Elmhurst Community Information

During Elmhurst’s gilded age in the late 19^th century, wealthy families held lavish parties in their stately homes, and gathered at the Elmhurst Golf Club and the original Hawthorne Racetrack, both once occupying the site where York High School now stands. The golf club is gone, and the racetrack eventually moved to Cicero, but elegant homes still line the streets of the central part of town, and Elmhurst citizens still maintain an interest in life’s finer things.

The town of 43,000, 18 miles west of Chicago, boasts cultural amenities that would be the envy of many cities twice its size. A beautiful new public library, an art museum, a formal garden and conservatory, a symphony orchestra—all this and more is part of the legacy of Elmhurst’s founding families, expanded through the years and maintained by the citizens of today.

Public Amenities

For those seeking livelier pursuits, Elmhurst’s award-winning Park District has a lot to offer. Batting cages, miniature golf and a spray playground at The Hub; a preschool, craft studio and fitness classes at the Wagner Community Center; and neighborhood parks with fabulous facilities for swimming, team sports, skateboarding and more.

Joggers and cyclists love the Illinois Prairie Path, part of a network of 61 miles of bike paths that runs on an old railroad bed through the center of town.

The York Theater, a first-run movie theater, has been a fixture in downtown Elmhurst for generations. Citizens come together for Wednesday farmers markets in the summertime, and for a variety of holiday events from concerts to a tree lighting ceremony. And Elmhurst residents love a parade—the Memorial Day Parade has been held every year since 1918, and the St. Patrick’s Day Parade is the third largest in the Chicago area.

Housing Stock

Elmhurst’s estate homes in the area near downtown command a high price when they come on the market, but many newer homes are also in the $1 million plus range. Victorians from the 1890s, Spanish Colonials from the 1920s, Tudors from the 1950s and lavish contemporary homes all share the tree-lined streets north and south of St. Charles Road.

Comfortable neighborhoods of renovated vintage homes and well-appointed newer models spread out from the center of town, priced from $250,000 to $750,000. Luxury townhomes and condominiums, attractive to young professionals and empty nesters, have been built near downtown and the train station.

Transportation

With a location bordered by I-294 and I-290, Elmhurst offers easy access to downtown Chicago and O’Hare Airport. Commuters love the convenience of Metra trains, which make the trip from Elmhurst’s downtown station to the Ogilvie Transportation Center in Chicago’s Loop in less than 30 minutes.

Shopping, Dining and Nightlife

Elmhurst’s bustling downtown offers a variety of specialty shops and boutiques, with additional retail options in various neighborhoods and along Route 83. Major malls are an easy drive away, including Yorktown Mall in nearby Lombard and Oakbrook Center.

But what really brings the locals to the downtown area is the fabulous array of restaurants. Welcoming cafes, ethnic specialties and upscale eateries and wine bars offer something to please every palate. Outside of the downtown area, ice cream stores, coffee shops, and even the occasional bar and grill provide places for quick refreshment and a chance to share the latest news with neighbors.

Schools

Community Unit District 205 serves the students of Elmhurst, with high school students attending York High School. Private schools include Catholic elementary and high schools, a Lutheran elementary school, and Timothy Christian, which includes grades K-12. Elmhurst College is a private liberal arts college founded in 1871.

 
Koenig & Strey's Elmhurst Office

If you are interested in buying, selling or renting a home or commercial property in Elmhurst, one of real estate professionals in our Elmhurst office can provide local market expertise. You may reach them at:

Koenig & Strey Real Living
540 S. York Road
Elmhurst, IL 60126
630.834.0582

If you are interested in a career in real estate, please ask for Branch Manager Terry Wilkowski.

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