West Loop

 

WEST LOOP

Residents Love: 

• Being able to walk to their office in the Loop 
• Living steps from “Restaurant Row” 
• Industrial style and unpretentious vibe 
• Easy access to public transit 
  

West Loop has become one of Chicago’s hippest up-and-coming neighborhoods. Located on the western edges of downtown, West Loop has experienced a rapid resurgence over the last decade, as the city’s trendiest restaurants, art galleries, lofts, condominiums, and tech employers like Google, Twitter and LinkedIn have sprouted roots and revived the former warehouse district. Between Restaurant Row on Randolph, the popular art galleries along Washington Boulevard, and the nightclubs in Fulton Market, this buzzy neighborhood is the place to live, work, and play in Chicago. The cool factor doesn’t end there either. Endless public transportation options carry you elsewhere in the city. The neighborhood’s distinctly industrial feel, with plenty of warehouse space still waiting to be transformed into the city’s hottest new restaurant or the next collection of luxury lofts, keeps the neighborhood vibe bent towards the unpretentious-yet-creative trendsetters of the city. 

Living in West Loop

Home Types 

Factories, wholesale markets, and warehouses in this former meatpacking district have been transformed into swanky lofts and condos. Many of these spaces come with modern open layouts, plenty of square footage, and luxury amenities despite their historic industrialized brick and metal exteriors – and city light views of downtown. Since many warehouse spaces have yet to be converted, there is a new crop of housing developments hitting the scene each year, creating new buying opportunities for those who want to live in the heart of the action.  

Affordability Factor  

Trendy and upscale, West Loop is not a neighborhood for bargain hunters. The price per square foot is high because West Loop residents are willing to pay a premium for their prized lofts right around the corner from the latest Michelin-rated restaurant or the coolest new art gallery. 

Restaurant Row

West Loop’s restaurants are so densely packed that they spill into the alleyways. Among the neighborhood’s most famous dining spots is a vibrant strip on Randolph Street between Halsted and Ogden Avenue, dubbed “Restaurant Row.” You’ve got Michelin star-rated Oriole, Blackbird, Roister, Sepia, and Smyth, plus other culinary favorites like Au Cheval, Avec, Girl & the Goat, Greek, Islands, Lena Brava, Monteverde, and Next. And it’s not just all of the fine dining options that attract Chicagoans to this foodie mecca; there are casual burger spots, hidden ramen joints, fourth-generation sandwich shops, and quiet corner cafes that are equally appealing. Other favorite culinary attractions include the Fulton River District (which boasts its own bevy of restaurants) and the French Market. 

Nightlife 

Your social calendar is likely to stay booked while living in the West Loop. Friday and Saturday nights may begin on Restaurant Row before you switch from dinner to libations at one of the bars in Fulton Market. Here, you’ll find everything from wine bars to brewpubs serving up artisan beers and taverns mixing up craft cocktails. You can check out concerts at The Mid or the rock and hip-hop acts at Bottom Lounge. Staying true to its claim as Chicago’s trendiest neighborhood, West Loop also offers up the ultra-posh Nobu Hotel and Soho House, a members-only club for creative thinkers to meet, eat, drink and relax. 

The Perfect Day 

A favorite weekend pastime among West Loopers is brunch, followed by the once-monthly Randolph Street Market Festival, one of the nation's largest antique markets. Here, you and your buds can hunt for hidden treasures, indie designer pieces, and unique global finds. And before you’ve reached the shop-til-you-drop part, don’t forget to grab some delicious street eats on your way out. One of the best times to enjoy this venue is in the summer when the market moves outdoors with live music and pop-up bars.

Your Commute 

Most West Loopers navigate the city on foot. Still, there are plenty of local transportation options for getting around the city, including the nearby Ogilvie Transportation Center – a Metra hub that connects downtown to Chicago’s north and west suburbs. Bus routes are also plentiful in the West Loop, taking you west, north, and south, the 'L' takes you east to the Loop. Surprisingly car-friendly compared to the rest of downtown, West Loop has metered street parking in most areas. 

Landmarks 

While West Loop is known as a creative and foodie hub, it is also home to “The Madhouse on Madison, better known as the United Center. As the Midwest’s renowned sports and music event venue, the United Center plays host to the Chicago Bulls, the Chicago Blackhawks, and countless music concerts and special events throughout the year. Greektown is another local cultural attraction brimming with traditional restaurants, bakeries, delis, and the National Hellenic Museum — the second oldest American institution dedicated to Greek culture (temporarily closed).

 

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