Best Buildings Steps From the Lake and a Beach

TL;DR Living steps from a Lake Michigan beach is a Chicago summer dream. Streeterville puts you near Oak Street and Ohio Street Beaches, Lakeshore East sits right on the lake, and lakefront Lakeview, Uptown, and Edgewater buildings are a short walk to Belmont, Montrose, and Foster Beaches. Here is where to wake up by the water.

Chicago summers happen on the lake, and there is nothing like living close enough to walk to the beach. We mapped the buildings closest to Lake Michigan and its beaches. Here is where the water is your backyard.

By beach

Streeterville: Oak Street and Ohio Street Beaches. The most urban beach living in the city. Streeterville high-rises put you a short walk from Oak Street Beach at the base of downtown and the calm, protected Ohio Street Beach near Navy Pier. Buildings like Aston, The Saint Grand, and North Water are in the mix.

Lakeshore East: right on the lake. This downtown pocket sits at the edge of the water, with Aqua and Shoreham & Tides steps from the Lakefront Trail and a quick walk to the beaches via the Riverwalk and parks.

Lakeview: Belmont Harbor. Lakefront Lakeview buildings put you near Belmont Harbor and its small beach, plus miles of trail, on a more residential, often friendlier-priced stretch.

Uptown: Montrose Beach. The largest beach in the city, with the dog beach and harbor, is walkable from Uptown's lakefront buildings.

Edgewater: Foster Beach. The northern lakefront, with Foster and Osterman Beaches a short walk from Edgewater's apartments, and the start of the Lakefront Trail.

Why beach proximity is worth it

A beach within a short walk changes summer entirely. Morning swims before work, a run or bike on the trail, sunset on the sand, weekend volleyball at North Avenue, all without a car or a drive. And the lakefront is gorgeous in every season, so even in winter you get the open water, the sky, and the quiet.

A quick tip on the lake side

When you tour a lakefront building, pay attention to which side of Lake Shore Drive it sits on and which way your unit faces. A lake-facing unit on the water side gives you both the view and the easiest beach access, and it is worth asking about.

How to use this

If summer by the water is the dream, focus on the lakefront neighborhoods and confirm the walk to the nearest beach and trail. For the trail specifically, see our buildings on the Lakefront Trail ranking, for the full seasonal picture our lakefront summer living guide, and for the most urban option our living in Streeterville guide. Then browse current openings and book a tour.

Hero image: Photo by Ryan Latimer on Pexels