North Center

North Center extends from Montrose Avenue to Diversey Parkway, with the Chicago River and Ravenswood Avenue forming its western and eastern boundaries. The area contains residential blocks with a mix of older and newer homes alongside local shops and restaurants along main streets.

German, Polish, Czech, Romanian, Serbian, Greek, Croatian, and French immigrants established homes in the neighborhood during the late 1800s. This diverse settlement shaped the area's development and character for generations to come.

The neighborhood hosts several theaters including Bughouse Theater and Strawdog Theatre Company, which present performances throughout the year.

The Brown Line serves North Center with stations at Addison, Irving Park, and Montrose, providing direct access to downtown Chicago. The commute takes about 30 minutes, and the neighborhood is easy to explore on foot.

The area once hosted Riverview Park, which operated as the world's largest amusement park from 1904 to 1967. This former recreation site now occupies space as an open green area within the densely populated city.

Location: Chicago

Shares border with: Lincoln Square

GPS coordinates: 41.95000,-87.68000

Latest update: December 20, 2025 13:11