The Givens Castle
Beverly is a historic residential neighborhood located on the Far South Side of Chicago. Originally incorporated as part of the village of Washington Heights in 1874, Beverly was annexed by the City of Chicago in 1890. There are a wide variety of real estate choices in Beverly. Beverly is primarily single family homes, some of which were designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and his protégé Walter B. Griffin. However, there are also condominium units located near the Metra Rock Island commuter railroad, which is a quick ride to Downtown Chicago, some ten miles to the north. Beverly is an established community with great links to historical Chicago and the Loop.
Beverly is considered to be a quieter alternative to other neighborhoods in the city, but there are still many attractions to be seen. Beverly has a large and active Irish-American population, and until recently hosted one of the largest St. Patrick Day’s Parades in the country. Givins Castle was built in 1886 using limestone blocks hauled by oxcart from Joliet, and was modeled after an actual castle in Ireland. It now serves as a Unitarian Church. The Beverly Library holds one of the largest collections of Irish and Irish-American history and cultural artifacts in the city. Owing to the large percentage of families, Beverly nightlife is relatively calm when compared to other parts of city, but it does have a collection of authentic Irish pubs. Although not traditionally known as a center of fine dining, in recent years Beverly has witnessed the opening of a few upscale bistros.
The Beverly Art Center is a popular venue in the area, hosting a number of different events, ranging from pottery classes to live theatre to avant-garde art exhibitions. Founded in 1968, it’s fast becoming a cultural destination on the South Side. In addition, Beverly boasts some of the finest historical Prairie School architecture in Chicago. Frank Lloyd Wright protégé Walter B. Griffin designed over a dozen homes in the area, and Beverly is home to a building designed by Wright himself, the Adams House. There are five City of Chicago historical landmarks in Beverly.
Beverly is half an hour by train from LaSalle Street station and the Chicago financial district, and connected by expressway to other popular South Side attractions such as US Cellular Field, McCormick Place, and Soldier Field. Beverly offers a unique experience for its residents, the friendly intimate atmosphere of a village with easy access to the thriving cosmopolitan Chicago city center.
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