The best-known neighborhood in West Town is Ukrainian Village and is a largely residential area that reflects the German, Polish and Ukrainian immigrants who settled on the North Side in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Ukrainian Village has recently become the target of real estate interests, so the boundaries of the neighborhood have become more fluid. Ukrainian Village is located on both sides of Chicago Avenue from Damen Avenue to beyond Western Avenue. It is approximately a 32-square-block area northwest of downtown.
Ukrainian Village has an ethnically diverse population today, but remains a focal point for the Chicago area's Ukrainian community because of the Ukrainian businesses, organizations and churches that are based in the neighborhood. With 10,000 Ukrainians living here, it is one of Chicago's most original ethnic neighborhoods. The storefronts have Ukrainian signs, bakeries and delis carry pierogi, dumplings and other specialties, and radio shows broadcast in Ukrainian.
The numerous churches are the centers of community activity. Their gilded domes rise above the neighborhood. Centrally located is the Ukrainian Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Cathedral, built in 1903. This church encouraged the first migration of Ukrainians into the area. The Cathedral and rectory were designed by Louis H. Sullivan, and became a Chicago Landmark in 1979.
Ukrainian Village is a cohesive residential area of solid, Victorian-style housing, workers cottages and tidy red brick two- and three-flats. The vintage buildings display the high-quality workmanship and detailing that Ukrainians loved. It is a beautiful area and the streets, yards, and buildings are well-maintained with lovely gardens and balconies.
Ukrainian Village is currently experiencing a trend toward rehabbing evident by the large amount of renovation and redevelopment going on. Vintage housing is rarely listed on the market, as they are passed on to family members or sold to neighbors. However, there is also construction of new townhouses. The style of the new buildings blends well with the older architecture in the area. The area west of Western Avenue offers comparative bargain prices and people are now moving west of Western, because east of Western is just becoming too expensive.
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