Downtown Normal Apartments for Rent

Downtown Normal located in the central Illinois county of McLean is a growing business district that mingles historic buildings, residential apartments and modern structures like its Multimodal Transportation Center. The Normal Town Council rechristened Downtown Normal, Uptown Normal in 2006. This area lies within the 61761 zip code.

Uptown Normal sprawls to the east of the Illinois State University Campus. This business district was built soon after the town founding in 1865, although a fire in 1890 destroyed many of the original buildings along Beaufort Street. The downtown area was rebuilt with two-story brick buildings, many that are still home to local businesses.

Today, the area formerly known as Downtown Normal continues to thrive and grow. The Uptown Renewal Plan was formed by the Town Council in 2001. This plan included major renovations and constructions as well as preservation efforts for the historic buildings.

The downtown area has two historic sites. The Normal Theater built in 1937, was the first theater in the area to show “talkies.” It continues today showing classic films as well as hosting film festivals. On the north side of West College Avenue is the Edwin C. Hewitt House, former home to Professor Hewitt, the third president of Illinois State University. The house dates to the 1860s and is currently home to the Ecology Action Center.

Built in 2010, Uptown Crossing on the corner of North Street and South Fell Avenue is a multi-purpose building with retail stores and upscale apartments on the upper levels. Other rental opportunities are available throughout Uptown Normal including the Apartments of Beaufort Street.

Other points of interest include the Children’s Discovery Museum, the Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, and the unique Gateway Plaza, a public space designed for small gatherings and performances.