THE BIOGRAPHY OF CHICAGO’S MARINA CITY
Written by Steven Dahlman

Earl Meech Steven Dahlman

(Left) Living room of former Marina City resident Earl Meech, photographed by Meech in mid-1960s. (Above) Renovated kitchen of one-bedroom unit in 2008.

1963 rent paid in 2011 dollars

When adjusted for inflation, rental amounts at Marina City have not changed significantly since 1963.

The amount in the 2011 column is the amount in the 1963 column divided by the Consumer Price Index for that year. The CPI represents changes in prices of all goods and services purchased for consumption by urban households.

Configuration (monthly rental) 1963 2011
Efficiency $125 $904
One-bedroom $165 $1,193
Two-bedroom $210 $1,518
Parking $30 $216 *
Boat storage $140 $1,012 **

* The parking rate in 2011 was about $239. In 1964, the hourly parking rate was 75 cents.

** In 1963, boat storage cost $180 per month in the summer and $100 per month in the winter. Assuming “summer” is defined as the official six-month boating season starting on May 1, this is an average of $140 per month.

In 2007, marina leases were for a 12-month period starting on April 1. A bubbler system allows boats to remain in the water year round. It costs an average of $1,044 per month for storage of a 50-foot boat.

Last updated 28-Mar-11