The Elle Apartments: A South Loop High-Rise with City Views and Apartment-Style Living
Located at Chicago, IL 60605, USA, The Elle Apartments offers studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and apartment units in the South Loop neighborhood. With a Google rating of 4.8 from 545 reviews, it stands out as a well-regarded option for students and professionals seeking a full-service residential experience near downtown. The building provides study areas, a swimming pool, and laundry facilities. Below is a decision review to help you determine if this property matches your needs.
Who This Residence Suits Best
The Elle Apartments is ideal for students or young professionals who prioritise space, comfort, and a polished living environment over the cheapest rent. Given its monthly price range of 2,097 – 6,302 USD (indicative — confirm with the operator), this property suits those who have a higher housing budget, typically graduate students, medical residents, or professionals working in downtown Chicago. The minimum lease of six months makes it viable for semester-long stays or academic year placements.
The South Loop location is walkable to several universities: University of Chicago (campus shuttle or short train ride), University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) (approx. 15–20 minutes by bus or bike), and Illinois Institute of Technology (directly south, about 10 minutes by light rail). Residents who value a quiet, residential feel with easy access to the lakefront, museums, and Millennium Park will appreciate the surroundings.
The property’s amenities — a study area, swimming pool, and laundry facility — are typical for mid-to-upscale apartment buildings. Those who work or study from home will find the study spaces useful, while the pool offers recreation during warmer months.
Who Might Want to Look Elsewhere
Budget-conscious students will find this property far above the city’s starting price of 600 USD per month (indicative — confirm with the operator). Even the minimum 2,097 USD is more than triple that baseline. If you are an undergraduate on a tight scholarship or loan budget, shared apartments in neighborhoods like Hyde Park, Rogers Park, or near UIC may be more affordable.
Because the building appears to operate as a full-service apartment (similar to a hotel-condo hybrid, as noted in some reviews), those seeking a traditional dormitory experience with built-in roommate matching and lower communal engagement may prefer purpose-built student housing. Also, if you need a short-term lease under six months, this property does not appear to offer that flexibility; check with the operator for possible exceptions.
The reviews mention some difficulty finding the entrance and a lack of blackout blinds. Light sleepers who are sensitive to morning light may want to confirm window treatments with the operator before committing.
What Residents Actually Say
We have selected three verbatim reviews from the 545 Google reviews. Note that some reviews reference “Kasa Hotel” or “Kasa South Loop” — these may refer to units within the same building or a related management company.
Fernanda Lorenzetti (4 stars): “It was great staying at Kasa Hotel. The room was spacious and included a small kitchen with amenities for cooking. The staff was very helpful and even allowed me to check in earlier than originally agreed, which I really appreciated. However, it was a bit difficult to find the building entrance. I would suggest adding …”
Fernanda highlights a spacious room, kitchen amenities, and helpful staff who accommodated an early check-in — a plus for students arriving on a tight schedule. The only drawback was the difficulty locating the entrance, which suggests the building’s signage or street-level access could be clearer. This may be a minor inconvenience upon arrival.
Mark Decoux (5 stars): “In my opinion, the most important aspect of a rental place should be the comfort of the bed first and foremost. The bed at my Kasa South Loop fulfilled that prerequisite very nicely. I had great sleeps and that’s important! Perhaps considering blackout blinds would be a bonus, but it wasn’t too bad.. Second, the furnit …”
Mark emphasises bed comfort as a priority and found it excellent. He notes that blackout blinds would be a bonus, implying the current window coverings let in some light. For students who need total darkness to sleep, this is something to verify. The review was cut off, but the first part strongly suggests overall satisfaction.
Greg Gosch (5 stars): “Beautiful loft. View of Chicago skyline and water is amazing. Floor to ceiling windows throughout. Minimalist but tasteful furnishings with an urban vibe. Would say size is good for a single, couple or couple with two children. Groceries (Target) and many restaurants close by. 10 min Uber to the convention center.”
Greg describes a loft-style unit with stunning skyline and water views, floor-to-ceiling windows, and minimalist decor. He rates the size as suitable for various living arrangements and mentions convenience to a Target and restaurants. The short ride to McCormick Place convention center is also useful for students attending conferences or part-time work there.
Overall, residents consistently praise the spaciousness, views, and furnishings, while noting minor issues like entrance findability and light control.
Price Positioning vs. Chicago’s Market
Chicago’s overall from-price for student housing is 600 USD per month (indicative — confirm with the operator), based on the citywide inventory of 95 properties. The Elle Apartments starts at 2,097 USD, which is 3.5 times the city baseline. This positions the property firmly in the premium segment.
The maximum price of 6,302 USD likely corresponds to large two-bedroom or apartment units with exceptional views and finishes. For comparison, many shared apartments or lower-tier studios in areas like Lincoln Park or Lakeview can be found well under 1,500 USD. Therefore, The Elle Apartments is best suited for those whose housing budget is in the top quartile of student renters.
The price includes amenities like a pool, study area, and laundry facilities. However, utilities and internet may or may not be included — you should confirm with the operator.
Room-Type Guidance
The property offers four unit types: studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and “apartment” (likely a larger layout or penthouse). Based on the price range and reviews, here is a room-by-room breakdown:
- Studio: Likely the most affordable option, ranging near the lower end of the price band. Ideal for a single occupant who values an open-plan living area and a small kitchenette. The floor-to-ceiling windows mentioned in reviews would make a studio feel bright and spacious.
- One-bedroom: A separate bedroom provides more privacy. Suitable for couples or roommates who prefer one shared bedroom and a living room.
- Two-bedroom: Best for two housemates or a small family. The review from Greg Gosch mentions the size “good for a single, couple or couple with two children,” indicating that larger units can accommodate families.
- Apartment: Probably a larger unit with more square footage, possibly on higher floors with premium views. The price could exceed 5,000 USD.
Your choice depends on budget and desired privacy. If sharing, two-bedroom may offer better value per person than a studio. However, the exact square footage and floor plans are not provided — request them from the operator.
Booking Timing Considerations
The minimum lease is six months, and the property does not display an exact available-from date in the dataset provided. For students arriving for the 2026–2027 academic year (August/September 2026), we recommend starting your search as early as possible, ideally 4–6 months before move-in. Because this is a premium building, units may be in demand.
Given that many graduate students and professionals secure leases in the spring (March–May) for a fall move-in, booking earlier increases the chance of securing a preferred unit type and floor plan. The operator may also offer early-booking rates — though we do not have that data, it is common in the market.
If you need a move-in date earlier than August (e.g., June 2026), note that the building might have immediate availability. Contact the on-site assistant to check.
FAQs
Is parking available at The Elle Apartments?
Our data does not include parking information. The building is located in the South Loop, where street parking is limited and garage parking may be available at an extra cost. You should confirm with the operator whether a parking space is included or can be rented separately.
What is the cancellation or rebooking policy?
The dataset does not specify a cancellation policy. Given that the building is managed by a hospitality-oriented company (based on reviews mentioning “Kasa Hotel”), there may be flexible rebooking options. Always read the lease terms carefully and ask the operator about penalties for early termination or change of dates.
How close is the property to the three main universities?
- University of Chicago: Approximately 6 miles south. A shuttle and Metra Electric Line connect the campus to the South Loop.
- University of Illinois Chicago (UIC): About 2 miles west. The Blue Line and several bus routes serve this route.
- Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT): Roughly 1.5 miles south, reachable via the Green/Red Line or a short bus ride.
The South Loop is well-connected by public transit. Walking to the nearest L station (Roosevelt) takes about 10 minutes.
Sources & data date: July 2026
For live availability and personalized assistance, use the on-site assistant on this page.
See also: listing details · browse more