Community profile

The Merion

1611 Chicago Avenue, Evanston, IL

Independent Living

4.033 reviewsvia A Place for Mom

About the community

About The Merion

Just minutes from downtown Chicago and mere blocks from Lake Michigan’s north shore, the Merion is a historic 1919 Evanston icon. The beautifully restored Tudor Revival-style hotel offers classy modern decor and luxurious apartments, from studio to penthouse. The community life of Merion is an active and vibrant one, with daily fine dining prepared to order by an unmatched culinary team. The Merion contains several beautiful eating venues, including an elegant dining room, multiple lounges, and a rooftop terrace. The Merion partners with Northwestern University to offer lifelong learning opportunities. Residents can participate in writing and literary workshops, computer classes, current events discussions, multicultural programs, and more. Among the Merion’s world-class amenities are an indoor saltwater pool, a bakery and ice cream parlor, a fitness center, a hair salon, and a library complete with a fireplace. Cats and dogs are welcome. The community offers a rich and carefree retirement, with housekeeping and maintenance services, as well as on-site aging in place care as needed. The Merion Health Services Alliance offers residents the best of specialty care, as directed by an individual customized care plan established by a professional Care Coordinator. The Merion has a private memory care sector for residents in need of memory support. Related links: Understanding Assisted Living Levels of Care Helping Seniors Move: Design and Downsizing Tips for Senior Living How to Combat Loneliness in the Elderly: 9 Expert Tips

Published floor plans

Studio

Independent Living · 0 bedroom

$4,350/month

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1 Bedroom

Independent Living · 1 bedroom

$4,950/month

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2 Bedrooms

Independent Living · 2 bedroom

$8,400/month

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Tracked published prices

Price history by floor plan

Compare floor plans over time. The lowest current option with tracked history is selected first.

Studio$4,350 observed · tracking future changes
$4,350Aug 5, 2026

One source-published starting price observed so far. No price change has been observed yet.

Family and resident feedback

4.0 out of 5 from 33 reviews

Read all on A Place for Mom

Recent public reviews can help surface themes to ask about on a tour. Ratings belong to the named review source and are not independently verified by us.

★★★★

Positive

Review for The Merion

The staff has been very helpful. They have provided help with setting up and help with downsizing relative furniture and other things. I visited 4 times each time they treated me like I belonged here.

Francine SJune 8, 2026

★★★★★

Positive

Review for The Merion

Come and join us. We picked this community because of the level of activities, friendliness, location in downtown Evanston.

See category ratings
Cleanliness
5.0 / 5
Friendliness
4.0 / 5
Value for Cost
4.0 / 5
Care Services
4.0 / 5
Activities
5.0 / 5
Staff
5.0 / 5
Meals & Dining
4.0 / 5
AnonymousOctober 17, 2024

★★★★★

Positive

The Merion review

5 for questions 1-6. The facility is ALWAYS immaculate! They raised the rent 10% in the second year. That seems very high for a senior independent living!!! The staff is sooo helpful and caring. The outstanding staff members are: [name removed], [name removed] from sales, [name removed] and the two other ladies at the front desk, and from the restaurant, [name removed], [name removed], [name removed], [name removed], [name removed], [name removed], [name removed]and both managers, [name removed]and [name removed]!!

See category ratings
Cleanliness
5.0 / 5
Friendliness
5.0 / 5
Care Services
5.0 / 5
Activities
5.0 / 5
Staff
5.0 / 5
Meals & Dining
5.0 / 5
AnonymousJuly 29, 2024

★★★★★

Positive

Review for The Merion

The Merion was great [name removed]moved out unfortunately . Theresa service they had outsourced to administer medication was not properly giving him his medication and he was stressed out and seizing. He hasn't had a seizure since he moved . The facility was amazing however;I would recommend the Merion but not the outside nursing service.

See category ratings
Cleanliness
5.0 / 5
Friendliness
5.0 / 5
Value for Cost
5.0 / 5
Care Services
5.0 / 5
Activities
5.0 / 5
Staff
5.0 / 5
Meals & Dining
5.0 / 5
AnonymousApril 4, 2024

★★★★★

Positive

A wonderful place for senior living, plenty of amenities , caring staff in a great east Evanston location!

I would rate the Merion on all of the above classifications as a 5! The only thing I think is a bit expensive is the cost of food and alcoholic drinks. Overall, the staff is genuinely caring and helpful. The cleanliness is fabulous. I've visited other senior facilities, even more expensive ones, and there was an underlying smell of urine. I would HIGHLY recommend the Merion!!! There is a nice age diversity and a smaller diverse population. I'd like to see more ethnic, & color diversity, but my uncle is very happy i

See category ratings
Cleanliness
5.0 / 5
Friendliness
5.0 / 5
Value for Cost
5.0 / 5
Care Services
5.0 / 5
Activities
5.0 / 5
Staff
5.0 / 5
Meals & Dining
5.0 / 5
LisaOctober 27, 2023

★★★★★

Positive

activity programs

The experience I have had at the Merion has been fantastic. I enjoy the adversity of the residents here. The programs are very good and listed on an activities board near the dining room. The engineers and those who fix things around the building are great. When you ask them to do something it gets done. The kitchen staff and servers are very nice people, and they have good food. One of the greatest group of people that are really good is the executive staff; [name removed], [name removed], [name removed]and so m

See category ratings
Cleanliness
5.0 / 5
Friendliness
5.0 / 5
Value for Cost
5.0 / 5
Care Services
5.0 / 5
Activities
4.0 / 5
Staff
5.0 / 5
Meals & Dining
4.0 / 5
LAURA HAMMDecember 31, 2022

Verified overview

What we know from public sources

Care options
Independent Living
Operator
Not yet resolved
Public price status
Published starting price available
Last source check
August 5, 2026

Source-published features

Amenities and services

Grouped so you can scan what affects day-to-day life before opening an operator page.

Meals & dining

  • Gluten-free
  • Vegan
  • Vegetarian
  • Low / No Sodium
  • Organic
  • International Cuisine
  • Anytime Dining
  • Guest Meals
  • Room Service
  • Professional Chef
  • Restaurant Style Dining
  • Café or Bistro
  • Bar or Pub
  • Private Dining Room
  • Meals Provided

Health & wellness

  • Medication Management
  • Incontinence Care
  • Staffing & Ancillary Services
  • Diabetic Care
  • High Acuity Care
  • Memory Care
  • Non-Ambulatory Care

Services & convenience

  • Beautician
  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry Service / Drycleaning
  • Grocery Shopping and Errands
  • German
  • English
  • Spanish
  • Italian
  • Russian
  • Complimentary Transportation
  • Covered Parking
  • Resident Parking Available
  • Property Convenient to Public Transit
  • Cats Allowed
  • Dogs Allowed
  • Pet Care Available

Activities & engagement

  • Men's Club
  • Educational Speakers / Life Long Learning
  • Stretching Classes
  • BBQs or Picnics
  • Birthday Parties
  • Happy Hour
  • Wine Tasting
  • Catholic Services
  • Christian Services
  • Activities On-site
  • Choir / Singing Club
  • Cooking Classes
  • Wii Bowling
  • Trivia Games
  • Live Musical Performances
  • Brain fitness / Dakim
  • Tai Chi
  • Water Aerobics
  • Gardening Club
  • Forever Fit
  • Community Service Programs
  • Visiting Rabbi
  • Live Well Programs
  • Community Service Organizations
  • Devotional Activities Offsite
  • Holiday Parties
  • Jewish Services
  • Walking Club
  • Bridge Club
  • Other Religious Services
  • Visiting Chaplain or Priest
  • Intergenerational Programs
  • Activities Off-site
  • Art Classes
  • Live Dance or Theater Performances
  • Current Events Club
  • Day Trips and Outings
  • Karaoke
  • Book Club
  • Devotional Activities On-Site
  • Yoga / Chair Yoga

Outdoor spaces

  • Meeting Room
  • Indoor Common Areas
  • Central Fireplace
  • Indoor Atrium
  • Main Street Shops
  • Beauty Salon
  • Library
  • Barber Shop
  • Private Bath
  • Outside Patio
  • Computer or Media Center
  • Arts and Crafts Center
  • Movie or Theater Room
  • Fitness Center
  • Billiards Lounge
  • Ballroom
  • Game Room
  • Piano or Organ
  • Swimming Pool
  • Outdoor Common Areas
  • TV Lounge

Apartment & room features

  • Bath Tubs
  • Kitchenette
  • Full kitchen
  • Garden View
  • Wi-Fi/high-speed internet
  • Cable or Satellite TV
  • Fireplaces
  • Private patio, deck, or balcony
  • Wheelchair Accessible Showers
  • Respite or Short Term Stays Offered
  • Handicap Accessible
  • Air Conditioned

Official oversight

Inspection and quality records

Inspection coverage has not yet been completed for this community. “Not covered” is not the same as “no violations found.”

Coverage last checked August 5, 2026.

Questions to confirm with the community

Additional care fees
Not publicly disclosed
Move-in fee
Not publicly disclosed
Exact unit availability
Confirmation required