Tri-Taylor Real Estate Chicago
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History
It was the hope in finding work that drew Italian immigrants into the Near West Side in the 1890s. Hopes of earning enough money to return to Italy and buy land was what lured them in, many however ended up staying in Chicago for the long run. By the 1920s, Italians had become the Near West Side's largest ethnic group. Settling primarily between Polk and Taylor Streets, most of the immigrants worked at the Randolph Street Market, and in the garment industry. The influence of the Italians upon this neighborhood, with its Italian grocery stores, restaurants, churches, became known as Little Italy. Beginning in the 1940s, industrial expansion of the Medical Center District, construction of the Eisenhower Expressway, and the University of Illinois campus forced many West Side Italians to leave. In 1941 the state created the Chicago Medical Center commission and allowed it to acquire 305 acres of land surrounding existing medical buildings. Despite this, a devout portion of the Italian community remains today in the Tri-Taylor Street area. Although these developments shrank the Italian community, the Catholic parishes of the area remained strong and held the community togetherArchitecture
The Near West side is a mixed area of historic pockets separated by stretches of urban renewal. The area and its architectures vary from civil war residences, industrial districts, to ultra modern institutional complexes. While the area started primarily as an industrial area, as of late it has become the latest area to undergo gentrification. Italians became the largest ethnic group of this Near West Side by the 1920's. Italian style houses built in the 1870's can be seen at W. Bowler St., S. Oakley Blvd. and the William J. Onahan Row Houses at Lexington St. They are red brick houses with unique brickwork lining the window and doors, often times with massive limestone blocks. Some of the homes are indicative of Anne style homes found elsewhere in the city.Tri-Taylor Today
Tri-Taylor consists primarily of the area around 3 intersections on Taylor Street (Damen, Oakley, Western). The area was simply dubbed "Tri-Taylor." The neighborhood is traditionally an extension of the Little Italy neighborhood to its east. Recently it has been composed mostly of Mexican-Americans and students from nearby University of Illinois-Chicago. The neighborhood is also home to the Chicago Technology Park research center.The near west side is home to several major university and hospital institutions including Cook County Hospital, the University of Illinois at Chicago and Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical center. Rush Medical College- Johnston R.Bowman Health Center between Harrison and Polk, and the James Foley Building on Racine Ave. Art Deco also maintains an influence in area buildings at the Medical Sciences Building on Wolcott Ave.
Little Italy Today
Encompassing 12 blocks on Taylor Street, Little Italy is home to the landmark restaurants Rosebud's, Pompeii, Francesca's and Tuscany. Those coming for the full Italian-American experience should enjoy a visit to the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame (and nearby Joe DiMaggio Square), a gelato from Mario's Italian Lemonade, and a stroll in Garibaldi Park. The neighborhood lies between the Illinois Medical District and the UIC campus. It is in the little Italy and Tri-Taylor area that you will find some of Chicago's finest and most authentic Italian cuisine. Whether you simply want to cool off with a cold Italian ice and lupini beans from Mario's, or you need to pick up some prociutto and fresh mozzarella cheese from Conte Di Savoia, this area will satisfy the Italian in everybody. Don't forget to pick some pastries at Ferrara's on Taylor street just west of Ogden.
Dining
| La Vita | 1359 W. Taylor St 312-491-1414 |
| RoSal's | 1154 W. Taylor St. 312-243-2357 |
| Al's No. 1 Italian Beef | 1079 W. Taylor St. 312-226-4017 |
| Bacci Pizzeria | 2248 W. Taylor St. 312-455-9000 |
| BeviAmo Wine Bar | 1358 W. Taylor St. 312-455-8255 |
| Cafe Viaggio | 1435 West Taylor St. 312-226-9009 |
| Caffe la Scala | 626 S. Racine Ave. 312-421-7262 |
| Carm's Italian Beef | 1057 W. Polk St. 312-738-1046 |
| Conte Di Savoia | 1438 W. Taylor St. 312-666-3471 |
| Francesca's on Taylor | 1400 W. Taylor St. 312-829-2828 |
| Gennaro's | 1352 W. Taylor St. 312-243-1035 |
| Leona's Restaurant | 1419 W. Taylor St. 312-850-2222 |
| Little Joe's | 1041 W. Taylor St. 312-829-5888 |
| Mario's Italian Lemonade | 1068 W. Taylor St. |
| Pompei Bakery | 1531 W. Taylor St. 312-421-5179 |
| Scafuri Bakery | 1337 W. Taylor St. 312-733-8881 |
| The Rosebud | 1500 W. Taylor St. 312-942-1117 |
| Tuscany | 1014 W. Taylor St. 312-829-1990 |