TL;DR – The best Chicago apartments with skyline and lake views include luxury high-rises in Streeterville, South Loop, Gold Coast, New East Side, and West Loop, with standout options like One Bennett Park, Coast Lakeshore East, Moment, and 727 West Madison. These buildings pair panoramic city, river, park, and Lake Michigan views with upscale amenities such as rooftop pools, sky lounges, terraces, and floor-to-ceiling windows.
Tired of Googling “Chicago apartment with a view” only to end up on another Zillow page? Almost everyone likes the view from the top, and Chicago offers some of the most spectacular views of both city skylines and lake horizons in the entire country. Unfortunately, it can be hard to find one. Just like when we select the best rental property for our customers, we hand-picked our favorite views from Chicago’s downtown residences.
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Where Can I Find Apartments with the Best Views of Chicago?
One Bennett Park
View of: Lake Michigan & city skyline
Neighborhood: Streeterville
Inside this luxury residential tower, you’ll witness stunning views of Lake Michigan and Chicago’s cityscape from both private residences and communal amenity spaces, including not one, but two pools, one indoors and one outdoors. One Bennett Park’s designers, Robert A.M. Stern Architects, left no detail unattended when they conceptualized and executed their vision for this standout structure.
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1001 S State
View of: Chicago skyline & lake views
Neighborhood: South Loop
1001 S State boasts spectacular views of downtown Chicago, Lake Michigan, and South and West Loops. Its studio up to three-bedroom apartment offerings stand tall in the South Loop’s Wabash Arts Corridor, and residents who love the outdoor views can enjoy the rooftop lounge, with a terrace and an outdoor pool that offer unique views of the city.
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Eight O Five
View of: Lake views & Chicago skyline
Neighborhood: Gold Coast / River North
Eight O Five offers a spacious feel to its residences, complete with open floor plans and floor-to-ceiling windows with skyline views. Select homes feature views of Lake Michigan, and the 34th-floor roof deck pool and promenade as well as the fourth-floor Bark Park and dog run supply views for canines and humans alike.
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Sentral Chicago Michigan Avenue
View of: Lake views, Chicago skyline, Grant & Millennium Parks, & Museum Campus
Neighborhood: South Loop
Sentral Chicago Michigan Avenue offers the best of city and park life, situated right on the bustling Michigan Avenue. Swimmers get a bird’s eye view of Lake Michigan from Sentral’s infinity pool. Other outdoor amenities that deliver amazing views include the four-story winter garden, indoor-outdoor gathering spaces, outdoor grilling areas, and a yoga studio with access to the outdoor terrace. Large living spaces feature oversized windows with views of the city.
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Coast Lakeshore East
View of: The Chicago River, Lake views, skyline, Grant & Millennium Parks
Neighborhood: New East Side
Coast Lakeshore East describes itself as an “urban coastal retreat on the shores of Lake Michigan.” With that in mind, the building provides unique views of the Chicago River, Millennium Park, and Chicago’s skyline. The high-rise tower is located on the northwest corner of Lakeshore East, and is described by its architecture firm as “a composition of light and transparency […] built to feature a curtain wall on the east and west facades that combine translucent glass, fritted glass, and aluminum, while continuous inset balconies on the north and south elevations provide extraordinary views of the Chicago skyline, Lake Michigan and Grant and Millennium Parks.”
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Moment
View of: Skyline & Lake views
Neighborhood: Streeterville
“Dwell in the Now” at Moment, which boasts both city and lake views from its 490 apartment units in Streeterville. From studios to three bedrooms, each apartment comes with fantastic panoramic views of the Chicago skyline, Lake Michigan, and the Streeterville neighborhood. The 45th floor showcases an outdoor pool, sundeck, and lounge with views, and your furry best friend can take in the view from the 600 sq. ft. outdoor dog run.
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727 West Madison
View of: Skyline & Lake views
Neighborhood: West Loop
727 West Madison offers “iconic living at the intersection of Madison and Halsted.” And, with “iconic living,” comes iconic views. Floor-to-ceiling windows, outdoor cabanas at the sun terrace, a resort-style pool, and a rooftop sky lounge allow residents to sun worship and absorb the breathtaking 360° panorama formed by Chicago’s iconic skyline.
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Building Comparison
| Building | Rent | Neighborhood | Amenities | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One Bennett Park | $5,595–$6,295/month for currently listed 2-bedroom units | Streeterville | Indoor poolOutdoor poolCommunal amenity spaces with Lake Michigan and skyline viewsPrivate residences with lake and city views | Renters who want a polished luxury high-rise with Lake Michigan views, skyline views, and standout pool spaces. |
| 1001 S State | $2,547–$9,567/month for currently listed units | South Loop | Rooftop loungeOutdoor terraceOutdoor poolStudio to three-bedroom layouts | Renters who want South Loop convenience, downtown views, and outdoor amenity space. |
| Eight O Five | Approx. $2,346–$5,007/month for currently visible available units | Gold Coast | Floor-to-ceiling windows34th-floor roof deck poolRooftop promenadeFourth-floor Bark Park and dog run | Renters who want dramatic city views, rooftop pool access, and pet-friendly outdoor space. |
| Sentral Chicago Michigan Avenue | $2,519–$6,069/month for currently listed studio to two-bedroom units | South Loop | Infinity pool with Lake Michigan viewsFour-story winter gardenIndoor-outdoor gathering spacesOutdoor grilling areasYoga studio with outdoor terrace accessOversized windows | Renters who want sweeping lake, skyline, park, and Museum Campus views near Michigan Avenue. |
| Coast Lakeshore East | $2,086–$5,482/month for currently priced available units; some three-bedroom options list pricing by request | New East Side | Floor-to-ceiling windowsContinuous inset balconiesViews of the Chicago River, Lake Michigan, Grant Park, and Millennium Park51-story tower design | Renters who want a high-rise with river, lake, park, and skyline views. |
| Moment | $2,494–$5,551/month for currently listed available units; total monthly leasing price may include fixed required fees | Streeterville | 45th-floor outdoor poolSundeckOutdoor lounge600-square-foot outdoor dog runPanoramic skyline and Lake Michigan views | Renters who want high-floor amenity views, outdoor lounging, and Streeterville access. |
| 727 West Madison | Approx. $2,379–$5,776/month for currently listed studio to two-bedroom units | West Loop | Floor-to-ceiling windowsOutdoor cabanasSun terraceResort-style poolRooftop sky lounge360-degree skyline views | Renters who want West Loop energy, dramatic skyline views, and resort-style amenities. |
To help you plan for your move, learn all about the cost of living in Chicago and, for those new to the city, find out how to meet some new friends as you settle into your new place.
Want Expert Help Finding Your Next Apartment with Chicago Skyline Views?
If you’re moving to Chicago (or moving within Chicago), we can help save you thousands a year on rent. Water views are understandably desirable (read: limited and expensive). But, with our insider knowledge of the best rent specials in Chicago, you might be surprised at what you can get for your budget. Learn more about AptAmigo here, and let’s find your dream home!
* The original version of this article was first published on June 26, 2019.
