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Near North Side Walking Tour

Join architect Nate Lielasus on a walking tour of Chicago’s Gold Coast to explore the contributions of Howard Van Doren Shaw, and his contemporaries, to the evolution of the neighborhood. The Near North Side developed as a wealthy enclave after the Great Chicago Fire when Potter and Bertha Palmer built their famous Castle-inspired mansion on Lake Shore Drive. Following the Palmers, other wealthy Chicagoans built their homes in the district, many relocating from the community around Second Presbyterian Church and Prairie Avenue. On this tour, we will explore these mansions and luxury apartments designed by Shaw and others and discuss the rise of the area to one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the United States.

Meeting place: Greene Vardiman Black Statue at the corner of Astor Street and North Boulevard
Nearest building is the 1555 Astor Condominium Association at 1555 North Astor Street Chicago, Illinois 60610

Greene Vardiman Black Statue

The tour will end at Fourth Presbyterian church. It will be about 1-1/4 miles of walking.

$20 per person/$18 for members

Purchase Tickets

Earlier Event: September 7
Marktown Walking Tour
Later Event: October 22
Chicago Premiere of "The Peace Window"