Where the Chicago River bends east toward Lake Michigan, you’ll find the River North neighborhood sitting pretty in the area south of Chicago Avenue and west of the Magnificent Mile.

In River North, “work hard, play hard” philosophy strikes an exciting balance. Just north of downtown, this lively area is a center of business and industry with a particular focus in art, architecture and design. Galleries and showrooms are plentiful, but none more impressive than the spectacular Merchandise Mart. After browsing its vast expanse of designer showrooms, be sure to see Art on the Mart, a free public exhibit that projects fine art onto the enormous canvas of the Mart’s exterior wall.

Other landmarks like the Wrigley Building, Marina City towers, Richard H. Driehaus Museum and Mies van der Rohe’s 330 North Wabash are testament to the neighborhood’s deep roots in art and architecture, and this legacy makes a unique counterpoint to the other side of River North culture: the youthful, the cutting-edge, the avant-garde, and the incredibly hip.

You might come to River North for business, but you’ll want to stay for the exciting entertainment and nightlife. Chic offices, classy hotels, and posh client lunches by day give way to the hottest venues, VIP dining and exclusive clubs by night, making this neighborhood one of the most sought-after destinations for Chicago locals and visitors.

River North real estate is always hot and condos are plentiful and popular, whether you prefer a chic high-rise unit or a repurposed factory loft. As a highly desirable neighborhood replete with entertainment and amenities, River North residents pay a premium comparable to neighboring Streeterville and Gold Coast.