Market Update · New Eastside / Lakeshore East · May 2026
The LakeShore East Market is a Seller's Market
If you own a home in the New Eastside — or you've been thinking about buying here — I want to make sure you're seeing what I'm seeing right now. Because things are moving, and this neighborhood is telling a very different story than the rest of Chicago.
Before I get into the numbers, a quick note on geography, because I get asked about this constantly. The broader neighborhood is called the New Eastside. Within it, the master-planned development known as Lakeshore East — which most people use as shorthand for the whole area — is made up of 11 high-rises, the Parkhomes, and East Village Market. The New Eastside also includes six residential high-rises that predate Lakeshore East: Park Millennium, Harbor Point, Parkshore, 175 N Harbor, 400 E Randolph, and The Buckingham.
The whole area is wrapped in incredible green space — Lakeshore East Park, Cascade Park, and right next door, Maggie Daley Park, Millennium Park, the Lakefront, and the Riverwalk. It's a walkability story that's basically unmatched in Chicago. And what happens here doesn't always follow what's happening elsewhere in the city. Right now, that distinction matters more than ever.
By the Numbers — Right Now
With 103 active listings and 41 already under contract, that's roughly two months of supply on the market — a seller's market by any measure. Demand is real and inventory is tight.
When nearly 40% of active inventory is already tied up in contracts, that tells you buyers aren't sitting on the sidelines. Well-priced units in this neighborhood are moving with conviction. And sellers who get into the market now are facing less competition than they will if they wait.
What I'm Actually Watching
Here's what I always remind people about this submarket: not all units are created equal, even within the same building. Floor matters. View matters — lake versus park versus city is not a minor detail, it's real money. Parking availability, storage, pet policies, amenity packages — these all move the needle in ways that a broad market average simply won't capture.
What I'm watching closely heading into late summer is whether that active inventory stays this tight. Right now, the absorption rate is strong and supply is constrained. If you've been on the fence about listing, or you're curious what your specific unit is actually worth in this environment, now is a smart time to find out. I can pull building-level data for your tower and give you a real picture — not a Zestimate.
Are You a Buyer or a Seller Right Now?
🏠 If You're Thinking About Buying
This is a seller's market — which means you need to be ready to move when the right unit shows up. With 40% of available inventory already under contract, sitting on the sidelines means watching the good stuff go. The key is knowing which buildings and which floor plans offer the real value at any given moment. That's exactly where I can help.
💰 If You're Thinking About Selling
The conditions are genuinely in your favor right now. Tight inventory, strong absorption, and motivated buyers are a combination you want to take advantage of. A well-prepared unit, priced accurately from day one, will attract serious buyers quickly. The mistake I see sellers make is waiting for the "perfect moment" — in a market like this one, that moment is right now.
A Few Things Worth Knowing About This Neighborhood
I get questions about this neighborhood constantly — from people who already live here and from buyers discovering it for the first time. A few things come up over and over, and I want to address them directly.
Assessment fees vary — and they matter more than most people realize.
Each building has its own HOA and its own financial health. I always look at reserve fund status and special assessment history before advising a buyer. A unit that looks attractively priced on paper can look very different once you factor in monthly assessments and any deferred capital work the building is carrying. I've seen buyers get surprised by this. I make sure my clients don't.
Parking is not always included — and it's not a small number.
In most buildings here, parking is deeded separately and can add a significant amount to the purchase price. If you're a buyer, you need to know what's included and what's negotiable. If you're a seller, how you position your parking spot can affect your net — and there's real strategy involved. I can walk you through the options.
Views are priced into the market — but not always correctly.
Lake view, park view, city view, and interior-facing units all trade at meaningfully different price points. Knowing the real spread — based on actual closed sales in each building — is how you avoid overpaying as a buyer or underpricing as a seller. This is building-specific knowledge, and it's not something a generic market report is going to give you.
Let's Talk About Your Specific Situation
Whether you're thinking about buying, selling, or just want to know what your unit is actually worth right now — I'm happy to pull the numbers and have a real conversation. No generic reports, no pressure. Just building-specific data and honest advice.
