The addition of award-winning and stunningly designed luxury apartment towers is mainly to thank for that notable increase in studio apartment rents in Hyde Park. These newer Hyde Park apartment buildings combine excellent locations near renowned institutions like the University of Chicago and the Museum of Science and Industry with unparalleled amenities for residents.
Renters looking for 1 bedroom apartments will be glad to know there was a nearly 9 percent decrease in average rents for 1 bedrooms in Hyde Park Chicago during 2019. The average rent for Hyde Park 1 bedrooms was $1,300 in 2019. This aligns closely with the citywide median average rent for 1 bedrooms in Chicago.
The rent for Hyde Park 2 bedroom apartments increased slightly to $1,750 in 2019, a 3 percent uptick from the year before. The average rent for 3 bedroom apartments in Hyde Park climbed 10 percent from the previous year to $2,475 in 2019.
Many of the vintage high-rise apartment buildings closer to Lake Michigan in East Hyde Park (just east of the Metra tracks) offer larger apartments at relatively affordable rent compared to other popular Chicago neighborhoods and come with outstanding views of the lake. Hyde Park is about 6-7 miles south of the Chicago Loop on Lake Shore Drive. Renters can hop on the Metra Electric or South Shore Line at the 55th - 56th - 57th St station near campus to head into Millennium Station in downtown Chicago. Taking Lake Shore Drive is one of the more popular transportation routes to venture north or south of Hyde Park, though many renters will find practically everything they need in this charming part of Chicago.
The residential streets are charming, lined with trees and feature stately single-family homes, three-flats, and low-rise condominium and apartment buildings. Many of the older homes have been converted into apartments for rent for the student population of the University of Chicago. The southern portion of Kenwood, which has large mansions, is often merged with Hyde Park and referred to as Hyde Park-Kenwood.
The University of Chicago is among the most prominent features of this south side neighborhood, followed by the family home of Barack and Michelle Obama. Hyde Park Chicago residents enjoy the many advantages that come with living around one of the nation's most prestigious universities, such as a diverse population and thriving small businesses in the neighborhood’s own “downtown” shopping district.
Voracious readers flock to the popular 57th Street Books to find rare volumes and recent bestsellers alike, or browse their kids’ reading section to pick up some beginner books. Powell’s Books Chicago is another popular independent bookstore found in Hyde Park’s unofficial downtown district. The addresses surrounding these bookstores on E 57th St are some of the most trafficked destinations for Hyde Park apartment renters. Medici On 57th is a mainstay and favorite among University of Chicago students. Seoul Taco provides fun Mexican and Korean fusion dishes along E 57th St as well. Bixler Park is there to break up some of the store fronts and apartment buildings with some nice green space, though this leafy neighborhood is practically defined by its prolific parks.
There are numerous libraries, public lectures, concerts, and vast expanses of beautiful greenery within reach of apartment renters in Hyde Park Chicago. Hyde Park apartments are also near the famed "Midway Plaisance," which served as a staging ground for exotic entertainment during the World's Fair in 1893.
The University of Chicago encompasses a large swath of Hyde Park from 61st Street to 55th Street, west to Washington Park and University Avenue on the east. Aside from the university, there are numerous schools for all ages in Hyde Park. These include Bret Harte Elementary School, Reavis Elementary Math & Science Special School, University of Chicago Laboratory Schools and William W Carter Elementary School.
Renters in Hyde Park and the Kenwood neighborhood are never far from the Chicago lakefront path, the vistas of Jackson Park (with its public golf course, tennis courts, and Japanese sanctuary), and The Museum of Science and Industry.
The CTA Green line runs along the west side of Washington Park, which is something of a hike for Hyde Park residents, so commuting to the Chicago Loop isn't necessarily easy, though there are buses that travel to and from the Loop via Lake Shore Drive and Divvy bike stations peppered throughout the Hyde Park neighborhood.
Parks in Hyde Park:
- Promontory Point
- Jackson Park
- Harold Washington Playlot Park
- Burnham Park
- 57th Street Beach
- Garden of Phoenix
- Jackson Park
- Nichols Park
- Spruce Park
- Stagg Field
- Washington Park (with Bynum Island)
- Jackman Field
Museums in Hyde Park:
- Smart Museum
- Oriental Institute
- DuSable Museum of American History
- Hyde Park Art Center
- Museum of Science and Industry
Higher Learning Schools in Hyde Park:
- University of Chicago
- Pritzker School of Medicine
- Booth School of Business
- Law School
- School of Social Service Administration
- Harris School of Public Policy
- Divinity School
- Graham School of Continuing Liberal and Professional Studies
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering
- Catholic Theological Union
- Luther School of Theology
- Chicago Theological Seminary
- McCormick Theological Seminary
Schools in Hyde Park:
- University of Chicago Lab School
- Ray Elementary School
- Phillip Murray Elementary Language Academy
- Akiba-Schechter Jewish School
- Parent Cooperative For Early Learning
- Walter H. Dyett High School for the Arts
- Bret Harte Elementary School Playground
- Kozminski Community Academy
- Andrew Carnegie School
- John Fiske Elementary School
Transportation in Hyde Park:
- Lake Shore Drive access to the east of Hyde Park
- I-90/94 access Dan Ryan to the west of Hyde Park
CTA bus routes in Hyde Park:
- 2 Hyde Park Express
- 4 Cottage Grove
- 6 Jackson Park Express
- 10 Museum of Science and Industry
- 15 Jeffery Local
- 28 Stony Island
- 55 Garfield
- 171 University of Chicago/Hyde Park
- 172 University of Chicago/Kenwood
- 192 University of Chicago Hospitals Express
Metra Train Stops in Hyde Park:
- University of Chicago 59th Street
- 55th-56th-57th street
- 51st-53rd street (Hyde Park)
- 47th street (Kenwood)
