Chicago Rental Off Michigan Avenue for $1,235

It's rare to find a vintage rental in this locale off Michigan Avenue, an area that's heavily saturated with carbon copy high-rises. And unearthing an original in this price range could be even tougher.

Built in 1882, this Victorian goth-style complex is known as Hotel St. Benedict Flats, a landmark building named after the church that existed on the land before the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The red brick structure was originally erected as a luxury apartment building, but it was designed to look like a series of adjoining townhouses to ease the uncertainty about such a novel residential concept. Over a hundred-and-some years later, the idea -- as well as the location -- have endured the test of time.