Oak Brook

 

Welcome to Oak Brook

Located 15 miles west of the Chicago Loop, Oak Brook is home to more than 8,000 residents and serves as headquarters for a number of large corporations. Largely residential, the town features 269 acres of open space as well as plenty of outdoor recreation—polo fields, golf courses, and swimming and tennis facilities are scattered across the 8.3 square mile territory. Retail centers and restaurants are popular here too. With over 50 different restaurants to choose from, Oak Brook is considered a dining destination for Chicagoland residents.

Key Details

1. What to Expect

Suburban subdivisions with plenty of privacy.

2. The Lifestyle

Social with plenty of dining and retail options to choose from.

3. What Not to Expect

The commotion of the city.

4. The Market

Single-family homes dominate, but townhouses are also popular.

5. You'll Fall in Love With

The strong, family-friendly environment.

Commute Times

• Ogilvie Transportation Center: 132m by train, 44m by car
• United Center: 128m by train, 36m by car
• Logan Square: 161m by train, 39m by car
• O’Hare International Airport: 111m by train, 17m by car

Around the Block

Oak Brook, from Native American settlement to corporate cluster.

Settled by the Native American Potawatomi tribe in the late 1600s, Oak Brook and all of its rich soil and abundant land began attracting families from New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky over 200 years later. Homes began cropping up on parcels of farmland in the early 1900s, and by the mid-1930s, homeowners and farmers formed the Community Club, which helped Oak Brook establish its identity. Some nationally-renowned golf and polo clubs were built here in the late 1950s, and Marshall Field & Company purchased land for a proposed shopping center soon after. Today, the village is home to the headquarters of many large corporations, including McDonald’s, Ace Hardware, and TreeHouse Foods.

What to Expect

Suburban subdivisions with plenty of privacy.

Many young professionals live in Oak Brook because of its close proximity to the city and the privacy this enclave affords. Several suburban subdivisions may make the village seem disconnected, but they offer a range of amenities for those who live within them.
 

The Lifestyle

Social with plenty of dining and retail options to choose from.

Oak Brook has an unmatched variety of dining and retail options. With over 50 restaurants to choose from, the village consistently draws residents from other neighboring communities with its eclectic fare. Gibson’s Steakhouse, a flashy, upscale steak and seafood restaurant with a massive wine list and clubby decor, is a local favorite. Shopping is also an important way of life here. At the Oakbrook Center Mall, you’ll find major retailers like Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom.

What Not to Expect

The commotion of the city.

Oak Brook is close to the city but distant enough to maintain its own quiet, suburban vibe.

The Market

Single-family homes dominate, but townhouses are also popular.

Stately single-family residences abound in Oak Brook, many with a million-dollar price tag. But there are more modest homes to choose from, and several townhouses are also on the market.
 

You'll Fall in Love With

The strong, family-friendly environment.

A quiet respite from the city, Oak Brook offers a reasonable commute and quiet suburban lifestyle with a strong focus on family and community. Featuring an excellent school system, the area is also extremely tight-knit and regularly gathers for events. There are free concerts, outdoor movies, and other events at The Lawn at Oakbrook Center each summer and the Oakbrook Arts Festival takes place each September, showcasing the work of about 70 juried artists from across the country. At the Drury Lane Theatre, an elegant 971-seat venue, a variety of shows, local productions, and concerts take place.

Other Neighborhoods to Explore

• Elmhurst
• Westchester
• Hinsdale