850 Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, IL

Seniors.FYI Elite Community Awards

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Pros

• The staff is helpful and capable, a highlight of the building.
• In-unit maintenance requests are promptly and efficiently handled.
• The garage staff are exceptional at keeping cars readily available.
• The door staff go out of their way to be helpful.
• Residents are friendly and engaging.
• The building feels like a quiet and friendly neighborhood.
• The management is outstanding and easy to work with.
• The front desk staff are lovely.
• The amenities are great, including the lakeview room, indoor pool, and rooftop lounge.
• The rooftop views are magical and spectacular.
• The location on Lake Michigan is perfect with a bus stop in front.
• The property manager Dallas is professional, accessible, and genuinely caring.

Cons

• The new management team is awful.
• The building is not safe and management does nothing to keep female residents safe.
• The management team and Laramar are despicable for allowing a dangerous person to work there.
• The gym was laughable and smelled terrible.
• The pool promoted to residents was closed for repairs for five months.
• A leaking sink took a week to fix.
• The application fee refund process was unresponsive and failed to issue a refund.
• A doorman stalked and harassed a resident, and management did nothing.

Review

850 Lake Shore Drive is best suited for families and active seniors who want a luxury, lakefront Chicago lifestyle with a strong service culture. This community rewards residents who value proactive staff, impeccable upkeep, and abundant amenities enough to justify a premium price. It works especially well for those who desire in-building conveniences, maintenance, door staff, valet, and a social environment, paired with spectacular views, a robust slate of common areas, and pet-friendly living. In short, it’s ideal for households willing to invest in a high-end experience and who weigh service quality and ambiance as primary drivers.

That said, potential residents who must have rock-solid management consistency, tight safety assurances, and a flawless, always-up-to-date fitness program should consider alternatives. While many reviews sing the praises of front-desk teams, maintenance responsiveness, and the overall culture, others flag uneven management behavior, turnover, and a few safety-related concerns. A few residents report friction with certain managers and note that experiences can vary by unit or floor. If predictability, transparent safety protocols, and uniformly high-caliber facilities across all departments are non-negotiable, it’s wise to explore other options and speak directly with multiple residents about day-to-day interactions with leadership.

The strongest pros here, staff attentiveness, prompt maintenance, and a genuine sense of community, often offset the built-in drawbacks. Residents repeatedly highlight courteous, professional staff from the front desk to the maintenance crew, with rapid fixes and reliable follow-through on repairs. The in-building conveniences shine: a well-regarded garage team, easy access for guests, and a front desk that feels genuinely helpful. The building’s architectural charm, lake views, and social spaces, indoor pool, hot tub, rooftop lounge with fireworks views, and rentable rooms for private events, create a lifestyle that few peers can match. Add in in-unit laundry, updated apartments, and dog-friendly policies with a dedicated dog space, and the value proposition strengthens for buyers who prize luxury and convenience over price.

However, the main downsides cannot be ignored when judging overall fit. The most persistent practical concerns involve maintenance hiccups beyond routine service, and occasional dissatisfaction with gym facilities or common-area upkeep. There are also notable reminders that pool and cardio amenities can experience periods of downtime, which pushes residents to rely more on other parts of the building or to adjust expectations during renovation windows. A few reviews point to slow or imperfect responses to specific issues, and a minority describe communication gaps with management. Safety-related complaints appear in a minority of accounts as well, depicted by some as a sign that safeguards and oversight may not be as seamless as hoped. These themes aren’t universal, but they are real enough to influence a decision for families prioritizing safety and consistently smooth operations.

For families weighing options, the question often comes down to prioritizing a premier living environment versus unwavering consistency across all service lines. If the goal is a grand, vibrant Chicago address with breathtaking lake panoramas, a wealth of amenities, and a staff that genuinely feels devoted to residents, this property excels. The benefits, spectacular public spaces, frequent social and private-event opportunities, and a responsive maintenance ethos, tave toward a compelling overall package, especially when coupled with modernized interiors and strong pet accommodations. Conversely, if affordability, a uniformly flawless gym and pool experience, or flawless management cohesion are non-negotiables, it makes sense to benchmark rivals in the Gold Coast area that emphasize stability and a consistent service standard.

In the end, 850 Lake Shore Drive stands out for families who value luxury, location, and a service-forward culture, with enough demonstrable care from a talented staff to make the investment worthwhile. Pros and cons balance in favor of those who will leverage the strong human element and the abundant living spaces, while keeping a close watch on ongoing renovations, maintenance timelines, and management dynamics. Prospective residents should tour with a readiness to probe current leadership approaches, confirm the state of athletic facilities, and query the timetable for any planned upgrades. If the answers align with personal tolerance for occasional quirks and a premium price tag, this community remains one of Chicago’s most compelling lakefront options.

This area of Chicago, Illinois, is a vibrant and bustling neighborhood with a variety of amenities within close proximity. There are several top-rated hospitals nearby, including Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital and Rush University Medical Center, ensuring quality healthcare services are readily accessible. In addition, there are numerous pharmacies, restaurants offering diverse cuisines, cozy cafes for socializing, and beautiful parks for leisurely walks or picnics. The convenient transportation options, such as the CTA stations and Metra stops, make it easy to navigate the city. For those in need of medical care, there are reputable physicians in the area like Lincoln Park Dental Specialists and University of Illinois Mile Square Health Center. With entertainment options like Regal Webster Place theater close by, there is always something to do in this vibrant neighborhood.

Hospitals

• Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago (0.2 miles)
• Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (0.4 miles)
• Rush University Medical Center (3 miles)
• Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center (3 miles)
• University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System (3.3 miles)
• John H Stroger Jr Hospital (3.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.3 miles)
• Walgreens (0.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.5 miles)
• Walgreens (0.6 miles)
• Walgreens (0.7 miles)
• Walgreens (0.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.9 miles)

Restaurants

• Giordano's (0.4 miles)
• Eataly (0.6 miles)
• Tao Chicago Restaurant (0.6 miles)
• The Purple Pig (0.6 miles)
• Portillo's Hot Dogs (0.7 miles)
• Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop (0.7 miles)
• McDonald's (0.7 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.4 miles)
• Tiny Tapp & Cafe (1 miles)
• Wildberry Pancakes & Cafe (1 miles)
• Intelligentsia Coffee (1.1 miles)
• Blue Bottle Coffee (1.2 miles)
• Starbucks (3.2 miles)

Parks

• Maggie Daley Park (1.1 miles)
• Grant Park - Butler Field (1.3 miles)
• Grant Park (1.6 miles)
• Mary Bartelme Park (2 miles)
• Chicago Lakefront (2.4 miles)
• Skinner Dog Park (2.5 miles)
• Skinner Bark Park (2.5 miles)

Transportation

• CTA - Clark/Lake (1.1 miles)
• Van Buren Street Metra & South Shore Trains (1.6 miles)
• Ogilvie Transportation Center (1.6 miles)
• Cta (1.6 miles)
• Jamba Union Station / Chicago (1.7 miles)
• Metra - LaSalle Street (1.9 miles)
• CTA - Clinton (1.9 miles)

Physicians

• Lincoln Park Dental Specialists (1.5 miles)
• University of Illinois Mile Square Health Center: Near West Side (3.2 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Webster Place (2.8 miles)