Marina City Apartments

Marina City, aka Marina Towers, is a housing complex located in Chicago’s River North neighborhood at 300 N. State St. These iconic concrete towers are a familiar site to longtime Chicago residents and newcomers alike. It’s fair to say that the distinctive profile cut by these twin condo buildings on the north bank of the Chicago River resonates around the globe. The towers have appeared in numerous films, TV commercials, and to some keen observers they’ll forever be enshrined as the album cover art on Wilco’s 2001 album ‘Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.’ Other casual observers of Marina City might simply draw the apt comparison between the concrete towers and a pair of corn cobs.

Pop culture references aside, apartment renters will love this River North location. The wraparound balconies featured at these River North condos for rent mean that every unit has a dazzling view of the cityscape, the river or Lake Michigan -- some units offer glimpses of all three! River North is a popular spot for dining, nightlife, live music and other entertainment. Several of the most popular spots in the neighborhood are right outside the doors to Marina City. The Chicago House of Blues is considered part of the same building complex although it’s separated from the towers by a parking lot, so renters at these River North condos won’t have to worry about the noise. The Hotel Chicago is another piece of the same building complex and is across the driveway as well; renters will find a full-service restaurant, bar and bowling alley there. More diversions await mere feet away from these buildings, including the always popular Chicago River boat tours, the Chicago Riverwalk, the Chicago Museum of Broadcast Communications, and Harry Caray’s Restaurant. 

Renters are able to stock up on essential foods and various sundries right in the building’s subterranean lobby thanks to a minimarket tucked into the building. Dry cleaners are also located on-site for added convenience. Other unique features of life in Marina City include an actual marina built into the base of the south tower that opens up directly to the Chicago River, so boat owners may prefer to rent at this building. Twin 15-story parking garages also rest underneath the condos in each of the towers for renters who need a parking spot.

The distinctive design for these River North condos was created by architect Bertrand Goldberg and construction of Marina City was completed in 1964. Chicago is home to several more Goldberg-designed buildings, and Marina City is one of three residential buildings designed by Goldberg in downtown Chicago. One of the noteworthy design quirks of Marina City are the expansive balconies attached to each unit. The towers are built around a reinforced central column that acts like a spine and the condos radiate outward from this central column, opening as they go outward like petals of a flower. The crescent-shaped concrete balconies are a dream for renters who want to admire city views and wish their downtown Chicago apartments came with outdoor space. In these buildings, every unit has a generous amount of outdoor space and ample natural light thanks to their unique design. 

Schools in the neighborhood include the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Moody Bible Institute and Walter Payton College Prep.