The Gold Coast is a historic Near North Side neighborhood on the shores of Lake Michigan.

The neighborhood has both busy commercial strips and residential streets lined with mansions and elegant townhouses.

“Gold Coast is close to the heart of the city and has the perfect combination of tree-lined streets, beaches, and nightlife.” —Jake C., resident

Well-known restaurants and designer boutiques make the neighborhood popular with both locals and tourists.

Because of this, hotels are mixed in with the Gold Coast's apartment buildings and high-rise condos.

The Gold Coast has a lot of shopping and is just north of the Magnificent Mile’s designer boutiques and oversized chain stores.

On the Red Line, it’s only a stop or two to the Magnificent Mile, and one more stop to the Loop.

“You can hop on a train or bus, and they can take you anywhere.” —Jackie Z., resident

“The commute is amazing. I walk to and from work every day.” —Kelsey D., resident

“It’s also walking distance to the lake.” —Kelsey D., resident

The Gold Coast was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

The neighborhood was first developed in the 1880s, when wealthy Chicagoans began to build grand homes on what had once been a swamp.

The Gold Coast soon adopted an urban version of luxury, and many townhouses gave way to high-rise apartment buildings.

Today, the neighborhood still has a lot of apartment towers, some of which offer views of Lake Michigan.

“It's expensive, it's beautiful, and everything is right there. You can spend the day just walking.” —Jackie Z., resident

A Friday morning on E Burton Place.