Oak Street is an international style center, home to many of the world's most exclusive boutiques and salons. The street attracts shoppers from all over the world who seek only the best. After the Chicago fire of 1871, many wealthy Chicagoans contracted European-trained architects to build new homes and mansions on the City's Near North side. Oak Street soon became the center of the expanding Gold Coast neighborhood and home to some of Chicago's most prominent families. With the turn of the Century, skyscrapers began to grow along neighboring Michigan Avenue, but Oak Street retained its historical brownstone character and intimate scale, combining glamorous style with cozy informality.The Oak Street Council is responsible for the preservation and promotion of the Oak Street retail corridor, which also includes Rush Street and Walton Street, as a unique shopping destination. For a complete list of members, please visit our web site at OakStreetChicago.com.