"Formerly Essex on the Park — Oxford Capital's South Loop tower with an infinity pool and Grant Park views."
Ratings Breakdown
Upper Level's exclusive rating for Chicago winter survivability — indoor parking, pedway access, CTA proximity, and wind exposure.
The Rundown
Sentral Michigan Avenue opened in 2019 as Essex on the Park — a 56-story tower developed by Oxford Capital Group on South Michigan Avenue, directly across from Grant Park. The building was rebranded to Sentral Michigan Avenue when Oxford Capital repositioned it under the Sentral brand, which specializes in flexible-term furnished rentals alongside traditional unfurnished apartments.
The building's signature feature is the indoor infinity pool with views of Grant Park and the lake — genuinely one of the best amenity spaces in the South Loop. The architecture by Solomon Cordwell Buenz is sleek and contemporary, and the LEED Silver certification reflects a well-built envelope.
The Sentral brand means the building caters to a mix of long-term renters and shorter-stay residents using furnished units. This creates a more transient feel than a traditional apartment building — some residents appreciate the flexibility, others find the turnover disruptive. Management quality has been mixed in reviews.
Who Lives Here
Young professionals and remote workers who value flexibility and want furnished options. South Loop believers who want premium finishes at a price point below Streeterville. Travelers and corporate relocation residents using short-term furnished units. Architecture and design enthusiasts drawn to the SCB design and Grant Park location.
The Neighborhood
South Loop — Grant Park is directly across the street, giving you an unobstructed green buffer between the building and the lake. The Museum Campus, Millennium Park, and the lakefront are all within walking distance. The neighborhood is improving but still has some gaps in street-level retail compared to the North Side.
What You Get
Elevator Experience
Upper Level Intel
The Sentral Model
Sentral buildings mix traditional unfurnished apartments with furnished short-term units. This means your neighbors may be on 30-day stays. Some residents love the community feel Sentral cultivates; others find the turnover disruptive. Visit and talk to current residents before signing.
Grant Park Views Are Unmatched
The building sits directly across from Grant Park with no buildings between it and the lake. East-facing units on upper floors have some of the best unobstructed lake views in the South Loop — comparable to what you'd pay a premium for in Streeterville.
Essex on the Park History
The building opened as Essex on the Park in 2019 with significant fanfare. The rebrand to Sentral Michigan Avenue reflects Oxford Capital's shift toward the flexible-living model. The building itself hasn't changed — just the management philosophy and resident mix.
The Good & The Not-So-Good
Wins
- ✓Indoor infinity pool with Grant Park views — exceptional
- ✓Direct Grant Park frontage — unobstructed views
- ✓Furnished units available — rare flexibility
- ✓LEED Silver — well-built and energy-efficient
- ✓56 floors — upper units have spectacular lake and skyline views
Watch Out
- ✗Sentral brand = mixed long-term/short-term residents — more transient feel
- ✗Management reviews are mixed
- ✗No pedway access
- ✗South Loop location still developing street-level retail
- ✗Harrison Red Line is the nearest CTA — not as convenient as Loop buildings
The Verdict
Sentral Michigan Avenue is a well-designed South Loop tower with a spectacular location and an impressive amenity package — particularly the infinity pool. The Sentral brand's mixed long-term/short-term model is the key variable: it's a feature for flexible renters and a drawback for those who want a stable, traditional apartment community. Know what you're signing up for.
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