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South Loop, a
Chicago Neighborhood Guide
by
Zahra Ink -
Chicago Writing Services
History
Chicago’s South Loop is one of the city’s fastest growing neighborhoods.
As the Loop area becomes saturated, people are taking advantage of the
prime real estate just south of the Loop and discovering a new, exciting
place to live. Yet as recently as ten years ago, the South Loop was an
area that few people would ever want to visit.
A decade ago, there wasn’t much in the South Loop area besides warehouses
and parking lots. There were very few residences and much of the
neighborhood seemed dusty and unused. The area has a long history; land
speculators began assessing the area as far back as 1830, yet it remained
largely industrial for over 150 years. It is, in fact, a bit of a mystery
why the neighborhood, with its proximity to so many attractive parts of
the city, had been ignored for so long. At any rate, it is being ignored
no longer.
Developers are now attacking the South Loop in a frenzy, snatching up
whatever land they can. It is rare to see so many new developments in one
place; cranes are a common sight and buildings are being thrown up to the
sky at startling speeds. A buyer has unlimited options, it seems. The last
few years have brought more change to the South Loop than the last
century. Indeed, its future holds still greater change.
The South Loop is bordered on the north by Roosevelt Road, on the east by
Michigan Avenue, on the south by 18th Street and on the west by Union
Avenue.
Community
Within walking distance of the Loop, Museum Campus, the lakefront and
Grant
Park, the South Loop is seeing an influx of young professionals and
families who want to work and play just minutes from home. A new exhibit
at the Field Museum; a free concert at
Millennium Park; roller-blading along
the lakeshore; strolling along Michigan Avenue. Living here, the gems of
the city are within easy reach. Of course
Soldier Field and
McCormick
Place lay to the east of South Loop on the lakefront.
To cater to the thousands of new inhabitants in the area, developers are
building condominiums, lofts and even townhomes. Commercial space is also
being planned all over the area. The South Loop is studded with new
construction and the area is unusually dynamic; space is available but is
being claimed by developers rapidly.
Although still a relatively new neighborhood, the South Loop has an active
community organization known as the South Loop Neighbors. It organizes activities such
as the Annual Photo Show, which invites inhabitants of the area to submit
personal photography which highlights the culture and history of the area,
and the
Annual Loft Walk, which takes visitors on a tour of several
private residences in the neighborhood.
The South Loop is still growing, and while several upscale eateries have
already appeared in the neighborhood, many more are on the way. Among the
dining choices are: Opera,
Gioco,
Kroll’s South Loop,
Chicago Firehouse Grill and Prairie Rose Restaurant.
Certainly,
the neighborhood is becoming increasingly self-sufficient, with everything
its inhabitants need close at hand. Apart from dining and shopping,
services such as churches, childcare centers and grocery stores are
becoming more visible. If the last few years are any indication, this
growth spurt is just the beginning.
Despite the frantic building boom, the South Loop retains a mellow vibe.
It is neither busy nor crowded, and invites its residents to take peaceful
strolls along the sidewalk. The neighborhood finds a balance between
growth and peace, and its inhabitants are pleased with the result.
Already, this is one of the more pleasant areas in Chicago, and as it
becomes more fully developed, its allure will only grow.
For your easy reference,
the locations of all the businesses mentioned in this article are shown on
our South Loop Neighborhood Map.
Other Resources:
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