Located between Belmont and Addison Avenues and west from Damen to Western Avenue. Roscoe Village is within the larger neighborhood of Lakeview in the western portion.
Settled in the late nineteenth century largely by Germans, greenhouses covered much of Roscoe Village. After the 1871 Chicago Fire, there was some new construction to the area. On its western edge was Riverview Amusement Park, a Chicago landmark opened in 1904 and closed in 1967. Riverview billed itself as the "World's Largest Amusement Park."
Roscoe Village is a peaceful, working class neighborhood that has become more and more appealing because of its tree-lined streets and reasonable prices. This area attracts working couples and families and a growing number of urban professionals.
Roscoe Village features a charming small town area on Roscoe Street from Damen to Western with restaurants, antiques dealers and small shops. Antique Row is a five block stretch on Belmont from Damen to Western which is the largest concentration of antique stores in the Midwest.
Less crowded than other Lincoln Park and Lake View areas, this peaceful neighborhood is comprised primarily of post World War II bungalows and 2 and 3 flats dating from the early 1900's. Many have been converted to single family homes. A great deal of rehabbing is underway in the residential area. In Roscoe Village, the average price in 1998 for a single family home was $257,339. Roscoe Village also has loft and work/studio spaces available at reasonable prices.
The recent renovation of an old manufacturing building into condominium lofts together with the opening of Whole Foods supermarket on Ashland Avenue caters to the young professionals moving to this area. Many ethnic businesses, new restaurants, and a variety of services have opened as well.
Parking in Roscoe Village is relatively easy, with plenty of metered and free spots along Roscoe or nearby side streets. Roscoe Village is four miles north of the Loop. Lake Shore Drive and the Kennedy Expressway (I-90/94) are within easy driving distance.
There are 'L' stops at Belmont and Sheffield.
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