I'll never rent from anyone else in Chicago & here's why:…read more--staff some of the first to wear masks --quick responses for maintenance requests --great communication in tough times --neighbors friendly (but staying out of each other's way in 2020) --many bilingual folks on staff --very low costs for utilities not already covered --grounds always beautiful & trash-free

I've lived in one of their buildings for 13 years, first in a studio, then a one bedroom. Ardmore…read moreWinthrop Properties sets the bar and sets it high for what being great property managers and landlords looks like. Incredibly attentive and responsive staff, from the office to the maintenance folks. They're proactive about health and safety concerns. They make it a point to replace all smoke detector batteries twice a year and offer complimentary preventative pest control (always with advance notice and signs posted letting you know it's going to be happening, and they always make sure to ask if you have pets that they need to be careful not to let out when they enter) - they keep the building extremely clean. I see the cleaning person around the building doing her thing almost every day. It's also the most festive building I've ever lived in. Every month they put up new decorations (and sometimes candy) for holidays in the entryways, lobby, even on each floor. And they keep a ton of beautiful plants and a water feature in the lobby and laundry room. Everyone is very friendly. When you run into the maintenance person, he always takes a moment to ask how everything is going on your floor/in your apartment and maybe share some fun facts about the building's design. If you have an issue or concern about something, they respond right away. They send you holiday and birthday cards and have been offering free laundry on site throughout the pandemic. The laundry room is huge with 6 washers (most brand new) and 8 dryers. They do everything they can to make receiving packages easy and secure for their tenants. If you're looking to rent in the Edgewater neighborhood, do yourself a favor and ask Ardmore Winthrop Properties for a tour of one of their buildings.

Nothing fancy, but quiet and cheap. Good for headshots, rehearals, music rehearsals. Tough to do…read moreauditions because there is only the one room. Close to Walgreens, liquor, Staples - everything you need!

What a cool place!!! So many rooms and floors of cool art and specialty items. It's bigger than it…read morelooks. Rooms lead to more rooms. Really unique gifts, clothes, honey, jewelry, candies, soaps, bags, housewares, artwork from local artists, and more. I definitely recommend checking this place out!

I have nothing personal against this store or the people who sell there, but for me it was…read moreunderwhelming. There is a lot of stuff, but it is very generic. The "art" they sell is the kind that goes on a greeting card or t-shirt. Some booths sell crafts like you can find on Etsy--upcycled clothes and amigurumi or felt toys (which were cute enough but nothing amazing). Others sell imported items. It wasn't always clear if they were fair trade or not. In fact, that was one of the things that bugged me: many booths' lack of transparency on where these items were made/who made them. A lot of items looked mass produced, so it was hard to tell what wasn't. Basically this store exemplifies what happens when you commercialize art. Everything converges under market pressure and ends up looking the same. Personally antique malls are my style. They have a similar concept (many vendors in one space), but much more interesting and greater variety of items.

Lillstreet Art Center is a magical place, it has a little bit of everything!…read more I've taken everything from pottery classes to jewelry workshops to textile classes here. They really have a wide selection and great time options in the evenings for those who work 9-5. 12 years later I still use the garlic grater I made in a sculpting class. Prices are expected, but reasonable for what you get. Teachers are awesome and work with you to help you learn, even if working with clay isn't your thing (I learned quickly it wasn't my thing). But it's still fun to try something new! In the heart of Ravenswood easily accessible by the el, and they do have parking if you drive. Definitely check out this gem if you haven't yet.

As described in the Lillstreet Art Center website, it was "founded in 1975, Lillstreet is a…read morecreative workspace for artists of all levels, from first-timers, to professionals. No matter how you define yourself, you belong here!" When Daughter told me that she had just registered for a "Beginning Wheelthrowing" class at Lillstreet, I did not know the art center. However, I had always been curious about wheelthrowing and wanted to finally learn about it, so I registered too! We both registered for a 10-week class that met once a week in the weekend. It had been a fun 10 weeks! Well, we had missed 2 classes for our unexpected trip to Europe, but we were fortunate that we could make up work by going to "open studios" that are available only to current students. Our teacher Jen FitzGerald has 25 years of experience in ceramics. Both Jen and the class assistant, Kim, are very kind, welcoming, and encouraging. Jen always has solutions to whatever problems that we might have. After she made a demonstration throwing on the wheel, she would go around the classroom to see how everybody was doing with her own work. It was especially helpful during the first couple of classes that Jen came by me and helped me one-on-one to overcome the hurdles that I had. After I "mastered" the techniques, wheelthrowing is relaxing and fun. Glazing pottery has been a lot of fun too! Looking for our fired glazed work on the common shelves is like Christmas! There have been nice surprises of how the glazed work turned out! Now both Daughter and I have made a bunch of cups, mugs, and bowls that we are proud of. Like a lot of the students at Lillstreet, our passion for ceramics have been ignited, this class won't be the last! Lillstreet Art Center not only offers a lot of different art classes for all levels, it also hosts private events like birthday parties, and one-time workshops that you can test the water and have some fun. There is a gallery/gift shop that features a lot of one-of-a-kind creations from teachers and students, most are really sophisticated and professional, and inspirational too! There is a small café that you can enjoy local baked goods. We had tried the almond croissants which were very good. Our teacher Jen is having a Lounge Show "Mudweaver Ceramics" in the cafe, from November 1 to 30, 2024. The show showcases some very amazing ceramic art that looks like woven baskets! Come see the show if you can! Closing reception is on Friday, November 29 at 6:00 PM.

I took this class Dec/Jan It was such a disappointment…read more Instructor Eli was all over the place and could not task manage. Not one single person in our class was able to complete their cabinet. I let with a pile of subpar wood. He talked up a good game and made me feel like I was really going to learn something. I was looking forward to learning everything he mentioned I was going to do for my cabinet. We did nothing of what he said and like I mentioned I left last day of class with a pile of wood I had to try to assemble at home on my own. He did offer a "day pass for a fee" to return and finish our project. He was not helpful at all. I arrived 15 min early to class and asked him a very simple question. And his answer to me was "my time is valuable and your class doesn't start till 6pm. I'll be available to answer your question at that time". Then he proceeds to ask me to walk all the way to the entry door which is a lost 1/2 block away to slide a door stopper to keep the door open for the rest of the students. I didn't do it as my time is just as valuable and I don't work here. I needed to cut my door pieces but he asked me to help another student build his cabinet which was fine. Then I asked him if he can cut my wood since I'm spending my time helping the other student (something he should be dung not me) and he said "no! then you aren't learning how to do it yourself". Then why am I wasting my time helping your students! He made us start cleaning at 815p on our last day of class - cleaning his workshop. None of our pieces are done at this point. He doesn't ask nicely - he says again that his time is valuable and must leave at 9pm. Well it's 859p and he starts on a "please rate my space rant" "I will send you a link to review" and how "this is my money maker" I get up mid talk and leave as it's now 9pm and he stops and says "are you really walking on mid sentence?" Yup it's 9pm class is over. Needless to say I'm sure he knew I was upset leaving without a cabinet made. He failed to send me the link to review his space. The students in class were great from all ages. I first chalked it up to the bad class being stressful for him due to it being the holiday season and he shared with us about how tense it is between his divorced parents and sharing the holidays with each house. I'd suggest maybe not holding a class over the holidays if your personal kid impacts your professional life. During our class time instead of helping us - all new to carpentry and keeping us on track and time management - he'd sneak off to his work area and finish his own projects that he works on to sell. I was very disappointed in this class and feel like I didn't learn much of anything and still have a pile of subpar warped and cracked wood pieces on my porch floor. I consider reaching out to my classmates and suggesting a bon fire to get rid of the horrible wood. I'm still looking for a cabinet making class because I really want to learn how to make something and actually finish it.

I took an Intro to Woodworking class with Eli and got over my fear of power saws! I also made…read moresomething that I can use and look at and reminds me of the experience. Eli is fun, patient, kind, and skilled. There were different skill levels present and all sorts of project goals in the room, which Eli was more than happy to explore. It was a super fun and enjoyable class!

Great new local art gallery that also provides art instruction and space rental. Lots of different…read morestyles of art, from abstract to traditional. We found a few gifts here and thought the prices were very reasonable, they had something for every price range. Got a great necklace by a local artist for $10. Looking forward to going back and maybe having some of my art there.

From the owner: Connecting You with Your Local Artists since 2023…read moreHandmade goods Artist Lead Workshops Events with Your Local Artists Visit us today!

We rented an office space at this location for when we were in town for an independent film shoot…read more The owner, Mark, and his staff are incredibly friendly and accommodating. The offices are mostly occupied by artists, so they prefer to keep a very low volume level. The building has secure 24/7 access, there is ample street parking and even a lot attached should you need to rent additional parking. The offices and parking are affordable, clean and in a new safe and up & coming neighborhood. Lots of restaurants in walking distance. Walking distance to the blue line and easy freeway access for commuters. I can't recommend this place enough! Should you need a short term or long term office space, consider this location! They also have a recording studio attached.

Far enough away and off the grid to be Very Special!You are cool if you come here! Art abounds at…read moregood prices and poets awesome!

This WeWork opened up in 2023 which was a nice addition to the North Side given that all of the…read moreother WeWork locations in Chicago are located in the Loop/River North/West Loop areas. I've been to this newest location at the Bridgeview Bank a couple of times and absolutely love that the historical bank building was repurposed for both WeWork and new apartments above. The staff that work at this WeWork are friendly, and I've had no issues thus far. This location does events almost weekly which keeps me coming back to take advantage of it as well. Today they had a Bao & Beer day and had catered in Bao's and gyozas!