As a city kid, it’s no surprise that I love Chicago, with its world class architecture, museums, parks, transit, restaurants and more. And I love Chicago’s hotels, many of which occupy beautiful historic buildings packed with history.
I’m happy to be a tourist in that toddlin’ town. But, last September, I got a chance to check out Level River North, where in addition to renting apartments, units are available for both short- and long-term stays, that allow you to spend a day (or a few) living like a Chicagoan.
Though I got a peek at Level’s Fulton Market location, which at that time was just being finished up, I only recently got a deeper look at that venue, which is now also available for short-term stays (in addition to long-term and apartment rentals).
Here’s what I said back then:
Because Level also has both apartments and extended stay units, there are amenities galore on a scale that outpaces pretty much any typical short-term stay property: a pool, hot tub, semi-private outdoor party spaces with grills, indoor and outdoor lounges, an arcade with free pinball and skeeball, a pet spa and dog run, a kids play room, a large fitness center with a yoga room, sauna, steam room and co-working spaces.
Each unit – which is rich in floor to ceiling windows offering incredible light and views (don’t worry, there are full-length shades) – has a washer and dryer, full kitchen and balcony.
The experience at the new location is pretty similar, albeit with a common space on the rooftop penthouse level that overs stunning panoramic views of the Chicago skyline. Plus, it’s located in the super-hot Fulton Market/West Loop neighborhood, just steps from some of the city’s best restaurants, bars and shopping (and, beer fans, the new Guinness Open Gate Brewery, as well as a number of great local brewery taprooms, like Haymarket and Cruz Blanca).
Instead of encountering only other travelers as you come and go and experience the amenities, at Level, you’ll see folks walking their dogs, getting in a treadmill run after work, heading home from the grocery store. It’ll let you feel like a bit like a Chicagoan during your visit.
I loved just sitting in the living room in the dark and gazing out over the city lights at night.
See photos and details of all the amenities here.
There’s a third Level property, too, in Old Town, which I haven’t seen yet. But between the three amenity-heavy venues in popular areas you can experience neighborhood living alongside locals for a different flavor than you’ll get in a hotel.
While I was visiting, I wanted to check out a place I hadn’t tried yet for dinner and so while strolling, I stopped in at Terra e Mare, 404 S. Wells St., an Italian restaurant with a great vibe, top notch service, elevated food and inventive cocktails.
https://www.terraemarechi.com/
You can see what we had here...
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
