3450 N. Lake Shore Drive

I have lived at Hawthorne House for two and a half years and would recommend it to anyone looking for an apartment in Chicago. The amenities, including a rooftop pool, rooftop sundeck, and gym are clean, convenient and incredible to have access to. Even though it’s an apartment in Chicago, the bedrooms are surprisingly large as the building was built in the 60s. Enhancement to communal areas are done often, for example the redesign of the sundeck happened less than two years ago. My absolute… favorite part of living here is the people, both tenants and staff. The building has a diverse group of people living here and the staff create multiple events a year to provide social opportunities. The staff also helped me put on a proposal for friends which goes to show how supportive they are of the tenants. Lakeview East is one of the top neighborhoods to live in Chicago, and I found the best place to live in East Lakeview. Highly recommend! Read More

I moved to 3450 N Lake Shore Drive a little over a month ago and couldn't be happier. The staff is extremely friendly and helpful. They make you feel like you're really part of a community. The building is very well kept. The pool and sundeck on the roof can't be beat. My apartment is spacious with tons of storage space, and the view is spectacular. The few maintenance issues I've had have been taken care of quickly. I would highly recommend this property.

I've lived at 3450 for a year and I love it. The views may be the best in the city — and that's saying something; its location is primo — in a great neighborhood that has multiples of everything and all of it within easy walking distance; it's literally just across the street from the lake and Chicago's sprawling lakefront park system which includes 18 miles of continuous car-free trails; and there's every mode of public transit including a bus stop just a stone's throw from the front door.… We've got a sprawling, tricked out roof deck and a pool. (Alas it isn't a saline pool and there is no hot tub or sauna.) There's a fine workout area that includes a separate room with wood floors for yoga, etc; and a lounge. And everything is clean & very well maintained by a friendly & attentive staff. (I think a good measure of a building's quality is how long its staff stays employed there and the crew here sticks around for, sometimes, decades, making their careers and helping build a sense of community.) The units are spacious with good floor plans and, as I said, amazing views. If Chicago's long dark winters get you down, choose a south-facing apartment and drink in the abundant light. (That's what I did & it's made all the difference.) As for the tenants, they span every age cohort. I recommend it to young people just starting out on their own who want a safe building in a vibrant neighborhood. There are families here too. And there are older professionals & retirees. It's a good mix; everyone seems friendly and to be on their best behavior. The building hosts numerous activities including brunches and barbecues, which is a nice touch. I should also note that buildings like this one are way more energy efficient than single-family units and smaller structures. Before moving back here, I lived in a house in a warmer state and my monthly heating and cooling bills were literally 6 to 8 times more than they are here!
What do I wish was different? Like many buildings from this era and earlier, there are fewer garage spaces than tenants with cars, so there's a waiting list and you'll need to park elsewhere while you wait. And the HVAC system is centralized and has just 3 modes: heat, cool, and off. Tenants control just how much warm or cool air they get. With October still warm & the sun pouring in all day, I wish I could turn on the AC.

But these are small gripes. I love living here!! Read More

When writing a review for a particular place – it is hard knowing where to start and the same goes for this review of (for) Hawthorne House Apartments. If this were a hotel, I would give it an unofficial 7-star rating. Being right on Lake Shore Dr. you are blessed with an outstanding sunrise view over Lake Michigan (facing East) and a beautiful sunset (facing West) – the unique placement allows for views in all 4 directions (depending upon your unit number – mine happens to be a Southwest sunset… view). Another incredible bonus is the ease of public transportation; there is a bus stop less than 200 ft away, another one 1.5blks North, and one more 1blk West (all major streets) – there are 2 different train stations less than a 15-minute walk (Northwest and Southwest). Oh, and I forgot that this area is surrounded by incredible food, boutique shops, and a major grocery store within a 5 to 7-minute walk.

When friends have asked me about the building amenities – they are truly is second-to-none. Besides the standard washer/dryers available – there is a small lounge with free wifi off of the laundry area. On the top floor is a gym, sundeck, and pool (both brand new) – another lounge (much bigger and completely new and can be rented for business or parties) – plus free wifi. An outdoor seating area with a fabulous 360-degree view (brand new as well) of the entire city and lake. Also, when you talk about service – most people ask about the building personnel. Well, the staff is another reason why I give it an unofficial 7-star rating. The office staff is world-class. They solve issues in a timely manner, always greet you by name when they see you, and best of all, they see you as family and not a tenant. The security staff is one of the most professional yet personable and the maintenance crew is always there whenever needed regardless of the time.

There is more that I can go on about, but I am confident that you will see from what I have written that this location is the best in the City of Chicago. If you are looking for safety, peace of mind, a pleasant neighborhood, ease of movement, and more, then Hawthorne House is the recommendation that I would make.

Thank you,

HH Tenant Read More