About River West
River West is a former industrial and manufacturing zone west of the Chicago River and east of the Kennedy Expressway. The neighborhood remains a maze of railroad tracks, overpasses and truncated streets. Within that maze, fantastic things are happening. For the most part, River West is a brand new loft community rising from warehouses and factories.
With remarkable speed, the area has seen factories and warehouses pushed out by rising rents, to be followed by galleries, renters and businesses leaving River North in search of cheaper rents. Apartment construction and renovation of loft buildings is proceeding swiftly, as the area touts its image as the "cheaper cousin" to River North.
During the mid 1980's, following the lead of River North, galleries and boutiques started popping up in the River West area. Retro restaurants and small shops make River West not only a great shopping area but also an entertainment mecca, where one can find a large number of dance clubs, cigar bars and lounges. River West is a truly desirable neighborhood with its close proximity to the Gold Coast, Streeterville, Wicker Park, Bucktown and Lincoln Park.
