Home  >  Chicago  >  Evanston  >  Downtown Evanston Apartments  >  Optima Horizons

High-rise Condo
Downtown Evanston, 800 Elgin Rd | Evanston
Overview
Photos
Amenities

Top Amenities

View All >
  •  24-Hour Front Desk
  •  Cat friendly
  •  Dog friendly
  •  Fitness Center
  •  Granite Countertops
  •  Hardwood Floors
  •  Indoor Pool
  •  Oversize or penthouse units
  •  Parking Garage  
  •  Stainless Steel Appliances
  •  Walk-in Closets
  •  Washer/Dryer In Unit

User Rating

8.7
Great
263 Reviews

About this Location

Whole Foods Market
10 min walk
UP-N (rail) - 5 min
208/250 (bus) - 4 min
The Lakefill
18 min walk
Lots of bars and
restaurants nearby

Pricing 

1 Bedroom, 1 Bath
$2,495+
2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths
$2,850+
3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths
$4,600+
Schedule Appointment At
(872) 704-8022

  • Bedrooms

    •  Walk-in Closets

  • Included

    •  Gas Included
    •  Heat Included
    •  Water Included

  • Kitchen

    •  Dishwasher
    •  Garbage Disposal
    •  Granite Countertops
    •  Microwave
    •  Refrigerator
    •  Stainless Steel Appliances
    •  Stove & Oven

  • Laundry

    •  Washer/Dryer In Unit

  • Living Room

    •  Air Conditioning
    •  Hardwood Floors
    •  Large Windows
    •  Lots of Sunlight

  • Parking & Transportation

    •  Parking Garage  

  • Pet Terms & Amenities

    •  Cat friendly
    •  Dog friendly

  • Security & Maintenance

    •  24-Hour Front Desk

  • Sports & Fitness

    •  Fitness Center
    •  Indoor Pool

  • Storage

    •  Additional Storage Available

  • Unique Unit Types

    •  Oversize or penthouse units
X

Overall rating 8.7/10, based on 263 renter reviews Write a review

9.4
Location
7.4
Amenities
8.1
Management
8.7
Value
7.6
Social
9.2
Safety
Excellent
139
Great
98
Good
26
Average
0
Terrible
0

Optima Horizons reviews and highlights

  • Modern finishings and appliances
  • Gorgeous view of Lake Michigan
  • Indoor parking garage is a big plus in the winter
  • Excellent amenities
  • Expensive for Evanston
  • Great bathrooms
  • Indoor Pool is great for kids
  • Great for retirees and seniors
  • Building is clean and well maintained
  • 5-10 min walk to bars and restaurants
  • Lots of sunlight
  • Condo rules can be strict
  • Allows large dogs
  • Great place to live
  • Tons of Kellogg students
  • Amenities in units vary
  • Building is pretty quiet if you aren't on the side next to train tracks
  • Friendly landlord and management
  • Gym is small, but enough for simple workouts
  • Front desk personnel are extremely nice
  • Floor to ceiling windows
  • Fee required to reserve the elevator
  • Fantastic location
Filter reviews for
9
Excellent
Overall score
Location
Amenities
Management
Value
Social
Safety

Lots of space!

I love living at OHo. There are few amenities, but instead of paying for a lounge that I don't use, I pay for the convenient location and square footage. The building is well managed and responsive if anything comes up that its responsible for. Individual units are all rented directly from owners, so my sense is that there's some variability around how helpful different landlords are. The apartments generally have good layouts and you couldn't ask for a better location (17 min walk to the hub, right downtown). There are a ton of Kellogg students in the building, but it's not a party spot like E2 (which is what I was looking for).

Keep reading
Was this review helpful?
  Yes
  No
Reviewed by
 
  • 1 bed / 1 bath
8
Great
Overall score
Location
Amenities
Management
Value
Social
Safety

Great location, quieter than E2, still tons of Kellogg

Loved living in OHO. Be careful though because each unit is different. Location is very convenient to both downtown and campus, and I see Kellogg people in here all the time.

Keep reading
Was this review helpful?
  Yes
  No
Reviewed by
 
  • Couple
  • 2 beds / 2 baths
7
Good
Overall score
Location
Amenities
Management
Value
Social
Safety

Easy place to live

Lots of students in the building, good amenities, hot tub, small gym, heated garage, doorman, and affordable. I’m glad we chose to live here. Plus, I wake up to the sunrise over Lake Michigan every day.

Keep reading
Was this review helpful?
  Yes
  No
Reviewed by
 
  • Couple
  • Pet owner
  • 1 bed / 1 bath
9
Excellent
Overall score
Location
Amenities
Management
Value
Social
Safety

Good proximity, price, management

Building has gym, small pool and hot tub. It is about 50% Kellogg, 50% old people. Apartments are relatively spacious - each one is different because they are condos. Building management is really good.

Keep reading
Was this review helpful?
  Yes
  No
Reviewed by
 
  • Couple
  • 2 beds / 2 baths
9
Excellent
Overall score
Location
Amenities
Management
Value
Social
Safety

Great building, awesome location, and good value

Optima Horizons - or “OHo” as many residents call it - has 10 floors of condos including one bedrooms, one bed plus dens, two bedrooms and more that Kellogg students often take advantage of. It’s a great mix of everything and is the closest to Kellogg of the “popular” buildings. Great pool and hot tub yearround too!

Keep reading
Was this review helpful?
  Yes
  No
Reviewed by
 
  • Couple
  • 1 bed / 1 bath
8
Great
Overall score
Location
Amenities
Management
Value
Social
Safety

OHO Review

Optima Horizons is the way to go - but note, each unit is really different

Keep reading
Was this review helpful?
  Yes
  No
Reviewed by
 
  • Roommates
  • 2 beds / 2 baths
8
Great
Overall score
Location
Amenities
Management
Value
Social
Safety

Great building, lots of variability in unit quality

The location can't be beat--15 mins walk to the hub and easy access to downtown Evanston. Great door staff and easy package/mail pickup. Decent fitness center and *bonus* hot tub. My 2 bedroom layout has rather thin walls between bedrooms and the unit hasn't been refurbished in a long time--this likely varies a bit.

Keep reading
Was this review helpful?
  Yes
  No
Reviewed by
 
  • Roommates
  • 2 beds / 2 baths
8
Great
Overall score
Location
Amenities
Management
Value
Social
Safety

Relatively quiet, lots of Kellogg students

Apartments are clean and nice, great views. We face the train but I don’t think the noise is bad. Definitely recommend finding a good landlord within the building, since you’ll need to deal with them for any maintenance.

Keep reading
Was this review helpful?
  Yes
  No
Reviewed by
 
  • Roommates
  • 2 beds / 2 baths
9
Excellent
Overall score
Location
Amenities
Management
Value
Social
Safety

Affordable

Affordable place. Lots of Kellogg students. Great location!

Keep reading
Was this review helpful?
  Yes
  No
Reviewed by
 
  • Roommates
  • 2 beds / 2 baths
8
Great
Overall score
Location
Amenities
Management
Value
Social
Safety

Very Positive Experience!

Closest condo building to the Global Hub

Keep reading
Was this review helpful?
  Yes
  No
Reviewed by
 
  • Roommates
  • 2 beds / 3 baths

The Neighborhood

Signature Spots

dining 29 Recs

Buffalo Joe’s
Bat 17
Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza
See more

grocery 2 Recs

Whole Foods Market
Trader Joe’s
See more

convenience 2 Recs

Walgreens
7-Eleven
See more

fitness 34 Recs

Pure Barre
Evanston Athletic Club
TITLE Boxing Club
See more

parks 7 Recs

Dawes Park
City of Evanston Recreation Divisi…
Merrick Rose Garden
See more

coffee 14 Recs

Andy’s Frozen Custard
Bennison’s Bakery
Unicorn Cafe
See more
Back

About Downtown Evanston

Since it's home to Northwestern, Downtown Evanston is the most popular residential area for Kellogg students. Most apartment buildings in Downtown Evanston are a 20 minute walk from the Donald P. Jacobs Center, and several public transport options can cut that commute even further. This safe and hig...
Walkable
Easy Commute
Great Location
Student Friendly
Social Community
Great Accessibility
Proximity To Amenities
Median rents in Downtown Evanston
Studio
$
2,300
1 Bedroom
$
2,600
2 Bedroom
$
3,300

Getting around Downtown Evanston

UP-N (rail)

5 min

Purple

5 min

208/250 (bus)

4 min

93 (bus)

3 min

213 (bus)

4 min

201 (bus)

4 min

Parking at Optima Horizons

Parking Garage

, , , ,

Parking Near Optima Horizons

City of Evans 1800 Maple Self Park Garage

5 min
$110 / month

City of Evans Sherman Plaza Self Park

5 min
$95 / month

E2 Apartments

8 min
$145 / month
Parking rates are for informational purposes only and may vary — for most up to date pricing, please reach out to the garage directly.

Downtown Evanston Reviews

546 reviews
Reviewed by Northwestern Graduate Student living at 1406 Elmwood Ave
Lots of apartments and family homes in the area. I always see someone riding their bike or walking throughout the day. It's a block from the police station, and only 2-3 blocks to downtown. Close to intercampus shuttle, 201 bus stop (3 blocks), and Dempster purple line (1.5 blocks). Nice area to live, quiet at night.
Reviewed by Northwestern Graduate Student living at Residences of Sherman Plaza
Downtown Evanston is a great place to live if you're a NU student. It's super easy to get to campus via either walking or the bus, and has convenient groceries within walking distance. The food scene is not the best, but good enough.
Reviewed by Local Resident living at The Scholar
Evanston is the epitome of a college town, everything you need and most of what you want is within a 10 minute walk.
Reviewed by Northwestern Graduate Student living at McManus Living-Learning Center
I really enjoy living in downtown Evanston. Everything that I need is within walking distance, and it is a 10-15 minute walk to my classes.
Reviewed by Northwestern Graduate Student living at 617-625 Grove St. Apartments
Safe, walkable area, even late at night depending on the streets you take. Great for convenience in terms of getting to campus, no car needed, access to many public transit options. You lose out in terms of cheap food options and fun nightlife - there are only a couple of bars open after 9PM on the weekends and for cheap food you're stuck with Chipotle or at best Tomate. But the lake and beach are within walking distance and you live close to other NU students making it well worth it for me.
Reviewed by Northwestern Medill Student living at Clark Street Apartments
Evanston really is a nice town. There's loads of food, both chains and otherwise, and a number of shops and things if you don't mind moving around a little. Driving in the greater Evanston area is not a lot of fun, I will say. I get the sense that the city doesn't much like the University and its constituents, and that the students don't always respect the city. It's not a perfect relationship, but it works. I can easily walk or take transit to class on the Evanston campus, and when I have class in Chicago I take transit, which usually takes more than an hour in the morning and close to an hour coming home.
Reviewed by Kellogg MBA Student living at Centrum Evanston
Downtown Evanston is super cute! There are tons of restaurants and a handful of bars so I find that it offers a good bit of variety for the neighborhood size. There are street festivals, a great farmers market, summer concerts in the square and other community events I've enjoyed. Would highly recommend Evanston anyone who wants access to the city but a self-sufficient "urban burb" type neighborhood.
Reviewed by Kellogg School of Management Student living at Centrum Evanston
Pros: Great location near key Kellogg hangouts like World of Beer, Nevins, Five and Dime, Prairie Moon, etc. Also convenient to Bennison's Bakery! Great for late nights- can get home in < 5 minutes without ubering. Also near both Metra and L- ideal if you plan to spend some of your time in downtown Chicago.

Cons: Long walk from the Global hub. Closest grocery store is Whole Foods, a bit of a hike to TJ's and Jewel.

Similar apartments & condos

  Downtown Evanston
Optima Views
1 Bed $2,300
2 Beds $3,000
3 Beds $4,200

Check availability
  Northeast Evanston
819 Foster Street
2 Beds $3,000

Check availability
  Downtown Evanston
Evanston Galleria
1 Bed $1,950
2 Beds $2,400

Check availability
  Downtown Evanston
Optima Towers
1 Bed $2,400
2 Beds $3,500
3 Beds $4,500

Check availability
  Downtown Evanston
Church Street Condos
1 Bed $2,000
2 Beds $2,300
3 Beds $3,500

Check availability
  Downtown Evanston
Sienna Court
1 Bed $1,500
2 Beds $2,750

Check availability