Affectionately known as the "Corn Cobs", this city is a "city within a city" and it offers almost as many services just short of being a municipality on its own. The building is divided into condominiums and there is a marina underneath the buildings which gives them their name. When the "city" was completed in 1964, the complex had its own theater, ice rink, bowling alley and used to house many television stations. Today, those structures have been modified or destroyed to make room for the House of Blues, Smith & Wollensky, and other additions/detractions. However, the towers remain an impeccably designed, mixed-use development and a prototype for how urban planning should be done.
The Alta Vista Terrace, is a glimpse of the pompous and intricate row house style of London. It was built in the year 1904. This street represents one of the last real estate developments of Samuel Eberly Gross, who has been responsible for the construction of thousands of houses in the Chicago area. Sometimes called "A Street of Forty Doors," Alta Vista Terrace displays a lively variety of architectural styles and detail. The distinctly human scale creates a unity and harmony rarely found elsewhere in the city.
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One of the economically richest neighborhoods in the country, Gold Coast Historic District strikes a perfect balance between the bygone era and the modern times. The neighborhood comprises several old mansions as well as contemporary high-rise buildings. Primarily known for its scenic Oak Street Beach, the neighborhood attracts several tourists throughout the year. The Charnley–Persky House and George Swift Isham Home are visited by many history buffs. The neighborhood is dotted with several restaurants and bars for the foodies.
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Running through the heart of downtown Chicago is State Street, a major shopping and dining thoroughfare for the past 100 years. Flagship stores located along this famous street include Macy's, as well as numerous other boutiques and chains such as Nordstrom Rack, Urban Outfitters, H&M, and Forever 21, to name a few. A walk along State Street also finds notable landmarks and historic buildings such as the Harold Washington Library and the Reliance Building.
