Best Streeterville Apartments for Northwestern Medicine Staff (2026)

TL;DR If you work at Northwestern Memorial, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's, or the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, the buildings closest to your office (and within a 5-10 minute walk) include 600 N Fairbanks, Optima Signature, Aston, The Streeter, and Chicago Avenue. Most have on-site parking, 24-hour access, and units sized for shift workers (smaller studios, junior 1-bedrooms). Rent ranges from $2,000 to $4,500.

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Who this guide is for

Northwestern Memorial Hospital and the surrounding medical campus is the largest healthcare employer in downtown Chicago, roughly 30,000 employees across Northwestern Memorial, Lurie Children's, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, and Galter Pavilion. If you work here, the calculus on where to live is different from a typical corporate downtown commuter:

• Shift work means odd-hour commutes when transit is slower or risky
• On-call schedules mean you need to get to the hospital fast (under 20 minutes ideally)
• Long hours mean you don't want to commute 45 minutes each way
• Parking matters more than for most downtown jobs (overnight rates at hospital parking are expensive)

These constraints drive most NM staff to live within Streeterville itself or River North.

The 5 best buildings for NM staff, by walking distance to the hospital

600 North Fairbanks, 1-minute walk

Directly adjacent to the Northwestern campus. Most NM staff cite this as the "if you can afford it" choice. Built 2017, 50 floors, doorman, pool, gym, dog deck. Studios $2,300-$2,700, 1-bedrooms $2,800-$3,400, 2-bedrooms $4,200-$5,200.

The proximity is unmatchable. You can leave your apartment 8 minutes before a shift starts.

Optima Signature, 3-minute walk

220 E Illinois St. Newer construction (2020), 57 floors. Full amenity package including pool deck, indoor lounge, library, golf simulator. 1-bedrooms $2,900-$3,500.

Aston Chicago, 5-minute walk

234 E Erie St. Slightly older (2014), but consistently well-rated. Strong NM employee community within the building. 1-bedrooms $2,400-$3,000, 2-bedrooms $3,500-$4,500.

The Streeter, 7-minute walk

345 E Ohio St. Older (2007) but well-maintained. Smaller building feel, less "high-rise apartment complex" vibe. 1-bedrooms $2,200-$2,800.

Arrive Streeterville, 8-minute walk

535 N Saint Clair St. Lower price point. Often a good fit for residents who want Streeterville proximity at sub-$2,500 1-bedroom prices. Studios $1,900-$2,400, 1-bedrooms $2,200-$2,800.

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Alternative options 10-15 minutes from NM

If you're willing to walk 10-15 minutes for $500-800/month savings:

River North (10-15 min walk):

• 808 Cleveland, riverfront luxury
• One Superior Place, high-rise tower
• One Chicago, two-tower complex
• 1-bedrooms typically $2,500-$3,500

Gold Coast (10-15 min walk):

• 2 East Oak Street, luxury high-rise
• Astor House, mid-rise with vintage character
• Walton and Rush Street area buildings
• 1-bedrooms typically $2,800-$3,800

Lakeshore East (12-18 min walk):

• Coast at Lakeshore East
• Cascade
• The Tides
• 1-bedrooms typically $2,400-$3,200

Parking situation

Most Streeterville buildings have parking, but it's almost always extra:

• 600 N Fairbanks: $350/month for self-park
• Optima Signature: $385/month
• Aston: $300/month
• The Streeter: $275/month

Compare to NM monthly parking permit: roughly $350-450/month at hospital lots. Building parking is usually cheaper.

If you're considering whether to keep a car: most NM staff who live in Streeterville go car-free. Walking distance to hospital, Mag Mile dining, Navy Pier, and lakefront eliminates most car trips. Rideshare for weekend errands ($10-25 to Whole Foods or Trader Joe's).

Northwestern employee benefits

Northwestern Medicine has a relocation/housing program for new hires. Some buildings offer:

• 5-10% rent discount with NM credentials
• Waived application fees
• Reduced security deposit

Always ask the leasing agent directly. The discount isn't always advertised but is often available on request.

When to lease

Hospital rotations follow standard academic calendar timing. Most residents and fellows move:

• June 15 - July 15: New residency starts. Highest competition for Streeterville apartments. Prices peak.
• November-February: Best deals. Buildings competing for the small pool of mid-year movers offer concessions (1-2 months free).
• March-April: Spring relocations from outside Chicago. Moderate competition.

If you have flexibility on your start date (e.g., a January start for a new role), use it. The price difference between a January and July lease can be $200-400/month for the same unit.

What to look for on the leasing tour

Ask specifically:

• Pool / amenity hours: Some buildings close pools at 10 PM. If you work nights, you may want a 24-hour gym.
• Quiet hours: Confirm policy. Sleep matters for shift workers.
• Package room access: 24/7 access is important, you don't want a 9-5 leasing office to be the only way to get a delivery.
• Window opacity / blackout curtains included: For day-sleepers post-night-shift.
• Soundproofing: Particularly between bedrooms. Walk through during a leasing tour and ask the agent to walk down the hall to test sound transmission.

Frequently asked questions

Which Streeterville buildings are closest to Northwestern Memorial? The closest are 600 N Fairbanks (literally across the street), Optima Signature (3-minute walk), Aston (5 minutes), and The Streeter (7 minutes). Each is within easy walking distance even on a 3 AM page.

What apartment buildings do Northwestern residents typically choose? Most opt for buildings within a 5-minute walk to minimize commute during long shifts: 600 N Fairbanks, Aston, Optima Signature. Some residents choose Arrive Streeterville or Coast at Lakeshore East for slightly lower prices with a 10-12 minute walk.

How much do these buildings cost? Studios at $2,000-$2,700, 1-bedrooms $2,500-$3,500, 2-bedrooms $3,800-$5,500. The premium over equivalent buildings in adjacent neighborhoods is roughly 10-15%, justified by walking distance to the hospital complex.

Are there discounts for medical staff? Some buildings offer Northwestern employee discounts (typically 5-10% off rent or first month free). 600 N Fairbanks, Optima Signature, and Aston have offered such programs in the past, always ask the leasing agent directly.

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