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Graceland West is a uniquely quiet and lush residential area no more than ½ mile by ¼ mile in size and close to lots of action. Located between Irving Park, Clark, Montrose and Ashland Avenues, it is nestled between the more well known neighborhoods of Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Wrigleyville, Andersonville, Ravenswood, Lincoln Square, Uptown, and the trendy Southport Avenue area.
Named for its proximity to the beautiful and historic Graceland Cemetery, it is a gem full of gracious homes and beautiful parks and landscaping. Settled from the 1870s to early 1900’s, around the Sulzer mansion (now owned by a famous movie actress), Graceland West was developed into a welcoming residential neighborhood. The original 1870’s real estate marketing materials boasted a retreat away from the hubbub of the city: in the country where tall evergreens reign. But now, at 5 miles from the “zero” point of the downtown Chicago, it is conveniently located in the center of Chicago’s north side.
Access and convenience are watchwords of the Graceland West area; there is plenty of easy, safe parking and great access to the city and sights via buses and frequent taxicabs passing on the neighborhood’s perimeter roads, as well as the nearby Brown Line CTA train.
The namesake attraction is Graceland Cemetery, established in 1860. This park-like setting features monuments designed by notable sculptors and architects honoring many of Chicago's most prominent early citizens: Marshall Field, Potter Palmer, Daniel Burnham, Louis Sullivan, Mies van der Rohe and George Pullman, among others. Tours are offered weekly, in season. Also, in the neighborhood is Warner Park and Gardens, a community park with a charming gazebo and flower lined walk.
A wide variety of other entertainment/cultural establishments are within a short cab or bus ride. Tons of restaurants and city-wide attractions such as the Mercury Theatre (live) and the Music Box movie-theater which offers a wide range of foreign, art and avante garde films are only a half mile away in the trendy Southport Avenue neighborhood. Even closer are several fine eating establishments featuring Mediterranean, Contemporary Italian, Philippine, Mexican and Chicago Style Barbecue, as well as an assortment of eclectic dining opportunities.
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