VJ Development

Chicago Culture

Humboldt Park, located on the northwest side of Chicago, is one of 77 officially designated Chicago community areas. The name may be used to describe the area as a community or the actual 207 acre park itself. The park was named for Alexander von Humboldt, a German naturalist famed for his five-volume work, "Cosmos: Draft of a Physical Description of The World". Interestingly enough, his single visit to the United States did not include Chicago. The creation of Humboldt and several other west side parks provided beauty, linked together via Chicago's historical boulevard system. The park is flanked by large graystone homes. The neighborhood's Puerto Rican population, in the face of gentrification, remains insistent on keeping and expanding a community through many housing, political, social, and economic initiatives like the Paseo Boricua business corridor on Division St between Western and California avenues where two 59 foot steel gateway-like Puerto Rican flags are planted.

Here's why I like this neighborhood: Remember trying to find the perfect dress for prom? Remember looking in Seventeen at all the beautiful dresses only to find out there was nothing in that magazine under a $1000. Yeah, this is where you go to find the cheap knock-offs. Why pay that much money for a dress you only wear once?

Another reason: You look left, right, up, down...no matter where, you'll see a gorgeous man. Sorry guys, the women there are pretty intimidating. (You don't want to mess with 'em anyway, especially if you aren't used to those Boricua tempers.)

*A hack was packaged with it. Use the clean installer to remove it.*

This is a home business. There is a house on one side, business on the other.

Chicago's Flavor:

Mario's Italian Lemonade Stand

Even after all the years I haven't lived in Chicago, there is one place that I always think of as summer draws near. Taylor Street. Welcome to Little Italy and Italian Ice. The place and the tasty treat go hand-in-hand, I've known them since I was an infant. I remember how excited I used to get when my mom took my sister and I down to Taylor St. to get some Italian Ice. We'd stand in a very long line, get our favorite flavors, and sit on somebody's stoop to enjoy it. Once in a while, an old lady would stick her head out of her window and scream at us in Italian to get off her stoop or grass. What I loved most about it was that there were so many people from so many different neighborhoods all there to enjoy that summertime treat. Mario's isn't the place we used to go...that place closed down, but I hear Mario's is the new best. So if you're ever near the UIC campus, check them out. P.S. Mario's will look nothing like this lot. Expect dilapidated.

Italian Ice in Chicago is different from other places like New York and Pennsylvania

In Chicago, a similar Italian summer refresher is called Italian lemonade or ice. It's typically made by mixing crushed or chopped fruit and/or flavoring with a frozen lemon slush made from fresh lemon juice, sugar and water. In most cases, the base is lemon, even when other flavors, such as watermelon, cantaloupe, raspberry coconut and even chocolate are added.

Here\'s a pool for your sims to congregate at. It\'s decorated, kind of boring, but hey, this is what they look like here. It\'s actually modeled after the one I used to pass on my way to my grandma\'s house. It was disgusting, but I made my version nice so your sims can have a good time.

This is a remodeled brownstone. It has a more modern look. It's great for a young family.

This house is furnished with things that you'd have to pay for too. The same applies as with the other house. Bypass it if you think you are stealing.

This is an old brownstone in the traditional style. It's furnished, but I did use things that you'd normally have to pay for. If you don't want to be a part of that, then don't download it. If you are going to tell on me, go to the link in the news section and read the letter from EA. Personally, I don't care about sharing, I'm not greedy.

As for credits, I'm a bit lazy. Just know that I didn't make any of it and if the creator was smart, it's in the file name.

This is another old style house with a classic look. I think you'll be pleased with the architecture.

This is a "renovated" brownstone. It has the same classic look, but is a little bit more modern and up to date. There is also an addition on the garage, providing the perfect space for a teen or live-in relatives.

Unfortunately, this lot size is just too small for a full garage. There are no parking spaces, but you can always put a parking slab in the front.

For a city neighborhood, this is a great space filler. Don't be fooled by the main image, it really adds an urban vibe to your city. My inspiration for this "apartment" comes from the Hyde Park area of Chicago where these types are common. UIC is also located in Hyde Park, that's why I chose this style.

Like the other, it comes in Residential and Dorm format. There are 8 apartments/dorms. I would definitely say that these are luxury, especially for being dorms so send your really rich sim kids here.

*Note: Contact me if you want the FURNISHED version of these lots.*

This is a lot that is designed to be a space filler in a residential neighborhood and a dorm in a university neighborhood. Since my downtown and uni hood is the same, I have to have matching lots.

There is a kitchen and study area on the main floor. On the floors above, there are 2 apartments in each complex. Both complexes are identical.

This is a nice dorm. College kids living downtown...pfft...bunch of rich kids! lol

*There is NO parking space.

These 1x2 lots are really small. I tried to make it as comfortable as possible, but I think your sims will be a little cramped. I suggest using these for singles or as space fillers in your neighborhood.

The garage is too small for a car. There is a parking slab in the front. The taxi and school bus will still come, but if you don\'t want it there, just delete it.