What to know about Drexel Grand in Chicago
Drexel Grand is a student housing property located at Chicago, IL 60615, serving the University of Chicago, University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), and Illinois Institute of Technology. It offers studio, one-bedroom, and apartment-style units with monthly rents ranging from 1,245 to 2,465 USD (indicative — confirm with the operator). The building provides bike storage, a fitness center, laundry facilities, and allows dual occupancy. With a Google rating of 3 stars from 21 reviews, it has a mixed reputation that you should consider before signing a lease.
Who is Drexel Grand for?
This property works best for students or young professionals who prioritize location and on-site fitness amenities. The address places you within reasonable proximity to the Hyde Park area and the University of Chicago campus, while still being accessible to UIC and IIT via public transit. If you want a studio or one-bedroom unit (the available unit types) without the need for multiple roommates, Drexel Grand offers those options directly. The dual-occupancy tag also means you could share a unit with a partner or friend if the operator permits — useful if you want to split costs.
The building’s fitness center is a practical advantage if you don’t want to pay for an external gym membership. Bike storage also supports a car-free commute in parts of Chicago. Laundry facilities on-site eliminate trips to a laundromat.
Who should look elsewhere?
Several online reviews point to serious management and security issues. If reliable package delivery matters to you, be cautious: one resident reported packages being stolen “within a very short amount of time.” The same reviewer noted the building lacks lockers or secure storage for deliveries. This could be a deal-breaker if you order essentials or valuable items regularly.
Another reviewer warned: “Visit this place beforehand if you’re trying to rent. They don’t take care of this building, especially since it’s so far from their office.” This suggests that on-site property management may be remote or unresponsive, which can lead to slow maintenance and neglect. If you need prompt help with repairs, security, or administrative issues, Drexel Grand may not be reliable.
The overall Google rating (3 stars) is below average for the city — Chicago’s student housing market includes 95 properties with a city from-price of just 600 USD per month. So for a building that starts at more than double that floor price, you might expect better reviews.
What residents actually say
We include three verbatim Google reviews from the available data:
Paint (1 star):
“Visit this place beforehand if you’re trying to rent. They don’t take care of this building, especially since it’s so far from their office.”
Dealan (1 star):
“Packages are always getting stolen within a very short amount of time. You NEED to put storage lockers in the hall or something because this happens too often. It’s very frustrating to deal with.”
Christine Walker (5 stars):
“My building maintenance is always very professional and efficient!”
One positive review cites good maintenance, but the two negative reviews focus on theft and neglect. The disparity suggests that experience can vary — perhaps by which unit you are in or how attentive the specific maintenance staff is. The overall tone from the low-rated reviews should be taken seriously, especially since both mention recurring issues rather than one-off problems.
The “staff” rating dimension in the internal data is 5.0, and “cleaning” is also 5.0, indicating some residents do have positive encounters. However, the “safety_security” dimension is only 3.5, which aligns with the package theft complaint. “value_for_money” is rated 5.0, but that may reflect the perspective of tenants who feel they get what they pay for — keep in mind the price range starts high.
Price positioning and room types
Chicago’s city-wide from-price for student housing is 600 USD per month (indicative — confirm with the operator). Drexel Grand’s minimum rent of 1,245 USD is more than double that floor. Its maximum of 2,465 USD puts it near the upper end for the city. There are 95 properties in Chicago, so you have many alternatives at lower price points.
Available unit types at Drexel Grand:
- Studio — typically the most affordable option, often between the 1,245 and 2,000 range (indicative).
- 1b (one-bedroom) — usually costs more than studios; can reach toward the 2,465 top end.
- Apartment — likely refers to multi-room apartments that may be shared or larger layouts. Since only “apartment” is listed without specifying bedroom count, you should check the exact floor plan with the operator.
If you are budget-constrained, studios likely give the best price within this building. But note that with a city floor of 600 USD, you can find shared housing or smaller studios elsewhere for much less. Drexel Grand’s pricing implies a premium for location and in-building amenities (fitness center, bike storage). You need to decide whether those amenities and the specific address justify paying 645–1,865 USD more than the city’s cheapest option.
Recommended booking timing
The property data does not indicate a minimum lease length or available move-in date (available_from is null). For 2026–2027 academic year leasing, you should start inquiring and physically visiting as early as possible — ideally at least 3 months before your intended move-in. Given the mixed reviews, it is especially important to see the building yourself before signing anything. The reviewer “Paint” explicitly advises a pre-rental visit. Doing so in winter or early spring (e.g., February–April 2026) gives you more time to compare other properties.
Because package theft is a recurring complaint, you may want to factor in a separate P.O. box or delivery address if you commit to Drexel Grand. Secure the unit only after confirming the operator can address your security concerns. Since the property is not managed on-site (according to the 1-star review), ask about response times for maintenance and package handling before you sign.
Frequently asked questions
Is Drexel Grand safe for packages?
Based on resident feedback, package theft is a known problem. The building lacks secure lockers or a monitored package room, and deliveries are left in common areas. If you rely on online shopping, consider this a significant risk. You may need to arrange delivery to a secure drop-off point or have packages held at a nearby facility.
What is the management like?
Opinions are split. One reviewer reports professional maintenance; another claims the building is not cared for because the management office is located far away. The internal rating for “staff” is 5.0, but “property_maintenance” is 3.5. It is likely that maintenance requests are handled efficiently sometimes and poorly other times. You should test responsiveness by asking a few pre-lease questions via email or phone and observing how quickly you get a reply.
How does the price compare to other Chicago student housing?
Drexel Grand’s minimum rent (1,245 USD monthly) is significantly above the city’s from-price of 600 USD. The maximum (2,465 USD) can be nearly four times that floor. Among 95 properties in Chicago, this building is in the mid-to-upper range. You can find studios and shared apartments starting at 600–800 USD in other neighborhoods. Drexel Grand’s proximity to the University of Chicago and its amenities partially explain the premium, but be sure to compare with housing closer to your campus and within your budget.
Sources & data date
All prices, reviews, and ratings are based on data available as of July 2026. Prices are indicative — confirm with the operator before making financial commitments. Google reviews reflect a snapshot and may change.
For current unit availability, rent levels, and to address any specific concerns about security and maintenance, we invite you to use the on-site assistant on this page to check real-time openings.
See also: listing details · browse more