Welcome to the Near South Side: Where History, Revival, and Urban Energy Shape Chicago’s Comeback Story

Stretching just south of the Chicago River and east of the Dan Ryan Expressway, the Near South Side is a dynamic, evolving corridor where legacy meets transformation. Bounded by Roosevelt Road to the north, 35th Street to the south, the Chicago River to the east, and State Street to the west, this central neighborhood sits at the crossroads of downtown, the South Loop, and vibrant South Side communities like Bronzeville and Bridgeport.

Long a hub of industry, culture, and Black excellence, the Near South Side is experiencing a powerful resurgence — driven by smart investment, historic preservation, and community resilience. It’s not just a place to live — it’s a place to witness and shape the future of urban Chicago.

🏛️ A Legacy of Innovation and Leadership

The Near South Side carries deep historical roots:

  • Bridgeport, home of the Daley political dynasty and Guaranteed Rate Field (home of the Chicago White Sox)

  • Printers Row, once the heart of Chicago’s publishing industry, now a collection of restored loft buildings and cobblestone streets

  • Dearborn Park, a master-planned residential community built on former railroad land

  • And just west, Bronzeville — the epicenter of African American culture, civil rights, and the Great Migration

This is a neighborhood where labor movements were born, jazz legends played, and leaders emerged — and that legacy continues to inspire today.

🏡 Housing: From Historic Lofts to Modern Communities

The Near South Side offers one of the most diverse and evolving housing markets in the city:

  • Restored 19th-century Printers Row lofts with exposed brick and timber beams

  • Mid-rise condos and townhomes in Dearborn Park — quiet, green, and family-friendly

  • Classic brick bungalows and two-flats in Bridgeport and Chinatown

  • New construction developments near McCormick Place and the South Loop

With more affordable options than the Gold Coast or River North, it’s a smart choice for young professionals, first-time buyers, and investors seeking value with character and access.

🌆 Cultural & Economic Revival

The Near South Side is a center of growth and opportunity:

  • McCormick Place, one of the largest convention centers in North America, brings thousands of visitors and jobs annually

  • The Obama Presidential Center — under construction in nearby Jackson Park — is driving investment and jobs across the South Side

  • Chicago Police Department’s new state-of-the-art headquarters is set to open in the area, anchoring public safety and development

  • Revitalization along Roosevelt Road and State Street is bringing new retail, dining, and services

This is not gentrification from the outside — it’s reinvestment from within, focused on equity, inclusion, and long-term stability.

🚇 Connected, Central, and Moving Forward

The Near South Side is one of the most transit-accessible areas in Chicago:

  • Served by the CTA Red, Green, and Orange Lines at Roosevelt, Cermak-Chinatown, and Sox-35th stations

  • Multiple bus routes: #8 Halsted, #9 Ashland, #35 31st/35th

  • Easy access to I-90/94 (the Dan Ryan Expressway) and Lake Shore Drive

You’re just:
📍 5 minutes from the Loop
📍 10 minutes from Chinatown and Pilsen
📍 15 minutes from Midway Airport

Whether you're commuting to work, catching a White Sox game, or exploring the city, everything is within reach.

🌳 Green Space & Lakefront Access

Residents enjoy access to scenic outdoor spaces:

  • Burnham Park — a 460-acre lakeside oasis with walking paths, sports fields, and skyline views

  • Museum Campus — just north, with the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, and Adler Planetarium

  • Ping Tom Memorial Park in Chinatown — perfect for kayaking and riverfront relaxation

  • The Lakefront Trail runs its entire eastern edge — ideal for biking to downtown or Hyde Park

It’s urban living with nature and recreation at your doorstep.

❤️ A Community of Resilience and Renewal

The Near South Side is home to a mix of longtime residents, returning families, and new neighbors who believe in the area’s potential. Block clubs, faith-based organizations, and nonprofits like LISC Chicago and the Bronzeville Lakefront initiative are working to:
✅ Preserve affordable housing
✅ Support small businesses
✅ Improve safety and education
✅ Promote equitable development

This is a neighborhood that refuses to be written off — and is proving that revival can be community-led, dignified, and lasting.

 

Neigborhood Experts