The zone extends along the lakefront from Oak Street to North Avenue, reaching inland approximately to Dearborn Parkway. The housing is a mixture of 19th century brownstones and concrete high-rises, mostly from around the 1960s. At North Avenue the neighborhood overlooks Lincoln Park. The Gold Coast is one of Chicago's most affluent, upscale neighborhoods. It features some of the most exciting shopping opportunities including the beautiful Magnificent Mile, known for its high end shopping and striking landscaping. The Gold Coast is also home to world-class cultural institutions and unique boutiques that can be found on Oak Street. In addition to the great panoramic view of the city skyline that the neighborhood offers, the Gold Coast is the home of the John Hancock Building, the huge Water Tower shopping area and restaurant favorites like Gibson's Steak House.
East Lake Shore Drive District:
This dramatic row of eight buildings, designed between 1912 and 1929 by the architectural firms of Marshall & Fox and Fugard & Knapp, epitomizes the city's luxury apartment boom of the early-20th century. The architectural details and ornament are derived from the historical styles of England, France, and Italy. By creating a formal and harmonious streetscape, the designers helped establish the apartment building as an acceptable alternative to large townhouses or suburban estates.