Where are the artists living? (Chicago, Humboldt: real estate market, neighborhoods, buying)

[photoman]

I am a working artist. I presently live in NW Lakeview but need to find a larger live/work space. I have started to research the city to determine where to relocate. Of course I am apprehensive because of the current uncertainties in the real estate market and the after affects of over speculation in Chicago fringe areas. I suppose it is just supply and demand. Anyway, I have been looking for an industrial building, former storefront, or something of that ilk that I could rehab into studio space and living. I have looked at Logan, Palmer (which I guess is logan), Bucktown (E of Western), W Bucktown, Humboldt just N of North and E of Humboldt Blvd. Of course there is West Town, areas W on Chicago, W of the chicken joint, Feed. E Garfield Park where everyone says it is so hot and I see zero commercial or retail redevelopment. I suppose I prefer to stay on the northside of the city - in answer to the obvious Pilsen choice. Any advice would be helpful. I have lived in Chicago since 1980 and the paradigm has changed - while the lakefront is an anchor to what once was the city, it no longer seems to be the driving force. Neighborhood pockets seem to suggest the urban landscape is much more like a network of neighborhoods and corridors, e.g., Western/Damen Corridor where you zip down from Trader Joes on Grace down to say, Bucktown. Well, anyway, I am rambling and any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[Lookout Kid]

I think you have mentioned most of the Artist hotspots... Pilsen, Logan Square, Eastern Humboldt Park, Ukranian Village, and the rest of West Town seem to be booming right now. Since the Wicker Park/Bucktown artist diaspora, there doesn't seem to be a central scene anymore. It's more scattered.

On that note, the North Side is kind of tricky for studio space because of real estate costs, but I could see something developing along the Ravenswood Corridor (the industrial buildings next to the Metra tracks). You might also be able to find vacant retail space in Uptown or Rogers Park at a good price.

[drummercycle]

hey, you might be able to find something at Chicago Artists Resource |.

[miserylovesco.]

Wicker
Park

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by miserylovesco.

Wicker
Park

Not any more. Most have moved on due to skyrocketing costs. The flatiron building still has artists' studios, but I think these are endangered.

[j33]

I know you said you wanted to stay on the northside, but I do know a few people who have studios in Pilsen. watch out for Podmajersky owned buildings (I've not heard good things about them).

There is a pretty good Wiki entry for the neighborhood here.

Pilsen travel guide - Wikitravel

[drummercycle]

yeah, i pretty much refer to the 'chicago arts district' aka the podmajersky buildings as the 'art ghetto'

[NearWestSider]

Originally Posted by j33

I know you said you wanted to stay on the northside, but I do know a few people who have studios in Pilsen. watch out for Podmajersky owned buildings (I've not heard good things about them).

There is a pretty good Wiki entry for the neighborhood here.

Pilsen travel guide - Wikitravel

Have to disagree about that.

Podmajerskey started buying buildings in the 70's, right about the same time Easy Life realty was making the first attempt at gentrifying Wicker Park. The imminent gentrification of Pilsen is also an ancient story, at least 30 years. It sounds like the author thinks the universe was created in 1990.

Podmajerskey is probably the single biggest obstacle to gentrification in Pilsen today. His vast tracks of property make piecemeal development almost impossible, and since he does not take the greatest care of his buildings, the stretch of Halsted he owns looks funky and run down.

I suspect the article was written by one of those Northside Hillbillies.

[Avengerfire]

Also try up near Diversey or Belmont west of Western...

[j33]

I have to admit my opinions are anecdotal, I've never rented from Podmajersky personally, I am just simply relating what I've heard from a couple of friends who have rented from Podmajersky and had a less than positive experience stating that their buildings are overpriced and run down.

I am simply posting my experiences from knowing some artists, including an artist who was born and raised in the neighborhood (and who is incidentally raising his family there).

...oh, and the article was written from a travel standpoint, as such it has a different feel than an article written from other standpoints (and let's face it, it is a Wiki, so not without its faults). However, it did give (in my opinon) a decent run down of galleries in the area, and perhaps for one thinking of having a live/work artists space attractive to visitors, such an article on neighborhood perception might not be a bad thing.


If that makes me a 'hillbilly' as you define it, so be it.