9 Reasons to Rent Your Next Apartment in Printer’s Row

At HotSpot Rentals, we’re all about finding you your next…well, hotspot! Our super-friendly agents love helping folks find just the right luxury apartment to rent in Chicago’s hottest downtown neighborhoods.

We get to know you, listen to your wants and needs and match you with the perfect apartment in just the right neighborhood. And…we do that at absolutely no cost to you.

Lincoln Park to South Loop and west to Wicker Park, we work with nearly 200 properties in Chicago’s best neighborhoods. One of our all-time favorites for a myriad of reasons, is Printer’s Row.

Printer’s Row is defined as the two-block area with Congress Parkway to the north and Polk St on the south. Plymouth Court borders on the east border and the Chicago River on the west.

This gem of a neighborhood is loaded with Chicago history. The ideal mix of old meets new, this “pocket” neighborhood boasts tree-lined streets in the up-and-coming South Loop. The nostalgic location makes the perfect backdrop for the new and updated luxury apartment buildings that are oozing with upscale finishes and amazing amenities. 

First, a History Lesson

Sometimes, if the breeze blows just right, you can almost catch a whiff of fresh ink drying on a crisp, white page. Printer’s Row is dripping with history!

The completion of Dearborn Street Station in 1885 brought on a whole new era in Chicago. With the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 basically having left the area a ghost town of sorts, printers and publishers saw an opportunity to grab some serious space they needed to set up shop.

Printing plants with their heavy machinery and purpose-driven office buildings rolled hot off the press to accommodate the industry. Printer’s Row soon became the printing center of the Midwest. The Row was dominated by renowned publishers like Rand McNally, Franklin Printing, and R.R. Donnelley. 

The 1950s brought changes to the printing industry which would be Printer’s Rows’ demise until it was resurrected in the 1970s, thanks in part to Harry Weese, an architect who ingeniously renovated the old printing buildings into residential loft spaces. The concept took hold and a whole new era was born…the Printer’s Row residential revival.

Harry Weese wanted to protect the historic buildings. In 1978, his wishes were granted when the Printer’s Row District made it onto the roster National Register of Historic Places. In 1996, the Row was designated as an official Chicago Landmark which further protects the historical value of the buildings that have now been transformed into condos, modern office lofts, and upscale luxury residences.

There are a total of 28 contributing buildings on the National Register. They are bounded by Congress, Polk, State, Taylor, and Wells St. The oldest surviving building is the 1891 Pontiac Building by Holabird and Roche that was converted into an office building in 1986 by Booth/Hansen and Associates.

Ready to move to this incredible little ‘hood or do you need more convincing? 

Here are 9 Reasons You’re Going to Want to Rent Your Next Apartment in Printer’s Row

1. It’s a Bang for Your Buck

Compared to other downtown neighborhoods, like the Gold Coast and River North, the residences in Printer’s Row offer a lot more value for your money. Plus, they are newer or updated, have a modern flair, and are known for their generous amenities. Seriously, who doesn’t want to get more for less?

2. Green Space Living in Downtown Chicago

Living with the conveniences the city has to offer is fabulous. But, what makes it even better is that in Printer’s Row, you get the best of both worlds – urban and rural.

Not only is Grant Park, the Museum Campus, and the lakefront mere minutes away, smaller parks are sprinkled about, as well as Roosevelt, D’Angelo, Jones, Coliseum, and Webster. Tree-lined streets, especially between Clark and Wabash and from Polk to Wabash, add to the ambiance of green space living too.

3. Tasty Dining and Drinks Nearby

Printer’s Row restaurants and bars keep popping up every day, so there’s a smorgasbord of choices. Sofi Restaurant is a “go-to” for a delicious Italian dining experience set in a comfortable, yet classy, atmosphere. Another sweet spot is Half Sour where you’ll find an all-day café serving up scrumptious deli-style food and a nice selection of cocktails, beer, and wine.

We can’t leave out Monadnock Coffeebar because everyone deserves to sit and sip at this Printer’s Row coffee shop. The Italian espresso bar is in the repurposed building that was once upon a time deemed the “world’s largest office building”.

Those are just a few of our picks but…we have more!  You, no doubt, will have your own once you treat your taste buds to Printer’s Row bars and restaurants.

4. Access to Transit

To make a downtown Chicago location workable, access to transit is a must. You’ll find quick access to the CTA, 90/94, 290, 55, and LSD. The VanBuren/Wabash, Roosevelt, Harrison/Polk stations provide easy access to every CTA line.

5. Pet-Friendly Living Downtown

We happen to be avid dog-lovers, so we’re thrilled that every single building in Printer’s Row accepts dogs. In fact, a number of them downright spoil furry friends with on-site dog runs and other pet-friendly amenities. There are several dog parks, as well as Grant Bark Park near Roosevelt and Michigan.

6. Neighborhood Walkability

We rate walkability high on our list because it’s nice to not have to use your car, or even have a car if you don’t want to. It’s unbelievable how many restaurants you can walk to and in fact, you can practically walk to anything you need…or want. Many of our customers can even walk to work.

7. Architecture/History

Printer’s Row District celebrates the heart of Chicago’s rich printing past.

Especially along Dearborn, North of Roosevelt, there are scores of buildings designed by Daniel Burnham and Louis Sullivan. They are considered to be some of America’s first skyscrapers. You could easily spend an entire day (or a week) admiring all the history this area holds.

8. Mecca for Shopping

Did someone say shopping? If you like to shop, you’ll be in heaven with the treasure chest of boutiques, specialty shops, and convenience stores within walking distance of Printer’s Row. Trader Joes, two Jewel Oscos, Whole Foods, Target, Totto’s Market, and Marianos make getting groceries super simple.

Victoria’s Secret, Ulta, Container Store, Old Navy, and the Roosevelt Collections’ H&M are tops on our list. When you’ve shopped till you’re about to drop, you can wind down with a flick at the Icon Theatres or melt into some real relief at the hands of Massage Envy.

Oh, and don’t forget the Printer’s Row wine shop stop on your way home!

9. Access to the Lake and River

Being able to escape it all down at the lake is one of the hottest attractions of Printer’s Row.

The new Riverwalk Plaza at the Southbank development along the river, between Harrison and Polk is one of our favorite highlights. There’s an easily accessible launch for your kayak or canoe and a new water taxi stop that runs between Chinatown and Streeterville too.

A Place to Call Home

Okay, now are you convinced that Printer’s Row is your new neighborhood? We thought so! Quaint, lively, and just a fantastic place to call home, two of our favorite spots in Printer’s Row are:

Burnham Pointe

This ultra-modern, 28-floor residence boasts all the local charm of the historic neighborhood. Originally built in 2008 as upscale condos, each of the 298 units is unique and thoughtfully laid out.

Standard finishes include stainless steel appliances, floor-to-ceiling windows, granite countertops, in-unit washers and dryers, private balconies, and hardwood floors. The property has a resident lounge, sundeck, and a state-of-the-art 24-hour fitness center. There is a strict no-smoking policy so you don’t have to worry about second-hand pollution. Cats and dogs are welcome and there’s even a dog-run.  Parking is available at an additional charge.

The Cooper

Built in 2018, The Cooper is oozing with nostalgia. It was the first residential high rise located on Chicago River’s South Branch. With 29 stories and 460 units, this magnificent high rise affords spectacular views of the cityscape and the river.

There’s plenty of amenities too, like an outdoor screening room with dining lounges, a bocce ball court, and grilling stations. As if those aren’t enough, there’s a pool, hot tub, private cabanas, and fire pits too. Oh, and did we mention the expansive fitness center, yoga studio, and Peloton Bikes?

Sleek hardwood floors line every unit. Plus, there are in-unit washers and dryers, upgraded kitchen finishes, and floor-to-ceiling windows throughout. Talk about Fido-friendly! This residence has an outdoor and indoor dog run in addition to nearby green spaces.

Here to Help

Ready to take a stroll around Printer’s Row and pop in for a closer look at one of these terrific properties? We’re here to make the process of renting your new apartment a breeze! Give us a shout and we’ll hook you up with an awesome new apartment to call home.