West Loop neighborhood, and it's a bastion of Greek cuisine and culture. 

As you cross the Chicago River, you come to the River West neighborhood running from the train tracks at Hubbard Street north to Augusta and from the river (Halsted) to Ashland Avenue.  You can find many family owned restaurants, bakeries, and the Chicago Tribune's Freedom Center Printing Facility.

Bucktown was named for the large goat population raised in the neighborhood during the 19th century.  A melting pot of ethnicity, the area was populated by a Polish working class in the 1830's, an influx of German immigrants  in the mid 19th century (Holstein Park), and a wave of European Jews, Mexican and Puerto Rican peoples.  This rich heritage left it's imprint of European and Latin cultures, especially evident on Milwaukee Avenue.  Today Bucktown, which runs from Ashland Avenue to Western Avenue and North Avenue to Fullerton Avenue, has a great mix of new and renovated single family, multi-unit homes and new and renovated condos and lofts.  Great restaurants, shops and boutiques serve the West Town neighborhoods, and the six corner intersection of Damen, Milwaukee and North Avenues is the hub of West Town commercial district. 

Wicker Park was originally a residential suburb composed of historic mansions and single family homes. This well-known neighborhood has since redeveloped into a hip urban community with retail and business opportunities. Many abandoned factories have been renovated into large lofts that appeal to many artists who want affordable housing within easy reach of the Loop. For a Puerto Rican flavor, Humboldt Park is a diverse neighborhood known for its “Pasio Boricua,” which is one particular street in the community with many Puerto Rican stores and restaurants. Ukrainian Village is a middle-class neighborhood located in West Town that is home for many Ukrainian immigrants. Designated as a Chicago Landmark District, Ukrainian Village is doted with several recognizable landmarks such as The Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Cathedral, St. Mary's Hospital, St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral, the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art and the Ukrainian National Museum of Chicago.

Another neighborhood in West Town is East Village. This charming community is adjacent to Ukrainian Village although it was more of a working-class neighborhood. Many of the buildings in East Village have been torn down to make way for new development, but some historic buildings have been preserved to maintain the neighborhood's blue-collar character. Chicago's own Little Sicily can be found in the West Town neighborhood of Smith Park, also known as "The Patch". The city converted the neighborhood's landfill into a community park with athletic fields, swimming pool, field house and gymnasium. The park continues to be a popular gathering place for residents. Noble Square and River West are two more neighborhoods in West Town that have undergone development from industrial areas to become residential districts.

All children living in West Town attend Chicago Public Schools or one of several private institutions in the area – such as Noble Street Charter High School and St. Nicholas Cathedral School. Are you ready to discover West Town of Chicago for yourself? West Town real estate offers an array of housing options including single family homes, row houses, condos, lofts, apartments and more. In several of the neighborhoods in West Town, old factories have been renovated into spacious lofts and condos, which have become sought-after properties. The Breen Elia Team has the knowledge and expertise to provide West Town buyers and sellers with the guidance and service they deserve to successfully complete the real estate process. As experts in the Chicago home market, Karen Breen Elia and Louis M. Elia can offer their professional knowledge to ensure a smooth transaction.

West Town Links

City of Chicago 
Chicago Transit Authority 
Chicago Park District 
Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Cathedral 
Chicago Journal
Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art 
Ukrainian National Museum of Chicago 
Wicker Park & Bucktown Chamber of Commerce 
West Town Chamber of Commerce 
Around the Coyote Arts Organization