Welcome to West Loop
Luxe lofts, galleries, boutiques, and restaurants are still distinguished by West Loop’s industrial roots.
From a gritty, partially abandoned manufacturing corridor to a burgeoning neighborhood flush with must-visit spots for foodies, eclectic art galleries and shops, and numerous acres of redeveloped park space, West Loop is now one of the hottest downtown areas in which to settle down.
An explosive overhaul of former factories, wholesale markets, and warehouses transformed the West Loop into a diverse array of reputable eateries, gallery and designer spaces, and converted lofts and condos for singles and families alike.
The Neighbors
A growing population of young professionals and families, restaurateurs, and some major tech industry players.
The famed restaurant and bar scene, close proximity to public transit and three major expressways, and downright cool, industrial atmosphere makes the West Loop a desirable location to live and work. Even innovative tech giants like Google, Twitter, and Uber have turned old warehouses into their new headquarters.
What to Expect
An ingrained creative vibe at the edges of downtown Chicago.
Time Magazine deemed it “the land of the living dead” in 1949, but the West Loop of today is very much alive. Art galleries and antique sources for collectors of all kinds, stylish shops for fashion-forward consumers, innovative restaurants and bars, and a thriving music and street fair scene regularly draw crowds.
The Lifestyle
Endless dining and bar options that will keep you up ‘til dawn.
A slew of openings centered around Randolph Street and Fulton Market make restaurant- and bar-hopping in untrodden territory a nightly possibility. You can go from taqueria to futuristic cocktail lounge, sushi bar to secret underground speakeasy, whole-animal butcher shop to wine tasting, burger bar to champagne salon—and the neighborhood’s evolution is far from finished.
Unexpected Appeal
A budding family-friendly atmosphere.
There’s a growing market for young families as more businesses (and young professionals) infiltrate the neighborhood. Townhomes and larger condo units can still be hard to come by as many are snapped up almost as quickly as new development blueprints can be drafted! But there are exceptional public and private education options along with a number of parks in the area.
The Market
Newly developed luxury condos and urban lofts with open layouts in remarkable, antiquated buildings.
Fresh condo buildings are cropping up along with the influx of newcomers, and prices have kept up with the change in population. Airy loft conversions feature newly-minted interiors with original exposed brick, high timber ceilings, and huge factory-sized windows within the bones of decades-old buildings.
You'll Fall in Love With
The city’s only year-round, indoor market and “Restaurant Row,” where you can try a new dining spot every night.
In addition to the loft-style living, residents savor trips to the Chicago French Market, which showcases local artisans and purveyors most days of the week, and the vibrant strip of Randolph Street dubbed “Restaurant Row,” which is lined with some of the city’s best eateries.
