The “New” in New East Side is fairly accurate – much of the area was a sprawling railroad yard until the city mounted a major development project in the 1970s. That re-purposing continues through today, with the last stage slated for completion in 2010. The result of all this building is one of Chicago’s shiniest communities, an upscale area bounded by Grant Park to the east and the Chicago River to the west. With such close proximity to the downtown Loop, Lake Michigan and Grant Park’s endless event schedule, New East Side’s high- and mid-rise building attract plenty of high-end renters and condo owners looking for a slice of life right in the heart of the big city.