Hyde Park Tower is at least a century younger than many of its neighbors.
Constructed in 1990, its simple, contemporary lines are a contrast to the ornate brick and stone three-flats that line the nearby blocks in this prime South Side neighborhood.
Plus, the building’s a lot taller. At 22 stories, its apartments can offer expansive views of the whole neighborhood — including Promontory Point, a favorite place for area residents to catch some sun and take a swim in Lake Michigan — and the Museum of Science and Industry.
The windows of the two-bedroom, two-bath apartment we visited provide views of Cornell Park, which has a range of amenities including a children’s play lot, six tennis courts and, according to neighborhood lore, some colorful wild parrots whose ancestors originated in South America.
The first five floors of the building are devoted to parking.
The apartment we toured is on the 21st floor. Its front door opens into a long hallway that leads past a double coat closet and an open door into the kitchen.
The kitchen is outfitted with white cabinets with wood trim and the appliances include a white, built-in microwave oven and a dishwasher. Washer and dryers are located in a common laundry room on the building’s first floor.
The kitchen’s taupe linoleum floor melds almost seamlessly with the beige of the carpet in the hallway and living and dining rooms, which are separated by a wall with a pass-through window.
The dining/living room measures 12 feet 4 inches by 18 feet. The dining area is marked by a cap in the ceiling, so a tenant would need to add a light and/or ceiling fan.
The living room’s most remarkable feature is the floor-to-ceiling bay window, which is approximately 8 feet high and offers a southeast view that encompasses Promontory Point, the lake and vintage buildings as well as Cornell Park.
Another, shorter hallway extends from the living room to the bedrooms and bathrooms.
The first of the bathrooms has a white vanity trimmed in wood with a lighted mirror, taupe linoleum floor and a white tub/shower. Just a few steps down the hallway is the smaller of the bedrooms, which measures 10 feet square and has a double closet as well as double window offering a view similar to the living room’s.
The master bedroom, measuring 10 1/2 feet by 15 feet 7 inches, has a walk-in closet and a double window with a southeast view. Its full bathroom is decorated similarly to the first bath.
Hyde Park Tower is close to transportation with the CTA’s Jeffery Express bus stopping just outside the building. A Metra Electric stop is two blocks away. In addition to proximity to museums, the neighborhood has a range of restaurants from Thai to Caribbean. A supermarket is about 10 minutes away.
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The vital stats
Address: 5140 S. Hyde Park Blvd., Chicago
Size: Two bedrooms, two bathrooms
Rent: $1,470
Security deposit: One and a half month’s rent. The building is offering a special that allows a one-month security deposit and one month of free rent when a 13-month lease is signed.
Utilities: Resident pays electricity.
Parking: $135 a month for a reserved space in the attached garage; $125 a month for an unreserved space.
For rental information, call 773-752-7931, ext. 200.
