South Loop

SOUTH LOOP

Residents Love: 

• Living close to three of Chicago’s biggest museums
• Having front row access to Grant Park
• Being surrounded by lake on one side and city skyline on the other
• Walking to everything
• Having a mix of urban and traditional single-family homes

The South Loop neighborhood has gone through a number of transformations in its lifetime, from museum hotspot to college campus mecca (with 22 colleges or universities in the Greater Loop area) to restaurant powerhouse, but no one can deny its consistent appeal. The constant flow of college students and office workers fills the neighborhood by day; by night, the neighborhood transitions into a quiet enclave in the shadows of the city's most iconic buildings in The Loop. What makes the South Loop so revered remains up for debate depending on who you ask. But there is no question that its dynamic restaurant scene, proximity to Grant Park and Museum Campus, walkability to the water and unique blend of a downtown vibe with traditional have made it one of Chicago’s most vibrant neighborhoods.

Living in the South Loop

Home Types  

Skyscrapers are the hallmark of the South Loop – and many have the most stunning views. With the Willis Tower to the north and Lake Michigan to the east, South Loop condos have an unrivaled vantage point to the city. Living near Michigan Avenue tends to put you closer to the crowds while living just south of Roosevelt Road gives you quieter single-family style living options. There’s a little bit of everything in the South Loop: converted warehouse lofts, modern high-rises, single-family homes, historic row houses and townhomes. Quite possibly, the South Loop may boast the most mixed housing in all of Chicago.

Affordability Factor

Since the South Loop provides a wider range of home styles in a greater variety of environments, giving residents of the neighborhood more price points to fit their situation. The more industrial southern end of the neighborhood offers more flexibility for first-time homebuyers, while homes in the northern end of the neighborhood—putting one closer to the Loop—fetch higher prices, but are slightly more affordable relative to other neighborhoods that make up the downtown area.

A Night Out 

Staying entertained will be a breeze thanks to the South Loop’s thriving food and nightlife scene. Il Culaccino on Michigan Avenue is a go-to for this area featuring the best of Italian dishes. Excellent burgers at The Burger Point on State Street. Head down to Wabash Avenue for a new experience at a brand new restaurant & delivery service called Entree Global at 1639 S Wabash Ave. For a good meal or cold draft, try Printer’s Row where you’ll find Italian favorites at Sofi Restaurant, or Kasey’s Tavern, the second-oldest pub in Chicago. For something wholly unique to Chicago, don’t miss Duneyrr Artisan Fermenta Project and Moderne Dune on Michigan Avenue, which serves locally inspired wine-beer hybrids. South Loop is also home to quite a few late-night bars and pubs. Buddy Guy's Legends is a neighborhood staple for live blues music, while Reggie’s hosts local and touring rock bands. Residents can also catch a show at a local theater or an occasional concert at Soldier Field, home to the Chicago Bears. 

The Perfect Sunday

Head to Yolk for their creative brunch stylings or toss around a frisbee in Grant Park, one of Chicago's largest green spaces. The South Loop also puts you within walking distance of the picturesque lakefront, a perfect destination for jogging or reading. Of course, all of Downtown Chicago’s attractions are a short distance away as well. South Loop residents would do well to get a season pass to The Art Institute of Chicago, one of the finest art collections in the world.

Your Commute

From the South Loop, there are generally only two ways to go: north or south. There are two Red Line stations, which take one north to the Loop in just a couple of minutes or south to Chinatown and beyond. The Green Line also takes you south to Harlem and west to the suburb of Oak Park, and the Orange Line will also take you north to the Loop and southwest to Midway Airport. Farther south, there are two bus routes that will take you west to Chinatown or Pilsen. Traffic is generally kinder to drivers in the South Loop than in other parts of Downtown, but the neighborhood still maintains an urban, walkable feel. 

Landmarks

The South Loop has no shortage of local landmarks within its boundaries. At the  57-acre museum park that is the Museum Campus, you’ll encounter three of the most imposing and beautiful neoclassical buildings that house three of Chicago’s largest museums: Field Museum of Natural History, Adler Planetarium and Shedd Aquarium. Museum Campus is also home to the Chicago Bears’ Soldier Field, where you can take in a football game or a concert mere steps from your home. South Loop is also teeming with history and urban charm. There’s the Motor Row District along South Michigan Avenue, which was Chicago’s former automobile manufacturing hub. Now it’s home to a brewery, an immersive theatre and international restaurants. The Prairie Avenue District, also known as the original “Millionaire’s Row,” still contains some of the original mansions from the Gilded Age that once belonged to Chicago’s elite, including the historic Glessner House Museum. The oldest home in Chicago, The Henry B. Clark House, is the centerpiece of the Chicago Women’s Park at 1827 South Indiana. And just a short walk from State Street and Cermak is the famous Chinatown of Chicago.

Check out the proposed new redevelopment of the iconic Soldier Field here: https://youtu.be/PB-Svx85Uxc

 

 

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