The Element Condominiums

(2124-30 N.California)

Useful Neighborhood Information


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Logan Square is named after the Civil War general, Illinois State Senator and founder of Memorial Day, John Alexander Logan. One of the oldest neighborhoods in Chicago, Logan Square's real estate reflects both historical and contemporary architecture, which has attracted an eclectic mix of students, artists and working professionals and led to an increase in ethnic and economic diversity. Far from a melting pot, Logan Square is more of a rich tapestry with a proud heritage, which it embraces and celebrates despite intense gentrification efforts throughout Chicago. However, its past has not stopped Logan Square from becoming a thriving cosmopolitan hub in the heart of Chicago.

History
Logan Square began as nothing more than a crop of hay, which was the gasoline of the 1836 transportation system. By the early 1840s a confusing network of trails ran northwest from the center of Chicago to what is now the Milwaukee Avenue corridor so the state legislature decided to grant a petition to have a road surveyed there. Not more than a few years later, three inch oak boards were laid across these dirt paths thus creating the Northwest Plank Road which eventually ran 23 miles from downtown Chicago all the way up to Wheeling.

The political aftermath of the Chicago Fire of 1871 jumpstarted Logan Square's move from suburban outpost to eventually being annexed by the City of Chicago. The city proposed outlawing wood construction in order to prevent fires from once again consuming the city. However, wood was often all people could afford; in addition to being cheap, wood was also a structurally reliable material. Despite much protest the law passed but applied only within Chicago's city limits which at the time did not yet include Jefferson Township, the precursor to Logan Square. So, German immigrants promptly moved west to Jefferson Township in order to build as they pleased. Consequently, the city's fear based proposition to outlaw wood construction had the unexpected result of helping this evolving neighborhood to form a sense of identity and individuality separate from Chicago's established urban culture.

In 1889, the City annexed Jefferson Township and gave Milwaukee Avenue a much needed upgrade to wood-block pavement. This helped modernize transportation in this area which was then able to move beyond horse drawn carriages to cable cars and finally to electric streetcars. Over the course of three decades, the boulevard system was created; incidentally, these wide thoroughfares ended up being natural fire breaks. Newly wealthy immigrants built elegant mansions along the boulevards resulting in the rich living alongside the poor - elegant mansions along the boulevards and modest homes and apartments for the working class along the side.

Logan Square continued to blossom and grow eventually becoming a busy headquarters of urban life. Ever since its establishment by the Yankees from the Northeast, who were among Chicago's earliest residents, most of its subsequent residents have been hardworking immigrants who cherish their native tongues. First came the Germans, Norwegians and Swedes; then Poles and Russian Jews; now Latin Americans. The neighborhood continues to grow in both physical size as well as popularity. Many will agree that the beauty of Logan Square is its diversity and its respect for the heritage and tradition of people of different backgrounds, religions and races.

Architecture
The Logan Square neighborhood is centered on the public square that serves as its namesake. The actual Logan Square is at the 3-way intersection of Milwaukee Ave, Logan Boulevard and Kedzie Boulevard; the famed Illinois Centennial Memorial Column, a monumental 70 feet tall Doric column with an oversized eagle perched at the top, sits at its center.

Logan Square is the ONLY Chicago neighborhood with its own Statue of Liberty. "Lady Liberty" stands proudly at the Liberty Bank for Savings on Milwaukee Avenue over the striking glass and tile entrance to the bank.

The Congress Theater opened in 1926 and is one of the few movie palaces still in business in Chicago. This landmarked classical Baroque structure holds a 2,900-seat domed auditorium which stages a variety of shows from concerts by local artists to lucha libre matches. You can catch a movie at the Logan Theater, the city's last second-run movie house housed in a landmark building that proudly displays its triangular marquee and vertical neon sign.

Logan Boulevard is a mile-long stretch exhibiting the grandiose mansions for which the neighborhood is best known. These homes were built at the beginning of the neighborhood's formation and shine as examples of the architecturally elaborate and stunning homes of the late 19th century.

Palmer Square Park is a luxurious uninterrupted seven acre green space between Kedzie, Humboldt and Palmer boulevards. There is a parade of architectural gems along these avenues as well. It also hosts many outdoor festivals and markets in the summertime.
All specifications, features, designs, price and materials are subject to change without notice. Room dimensions are approximate and vary depending on residence selected. Depicted floor plans and architectural renderings are only an artist's impression.