Lakeshore East — also called the New Eastside — is the downtown neighborhood most people moving to Chicago have never heard of. It's a 28-acre master-planned community sitting between the Loop, Millennium Park, and Lake Michigan, with a 6-acre park at its center and over 5,000 residents. One-bedrooms average $2,962/month per Apartments.com current data, which puts it below River North and Streeterville at comparable building quality. Columbus Plaza starts at $2,002 for a one-bedroom — the most accessible entry point — while Aqua at Lakeshore East starts at $2,273 and runs to $6,412 at the top. Most people who live here say they discovered it through a broker, stayed years longer than they planned, and wish more people knew about it.
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Lakeshore East Rent by Unit Type
| Unit type | Neighborhood average | Value tier starting from | Full range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,517 | $2,225 | $2,015–$4,500+ |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,962 | $2,002 | $2,002–$7,000+ |
| 2 Bedroom | $4,289 | $3,200+ | $3,200–$8,000+ |
Averages: Apartments.com current. Value tier starting prices: Columbus Plaza 1BR from $2,002, Shoreham and Tides studio from $2,225 (Apartments.com current). Studio floor minimum: Shoreham and Tides (Trulia/ApartmentList). Ranges approximate based on RentCafe, Apartments.com, and ApartmentHomeLiving data.
The Value Case — Columbus Plaza
Columbus Plaza at 233 E Wacker Dr is the neighborhood's standout value building and one of the better-kept secrets in the entire downtown market. One-bedrooms start at $2,220/month per Apartments.com current listings — with floor plans running from 792 to over 1,000 square feet, which is exceptional for downtown Chicago. Convertibles start at $2,378 and run 563–589 sq ft. The building connects directly to Chicago's underground Pedway, giving residents indoor access to restaurants, offices, and transit throughout the Loop without stepping outside — a meaningful quality-of-life feature in Chicago winters. Full-time door staff, skyline and river views from floor-to-ceiling windows, and large walk-in closets. Long-term residents consistently rank it among the best value-per-square-foot options in downtown Chicago.
Trophy Buildings — What Top Rent Buys You
Aqua at Lakeshore East at 225 N Columbus Dr is Jeanne Gang's most famous architectural project — 87 stories with wavy undulating balconies that have appeared in virtually every Chicago skyline photo taken in the last 15 years. Studios from $2,273, range to $6,412 per Apartments.com. Chicago's largest outdoor recreation deck spans two full floors of amenities: pool, basketball court, fire grills, fitness studio, and direct access to the 6-acre Park at Lakeshore East. LEED certified. The building name alone has become shorthand for the neighborhood's identity.
Cascade is a 37-story crystalline tower completed more recently — floor-to-ceiling windows, pool, spa, and some of the best skyline views available in the neighborhood. Coast at Lakeshore East rounds out the trophy tier with pool, spa, and in-unit laundry in a strong location within the community.
Mid-Market — Shoreham and Tides
Shoreham and Tides occupies the space between Columbus Plaza's value pricing and the full trophy tier. Two towers — The Shoreham and The Tides — with studios from $2,225, one-bedrooms from $2,326 (Shoreham) to $2,535 (Tides) per ApartmentHomeLiving current listings, and two-bedrooms above that. Pool on the 16th floor, spa, sauna, in-unit laundry, and balconies throughout. Mariano's Fresh Market, Eggy's Diner, and MingHin are all directly below in the Village Market. Reviews consistently highlight management responsiveness and the neighborhood's community feel. Currently offering up to 2 months free rent per Trulia, which meaningfully reduces effective monthly cost.
Value — North Harbor Tower
North Harbor Tower is a long-established value building in the neighborhood — lakefront views, doorman, and competitive pricing for renters who want the Lakeshore East address at the most accessible price. Older building with laundry facilities, but most have in-unit laundry. The location inside the community and the views it commands make it a consistent recommendation for budget-conscious renters who've discovered the neighborhood.
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What Your Budget Gets You
At $2,002–$2,400/month you're at Columbus Plaza — one-bedrooms from $2,002 with 792–1,000+ sq ft of floor plan and Pedway access. Studios and convertibles start from $2,378. The concession currently on offer reduces effective first-year costs further. For the floor plan size and location, it's the strongest value in the neighborhood.
At $2,225–$2,800/month you're in the mid-market. Studios and lower-floor one-bedrooms at Shoreham and Tides — pool, spa, sauna, in-unit laundry, and balconies. The 2-months-free offer reduces effective monthly cost meaningfully in this range. Two-bedrooms at Columbus Plaza also land here.
At $2,800–$4,000/month you're in the trophy market — upper-floor one-bedrooms at Shoreham and Tides and Aqua, and two-bedrooms at Shoreham and Tides. Aqua studios also start in this range. Full trophy amenity stacks, best views in the neighborhood, newest construction.
Above $4,000/month you're in Aqua and Cascade two-bedrooms and penthouse-level units — lake and skyline views, spa access, and the buildings that defined what Lakeshore East looks like.
What Makes Lakeshore East Different
The 6-acre Park at Lakeshore East is the neighborhood's organizing feature — a private park at the center of the community with a dog run, playground, landscaped paths, and a fountain that residents consistently cite as the reason they stayed. The Village Market on the ground level of Aqua houses Mariano's Fresh Market, Eggy's Diner, MingHin Cuisine, FireLake Grill House, and a CVS. Most daily errands happen without leaving the neighborhood. Millennium Park is a 10-minute walk. The Loop and Michigan Avenue are both under 15 minutes on foot. The neighborhood's residential population skews slightly older and more established than River North or West Loop — it draws professionals and empty nesters who want the urban address without the nightlife density, and who prioritize square footage and a genuine park over the energy of more active neighborhoods.
Lakeshore East vs Other Neighborhoods on Price
Lakeshore East's 1BR average of $2,962 is below Streeterville ($3,040) and River North ($3,057) — and Columbus Plaza's $2,002 starting price is lower than any trophy or mid-market building in those neighborhoods. The premium you're not paying is for nightlife and restaurant density, which Lakeshore East doesn't have. What you're getting instead is Millennium Park at your doorstep, exceptional floor plan sizes, and the most neighborhood-feeling residential community in downtown Chicago.
Planning Your Move to Chicago
Now that you know what Lakeshore East costs, the next step is understanding the full picture of relocating to Chicago.
- Moving to Chicago from Out of State — the complete guide
- Relocating to Chicago from New York City
- Relocating to Chicago from Los Angeles
- Relocating to Chicago from San Francisco
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average rent in Lakeshore East Chicago
Lakeshore East one-bedrooms average $2,962/month and two-bedrooms average $4,289/month per Apartments.com current data. Studios average $2,517. Columbus Plaza is the lowest entry point at $2,002 for a one-bedroom. Aqua at Lakeshore East runs from $2,273 to $6,412 across all unit types.
What is the cheapest apartment in Lakeshore East
Columbus Plaza at 233 E Wacker Dr — one-bedrooms from $2,002 per Apartments.com current listings, with floor plans up to 1,000+ sq ft. Currently offering a $2,000 concession on one-bedrooms. It's also connected to the Pedway for indoor access throughout the Loop — a real everyday quality-of-life advantage in Chicago winters.
Is Lakeshore East the same as New Eastside
Yes — Lakeshore East and New Eastside refer to the same neighborhood. Lakeshore East is the developer name (Magellan Development Group's 28-acre master plan) and New Eastside is the broader geographic designation. Both names are used interchangeably by residents and brokers. The neighborhood sits east of Michigan Avenue between the Loop, the Chicago River, and Lake Michigan.
Is Aqua apartments the most famous building in Lakeshore East
Yes — Aqua at Lakeshore East at 225 N Columbus Dr is the building that put the neighborhood on the architectural map. Designed by Jeanne Gang of Studio Gang Architects, it's been widely recognized as one of the most significant buildings completed in the US in the 2000s. The wavy undulating balconies are designed to create unique views from every unit and have appeared in virtually every major Chicago skyline photograph since the building opened in 2009. Studios start from $2,273.
How close is Lakeshore East to the Loop
Extremely close — 10 to 15 minutes on foot from most buildings. Columbus Plaza connects directly to the underground Pedway, putting residents inside the Loop's office and retail network without stepping outside. The Green, Pink, Orange, Brown, and Purple Line stops at Millennium/Lake and Randolph/Wabash are both within a 10-minute walk. For Loop employees, the commute is essentially a walk.
A Dibze broker can show you Lakeshore East buildings across every tier — same day, at no cost. See what's available in Lakeshore East right now.
