En vogue neighborhood thrives
New housing enclaves inject life into expanding West Loop
The West Loop has become an en vogue neighborhood of art galleries, upscale restaurants and shopping, making the district an attractive destination for potential homebuyers, experts say.
The West Loop consists of a mix of enclaves and popular destinations from the famed Restaurant Row on Randolph Street and Greektown on Halsted Street to the Fulton Market District west of the Kennedy Expressway, the Fulton River District along the Chicago River and Grand Avenue's shops and restaurants in River West.
"With the combination of all these destinations, the West Loop has become one of Chicago hottest and most exciting neighborhoods for residential living," said Gary Rosenberg, president and CEO of Urban R2 Development Company, which is developing Catalyst.
What used to be an old commercial district of warehouses, factories and vacant lots in the 1960s and 1970s has turned into a booming residential center of renovated lofts and new-construction condominiums and townhomes.
"Everywhere you look, there is construction under way," said Charles Huzenis, principal in Jameson Realty Group, which is marketing several condominium developments in the area.
Rehabbers and entrepreneurs came into the West Loop during the 1970s, when loft conversions began to change the face of the West Loop. Residential developers came soon later, turning the neighborhood of old factories into a growing center of trendy residential living.
However, most of the buildings in the West Loop are not tall skyscrapers. The zoning west of Halsted Street does not allow high-rises, meaning mid-rise condominiums dominate the neighborhood, roughly bordered by the Chicago River on the east, Ashland Avenue on the west, Chicago Avenue/Grand Avenue on the north and the Eisenhower Expressway on the south.
Huzenis noted that the housing boom has sparked a commercial boom that has lured new restaurants and retail businesses to the West Loop.
The West Loop is known for its two major restaurant enclaves -- Greektown and Randolph Street's Restaurant Row -- and a burgeoning art gallery district in the Fulton Market area, Huzenis said.
"The West Loop continues to be one of the hottest residential neighborhoods in Chicago," Huzenis said. "It's new, alive and is just moments from downtown."
Greektown offers several Greek eateries along Halsted between Harrison and Monroe. Randolph Street's Restaurant Row boasts such upscale dining establishments as Marché, Sushi Wabi, Red Light, Vivo and the nationally recognized Blackbird.
The Fulton Market District, roughly bounded by Randolph, Fulton, Halsted and Ogden, is another hot area attracting people with its art galleries, restaurants, clubs and shopping.
Fulton Market, which has been described by CS magazine as "one of the city's most historically rich and vibrant areas," is putting new life into what was the old meatpacking district.
"The Old-World warehouses--now restaurants, nightlife hot spots and first-rate art galleries--are making the Fulton market District Chicago's version of SoHo in New York," Huzenis said.
More than 20 art galleries and studios have taken residence in the Fulton Market District including Arena Gallery, Douglas Dawson, Function + Art, Linda Warren Gallery and Mars Gallery. The District hosts the Fulton Arts Walk in October, a weekend tour of neighborhood galleries and artist studios.
The area also boasts nationally acclaimed restaurants such as Folia, Ina's, Moto and one sixtyblue. Nearby nightlife includes the ever-popular Fulton Lounge, Club Estate and The District.
MetraMarket is a planned $47-million commercial renovation mecca that will stretch from Washington to Lake Street and Canal to Clinton Street. MetraMarket will be a mix of restaurants, retail and a French-style market.
A Dominick's Finer Foods is located on Halsted, just south of Fulton. Just a few blocks to the north, a 65,000-square-foot Jewel store with multi-level parking for 188 cars is planned on the 2.6 acres on the southwest corner of Kinzie Street and Des Plaines Avenue.
In the last few years, well known restaurant/club designer Jerry Kleiner has opened Carnivale, a new Brazilian-Argentine restaurant at 702 W. Fulton Market. Kleiner planned a retail-filled mini-mall, bakery and more restaurants on Fulton just west of Halsted.
The nearby Fulton River District, bounded by the Chicago River, Kinzie, Halsted and Randolph streets, is also seeing growth in residential developments.
The West Loop also boasts Starbucks, Walgreen's, White Hen, Dominick's, Blockbuster, Saxbys Coffee and numerous specialty stores, including L. Isaacson & Stein Fish Co., along with more than 25 new restaurants, a wine bar, a fruit and vegetable emporium and cafes. Designer boutiques, including Self-Conscious, Koros and Bess & Loie, are also popular spots.
More than 30 notable art galleries, including Arena Gallery, Douglas Dawson, Function + Art, Linda Warren Gallery and Mars Gallery, are in the West Loop. Chicago's theater district is just a few blocks east.
Transportation is easily accessible with both the Eisenhower and Kennedy Expressways close by along with convenient bus and elevated service. The West Loop is ideally located within walking distance to the Loop, as are the Union and North Western train stations.
For convenient transportation, bus service to Michigan Avenue and an underground rail link to O'Hare Airport are in the planning stages for the Fulton River District.
If residents aren't overwhelmed by the offerings in their own backyard, they are only moments away from downtown and great transportation.
"Home buyers in the West Loop can't beat the excellent location," Rosenberg said. "They'll be at the gateway to Chicago's dynamic Loop, with its financial district and exchanges, theatre district and numerous other cultural and entertainment venues and restaurants in the heart of Chicago's transportation core."
For more home-buying information visit DeBat Media Service's Web site: www.debatmedia.com.