The Aquitania

The Aquitania is a 15-story residential building with 82 cooperative apartments located in Margate Park near Lake Michigan in Chicago. The structure features a central courtyard and an Art Moderne lobby that greets residents and visitors.

The building was designed in 1923 by architect Ralph C. Harris and developed by George K. Spoor for Chicago's entertainment industry professionals. Its construction reflected the prosperity and rapid growth that characterized the city during the 1920s.

The building takes its name from the RMS Aquitania, a famous passenger ship that crossed the Atlantic in the 1920s, reflecting Chicago's connection to luxury travel and international style. This choice reveals how the wealthy residents of the city connected their homes to glamorous journeys and cosmopolitan culture.

The building maintains 24-hour doorstaff and on-site management to handle daily operations and maintenance of the facilities. Pets are permitted, though potential residents should confirm any restrictions with building management before moving in.

The building once stood right on the shore of Lake Michigan, but urban development has moved the waterline two blocks to the east over the decades. This shift reveals how the city's landscape has been reshaped through construction and land use changes.

Location: Chicago

Inception: 1923

Architects: Ralph C. Harris

Address: 5000 North Marine Drive

GPS coordinates: 41.97354,-87.65138

Latest update: December 14, 2025 09:44