Lincoln Park and Lakeview share a border at Diversey Parkway and are often the first two North Side neighborhoods renters compare. In this directory they hold 46 apartment buildings between them, and the building stock is surprisingly different: Lincoln Park’s list is weighted toward new construction, while Lakeview’s is dominated by vintage courtyard buildings and 1960s–70s lakefront mid- and high-rises.
Short answer: Lincoln Park has 22 buildings and about 3,500 apartments, and 10 of those buildings opened in 2015 or later, including the 538-unit Lincoln Common and 27-story Foundry. Lakeview has 24 buildings and about 2,900 apartments, mostly smaller: seven were built before 1930, ten date from 1967 to 1972, and only six since 2010. Lakeview also has the taller lakefront tower, 40-story 3450 North Lake Shore Drive.
The two neighborhoods side by side
| Lincoln Park | Lakeview | |
|---|---|---|
| Buildings | 22 | 24 |
| Apartment homes | 3,501 | 2,878 |
| Average per building | About 159 | About 120 |
| Unit range | 26–538 | 38–455 |
| Years built | 1919–2024 | 1897–2022 |
| Built before 1930 | 5 | 7 |
| Built 2010 or later | 11 | 6 |
| Tallest | Foundry, 27 stories | 3450 N Lake Shore Dr, 40 stories |
Lincoln Park: new construction and Beaux Arts landmarks
Half of the Lincoln Park buildings in the directory opened in 2012 or later. The largest are Lincoln Common (538 units, 2019), Foundry (327 units, 27 stories, 2023), Sono East (324 units, 23 stories, 2012) and North+Vine (261 units, 2020). Two newer buildings reuse older structures: The Ludlow (2024) in the former Ludlow Typograph Building and Southport Lofts (2020), a rehabbed heavy-timber loft.
The vintage end is just as notable. The Belden-Stratford (297 units, 1923) was originally the Belden Hotel, and 2756 N Pine Grove (176 units, 1925) is a Beaux Arts high-rise. The Audely (159 units, 1927) is a courtyard building, and 430-446 W Diversey (1919) is the oldest in the neighborhood list.
Lakeview: vintage walk-ups and the lakefront high-rise row
Lakeview has the oldest building in either neighborhood, Reside on Irving Park (1897), along with vintage buildings such as 634-42 W Cornelia (1918), Reside on Wellington (1920) and The Belmont by Reside (306 units, 1924), its largest pre-war building.
East Lakeview’s lakefront has a cluster of late-1960s and early-1970s buildings: 3450 North Lake Shore Drive (455 units, 40 stories, 1968), Wave Lakeview (207 units, 30 stories, 1967), 500 W Belmont, 455 W Wellington and 544 W Melrose. Newer options include Optima Lakeview (2022), Four50 Residences (2019) and The Residences of Addison & Clark (2018) in Wrigleyville.
Getting around
Lincoln Park’s rail access centers on Fullerton (Red, Brown and Purple Lines), with Armitage and Diversey on the Brown and Purple Lines and Metra at Clybourn. Lakeview has six CTA rail stations. Lakefront buildings in both neighborhoods are typically a longer walk to the L but close to Lake Shore Drive bus routes.
Tips for renting in either neighborhood
- Heat in older buildings: it’s mid-October, so ask how heat is supplied and whether it is included in rent. Chicago’s heat ordinance requires landlords to keep units at least 68°F during the day and 66°F at night from September 15 through June 1.
- Laundry: many vintage walk-ups have shared laundry rooms rather than in-unit machines.
- Parking: street parking near Wrigley Field is restricted on game and event days, and many vintage buildings have no garage.
- Elevators: some three- and four-story vintage buildings have none; ask if you have heavy furniture or mobility needs.
- Fees: Chicago landlords commonly charge a non-refundable move-in fee instead of a security deposit; ask which the building uses.
Compare every building on the Lincoln Park and Lakeview pages, or see our West Loop vs. River North comparison.
