university of chicago - hyde park

the university of chicago is one of the most prestigious academic institutions in the world.  it has been affiliated with 85 nobel prize laureates and 49 rhodes scholars and is renowned for its spending on scientific research, as well as its intellectual contributions to economics and law.  founded in 1890 with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist john d. rockefeller, the university has been an integral part of chicago's hyde park neighborhood for well over a century.

the first buildings on its campus mimicked the english gothic style of architecture, complete with towers, spires, cloisters, and gargoyles.  the unique and impressive appearance of these stately and historic structures all but validates the university's international prestige.  over time, however, the university added more modern buildings to its expansive hyde park campus.  these have included the laird bell law quadrangle (designed by eero saarinen in 1959), the school of social service administration (designed by ludwig mies van der rohe in 1962), and the gerald ratner athletics center (designed by cesar pelli in 2003).  the university also owns the robie house, which was designed by frank lloyd wright in 1909.

hyde park residents enjoy the many advantages that come with living near a world-class academic institution, including the libraries, the public lectures, the concerts, and the famed "midway plaisance," which once served as a staging ground for exotic entertainment during the world's fair in 1893.  naturally, there's a wonderful variety of cafés, bars, bookstores, student hangouts, and ethnic eateries in or around the neighborhood.  what's more, the locals are never far from the lakefront or the wide expanses of washington and jackson parks (the ladder of which features a public golf course, tennis courts, and japanese sanctuary).  the museum of science and industry is also just blocks away from the school.

housing options are plentiful for students, professors, young professionals, and families.  many of the high-rise apartment buildings closer to the lake offer larger units at affordable prices and come with outstanding views of the water.  the charming, secluded residential streets are lined with stately single-family homes, three-flats, and low-rise condominium and apartment buildings.  many of the older homes have been converted into apartments for the student population, which includes about 5,000 undergraduate and 10,000 graduate students. 

the green line of the el runs a few blocks west of washington park, which is not necessarily convenient for many hyde park residents.  for folks affiliated with the university, however, there's a network of cta buses that circle the campus, and a few of them head due north to the central business district.