People often use New Eastside and Lakeshore East as if they mean the same thing. They are closely connected, but they are not exactly the same. The short answer is this: the New Eastside is the larger downtown Chicago neighborhood, and Lakeshore East is the 28-acre master-planned development inside it.
If you are buying, selling, or trying to understand condo buildings east of Michigan Avenue, this distinction matters. It affects how people talk about buildings, park access, Pedway access, lakefront access, and daily life in this part of downtown Chicago.
Quick Answer
- New Eastside: The larger neighborhood within the Loop community area, generally east of Michigan Avenue, south of the Chicago River, north of Randolph Street, and west of Lake Shore Drive and Lake Michigan.
- Lakeshore East: The 28-acre master-planned development within the New Eastside, built around Lakeshore East Park.
- Simple way to remember it: Lakeshore East is part of the New Eastside, but not all of the New Eastside is Lakeshore East.
What Is the New Eastside?
The New Eastside is a downtown Chicago neighborhood within the Loop community area. It sits just east of Michigan Avenue and north of Millennium Park, with the Chicago River to the north and Lake Michigan to the east.
In practical real estate terms, the New Eastside includes Illinois Center, Lakeshore East, and several condo and rental buildings that existed before the Lakeshore East master plan was built. It is a neighborhood of high-rise condos, apartments, hotels, office buildings, parks, lakefront access, Pedway connections, and downtown conveniences.
A simple boundary description is:
- West: Michigan Avenue
- North: Chicago River and East Wacker Drive
- South: Randolph Street
- East: Lake Shore Drive and Lake Michigan
What Is Lakeshore East?
Lakeshore East is the master-planned development inside the New Eastside. It is centered around the six-acre Lakeshore East Park and includes a mix of condo towers, apartment buildings, parkhomes, retail, restaurants, and neighborhood services.
The 28-acre Lakeshore East master plan was designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill for Magellan Development. SOM describes the plan as a 28-acre downtown site organized around a six-acre park with residential towers and connections to the riverfront and lakefront. Magellan describes Lakeshore East as a large mixed-use neighborhood with open space, residences, commercial space, hotel rooms, retail, and community uses.
That planned layout is what makes Lakeshore East feel different from many other downtown Chicago areas. It has a park at the center, building entrances on different levels, lakefront and Riverwalk access nearby, and a more tucked-away feeling than a typical city block.
Which Buildings Are in Lakeshore East?
The main Lakeshore East condo buildings include:
- The Lancaster
- The Regatta
- The Chandler
- 340 on the Park
- Aqua
- St. Regis Chicago
- Cirrus
- The Parkhomes at Lakeshore East
- Aqua Parkhomes
The main Lakeshore East rental buildings include:
- The Shoreham
- The Tides
- Aqua Apartments
- Coast
- Cascade
The neighborhood also includes the Village Market area near the south side of the park, with grocery, dining, and everyday services.
Which New Eastside Buildings Are Outside Lakeshore East?
Several well-known New Eastside buildings are not part of the Lakeshore East master-planned development. They are still part of the broader New Eastside neighborhood.
Examples include:
- Park Millennium
- Harbor Point
- 400 East Randolph
- The Buckingham
- ParkShore
- 175 N Harbor
- Millennium Park Plaza
- Columbus Plaza
This is why the wording can get confusing. A buyer may say they want Lakeshore East when they really mean the New Eastside, or they may say New Eastside when they only want buildings around Lakeshore East Park.
A Short History of the Area
The New Eastside has changed dramatically over time. Much of the land east of Michigan Avenue and near the river was shaped by rail, harbor, office, hotel, and residential development. Illinois Center, Aon Center, Prudential Plaza, Hyatt Regency Chicago, Fairmont Chicago, and other nearby properties helped shape the broader New Eastside before Lakeshore East became what it is today.
Lakeshore East came later as a master-planned development on the former Illinois Center land east of Columbus Drive. Construction began in the early 2000s, and The Lancaster became the first condominium building completed in the development. Lakeshore East Park opened in 2005 and became the center of the neighborhood.
Why the Difference Matters for Buyers
The difference between New Eastside and Lakeshore East is not just vocabulary. It can affect how a building feels day to day.
Lakeshore East buildings are usually closest to the park and the planned neighborhood core. Some New Eastside buildings outside Lakeshore East may offer easier access to Millennium Park, Michigan Avenue, the Loop, the lakefront, or older-established building amenities.
When comparing buildings, think about:
- Do you want to be directly on or near Lakeshore East Park?
- Do you care more about lakefront, Riverwalk, Pedway, or Michigan Avenue access?
- Do you prefer a newer master-planned building or an established older high-rise?
- How will guests, deliveries, parking, dog walks, and daily errands work?
- Which route will you use most often in winter or bad weather?
How the Pedway, Park, and Lakefront Fit In
Both the New Eastside and Lakeshore East benefit from unusual downtown access. Residents can use the park, lakefront path, Riverwalk, Pedway connections, and multilevel walkways to move through the area.
These guides explain the access points in more detail:
- How to Navigate Lakeshore East
- Chicago Pedway from New Eastside to Block 37
- Chicago Pedway North Route from New Eastside
FAQ About New Eastside vs Lakeshore East
Is Lakeshore East the same as the New Eastside?
No. Lakeshore East is part of the New Eastside, but the New Eastside is larger. The New Eastside includes Lakeshore East plus other nearby buildings and areas east of Michigan Avenue.
Is the New Eastside part of the Loop?
Yes. The New Eastside is within Chicago's Loop community area, but it feels distinct because it sits east of Michigan Avenue near the river, lakefront, parks, and Pedway connections.
What are the boundaries of the New Eastside?
A common description places the New Eastside between Michigan Avenue on the west, the Chicago River and East Wacker Drive on the north, Randolph Street on the south, and Lake Shore Drive and Lake Michigan on the east.
What makes Lakeshore East different?
Lakeshore East is a 28-acre master-planned development centered around Lakeshore East Park. It has a planned mix of condo towers, rental buildings, parkhomes, retail, restaurants, open space, and neighborhood services.
Which is better, New Eastside or Lakeshore East?
It depends on how you live. Lakeshore East is best for people who want to be close to the park and planned neighborhood core. Other New Eastside buildings may be better for people who want different views, building styles, pricing, or access to Michigan Avenue, Millennium Park, or the Loop.
Thinking About Buying or Selling in the New Eastside?
The New Eastside and Lakeshore East are small enough that every building matters. The right choice depends on views, assessments, amenities, parking, building age, floor plan, park access, lakefront access, Pedway access, and how you want to live day to day.
Explore Lakeshore East condos and neighborhood information, or reach out to Ginger Menne for local guidance on New Eastside and downtown Chicago real estate.
Ginger Menne
Baird & Warner
(312) 927-0852
[email protected]
Sources and further reading: Magellan Development Lakeshore East Master Plan and SOM Lakeshore East Master Plan.
