Irving Park

The northwest side community of Irving Park is a patchwork of smaller, more readily identifiable neighborhoods like The Villa, West Walker, The Triangle, Independence Park, Addison Mall and the crowning jewel of Old Irving Park. “Old Irving,” as most call it, is a neighborhood distinguished by grand old white frame houses that look as if they were lifted a Hollywood period piece.

Built as a subdivision in the 1920s, The Villa is now a historic district. Avers and Harding, two of the north-south streets, boast grassy, tree-lined parkways extending the length of the neighborhood. The homes in The Villa are mostly brick or stucco, or a combination of both, in a variety of styles. Many invoke the standard Chicago bungalow, but are more elaborate and some are up to 50% larger. One can also find generous, 50 foot wide yards. Home prices range from between $400,000 and $600,000.

West Walker, which includes a smaller neighborhood known as The Triangle, offers Victorian and American four-square styles of architecture in it’s more expensive areas that will ask between $300,000 and $500,000, while the eastern areas have more modest housing ranging from $175,000 to $250,000.

Independence Park boasts mainly Dutch colonials and American four-squares and is more affordable than Old Irving, with most homes priced in the $250,000 to $400,000 range.

Addison Mall features brick two-flats priced from $280,000 to $350,000,

The Kennedy Expressway, CTA Blue Line and Metra’s Union Pacific Northwest Line all serve the community.