Located just 15 miles outside of downtown Chicago, Riverside is a village in Cook County that seems to preserve the past and lies outside of the traditional boundaries of city living. What many people might call a “hybrid town” in that it’s a combo of city and suburban living, it is truly a gem tucked away behind the trees of the Des Plaines Rivers.
Riverside is situated in between Harlem Ave and Ogden Ave, and lies just north of Lyons, south of Forest and Oak Park, east of La Grange and Brookfield, and west of Berwyn. It was settled in 1836 and first welcomed by the Forbes family, but later joined by many other families after the Riverside Improvement Company began it’s journey to create “a perfect village in a perfect setting”.
The company chose Frederick Law Olmsted to lay out the master plan, featuring curvilinear streets that reflect the Riverside we see today. Many neighboring communities recognize Riverside from the historic train station and water tower.
One of the best parts of living in Riverside is not only the historical richness of the homes, but the uniqueness of the homes throughout the neighborhood as well. If you’re looking for cookie cutter real estate, you won’t find it here.
Riverside has a rich architectural legacy dating back to 1869. Not only was the village designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, but it also features several structures designed by other prominent architects, including:
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Frank Lloyd Wright
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Joseph L. Silsbee
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Louis Sullivan
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R. Harold Zook
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William Drummond
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William Le Baron Jenney
You can also find many homes for sale that showcase traditional styles, such as:
Tudor — Tudor homes are characterized by steeply pitched roofs, elaborate chimneys, intricate doorways, grouping of windows, and brick work. Think cottage in the woods meets old-school city buildings.
Colonial — Colonial homes typically have a simple, symmetrical style. They often have two to three stories with tall ceilings, a central fireplace, and either brick or wood exteriors. Colonial homes are most traditionally found on the east coast of the U.S.
Victorian — Victorian homes are typically large and ornate — think classic, beautiful dollhouses. They can have either wood or stone siding, and typically feature Romanesque styles, with shapes that are complicated and asymmetrical.
Several homes have even received National Historic Landmark status. Although, you won’t find much new construction here, there are plenty people who renovate these gorgeous homes to bring them back to life.
The downtown area on Burlington St. is filled with restaurants, businesses, and events.
La Barra — La Barra is a local Italian restaurant that serves up all of your favorites. From delicious appetizers and salads to pasta and pizza, there’s something for everyone here.
The Chew Chew — A wonderful upscale, modern Americana restaurant, the Chew Chew offers a wide range of dishes, with menus that reflect local, seasonal produce.
Empanadus — A treat for everyone, Empanadus is a new take on empanadas. You can try one of their classic flavors, or something more modern, like the vegan al pastor with pineapple.
Michaels — Ready for breakfast? Michaels is just what you need. It has that diner feel with delicious classics that have that homemade taste.
La Estancia — The local’s pick for classic Mexican, La Estancia has all of your favorites. Plus, you can grab any of their incredible margaritas for a night out.
Sawmilly — Whether you’re looking to sit down for lunch or need something to grab and go, the Sawmilly has a wide range of hand-made sandwiches.
Catrina Tequila Bar — If you’re looking for an incredible cocktail, Catrina Tequila Car has you covered. All of their cocktails and hand-crafted and made with fresh ingredients. Hungry? They’ve got small plates as well!
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Riverside Foods - A favorite amongst locals, Riverside Foods makes grabbing something from the grocery store more convenient than ever. This small-business is filled with your everyday grocery needs, plus a list of local specialty items. Whether you’re grabbing something for dinner, or need to stock up of your favorite coffee, they’ve got you covered.
Shamrock Flowers — For special occasions, or no occasion for someone special, Shamrock Flowers is the perfect place to go for all of your floral needs. You can order ahead or pick up one of their ready-made bouquets in the store.
Salon Elia — Salon Elia has been owned and operated by Vasili for over 40 years. Although it was originally opened as a full service spa, Vasili now enjoys being behind the chair for his clients and focusing on hair care.
Salon D'Amore — At Salon D’Amore, they see each client as a unique individual, recognizing their personal taste in every choice they make. Although they can help guide you, their goal is to make sure you choose the look and style that works best for you.
Riverside Garage — You don’t have to live in Riverside to experience the incredible service at Riverside Garage. These auto mechanics proudly serve the Chicagoland area with a long list of reviews to prove just how much their customers love them.
Library — Located at the southern end of the downtown area, the Riverside library is stunning in every way. Its beautiful, stone architecture fits perfectly into the community, and is a fantastic space to escape with a book in hand.
Riverside Swim Club — Available to Riverside residents, the gorgeous and newly updated Riverside pool is ready for summer. With a new club house where you can buy snacks and drinks, plus swimming lanes and a recreational swim pool, it’s a space that everyone can enjoy.
Parks — Because of its location along the Des Plaines River, Riverside is surrounded by gorgeous scenery. Whether it’s the parks throughout the village, or the walking trail along the river, there’s a variety of beautiful places to spend time outside.
Schools — Another reason residents loves Riverside is the access to high quality schools, like Riverside Brookfield High School and Ames Elementary School.
Concerts in the Park — During the spring and summer, Riverside hosts a variety of events for residents and friends — one of the most popular being concerns in the park. From the Fourth of July event to “Rivinia”, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy great music. You can pack a picnic basket, grab a blanket, and sit back and enjoy.
Farmer’s Markets — As the weather gets warm, Riverside residents (and their neighbors!) can enjoy a farmers market downtown. Each week, vendors get together to provider hand-made and grown goods, including plants, fresh fruits and veggies, soaps, lotions, art — you name it. There are also food vendors so you can pick up a snack for the walk home, or even bring back a meal for dinner.
So whether you’re looking to move, or just passing through, there’s plenty Riverside has to offer.