West-Loop.com

The West Loop
Neighborhood in Chicago

As with most Chicago neighborhoods, there is no consistent agreement about the boundaries of the West Loop. Its boundaries are commonly said to be Grand Avenue on the north, the Eisenhower Expressway on the south, Ashland on the west, and either the Chicago River or Halsted Street on the east. The disagreement about the eastern boundary actually makes quite a difference. If you include the section from Halsted to the river, only a short bridge separates the neighborhood from the Loop. The West Loop would now include Union Station, about 7,000 more people, and another zip code. In the following descriptions, the river is the eastern border.

If you wander around the West Loop you'll see mostly long, low warehouse buildings. This section of town used to be the manufacturing district. In the 1800s, many immigrants moved to the area because of the accessibility of the factory jobs. In the 1920s, the West Loop became a place for Flappers and underground alcohol distributors due to Prohibition.

The demand for manufacturing jobs decreased, and when the University of Illinois at Chicago was moved just south of the West Loop, a much higher demand for housing led to extensive renovation of the left-over warehouses. These living spaces benefit from interesting architecture with exposed brick and high ceilings and continue to attract young families and professionals. The proximity to the Loop makes this area especially appealing to this demographic.

People who live in the area are four times more likely to have white collar jobs than blue collar ones and four times more likely to have a graduate degree than no high school diploma at all. The average household income is above the national average, but less expensive housing abounds because of the significant student population.

This neighborhood has a trendy, modern, and distinctly urban feel without towering skyscrapers. Enjoy the exceptional restaurants, exciting nightlife, emerging art scene, and accessible parks and schools to keep you connected to your community.

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