The Dobbs Group welcomes you to ‘Little Italy’ and the University Village area!
Step into the Old World as you stroll down Taylor Street while sampling popular Italian food, classic cocktails, and fare from the growing number of other foodie venues. There is also a robust music, art, and cultural scene around the University of Illinois at Chicago campus. An added bonus is the short walk to some of the city’s top eateries in the West Loop and Fulton Market District. Perhaps you’re searching for your first home, or considering a relocation to this wonderful city, either from the suburbs or out of state and University Village is on your short list of neighborhoods to explore? Or do you live in Little Italy and want more space? Are you on the selling side and you need a Realtor that specializes in Little Italy to sell your beautiful home? Whatever your real estate needs may be, I am confident we can be your thoughtful and knowledgeable guide in exploring University Village and the many housing styles this wonderful neighborhood offers.
Neighborhood Overview
The vibrant and multicultural neighborhoods of University Village and Little Italy are embodied in the historic stretch of West Taylor Street and the UIC campus. Here you will find families that have called the neighborhood home for many generations, alongside young professionals and students attending UIC and Rush University Medical School. Taylor Street is infamous for its association with the Italian mafia culture during the prohibition era and was a known stomping ground of Al Capone and other well known figures in the mob.
Housing options range from new build condos, townhomes and single family homes to vintage walk-up buildings, often ‘old school’ living above the shop and plenty of rental housing to accommodate students and young professionals. Prices range from $200K to $1M, with rental prices at $900 to $6200 per month.
Little Italy and University Village are located in close proximity to the Chicago Loop business district, Pilsen, and Chinatown. Little Italy is within the boundaries of one of the city’s top elementary schools, STEM Magnet Academy.
How the Dobbs Group can help you buying a home?
How the Dobbs Group can help you sell your home?
Accurately and effectively pricing your home to create the best market for the property. We will provide a Comparative Market Analysis for your house, highlighting the relevant competition, including listings that are active in the market, recently under contract and recently sold, and taking into account variables such as supply and demand; economic factors; seasonal demand; location; room count and square footage; views; condition of property; and desirability of unique features.
We will provide recommendations to ensure your house or condo sells in a reasonable time frame. This will include thoughtful staging advice, a pre-listing inspection and maintenance plan, and a strategic marketing plan.
We will market the property locally and globally. @properties is locally owned and the #1 brokerage in Chicago and the North Shore. We will market within the network of local brokers and also internationally.
Our in-house professional marketing and IT departments produce award-winning work and fresh ideas that distinguish our clients from the competition. Innovative technology and distinctive branding ads create positive and lasting impressions in the marketplace.
Before your home is officially listed, we will market internally to our network of more than 2,000 brokers and their client bases to reach prospects, buyers and referrals, the most efficient transaction environment in the marketplace.
Your listing will receive its own domain name so that interested buyers can pull up photos, video and property information in one easy step. We will also index the domain with top search engines including Google and Bing for improved search engine optimization.
And video optimized for both print and the web are among the most important marketing tools when selling a house. Our digital marketing strategy raises online visibility.
High quality print brochures, print and online advertising, direct mail, unique URL, social media and e-blasts. Adwerx – a sophisticated digital marketing tactic known as retargeting, which puts your property in front of prospective homebuyers as they surf the web.
Positioning your home as the most desirable property at a given price in a given area. Pricing accurately and making sure your home is in optimal showing condition will set it apart from the competition.
To improve its marketability. Furnishing an empty home allows the home to show like a model home and stand out in a competitive marketplace.
With professionalism, attention to detail and a loyal representation of your interests conduct. Expect and receive confidentiality, responsiveness, resourcefulness, communication and strength.
Walk Score
Our Favorite Places
One of our favorite dining spots in Chez Joel, a french classic in the heart of Little Italy! “Chez Joël creates the tastes and aromas of Southern French cuisine. Reminiscent of a true French bistro; the walls are adorned with French posters and tables covered with butcher paper. The cozy environment makes Chez Joël the perfect spot for any romantic meal, and when the weather permits, garden tables offer an open-air experience where you’ll find one of the most divine al fresco dining settings in the city.”
The Latino Cultural Center at the UIC campus is well worth the short trek to the neighborhood and you can grab dinner at Carnitas Don Pedro, Chez Joel, Tufano’s or after your visit. “There is a saying in Spanish, con el corazón en mano (with the heart in hand), which implies that someone is coming to you or welcoming you with honest and peaceful intentions. The Rafael Cintrón Ortiz Latino Cultural Center at UIC does just that for Latinxs and anyone who wishes to expand their knowledge about the cultural heritage of Latinx communities and advocate for social and environmental justice.”
Fiorie’s Delicatessen is the #1 traditional Italian deli on Taylor Street. Enjoy quality meats, cheeses, pastries and custom sandwiches that will warm your stomach and make you feel like you are eating from your Italian Grandmother’s home kitchen. Be sure to take home some homemade pasta sauce and their divine pesto!
Mario’s Italian Lemonade is the standard for Italian ice and lemonade stand vendors in Chicago. Step right up to Mario’s window and pick from a selection of dozens of flavors. Our favorite flavor is watermelon, be sure not to miss it when it’s in season!
In good hands

What do you look for in the Top Little Italy Realtors & Real Estate Agents? Someone with a vast understanding of Chicago neighborhoods? How about an invaluable partner and fierce advocate? You should never settle for anyone who isn’t always striving to exceed your expectations!