Streeterville in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

East Lake Shore Drive

Chicago Landmark District

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, February 25, 2025

1. East Lake Shore Drive Marker

Inscription. This dramatic row of buildings, designed by such distinguished architectural firms as Marshall & Fox and Fugard & Knapp, epitomizes the city's luxury apartment boom of the early 20th century.

Erected by Commission on Chicago Landmarks.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. In addition, it is included in the Illinois, Chicago Landmarks Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.

Location. 41° 54.049′ N, 87° 37.299′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Streeterville. It is on East Lake Shore Drive 0.1 miles east of Michigan Avenue. The marker is in front of the 199 E. Lake Shore Dr. building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 190 East Lake Shore Drive, Chicago IL 60611, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 227 East Walton Place Apartment Building (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Drake Hotel (about 500 feet away); 860-880 Lake Shore Drive Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bryan Lathrop House (approx. 0.2 miles away); 860-880 Lake Shore Drive (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named 860-880 Lake Shore Drive Building

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(approx. 0.2 miles away); Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (approx. 0.2 miles away); Eli M. Schulman Playground (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

More about this marker. As is common for this style of historical marker from the Commission on Chicago Landmarks, the rectangular marker includes a map of the historic district, and both sides of the sign have identical text.

Regarding East Lake Shore Drive. The East Lake Shore Drive district includes a row of eight buildings that face north over East Lake Shore Drive and Lake Michigan beyond that. The best-known of this group is likely the Drake Hotel, at the west end of the historic district.

Also see . . . Commission on Chicago Landmarks: East Lake Shore Drive District. The neighborhood was designated a Chicago Landmark in 1985. (Submitted on February 26, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

East Lake Shore Drive Marker, facing west image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, February 25, 2025

2. East Lake Shore Drive Marker, facing west

East Lake Shore Drive Marker, facing east image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, February 25, 2025

3. East Lake Shore Drive Marker, facing east

Lake Michigan is in the distance.

East Lake Shore Drive image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, February 25, 2025

4. East Lake Shore Drive

The buildings in the East Lake Shore Drive district overlook Oak Street Beach on Lake Michigan, located at the "bend" in Lake Shore Drive.

Oak Street Beach and East Lake Shore Drive bulidings image. Click for full size.

Charles R. Childs; courtesy of Chicago History Museum (ICHi-095718)

5. Oak Street Beach and East Lake Shore Drive bulidings

This undated photo shows swarms of beachgoers at Oak Street Beach, with the buildings of East Lake Shore Drive in the background.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 26, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 225 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 26, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.