CHICAGO—The Lakeview neighborhood has been many things to many people in its storied history. But the more things change, the more they stay the same, say those who have witnessed part of the area’s evolution."For in its various incarnations, it seems that the Lakeview neighborhood has served to incubate the dreams of the groups it has attracted," said Charles Huzenis, president of Jameson Realty Group, which is the exclusive marketing agent for several new-construction residential developments in Lakeview.

Before the turn of the century, Lakeview was a bastion for German immigrants working to attain a slice of the American Dream. Today, much of Lakeview upscale new condominium and rental housing is a magnet attracting young professionals and new college graduates looking to settle into their first new homes.

"Historic Lakeview has long been an established neighborhood complete with parks, schools, a library, shops and restaurants, but today the area is taking on a new, youthful, upscale flavor," said Huzenis.

Condominium seekers who walk or bike through the six-corner intersection of Lincoln, Belmont and Ashland and stroll the surrounding side streets of West Lake View quickly discover the neighborhood’s rapidly changing vibe.

"I remember it when it was an ethnic and blue collar neighborhood," said real estate investor Dave Nikolich, who has business ties to the area. "Now, on the 3300 block of North Ashland you’ve got three beauty salons. And it’s not like you’re going to Super Cuts or anything like that. It’s high end."

Gone or rapidly vanishing are mainstays of times past, five and dime stores, family-run delis and old-fashion department stores. Many of the major stores—Wieboldt’s, the Kresge Store, and Goldblatt’s, to name a few—have been renovated and converted into loft condominiums with ground floor retail shops and fitness centers that caters to the new lifestyles playing out in the area.

Many of Lakeview’s former quaint Old World businesses have disappeared, not replaced with upscale, eclectic boutiques, health clubs, night life and trendy and fine dining.

And, scores of new housing developments have been erected to cater to the youthful, new residential clientele, including the following projects being marketed by Jameson Realty Group:

• 3255 N. Paulina Condominiums. Sales and construction are now underway on this new nine-unit condominium development in the heart of West Lakeview. The 4-story condominium, developed by JML Builders, has contemporary architecture with plenty of windows, dark and light brick and recessed balconies for every unit.

The elevator building also features a common-area rooftop deck with sweeping city views. With three units per floor, the development at the corner of Paulina and School streets, features a well-planned design for each residence, emphasizing the exceptionally wide open space of the living and dining room.

"Each condo features wide-planked, chocolate-stained oak floor and sweeping custom commercial-size windows to bring plenty of light into the unit," said Huzenis.

The condominium development features 2-bedroom or 2-bedroom-plus-den/loft floor plans with 2 baths. Also featured are three spectacular penthouses with dramatic soaring 23-foot-tall duplex living rooms. Base prices range from $589,900 to $714,900. A sales center is open Saturday and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, please call Jameson Realty Group at 312-751-0300.

• Abbott Court Condominiums. Only two units remain for sale at this vintage architecturally significant development at 2815-2817 N. Orchard. The development offers beautifully rehabbed condominiums and a coach house in East Lakeview.

The price for a 2-bedroom condo with 2 baths, a den and 1,260 square feet of space is $389,500. The price for a 2-bedroom condo with an office, 2 baths and 1,705 square feet of space is $489,900. Parking is available, and occupancy can be scheduled in 30 to 60 days.

The condominiums feature hardwood flooring throughout. Kitchens are equipped Kitchen Aid Architect Series stainless-steel appliance package including: oven/range, refrigerator, microwave and dishwasher.

Other standards include 42-inch imported Italian cherry cabinets, granite countertops with backsplash, and stainless-steel double-bowl sink with pullout faucet.

Some of the other standard amenities include fireplace, porches and terraces, high efficiency furnace with central heat and air conditioning, in-unit washer/dryer, pre-wiring for telephone and cable plus high-speed Internet availability.

• 663 West Barry. Two of these 12 classic new-construction condominiums remain for sale in this new elevator building in East Lakeview. Prices for the remaining 2-bedroom, 2-bath residences range from $439,900 to $449,900, including garage parking, and immediate occupancy is available.

All units feature hardwood floors, a gas fireplace and outdoor space. Kitchens are equipped with granite counter tops and stainless-steel appliance package. A marble master bath with oversize spa shower is standard. The sales center for 663 West Barry is open Saturdays and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

• 653 W. Barry. A pair of new construction condos in a luxury vintage reproduction three flat have 2 bedrooms, 2 baths and 1,200 square feet of living space.

The top-floor penthouse unit has 1,700 square feet of space with 5 rooms, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and large private deck. Deeded parking available. The penthouse is priced at $559,000. Call Bill Whitfield at Jameson Realty Group.

Huzenis also says there are plenty of resale homes, condos and townhomes for sale in Lakeview. Here are details on two homes currently listed by Jameson Realty Group:

• 3636 N. Janssen. This beautiful brick and stone single-family home in the Southport Corridor on the North Side has more than 6,700 square feet of living space. It's listed for $2.985 million. The home has 6 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, an office and a 3-car garage. The home has top-of-the-line finishes and an elevated backyard. Call Cheryl Bussmann at Jameson Realty Group.

• 2741 N. Pine Grove. This vintage graystone home in Lakeview has two stories and magnificent architectural details. It's listed for $1.399 million. The home features loft ceilings, crown molding, stained glass and two solariums. Call Linda Levin at Jameson Realty Group.

"West Lake View and nearby Roscoe Village offer the usual conveniences of Jewel, Dominick’s, Whole Foods, the YMCA and Starbucks, but the area also offers an upscale vibe, for buyers seeking a true urban neighborhood feeling," noted Huzenis.

Nikolich has watched the neighborhood go through many changes during nearly three decades he has operated his office on Ashland north of Belmont.

"Thirty years ago, there was a lot of retail shopping at Lincoln, Belmont Ashland, with Wieboldt’s and Goldblatt’s," Nikolich said. "But after 1980, a lot people moved away and shops closed. There were a lot of empty stores. But retail business is coming back strongly again."When Nikolich’s father, Peter, ran the Nikolich Realty office the area was known as the second biggest shopping area in the city, he said. Now, he’s watching the area come alive again. "It’s a nice mix of old and new," Nikolich said.

On nearby Lincoln Avenue, the new Michael Anthony Hair Salon and Day Spa at 1635 W. Belmont provides a convenient alternative to driving to a mall for a haircut or facial. Turn the corner, and find Four Seasons Men's Wear, 3218 N. Lincoln, an unexpected source for designer men’s clothes including Lev’s, Guess, Polo and Ralph Lauren.

West Lake View also offers some unique stores, like Glazed Expressions, 3339 N. Lincoln Ave., which encourages children of all ages to go back to art class by painting clay pottery. Patrons take home their own colorful, painted designs on salt shakers, vases, ashtrays or plates.

At 3326 N. Lincoln Ave., this storefront might make some look twice. A podiatry practice shares space with a store called Monarch’s Heaven, Inc., which specializes in candles and lighting. The area also boasts such interesting retail treasures as the 35-year-old "Belmont Antique District," on Belmont Avenue between Paulina Street and Western Avenue.

The Antique District is lined with stores crammed with items to catch the eye, from earrings or watches, to furniture—everything from vintage standing lamps, dressers and bedroom sets to decorative accessories.

Antique District shops serve as an anchor for the neighborhood and a resource for new condominium and home buyers in the neighborhood seeking to furnish with antiques.The area also serves up restaurants offering a wide variety of foods including: Fernando’s Restaurant, 3450 N. Lincoln, for Mexican cuisine; Blind Faith Café, 3300 N. Lincoln, for an organic alternative and Wild Onion, 3500 N. Lincoln, for Italian dishes.

But the neighborhood still includes a blush of its former, quaint and charming past, including bakeries, meat markets and delis. An historical landmark of the neighborhood, for which a section of Lincoln Avenue is named, is 77-year-old Dinkel’s Bakery, 3329 N. Lincoln Ave.

Joseph K. Dinkel originally founded the bakery in a town called Dinkelsbuhl in southern Bavaria. Some of the bakery’s specialties are birthday cakes, strudels, stollen and melt-in-your-mouth butter cookies.

"We’ve been considered a beacon of stability for the neighborhood for many years," said Norman Dinkel Jr., who runs the bakery today. "We feed and service the neighborhood, both the young and old."

The West Lake View neighborhood is a vibrant one, he said. "The city offers diversity, excitement and entertainment," said Dinkel, who noted the bakery recently celebrated its 85th year in business.

"The new residents in the area go to Dinkel’s as well as people that have any kind of connection with the neighborhood," Nikolich said. "They have a wonderful reputation and people come back for that and also the Paulina Meat Market and Central Savings, which is kitty corner to LaSalle Bank."

Sigmund Lekan began sausage making and smoking meats in 1949 at the Paulina Market located at 3501 N. Lincoln Ave.

"Lincoln Avenue was Germantown Chicago then," the meat market’s website says. "Using recipes and traditions brought from European old world butcher shops, Paulina Market gained loyal, satisfied customers from the Lincoln Avenue neighborhood and beyond. As time passed, most of the small shops on the avenue closed their doors, while Paulina Market grew and remained steadfast to the highest standards of quality and freshness to this day."

Another vibrant resource for area residents is the Lincoln/Belmont branch of the Chicago Public Library that opened a few years ago at Melrose and Paulina streets.

"The feature-rich area attracted developers who sensed it would be alluring to young condominium buyers, said Huzenis. One of the best things about this development is its premiere location," Huzenis said.

"It’s 50 steps from a Whole Foods Market, 40 steps from a XSport 24-hour fitness center, 30 steps from a public library and one block from the Paulina El stops and restaurants, nightlife and shops."

Huzenis said the two biggest reasons people want to live in Lakeview are the public transportation lines and the close access to the lake.

"A lot of neighborhoods have one or the other—not both," he said. "So, that makes Lakeview special. Plus, you have great restaurants and a terrific shopping environment."

Many of the neighborhood’s top attractions—shopping, dining and nightlife—are concentrated on Broadway and Clark between Diversey and Irving and along Halsted Street between Belmont and Addison.

The Wrigleyville section of Lake View, bounded by Halsted, Ashland, Roscoe and Byron, is a neighborhood dominated by 2-flat and 3-flat buildings and by Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs. During baseball season, the area awakens with revelry in plenty of lively watering holes, clubs and new restaurants.

"The neighborhood has a lot of unique shops and boutiques, great stores that you won't find in typical malls," Huzenis said.

Further west, one hot shopping and dining destination can be found along Southport Avenue—from Wellington to Irving. In the early 1990s, the Music Box Theatre at 3733 N. Southport was the big attraction.

Today, there are a dozen chic clothing boutiques—including Flirt, Red Head Boutique, Freesia, Jake, Shane, Soapstone, Beansprout—along with a bevy of restaurants. Go further west to Roscoe Village, along Roscoe from Ashland to Western, and you will find an interesting collection of neighborhood restaurants and corner taverns.

Roscoe Village also features convenient shopping at the Addison Mall and the Riverview Mall, on Western Avenue just south of Addison, which features both Jewel Foods and Dominick’s Finer Foods, and a Walgreen’s Pharmacy.

Several popular neighborhood restaurants and nightspots in West Lakeview include Chicago Joe’s, the Wild Onion Restaurant, Cy’s Steak and Chop House, El Tinajon Restaurant, the Village Tap Bar and Grill, Mulligan’s Public House, Kitsch’n Diner and the Zippo Lounge.

All of these Lakeview areas are easily accessed on public transportation—the CTA’s Howard-Dan Ryan trains stop at Belmont and Addison. CTA Ravenswood and Howard trains stop at Belmont. Bus service is available on Belmont, Addison and Irving Park, and along Lake Shore Drive, Halsted, Broadway and Clark.

Educational anchors in the neighborhood include DeVry Institute of Technology, Gordon Tech High School and Lane Tech High School, one of the top Chicago public magnet schools, which is celebrating its centennial in 2008.

Jameson Realty Group currently is marketing more than 30 new-construction and rehabbed residential and condominium conversion developments in Chicago.

For more information, please call Jameson Realty at 312-751-0300 or visit their web site: www.jameson.com.