Printer's Row

Although Printer's Row earned its name back when it was the heart of Chicago's printing and publishing business, this tiny but historic South Loop neighborhood is now comprised of urban lofts and mid-rise apartments and condominiums. (By mid-rise, we mean bulky, imposing buildings that may once have been offices to big trading companies and that were once considered high-rises.) The area retains the flavor of its historic past with an abundance of specialty book dealers and a very popular and renowned annual book fair.

Printer's row sits just south of the Loop and just north of Dearborn Station, which is extremely convenient for folks who like to walk to work, and it features a surprisingly handsome variety of restaurants even though it's not exactly a "walking neighborhood." The housing options range from big buildings with wonderful city views to rehabbed printing plants and industrial lofts. The vibe is historic charm on a small scale.