Astor 1436

Historic High-Rise Buildings and the Ultimate Luxury in Chicago’s Gold Coast

As part of the city of Chicago’s north side, the Gold Coast Historic District’s perimeters are North Avenue, Lake Shore Drive, Oak Street and Clark Street. In 1882, after the Great Chicago Fire, a millionaire by the name of Potter Palmer had a swamp area filled--this became Lake Shore Drive--and then built the Palmer Mansion, a veritable castle with 42 rooms. Shortly thereafter other wealthy Chicagoans joined Palmer in the area, and it became the wealthiest neighborhood in Chicago. The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. Today the Gold Coast is a mix of mansions, high-rise buildings and row houses.