Homes for Sale in Bucktown, Chicago
Bucktown is one of Chicago’s trendiest neighborhoods due to its reputation as an artist’s haven and eclectic mix of nightlife hotspots, entertainment destinations, top-rated dining venues, and independent boutiques. Nestled in Chicago’s north side, the neighborhood offers a prime location with easy access to transit options, the 606 recreational trail, and all of the finest amenities in downtown Chicago.
Interested in Bucktown homes for sale? On this page, we’ll give you a closer look at this sought-after neighborhood. We’ll provide in-depth information on the community including the lifestyle, the real estate options, the best activities and destinations, and all of the things that make Bucktown an excellent place to call home.
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A BRIEF HISTORY OF BUCKTOWN
A quick look at Bucktown’s history
- Although not documented, the name “Bucktown” was said to be coined during the 1830s, when the area was populated by working-class Polish immigrants who raised a large number of goats (male goats were called “bucks”).
- The immigrant community in Bucktown continued to grow following the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Other immigrants originating from Germany and Scandinavia also relocated during this period and constructed large homes out of stone and brick.
- Polish settlers and other immigrants from Europe continued to be prevalent throughout most of the 1900s. The 1960s marked the arrival of immigrants from Cuba, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.
- In the 1970s, Bucktown and Wicker Park became a haven for artists and musicians seeking affordable housing options. This gave the area a new identity and marked the beginning of both an economic and cultural boom. The neighborhood’s look and feel took on an eclectic character as more modernist mansions and renovated industrial lofts joined its collection of historic century-old brownstones and graystones.
Location
Bucktown forms the easternmost boundary of the Logan Square community. Defining the neighborhood’s borders are Diversey Parkway to its north, the Chicago River to its east, Bloomingdale Avenue to its south, and Western Avenue to its west.
The Kennedy Expressway (I-94) cuts right through the middle of Bucktown, providing convenient access to other areas throughout Chicago. Although Damen Avenue is widely considered Bucktown’s main thoroughfare, other popular sections along Armitage Avenue, Elston, Diversey Parkway, Fullerton, and Milwaukee Avenue have emerged throughout the years. This has created vibrant pockets filled with shopping, dining, and entertainment venues, all within walking distance from any part of the neighborhood.
The Bloomingdale Trail at The 606 is just south of the neighborhood, offering terrific opportunities for Bucktown residents to spend time outdoors and maintain an active lifestyle. In addition to the trail, the CTA’s Blue Line along with multiple bus routes accessible from Bucktown make it easy for residents to reach other surrounding neighborhoods.
Schools
Public schools serving Bucktown are administered by the highly rated Chicago Public Schools (CPS) district. Families in Bucktown have the option of enrolling in a charter school through the Chicago International Charter School Association (CICS) Bucktown.
Some top-rated schools that serve Bucktown include:
- Frederic Chopin Elementary School
- Jonathan Burr Elementary School
- The Chicago High School for the Arts (CHIARTS)
Walter Payton College Preparatory High School is located just ten minutes away from Bucktown for those looking for a college prep school. If you’re looking to enroll in higher education, Wright College-Humboldt Park is located nearby. The city college offers several programs for academic, professional, and personal development, including adult education, continuing education programs, and college credit.
HOMES FOR SALE IN BUCKTOWN
Those looking for Bucktown homes for sale will be able to choose from a varied selection of real estate options including vintage brownstones, high-end condos, modern loft apartments, elegant townhomes, and spacious single-family residences.
Bucktown is a terrific choice for buyers looking for a beautiful historic home. Most historic properties in the neighborhood have been meticulously maintained to retain their vintage charm and timeless elegance. Many have been tastefully renovated to accommodate a modern lifestyle with upgraded features like smart technology, energy-efficient windows, and kitchens with stone counters and stainless steel appliances.
In the market for the finest luxury homes for sale in Bucktown? You’ll be able to choose from an enticing mix of upscale residences designed to elevate modern day living. Vintage walk-ups, stylish lofts, new construction three-flats, renovated brownstones, and luxurious single-family residences are some of the many types of high-end real estate options available in the vibrant neighborhood.
Some examples of features you can find in many Bucktown homes for sale include:
- Bright, airy, natural light-filled interiors
- Spacious and elegant living rooms perfect for entertaining
- Gourmet kitchens with custom cabinetry, granite countertops, and top-of-the-line stainless steel appliances
- Bonus rooms ideal for use as a dedicated workspace, home gym, hobby studio, or entertainment room
- Elegant spa-like baths with high-quality fixtures
- Primary bedrooms with spacious walk-in closets and ensuite baths
Browse the best selection of Bucktown homes for sale by taking a look at our Featured Properties!
ATTRACTIONS AND DESTINATIONS
Dining
Both Bucktown and Wicker Park have long been considered top dining destinations due to their balanced mix of old-school favorites and innovative newcomers. Whether you’re craving a light vegetarian dish, a flavorful Mexican feast, or innovative Asian fusion fare, the dining options in and around the neighborhood are sure to delight.
Here are some of the best restaurants to check out in the area.
Le Bouchon
1958 North Damen Avenue, Chicago, IL
Inspired by the famous bistros of Paris, Le Bouchon brings authentic French fare to Bucktown to treat guests to an incredible dining experience. Since its opening in 1993, the restaurant has garnered heaps of praise and was included in Timeout Magazine’s list of “Best French Restaurants in America.”
Le Bouchon offers an array of exquisite culinary creations, notably including their Sole Meunière, Pan Roasted Dover Sole, Baby Heirloom Squash, Braised Shallots, & Sauce Meunière, just to name a few – all guaranteed to send your taste buds into overdrive.
Mable’s Table
1655 West Cortland St., Chicago, IL
Chef and owner Anthony Reyes treats diners to inventive takes on classic home-style comfort food inspired by recipes from his mother and the restaurant’s namesake, Mable. Their menu is thoughtful and invokes nostalgia with its innovative versions of beloved classics. There’s an entire section of the menu focused on different varieties of mac and cheese, which includes an elevated take on Hamburger Helper mac and cheese with jalapenos, ground beef, and caramelized onions.
Complementing their delicious home-style comfort dishes are welcoming interiors creating a cozy, homey vibe with its slatted A-frame wooden roof, exposed brick walls, and warm lights.
Chef’s Special Cocktail Bar
2165 N. Western Ave, Chicago, IL
Chef’s Special serves a variety of fresh, innovative, and easy-to-enjoy cocktails like ginger lychee shots, mezcal coladas, and Shochu and gin combos with chili and lemongrass. Their cocktail menu is complemented by a variety of exquisite Chinese-American fare highlighted by surefire hits including wontons in chili oil, mapo tofu with ground pork, eggplant with spicy lamb sausage, and kung pao chicken.
It’s the perfect spot if you want to spend a relaxing evening with friends. The bar features stylish interiors that seamlessly combine old and new, inspired by classic Chicago taverns and traditional homestyle Chinese-American cooking.
Shopping
Bucktown and Wicker Park boast one of the most vibrant shopping scenes in the city. If you’re looking forward to some well-deserved retail therapy, you’ll be able to find a vast assortment of vintage apparel stores, trendy boutiques, and one-of-a-kind gift shops offering all sorts of rare finds.
Below are some of the most interesting retail establishments located in the area:
Outdoor activities and destinations
Whether you’re out for a quick morning run, looking forward to some quality time with the family, or just want to relax by enjoying a nice, leisurely stroll, there are many spots in and around Bucktown perfect for spending time outdoors.
Here are some of the best outdoor destinations for you to check out in the neighborhood.
The Bloomingdale Trail at The 606
Bucktown residents looking to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle get easy access to The 606, one of the longest greenway projects in the world. The elevated park and trail runs east to west and is built on a former industrial railway. The 606 runs for 2.7 miles on Chicago’s northwest side and features a collection of street-level parks, an observatory, public art installations, and scenic viewing decks.
The 606 is perfect for activities like strolling, running, and biking. It offers magnificent views of the city and is a great alternative to the busier Lakeshore paths. The nearest entrance to The 606 from Bucktown is the Damen Access Point, located in Churchill Park near the corner of North Damen Avenue and West Churchill Street.
Encompassing more than three acres, Holstein Park features a variety of recreational amenities including two expansive gymnasiums, baseball and softball fields, a volleyball court, a playground with water features, and a swimming pool and wading pool.
In the summer, the park hosts several programs for kids including swimming classes, art camps, fitness clubs, and tournaments for sports like baseball, soccer, volleyball, and basketball.
Arts and culture
As a haven for many outliers and emerging artists, Bucktown and Wicker Park have established a reputation as one of the most vibrant art gallery districts in the city.
A standout venue for the arts is the Bloomingdale Arts Building in West Bucktown, which hosts an array of exhibits, workshops, and arts events throughout the year. Another renowned institution cultivating Chicago’s art scene is the Flatiron Arts Building, a longtime artists’ colony and a vestige of the neighborhood’s bohemian roots. The building is open to visitors daily and offers artist’s studio tours during the first Friday of every month.
If you’re looking to immerse yourself in the area’s local music scene, the best place to visit is Subterranean in Wicker Park. This intimate music venue hosts shows nearly every evening, which makes it the perfect hangout spot if you enjoy attending smaller shows to discover new local acts.
Another popular venue for live music is the Chop Shop a butcher, deli, bar, and restaurant hybrid with a sprawling event space and concert venue. Housed in the back of a century-old former auto body shop, the open performance space showcases both emerging and established artists and is a great spot if you want to catch stellar performances.
Events
There are a lot of fun, family-friendly events to enjoy when you’re living in Bucktown. Some of the annual events you can look forward to are:
- Bucktown Garden Walk – The Bucktown Garden Walk is a community block party where green-thumbed residents get to showcase their skills and efforts in maintaining their gardens. Some neighborhood gardens will host live music, games, public art installations, food and drink vendors, and kids’ activities during the annual weekend-long event.
- Bucktown Arts Fest – The Bucktown Arts Fest is a neighborhood tradition held every August. Each year, more than a hundred artists get to showcase their works as the whole Bucktown community comes together to enjoy a fun-filled weekend with music stages, food trucks, craft beer vendors, and pop-up stores. Bucktown Arts Fest is a non-profit, all-volunteer-run celebration of the arts with all proceeds used for funding, developing, and supporting art programs at Holstein Park and schools throughout Bucktown.
- WPB Art Quest – Organized by the Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce, the WPB Art Fest and Cocktail Crawl invite art enthusiasts to celebrate the neighborhood’s artistic roots. You’ll be able to stroll through galleries and check out murals and outdoor sculptures while enjoying cocktails and wine served by participating galleries.
- Wicker Park Fest – Wicker Park Fest is one of the top-drawing festivals in Chicago, attracting more than 90,000 attendees throughout Chicagoland and beyond with its stellar lineup of music acts across four stages. In addition to incredible performances, the summer festival features arts and crafts vendors, retail booths, and pop-up kiosks from some of the top local restaurants.
FIND YOUR DREAM HOME IN BUCKTOWN TODAY
Ready to start your search for the finest Bucktown homes for sale?
Work with our elite team of experienced real estate agents from The Cindi Sodolski Group for a seamless and stress-free home search! Led by top Chicago luxury real estate specialist Cindi Sodolski, our team has helped realize the real estate goals of countless clients through our detail-oriented, customer-centric approach.
Whether you’re looking for a new home or the perfect investment property in Bucktown, you can rely on our deep local knowledge, unmatched expertise, and strong customer service skills to help you fulfill your goals.
Get in touch with our team of Chicago real estate experts today! Give us a call at 773.450.0820 or send an email. You can also leave us a message here.
