The Magnificent Mile sometimes referred to as The Mag Mile, is an upscale section of Chicago’s Michigan Avenue, running from the Chicago River to Oak Street in the Near North Side. The district is located adjacent to downtown, and one block east of Rush Street. The Magnificent Mile serves as the main thoroughfare between Chicago’s Loop business district and its Gold Coast. It is generally the western boundary of the Streeterville neighborhood, to its east and River North to the west. Real estate developer Arthur Rubloff of Rubloff Company gave the district its nickname in the 1940s. Currently, Chicago‘s largest shopping district, various mid-range and high-end shops line this section of the street; approximately 3.1 million square feet (290,000 m2) are occupied by retail, restaurants, museums, and hotels. To date, rent on The Magnificent Mile is the third most expensive in the United States, behind Fifth Avenue in New York and Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. There are many tall buildings, such as 875 North Michigan Avenue (formerly the “John Hancock Center”), in the district. Landmarks along the Magnificent Mile include Wrigley Building, Tribune Tower, the Chicago Water Tower, and the Allerton, Drake, and Intercontinental Hotels.
After the Great Chicago, Illinois Fire of 1871, State Street (anchored by Marshall Field’s) in the downtown Loop, especially the Loop Retail Historic District, was the city’s retailing center. The convenience of mass transit including streetcars and elevated trains supported a retail corridor along State Street from Lake Street to Van Buren Street. By the 1920s, commuter suburbs began to have significant retail districts. Prior to the bascule bridge construction, swing bridges across the river were open for ship traffic during half the daylight hours. The Rush Street Bridge was the swing bridge for this area. The opening of the Michigan Avenue Bridge in 1920 created a new commercial district. Pest Control Chicago
The Magnificent Mile is one of the most famous shopping areas in the world — home to a dizzying array of popular stores, restaurants, attractions, and architecture all on one iconic street. An endless array of shops and boutiques, massive shopping centers, luxury designers, restaurants, coffee shops, historic hotels, and iconic architecture combine to make a trip to “The Mag Mile” an unforgettable experience. Check out Water Tower Place, where you’ll find floors upon floors of only-in-Chicago stores, like the original American Girl Place.
Restaurants and Pubs
- Doc B’s Restaurant + Bar is located at 100 E Walton St, Chicago, IL
- Billy Goat Tavern is located at Lower 430 North, Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL
- Streeter’s Tavern is located at 50 E Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL
Check out other neighborhoods like River North
