Will Milwaukee Ave. become the next Michigan Ave. and State St.? (Chicago: apartment, hotels)

[Urbanist928]

Ok so to eliminate confusion, I don't mean if Milwaukee Avenue will become so high status like those two streets where you have department stores, and all the hotels and super fancy shops and what not. What I mean is that Michigan Avenue and State Street, within Chicago and outside Chicago are two of the most famous streets in the city.

When it comes to third place for streets in Chicago its really up in the air. One can make an argument for Clark, Broadway, and Ohio.

However, it seems like Milwaukee avenue is really booming. Milwaukee between Division and North Avenue is already extremely vibrant with restaurants, shops, streetlife, nightlife, etc. Milwaukee between California and Fullerton is transforming to something similar.

That still leaves some gaps specifically between North Avenue and California. But that is now changing, there are quite a few developments taking place between North Avenue and California, that I think will make Milwaukee in that part just as vibrant as Wicker Park is. We have the two midrises going up, that new 5-6 story apartment building, the Congress theater is being remodeled, potentially adding a hotel and another midrise right across the street from it. Then you also have another somewhat gap on Milwaukee between Fullerton and Belmont, that every day is becoming more and more vibrant with shops, restaurants and nightlife. And just wait til they tear down the Mega Mall and replace it with that midrise.....

So I really think that in 5 years or so, Milwaukee for Division to Belmont, will be this long cohesive street that is bustling with nightlife, shopping, restaurants, theaters, the 606, the boulevard, galleries, etc. I really see it becoming a very popular street and surpassing Clark, Broadway and Ohio in regards to vibrancy, nightlife, and how it identifies with Chicago.

What do you think? Will Milwaukee become a street synonymous when people think of Chicago like Michigan and State street are?

[NealIRC]

Yes.

[FAReastcoast]

Ohio? Seems to be one of the most nondescript streets downtown. What do you see as so special about Ohio?

I would think Randolph is pretty high on the list as well, with the Theatres + Restaurants in the West Loop. Halsted seems like it should be near the top as well.

[IrishIllini]

Clybourn has potential. Wells has room for improvement, as do Division/North. Milwaukee is drastically better than it was even five years ago. Broadway/Diverey is one of the best areas in the city IMO.

[Urbanist928]

Originally Posted by IrishIllini

Clybourn has potential. Wells has room for improvement, as do Division/North. Milwaukee is drastically better than it was even five years ago. Broadway/Diverey is one of the best areas in the city IMO.

For Milwaukee Ave, I think the other thing going for it is that the Blue line literally runs along it. Belmont could have that potential if it had a train line running along it. Belmont is pretty damn built up from Kimball to the Lake, with shops, restaurants and bars, yet there are major gaps where it is quiet like from Ravenswood to California.

I think Clybourn doesn't have as much potential though. I think for a few reasons:

1. A big chunk of it is residential.

2. Lack of the El running through or next to it. You really only get one El stop on Clybourn from Belmont to Division. Compared to Milwaukee from Division to Kimball where you have 5 train stops running along side it.

I really see Milwaukee becoming the 3rd most popular street in Chicago in the next 5 years or so. Just way too much happening there in regards to art, outdoor spaces, shops, restaurants, nightlife, architecture, etc.

[IrishIllini]

Originally Posted by Urbanist928

For Milwaukee Ave, I think the other thing going for it is that the Blue line literally runs along it. Belmont could have that potential if it had a train line running along it. Belmont is pretty damn built up from Kimball to the Lake, with shops, restaurants and bars, yet there are major gaps where it is quiet like from Ravenswood to California.

I think Clybourn doesn't have as much potential though. I think for a few reasons:

1. A big chunk of it is residential.

2. Lack of the El running through or next to it. You really only get one El stop on Clybourn from Belmont to Division. Compared to Milwaukee from Division to Kimball where you have 5 train stops running along side it.

I really see Milwaukee becoming the 3rd most popular street in Chicago in the next 5 years or so. Just way too much happening there in regards to art, outdoor spaces, shops, restaurants, nightlife, architecture, etc.

I agree about Milwaukee and I think Clybourn has potential because of the strong mix of uses. Lots of former warehouses ripe for redevelopment (office or more residential) mixed in with strong commercial spaces and residential.

[ipaper]

I remember that being a very long street, from the city way out to the burbs. When I used to live up there.

[IrishIllini]

Originally Posted by ipaper

I remember that being a very long street, from the city way out to the burbs. When I used to live up there.

It is, but the portion that runs through the city (particuarly from Kinzie up through Logan Sq.) has changed for the better very quickly.

[ipaper]

Originally Posted by IrishIllini

It is, but the portion that runs through the city (particuarly from Kinzie up through Logan Sq.) has changed for the better very quickly.

I believed I drove from Deerfield up in the north burbs way down into the city. If I remember correctly, and it was a few blocks from where I used to live on west chrystal .

[Hiruko]

Rush Street is well-known, as is Lake Shore Drive...