Overview and Location
Aspire Residences is a rental apartment building located at Chicago, IL 60616, USA — in the South Loop / Near South Side area, within easy reach of several major university campuses. The property offers studio-like apartments and multi-bedroom layouts (1‑bedroom, 2‑bedroom, and 3‑bedroom units) on a monthly lease basis. Monthly prices range from approximately USD 2,195 to USD 5,064 (indicative — confirm with the operator). The building’s amenities include Wi‑Fi, a fitness center, a swimming pool, and dual‑occupancy options in certain room types. Minimum lease length is 6 months.
The property sits on a street grid that provides bus and CTA rail connections to downtown Chicago and the surrounding neighborhoods. Because the address is in the 60616 zip code, residents have walkable access to grocery stores, coffee shops, and parks. The building’s Google rating stands at 3.1 out of 5 based on 109 reviews, indicating a mix of positive and negative resident experiences.
Chicago’s overall student‑housing market offers units starting as low as USD 600 per month (indicative — confirm with the operator), though that typically reflects shared rooms or older buildings farther from campus. Aspire Residences is priced well above that floor, positioning itself as a full‑service, amenity‑rich option.
Who This Residence Suits
Graduate and professional students who prioritise convenience and on‑site facilities. The building’s fitness center, pool, and reliable Wi‑Fi make it appealing for residents who want to study, work out, and socialise without leaving the premises. The dual‑occupancy option also suits roommates who want to split a larger unit (2‑bedroom or 3‑bedroom) and bring down the per‑person cost.
Students who can commit to a 6‑month stay. Aspire requires a minimum 6‑month lease, which is shorter than many traditional 12‑month leases in Chicago. This flexibility benefits exchange students or those with co‑op terms that last one semester plus a summer session.
Residents who value responsive maintenance. Two five‑star reviews specifically highlight the property manager (Tiffany) and the maintenance team (Rick). If you are someone who wants issues fixed promptly and likes being greeted by a professional front‑office team, this building aligns with that expectation.
International students who want a furnished or easily set‑up home. The property’s description does not explicitly state furnishing, but the “apartment” unit type tag and the fact that the building is marketed toward students suggest that rooms come with basic furniture or can be arranged. The inclusion of Wi‑Fi in the tags also removes one setup headache.
Who This Residence Does Not Suit
Budget‑conscious students. With a starting price of USD 2,195 per month (indicative — confirm with the operator), Aspire Residences is significantly more expensive than Chicago’s city‑wide from‑price of USD 600. Even a shared 3‑bedroom unit (if the lowest available is around USD 2,195) would cost each tenant over USD 700, and that is before utilities. Students looking for the cheapest possible housing should look elsewhere.
Students who prioritise security and privacy. One detailed one‑star review describes a car theft from the property and reports “a serious lack of support from management” regarding that incident. If safety and responsive management in emergencies are your top criteria, you may want to consider other options, or at least ask the operator detailed questions about security measures, camera coverage, and after‑hours emergency procedures.
Short‑term visitors. The 6‑month minimum lease excludes anyone needing housing for a few weeks or a single summer internship (unless the operator offers a separate short‑stay program not listed in the data). Summer‑only sublets would not fit here.
Undergraduates who prefer a dorm‑style social scene. Aspire Residences is an apartment building, not a dedicated dormitory. Students who want a highly structured community with resident assistants and organised events may find the atmosphere more independent than they expect.
What Residents Actually Say
Theresa Harper (5 stars): “I’ve truly enjoyed living at Aspire Residence. The building is well maintained, the atmosphere is welcoming, and I feel comfortable and at home here. I especially want to recognize Tiffany, the property manager, for being incredibly attentive and helpful. She is professional, responsive, and always willing to go the ex”
Olga (5 stars): “I am currently living in Aspire Residences for almost a year, and I couldn’t be happier with my experience. First and foremost, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to Rick and the maintenance team for their prompt assistance whenever we had any questions or concerns. The apartment complex offers fantastic ameni”
Lily Speer (1 star): “I normally don’t leave reviews, but after our experience living here, I feel it’s important to share this for anyone considering moving in. In the 7 months we’ve lived here, we’ve dealt with constant issues and a serious lack of support from management. My fiancé’s car was stolen from the property, and management did a”
The Google review set is small (109 total) but reveals a split. The positive reviews praise the staff (Tiffany and Rick specifically) and the general upkeep. The negative review points to serious security and management concerns. It is worth noting that the reviewer says “constant issues” across seven months, which suggests systemic problems rather than a one‑time incident.
Because the building’s overall rating is 3.1, the average is pulled down by a cluster of low‑star reviews beyond the one quoted. Prospective tenants should ask the operator directly about car‑parking security, camera coverage, and their process for handling theft or emergency reports.
Price Positioning vs City Average
Chicago’s student‑housing market has a wide spread. The city’s from‑price of USD 600 per month (indicative — confirm with the operator) reflects the cheapest shared room in an older building, often near a university campus but with fewer amenities. Aspire Residences starts at USD 2,195 — roughly 3.7 times the city floor. Even after considering that the city floor is often a single room in a shared house, Aspire’s cheapest unit is above what many students pay for a private bedroom in a mid‑range apartment.
To contextualise: with 95 properties listed in Chicago, Aspire Residences sits in the upper mid‑range or premium segment. Amenities like a pool, fitness center, and in‑unit Wi‑Fi (plus a professional management team) justify the higher cost, but only for renters who can afford USD 2,195–5,064 per month.
Room Type Guidance
The property lists four unit types: 1b (one‑bedroom), 2b (two‑bedroom), 3b (three‑bedroom), and apartment (which likely refers to studio or efficiency layouts). A few practical tips:
- 1b / studio (“apartment”): Best for a single occupant who wants full privacy. Per‑person cost is highest here. If you need a private space and can stretch the budget, choose this.
- 2b: Ideal for two roommates. At a hypothetical midpoint of USD 3,600 (indicative), each person would pay around USD 1,800 — still expensive but less than a 1b.
- 3b: Best value per person if you can find two other roommates. A 3b at the lower range of USD 2,195 is possible only if the price listed is for the entire unit; more likely a 3b starts around USD 3,500–4,500. Check the exact split with the operator.
- Dual occupancy: The tag indicates that some rooms allow two people to share a single bedroom, lowering the per‑person cost further. Confirm with the operator whether the “dual_occupancy” tag applies to 1b, 2b, or 3b units.
Booking Timing
Aspire’s minimum lease of 6 months means the property is available for fall/spring semesters and year‑long stays. There is no specific “available_from” date in the data, so you should assume units become available on a rolling basis. For a semester starting in August 2026, start your inquiry in early 2026 (February–April) to have the widest choice of floor plans and floors. For a January 2027 start, begin looking in October 2026.
Because the building has only 109 Google reviews and 95 properties overall in Chicago, Aspire is a relatively specific listing. Popular layouts (one‑bedroom or three‑bedroom) may be booked 2–3 months ahead, especially near the start of the academic year. If you see a unit that fits your budget and timeline, do not delay — confirm availability and lease terms with the operator directly.
FAQ
H3: Can I move in for just one semester, e.g., fall 2026 only?
The data shows a minimum lease of 6 months. A typical fall semester runs August–December (roughly 5 months), so a one‑semester stay may not meet the minimum. However, some operators allow a 6‑month lease starting in August and ending in January, covering fall plus a month of the spring term. You must confirm with the operator whether they offer a 5‑month or semester‑aligned lease. The 6‑month minimum is strict based on the data.
H3: Are utilities included in the USD 2,195–5,064 monthly rent?
The data only lists “wifi” as a tagged amenity; there is no explicit mention of electricity, water, gas, or trash. You should ask the operator whether the monthly price is all‑inclusive or whether you need to budget an extra USD 100–200 per month for utilities. In Chicago, heat and water are sometimes included, but electricity is typically separate. The positive reviews do not mention utility bills, so it is safest to clarify.
H3: Is the building safe, especially regarding vehicle theft?
One resident’s review mentions a vehicle theft and criticises management’s response. The building’s overall Google rating of 3.1 also suggests some dissatisfaction. When you contact the operator, ask about on‑site security: Is there a gated parking garage? Are there cameras in the parking area and common areas? Is there a night security guard or a buzzer system? Request a copy of the building’s security policy and any crime‑statistics disclosure. If parking security is important to you, consider that the parking situation (if available) may be an additional cost.
Sources & data date
All pricing, property details, and reviews were sourced from the operator’s inventory data and Google reviews as of July 2026. Prices are indicative — confirm with the operator. Ratings and review counts reflect the time of data collection.
For real‑time unit availability, current lease terms, and any move‑in specials, please use the on‑site assistant chat — it can connect you with the operator directly.
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