Gold Coast

Designer boutiques and expensive eats.

This is the Gold Coast, the pricey stretch of downtown Chicago real estate where high-rise condos share prestigious street addresses with single-family homes. Within walking distance of it all are the brainy resources of Newberry Library, Chicago History Museum (formerly Chicago Historical Society), and Loyola University of Chicago.

As you would expect, first-class shopping and dining choices are abundant here. The Rush/State/Division area is home to famed restaurants and nightclubs where locals, tourists, and media stars go to see and be seen.  Dining at outdoor cafes provides sightseers a popular view of the passing parade.

World-renowned and locally-owned boutiques fill the tree-lined streets of Delaware, Rush, State, Walton, and Oak Street.  Coveted designer labels have their own houses here. Adriano Goldschmied, Furla, Graff, Hermes, Kate Spade, Prada, Pratesi, Tod’s and YSL are just steps from Bulgari, Chanel, Louis Vuitton and St. John.

But if you prefer your designer brands all under one roof, Barneys New York, Ikram, Jake, Ultimo, or the upscale shopping center at 900 N. Michigan, are sure to please.

But, the Gold Coast has much more than designer clothing and accessory boutiques. If your favorite label has four wheels, you're in the right place, as there are no less than four automotive dealerships located here, including Gold Coast Bentley.  

A few national chains, notably for casual, affordable clothing, have locations here:  Adidas Heritage Store, American Apparel, Anthropologie, Chico's, Diesel, Puma, and Urban Outfitters.

Specialty stores round out the area's offerings including Tails in the City and Underdogg for upscale pet supplies, Sabon for health/beauty products, Madison & Friends for children's clothing, Sur la Table for kitchen accessories, and TeaGschwendner for teas.

For a high-priced night on the town, people watching, or occasional celebrity sighting, this area won’t disappoint.  But it's the shopping options that provide a wealth of visual delights.   

2006-2007

Store openings: Blake, Flight 001, Goddess & Grocer, Intermix, Sabon

Store closings: Chicago Blooms (moved to Old Town), Underdogg

Coming Soon: Burton Snowboards, David Yurman, UGG Shoes

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What you’ll find here:

Accessories: Aldo Shoes, ps: Accessories

Automotive: Fletcher Jones Imports/Mercedes Benz, Gold Coast Bentley, Perillo BMW  

Clothing & Accessories: Adidas Heritage Store,Adriano Goldschmied, American Apparel, Anthropologie, Blake,Bottega Veneta, Chico’s, Diesel, Giorgio Armani,Ikram, Intermix, Jake, Madison & Friends / Denim Lounge, Puma, Urban Outfitters 

Fine Jewelry: Geneva Seal  

Grocery, Gourmet & Specialty Foods: Dominick’s, Goddess & Grocer, Jewel, Potash Bros. Market, TeaGschwendner, teuscher Chocolates, Treasure Island

Health/Beauty: Sabon

Home Furnishings: Sur la Table

Shopping Centers: 900 N. Michigan Ave., Water Tower Place  

Specialty Stores: Barnes & Noble, Children in Paradise Bookstore, Flight 001, Tails in the City 

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Nearby Shopping Destinations: The Loop, Magnificent Mile, Oak Street, Old Town, River North, Streeterville

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For more information, visit Chicago Traveler to see a Gold Coast Neighborhood Guide.   

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SeeMore Shopping Contributing Writer - E. Engquist.

Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. SeeMoreShopping incurs all expenses associated with reviews.   Publ. 10/06.