Gold CoastCondo

4 East Elm

4 E Elm St, Chicago, IL 60611

4.5

Exceptional

"Chicago's most exclusive boutique condo — two units per floor, private elevators, and Gold Coast prestige."

Ratings Breakdown

Amenities4.2

Location4.6

Value3.8

Mgmt4.4

Condition4.8

Winter ❄️4.0

Winter Score: 4.0/5

Upper Level's exclusive rating for Chicago winter survivability — indoor parking, pedway access, CTA proximity, and wind exposure.

The Rundown

4 East Elm is one of Chicago's most exclusive residential addresses — a 24-story boutique condo tower at the corner of State and Elm in the Gold Coast, designed by Solomon Cordwell Buenz and developed by Convexity Properties. With only 35 units and just two residences per floor, it's a genuinely rare product in Chicago's luxury market.

Every unit has its own private elevator entry, 10-foot ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, and 3,100–3,500 square feet of living space. The building's glass curtain wall facade is one of the more architecturally refined towers in the Gold Coast. Common amenities are intentionally understated — this building is about the residences, not the amenity arms race.

Completed in 2016/2017, the building is in excellent condition. HOA management is professional and the building runs quietly. The Gold Coast location is exceptional: walkable to the Magnificent Mile, Rush Street dining, and the lakefront.

Who Lives Here

Executives, empty nesters, and buyers who want maximum privacy and space in a boutique building. This is not a building for people who want a social amenity scene — it's for people who want to own a full-floor residence in one of Chicago's best neighborhoods without the scale of a 300-unit tower.

The Neighborhood

State and Elm is the heart of the Gold Coast — one of Chicago's most prestigious residential addresses. You're walking distance from the Magnificent Mile, Rush Street, the lakefront, and some of Chicago's best restaurants. The neighborhood is quiet and residential, with tree-lined streets and historic architecture surrounding the building.

What You Get

Private elevator entry per unitFitness centerRooftop terraceConciergeBike storagePackage roomGuest suite

Elevator Experience

More WaitLess Wait

Less Wait18 units/elevator

2

Passenger Elevators

1

Service Elevators

35

Total Units

18

Units/Elevator

Upper Level Intel

🟢 Win

Private Elevator Is the Real Amenity

Every unit at 4 East Elm has its own private elevator entry — you step off the elevator directly into your residence. This is genuinely rare in Chicago and is the building's defining feature. No shared hallways, no neighbors walking past your door.

🟢 Win

Two Units Per Floor

With only two residences per floor, 4 East Elm has the intimacy of a single-family home with the security and services of a luxury high-rise. The building is exceptionally quiet — you rarely encounter other residents in common areas.

🟠 Heads Up

HOA Fees Are Real

HOA fees at 4 East Elm are substantial — expect $2,500–$6,000/month depending on unit size. This is in line with other ultra-boutique Gold Coast buildings but is a significant carrying cost. Factor this into your total cost of ownership calculation.

💡 Pro Tip

Units Rarely Come to Market

4 East Elm has only 35 units and owners tend to hold. When a unit does come to market, it typically sells quickly. If you're interested, work with a broker who has relationships in the building to get early notice of upcoming listings.

The Good & The Not-So-Good

Wins

✓Only 35 units — two per floor — exceptional privacy
✓Private elevator entry to every residence
✓3,100–3,500 sq ft floor plans — rare in Chicago
✓SCB architecture is genuinely refined
✓Gold Coast location steps from the Mag Mile and lakefront
✓Building is in excellent condition

Watch Out

✗HOA fees are substantial — $2,500–$6,000/mo
✗Amenity package is minimal compared to larger luxury buildings
✗Limited inventory — units rarely come to market
✗Price per square foot is among the highest in Chicago

The Verdict

4.5

Exceptional — 4 East Elm

4 East Elm is Chicago's premier boutique condo — two units per floor, private elevator entry, and 3,100–3,500 sq ft residences in the heart of the Gold Coast. The HOA fees are substantial and the amenity package is minimal, but for buyers who want maximum privacy and space in a refined building, it's unmatched in Chicago's luxury market.