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Chicago Loop

Coordinates:41°52′52″N87°37′47″W/ 41.88111°N 87.62972°W/41.88111; -87.62972
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This article is about the neighborhood. For the elevated rail section, seeThe Loop (CTA).

The Loop
Community area& central business district
Community Area 32 – The Loop
Skyline of the Loop from Lake Michigan
Map
Interactive street map
Location within the city of Chicago
Location within the city of Chicago
Coordinates:41°52′52″N87°37′47″W/ 41.88111°N 87.62972°W/41.88111; -87.62972[1]
CountryUnited States
StateIllinois
CountyCook
CityChicago
Neighborhoods
List
Area
• Total1.58 sq mi (4.09 km2)
Elevation
[1]
594 ft (181 m)
Population
(2020)[2]
• Total42,298
• Density27,000/sq mi (10,000/km2)
population up 158.1% from 2000
Demographics2021[2]
•White56.7%
• Black8.1%
• Hispanic10.4%
• Asian20.9%
• Other4.0%
Educational Attainment2021[2]
• High School Diploma or Higher97.3%
• Bachelor's Degree or Higher82.2%
Time zoneUTC-6(CST)
• Summer (DST)UTC-5(CDT)
ZIP codes
60601, 60602, 60603, 60604, and parts of 60605, 60606, 60607, and 60616
Median household income 2021$115,988[2]
Source: U.S. Census, Record Information Services[clarification needed]

TheLoop,one ofChicago's 77 designatedcommunity areas,is thecentral business districtof the city and is the main section ofDowntown Chicago.Home to Chicago's commercial core, it is the second largest commercial business district in North America afterMidtown ManhattaninNew York City[citation needed],and contains the headquarters and regional offices of several global and national businesses, retail establishments, restaurants, hotels, and theaters, as well as many of Chicago's most famous attractions. It is home to Chicago'sCity Hall,the seat ofCook County,and numerous offices of other levels of government and consulates of foreign nations. The intersection ofState StreetandMadison Streetis the origin point for the address system onChicago's street grid.Most ofGrant Park's 319 acres (129 hectares) are in the eastern section of the community area. The Loop community area is bounded on the north and west by theChicago River,on the east byLake Michigan,and on the south byRoosevelt Road.

In 1803, theUnited States ArmybuiltFort Dearbornin what is now the Loop, the first settlement in the area sponsored by the United States' federal government. When Chicago and Cook County were incorporated in the 1830s the area was selected as the site of their respective seats. Originally mixed use, the character of the area became commercial starting in the 1870s, especially after it was mostly destroyed in theGreat Chicago Fireof 1871. At that time some of the world's earliestskyscraperswere constructed in the area, starting alegacy of architecturethat continues to this day. In the late 19th century, cable car turnarounds and a prominentelevated railway loopencircled the area, giving the Loop its name. Starting in the 1920s many highways were constructed in the Loop, most prominentlyU.S. Route 66,which opened in 1926 with its eastern terminus in the area.

While dominated by offices and public buildings, its residential population boomed during the latter 20th century and first decades of the 21st; its population has increased the most of Chicago's community areas since 1950.

History[edit]

Main article:History of Chicago

Etymology[edit]

Some believe the origin of the termLoopis derived from thecable car,and especially those of two lines that shared a loop, constructed in 1882,[3]bounded by Van Buren Street, Wabash Avenue,Wells Street,andLake Street.[4]Other research has concluded that "the Loop" was not used as a proper noun until after the 1895–97 construction of theUnion elevated railway loop.[5]

19th century[edit]

In what is now the Loop, on the south bank of theChicago Rivernear today'sMichigan Avenue Bridge,theUnited States ArmyerectedFort Dearbornin 1803, the first settlement in the area sponsored by the United States. When Chicago was initially platted in 1830 by the surveyorJames Thompson,it included what is now the Loop north of Madison Street and west of State Street. TheSauganash Hotel,the first hotel in Chicago, was built in 1831 nearWolf Pointat what is now the northwestern corner of the Loop. WhenCook Countywas incorporated in 1831, the first meeting of its government was held at Fort Dearborn with two representatives from Chicago and one fromNaperville.The entirety of what is now the Loop was part of the Town of Chicago when it was initially incorporated in 1833, except for the Fort Dearborn reservation that became part of the city in 1839 and land reclaimed from Lake Michigan.

The area was bustling by the end of the 1830s.[3]Lake Street started to be a center for retail at that time, until it was eclipsed by State Street in the 1850s.[3]

20th century[edit]

In 1900 at the corner of Dearborn and Randolph Streets

By 1948 an estimated one million people came to and went from the Loop each day. Afterwards, suburbanization caused a decrease in the area's importance. Starting in the 1960s, however, the presence of an upscale shopping district caused the area's fortunes to increase.

21st century[edit]

The Loop's population has boomed in recent years, having a 158 percent population increase between 2000 and 2020.[2]Between 2010 and 2014, the number of jobs in The Loop increased by nearly 63,000 jobs, or an increase of over 13%.[6]

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
191015,954—
192013,140−17.6%
19307,851−40.3%
19406,221−20.8%
19507,01812.8%
19604,337−38.2%
19704,96514.5%
19806,46230.2%
199011,95485.0%
200016,24435.9%
201029,28380.3%
202042,29844.4%
2021 (est.)39,834−5.8%
[2][7]

Economy and employment[edit]

Willis Tower,formerly Sears Tower, is the third tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.
Main article:Economy of Chicago

The Loop, along with the rest of downtown Chicago, is the second largest commercial business district in the United States after New York City'sMidtown Manhattan.Its financial district nearLaSalle Streetis home toUnited Airlines,Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, andCME Group'sChicago Board of TradeandChicago Mercantile Exchange.

Aon Corporationmaintains an office in theAon Center.[8]Chase Towerhouses the headquarters ofExelon.[9]United Airlineshas its headquarters inWillis Tower,having moved its headquarters to Chicago from suburbanElk Grove Townshipin early 2007.[10]Blue Cross and Blue Shield Associationhas its headquarters in theMichigan Plazacomplex.[11]Sidley Austinhas an office in the Loop.[12]

The Chicago Loop Alliance is located at 55 West Monroe,[13]theChicagoland Chamber of Commerceis located in an office in the Aon Center, the French-American Chamber of Commerce in Chicago has an office in35 East Wacker,the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce in the United States is located in an office at 303 East Wacker Drive, and the US Mexico Chamber of Commerce Mid-America Chapter is located in an office inOne Prudential Plaza.[14]

McDonald'swas headquartered in the Loop until 1971, when it moved to suburbanOak Brook.[15]WhenBank One Corporationexisted, its headquarters were in the Bank One Plaza, which is now Chase Tower.[16]WhenAmocoexisted, its headquarters were in the Amoco Building, which is now the Aon Center.[17]

In 2019, about 40 percent of Loop residents were also employed in the Loop.[18]26.8 percent worked outside of Chicago.[18]Respectively 11.5, 8.0, and 2.8 percent worked in theNear North Side,theNear West Side,andHyde Park.[18]Conversely, 45.5 percent of the people employed in the Loop lived outside of Chicago.[18]Lake Viewhoused 4 percent of Loop employees, the highest percentage of any of Chicago's community areas.[18]The Near North Side,West Town,andLincoln Parkrespectively housed 3.8, 2.6, and 2.5 percent of those working in the Loop.[18]

The professional sector is the largest source of employment of both Loop residents and Loop employees, at respectively 21.4 and 23.3 percent.[18]Finance was the second most common employment for both groups, at respectively 13.5 and 17.7 percent.[18]Health Care was the third largest sector for residents at 10.2 percent while Education was the third largest sector for Loop employees at 13 percent.[18]Education was the fourth largest employer of residents at 9.4 percent while Public Administration was the fourth largest for Loop employees at 13 percent. Administration was the fifth largest sector for both groups, at respectively 6.9 and 7.3 percent.[18]

Architecture[edit]

East Monroe Street

The area has long been a hub for architecture. The vast majority of the area was destroyed by theGreat Chicago Firein 1871 but rebuilt quickly. In 1885 theHome Insurance Building,generally considered the world's first skyscraper, was constructed, followed by the development of theChicago schoolbest exemplified by such buildings as theRookery Buildingin 1888, theMonadnock Buildingin 1891, and theSullivan Centerin 1899.

Loop architecture has been dominated by skyscrapers and high-rises since early in its history. Notable buildings include theHome Insurance Building,considered the world's first skyscraper (demolished in 1931); theChicago Board of Trade Building,aNational Historic Landmark;andWillis Tower,the world's tallest building for nearly 25 years. Some of the historic buildings in this district were instrumental in the development of towers.

This area abounds in shopping opportunities, including theLoop Retail Historic District,although it competes with the more upscaleMagnificent Milearea to the north. It includes Chicago's formerMarshall Field'sdepartment store location in theMarshall Field and Company Building;the originalSullivan CenterCarson Pirie Scottstore location (closed February 21, 2007). Chicago's Downtown Theatre District is also found within this area, along with numerous restaurants and hotels.

Chicago has a famousskylinewhich features many of the tallest buildings in the world as well as theChicago LandmarkHistoric Michigan Boulevard District.Chicago's skyline is spaced out throughout the downtown area. TheWillis Tower,formerly known as the Sears Tower, the third tallest building in the Western Hemisphere (and still second-tallest by roof height), stands in the western Loop in the heart of the city's financial district, along with other buildings, such as311 South Wacker Driveand theAT&T Corporate Center.

Chicago's fourth tallest building, theAon Center,is located just south ofIllinois Center.The complex is at the east end of the Loop, east ofMichigan Avenue.Two Prudential Plazais also located here, just to the west of the Aon Center.

The Loop contains a wealth of outdoor sculpture, including works byPablo Picasso,Joan Miró,Henry Moore,Marc Chagall,Magdalena Abakanowicz,Alexander Calder,andJean Dubuffet.Chicago's cultural heavyweights, such as theArt Institute of Chicago,theGoodman Theatre,theChicago Theatre,theLyric Operaat theCivic Opera Housebuilding, and theChicago Symphony Orchestra,are also in this area, as is the historicPalmer House Hiltonhotel, found on East Monroe Street.

Chicago's waterfront, which is almost exclusively recreational beach and park areas from north to south, featuresGrant Parkin the downtown area. Grant Park is the home ofBuckingham Fountain,thePetrillo Music Shell,the Grant Park Symphony (where free concerts can be enjoyed throughout the summer), and Chicago's annual two-week food festival, theTaste of Chicago,where more than 3 million people try foods from over 70 vendors. The area also hosts the annual music festivalLollapaloozawhich features popular alternative rock, heavy metal,EDM,hip hop, and punk rock, artists.Millennium Park,which is a section of Grant Park, opened in the summer of 2004 and featuresFrank Gehry'sJay Pritzker Pavilion,Jaume Plensa'sCrown Fountain,andAnish Kapoor'sCloud Gatesculpture alongLake Michigan.

TheChicago Riverand its accompanying Chicago Riverwalk, which delineates the area, also provides entertainment and recreational opportunities, including the annual dyeing of the river green in honor ofSt. Patrick's Day.Trips down the Chicago River, including architectural tours, by commercial boat operators, are great favorites with both locals and tourists alike.

Notable landmarks[edit]

View of theChicago 'L'tracks,35 East Wacker,andTrump International Hotel and Tower

Government[edit]

The Loop is the seat of Chicago's city government. It is also the government seat ofCook Countyand houses an office for thegovernor of Illinois.The city and county governments are situated in the samecentury-old building.Across the street, theRichard J. Daley Centeraccommodates asculpture by Pablo Picassoand the state law courts. Given its proximity to government offices, the center's plaza serves as a kind of town square for celebrations, protests, and other events.

The Loop is inSouth Chicago Townshipwithin Cook County.[29]Townships in Chicago were abolished for governmental purposes in 1902[30]but are still used for property assessment.[29]

The nearbyJames R. Thompson Centeris the city headquarters for state government, with an office for the Governor. Many state agencies have offices here, including theIllinois State Board of Education.[31]

A few blocks away is theEverett McKinley Dirksen United States Courthousehousing federal law courts and other federal government offices. This is the seat of theUnited States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.TheKluczynski Federal Buildingis across the street. TheFederal Reserve Bank of Chicagois located onLaSalle Streetin the heart of the financial district. TheUnited States Postal Serviceoperates the Loop Station Post Office at 211 South Clark Street.[32]

Fire Department[edit]

TheChicago Fire Departmentoperates 3 Fire Stations in the Loop District:

  • Engine Company 1, Aerial Tower Company 1, Ambulance 41 – 419 S. Wells St. – South Loop
  • Engine Company 5, Truck Company 2, Special Operations Battalion Chief 5-1-5, Collapse Unit 5-2-1 – 324 S. Des Plaines St. – West Loop/Near West Side
  • Engine Company 13, Truck Company 6, Ambulance 74, Battalion Chief 1, Marine and Dive Operations: Training Officer 6-8-5, District Chief: Marine and Dive Operations 6-8-6, SCUBA Team 6-8-7 – 259 N. Columbus Dr. – East Loop/Near East Side

Diplomatic missions[edit]

Several countries maintain consulates in the Loop. They includeArgentina,[33]Australia,[34]Canada,[35]Costa Rica,[36]the Czech Republic,[37]Ecuador,[38]El Salvador,[39]France,[40]Guatemala,[41]Haiti,[42]Hungary,[43]Indonesia,[44]Israel,[45]the Republic of Macedonia,[46]the Netherlands,[47]Pakistan,[48]Peru,[49]the Philippines,[50]South Africa,[51]Turkey,[52]andVenezuela.[53]In addition, theTaipei Economic and Cultural Officeof the Republic of Chinais in the Loop.[54]

Politics[edit]

Local[edit]

The Loop is currently a part of the 4th, 25th, 34th and 42nd wards of theChicago City Council,which are represented by aldermenSophia King,Byron Sigcho-Lopez,Bill ConwayandBrendan Reilly.[55]

From the city's incorporation and division into wards in 1837 to 1992, the Loop as currently defined was at least partially contained within the 1st ward.[56]From 1891 to 1992 it was entirely within the 1st ward and was coterminous with it between 1891 and 1901.[57]It was while part of the 1st ward that it was represented by the Gray Wolves. The area has not had a Republican alderman since Francis P. Gleason served alongside Coughlin from 1895 to 1897.[58](Prior to 1923, each ward elected two aldermen in staggered two-year terms).[58]

Aldermen who have represented the Loop since 1923[58][59][60][61][62]
Period 1st Ward 2nd Ward 42nd Ward 4th Ward 25th Ward
1923–1938 John Coughlin,Democratic Not in ward Not in ward Not in ward Not in ward
1938–1939 Vacant
1939–1943 Michael Kenna,Democratic
1943–1951 John Budinger, Democratic
1951–1963 John D'Arco Sr.,Democratic
1963 Michael Fiorito, Democratic
1963 Vacant
1963–1968 Donald Parrillo, Democratic
1968–1993 Fred Roti,Democratic
1993–2007 Not in ward Madeline Haithcock, Democratic Burton Natarus,Democratic
2007–2015 Robert Fioretti,Democratic Brendan Reilly,Democratic
2015–2019 Not in ward Sophia King,Democratic Daniel Solis,Democratic
2019–present Byron Sigcho-Lopez,Independent

In theCook County Board of Commissionersthe eastern half of the area is part of the 3rd district, represented by DemocratJerry Butler,while the western half is part of the 2nd district, represented by DemocratDennis Deer.[63]

State[edit]

In theIllinois House of Representativesthe community area is roughly evenly split lengthwise between, from east to west, Districts 26, 5, and 6, represented respectively by DemocratsKambium Buckner,Lamont Robinson,andSonya Harper,with a minuscule portion in District 9 represented by DemocratLakesia Collins.[64]

In theIllinois Senatemost of the community area is in District 3, represented by DemocratMattie Hunter,while a large part in the east is part of District 13, represented by DemocratRobert Peters,and a very small part in the west is part of District 5, represented by DemocratPatricia Van Pelt.[65]

Federal[edit]

The Loop community area has supported theDemocratic Partyin the past two presidential elections by large margins. In the2016 presidential election,the Loop cast 11,141 votes forHillary Clintonand cast 2,148 votes forDonald Trump(79.43% to 15.31%).[66]In the2012 presidential election,the Loop cast 8,134 votes forBarack Obamaand cast 2,850 votes forMitt Romney(72.26% to 25.32%).[67]

In theU.S. House of Representatives,the area is wholly withinIllinois's 7th congressional district,which is the most Democratically leaning district in Illinois according to theCook Partisan Voting Indexwith a score of D+38 and represented by DemocratDanny K. Davis.

List of United States representatives representing the Loop since 1903[68]
Illinois's 1st congressional district(1903 – 1963):

Illinois's 7th congressional district(1963–present):

Transportation[edit]

The northwest corner of the CTA Loop, which was once the busiest railroad junction in the world.

The Loop area derives its name from transportation networks present in it.

Public transportation[edit]

Passenger lines reached seven Loop-area stations by the 1890s, with transfers from one to the other being a major business for taxi drivers prior to the advent of Amtrak in the 1970s and the majority of trains being concentrated atChicago Union Stationacross the river in theNear West Side.The construction of a streetcar loop in 1882 and theelevated railway loopin the 1890s gave the area its name and cemented its dominance in the city.

InMetratheMillennium Station,which serves as the Chicago terminal of theMetra Electric Districtline that goes toUniversity Park,andLaSalle Street Station,which serves as the Chicago terminal of theRock Island Districtline bound forJoliet,are in the Loop.[69]In addition to the terminals, theVan Buren Street stationandMuseum Campus/11th Street stationon the Electric District line are also in the Loop.[69]All stations in the Loop are in Zone A for fare collection purposes.[69]The interurbanSouth Shore Line,which goes toSouth Bend, Indiana,has its Chicago terminal at Millennium Station.

All lines of theChicago "L"except theYellow Lineserve the Loop area for at least some hours. TheState Street SubwayandDearborn Street Subway,respectively parts of theRed LineandBlue Line,are present in the Loop area and offer 24/7 service; the Red and Blue Lines are the only rapid transit lines in the United States west of the Appalachian Mountains to offer such service. Bus Rapid Transit has been implemented in the Loop.

Private transportation and roads[edit]

A sign commemorating the terminus of Route 66

Chicago's address system has been standardized as beginning at the intersection of State and Madison Streets since September 1, 1909.[70]Prior to that time, Chicago's street system was a hodgepodge of various systems which had resulted from the different municipalities that Chicago annexed in the late 19th century.[70]The implementation of the new street system was delayed by two years in the Loop to allow businesses more time to acclimate to their new addresses.[70]

Several streets in the Loop havemultiple levels,some as many as three. The most prominent of these isWacker Drive,which faces the Chicago River throughout the area.Illinois Centerneighborhood has three-level streets.

The eastern terminus ofU.S. Route 66(US 66), an iconic highway in the United States first charted in 1926,[71]was located at Jackson Boulevard andMichigan Avenue.[72]When Illinois andMissouriagreed that the local signage for US 66 should be replaced with that ofInterstate 55(I-55) as the highway was predominately north–south in those states,[a]most signs of the former highway in Chicago were removed without incident but the final sign on the corner of Jackson and Michigan was removed with great fanfare on January 13, 1977, and replaced with a sign reading "END OF ROUTE 66".[73]

The first anti-parking ordinance of streets in the Loop was passed on May 1, 1918, in order to help streetcars, and had been advocated byChicago Surface Lines.[74]This law banned the parking of any vehicle between 7 and 10 a.m. and 4 and 7 p.m. on a street used by streetcars; approximately 1,000 violators of this law were arrested in the first month of the ordinance's enforcement.[75]TheLa Salle Hotel's parking garage was the first high-rise parking garage in the Loop, constructed in 1917 at the corner of Washington andLaSalle Streets[76]and remaining in service until its demolition in 2005.[77]In the 1920s old buildings were purchased in the area and converted to parking structures.[76]More high-rise garages and parking lots were constructed in the 1930s, which also saw the advent of double-deck parking.[76]The firstparking meterswere installed in 1947 and private garages were regulated in 1957; they were banned outright in the Loop in the 1970s in response to federal air-quality standards.[76]The first underground garages were built by the city in the early 1950s.[76]

All residences and places of employment within the Loop are in highly walkable areas;[78]theChicago Metropolitan Agency for Planningdefines such areas based on population density, the length of city blocks, tree canopy cover, fatalities or grievous injuries incurred by pedestrians and bicyclists in the area, the density of intersections, and amenities located near the area.[79]33.3 percent of Loop residents walk or bike to work compared to 7.3 percent citywide.[80]An additional 19.4 percent of Loop residents use transit for a daily commute, while 23.4 percent of residents citywide do.[80]Just 22.2 percent of Loop residents drive to work alone or in a carpool, compared to 54.9 percent of all Chicago residents and 72.5 percent in the greater Chicago region.[80]By household, 47.2 percent of Loop residents do not have access to a personal vehicle at all, compared to 26.4 percent citywide and 12.6 percent regionally.[80]

Geography and neighborhoods[edit]

The Loop is Community Area 32.[3]In addition to the financial (West Loop–LaSalle Street Historic District), theatre, and jewelry (Jewelers Row District) districts, there are neighborhoods that are also part of the Loop community area.

New Eastside[edit]

The Chicago River is the south border of the Near North Side and the north border of the Loop, which is pictured here; the Loop's Near East Side is to the left in this picture.
TheChicago Riveris the south border of theNear North Side(right) and the north border of theLoop;the Loop'sNear East Sideis to the left in this picture.

According to the 2010 census, 29,283 people live in the neighborhoods in or near the Loop. The median sale price for residential real estate was $710,000 in 2005 according to Forbes.[81]In addition to the government, financial, theatre and shopping districts, there are neighborhoods that are also part of the Loop community area. For much of its history this Section was used forIllinois Centralrail yards, including the IC'sGreat Central Station,with commercial buildings along Michigan Avenue. The New Eastside is a mixed-use district bordered by Michigan Avenue to the west, the Chicago River to the north, Randolph Street to the south, and Lake Shore Drive to the east. It encompasses the entire Illinois Center and Lakeshore East[82]is the latest lead-developer of the 1969 Planned Development #70, as well as separate developments like Aon Center, Prudential Plaza, Park Millennium Condominium Building, Hyatt Regency Chicago, and the Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park. The area has a triple-level street system and is bisected by Columbus Drive. Most of this district has been developed on land that was originally water and once used by the Illinois Central Railroad rail yards. The early buildings in this district such as the Aon Center andOne Prudential Plazaused airspace rights in order to build above the railyards. The New Eastside Association of Residents (NEAR) has been the recognized community representative (Illinois non-profit corporation) since 1991 and is a 501(c)(3) IRS tax-exempt organization.

Thetriple-level street systemallows for trucks to mainly travel and make deliveries on the lower levels, keeping traffic to a minimum on the upper levels. Through north–south traffic uses Middle Columbus and the bridge over the Chicago River. East–west through traffic uses either Middle Randolph or Upper and Middle Wacker between Michigan Avenue and Lake Shore Drive.

Printer's Row[edit]

Printer's Row,also known as Printing House Row, is a neighborhood located in the southern portion of the Loop community area of Chicago. It is centered on Dearborn Street fromIda B. Wells Driveon the north to Polk Street on the south, and includes buildings along Plymouth Court on the east and Federal Street to the west. Most of the buildings in this area were built between 1886 and 1915 for houseprinting,publishing,and related businesses. Today, the buildings have mainly been converted into residential lofts. Part of Printer's Row is an official landmark district, called thePrinting House Row District.[83]The annualPrinters Row Lit Festis held in early June along Dearborn Street.[84]

South Loop[edit]

Most of the area south of Ida B. Wells Drive between Lake Michigan and theChicago River,excepting Chinatown, is referred to as the South Loop. Perceptions of the southern boundary of the neighborhood have changed as development spread south, and the name is now used as far south as 26th Street.

The neighborhood includes former railyards that have been redeveloped as new-town-in-town such asDearborn Parkand Central Station. Former warehouses and factory lofts have been converted to residential buildings, while new townhouses and highrises have been developed on vacant or underused land.Dearborn Stationat the south end ofPrinters Row,is the oldest train station still standing in Chicago; it has been converted to retail and office space. A major landowner in the South Loop isColumbia College Chicago,a private school that owns 17 buildings.

South Loop is zoned to the following Chicago Schools: South Loop School andPhillips Academy High School.Jones College Prep High School,which is a selective enrollmentprep schooldrawing students from the entire city, is also located in the South Loop.

The South Loop was historically home to vice districts, including the brothels, bars, burlesque theaters, and arcades. Inexpensive residential hotels on Van Buren and State Street made it one of the city's Skid Rows until the 1970s. One of the largest homeless shelters in the city, thePacific Garden Mission,was located at State and Balbo from 1923 to 2007, when it moved to 1458 S. Canal St.

Historic Michigan Boulevard District[edit]

The Loop also contains theChicago LandmarkHistoric Michigan Boulevard District,which is the section ofMichigan AvenueoppositeGrant ParkandMillennium Park.

Historical images and current architecture of the Chicago Loop can be found inExplore Chicago Collections,a digital repository made available byChicago Collectionsarchives, libraries and other cultural institutions in the city.[85]

Loop Retail Historic District[edit]

TheLoop Retail Historic Districtis a shopping district within the Chicago Loop community area in Cook County, Illinois, United States. It is bounded by Lake Street to the north, Ida B. Wells Drive to the south, State Street to the west and Wabash Avenue to the east. The district has the highest density of National Historic Landmark, National Register of Historic Places and Chicago Landmark designated buildings in Chicago. It hosts several historic buildings including formerdepartment storeflagship locations Marshall Field and Company Building (now Macy's at State Street), and the Sullivan Center (formerly Carson, Pirie, Scott and Company Building).

Education[edit]

Colleges and universities[edit]

Columbia College ChicagoandRoosevelt Universityare all located in the Loop.DePaul Universityalso has a campus in the Loop. TheUniversity of Illinois at Urbana–ChampaignandUniversity of Notre Damerun their EMBA programs in their Chicago Campuses in the Loop.

National-Louis Universityis located in the historicPeoples Gas BuildingonMichigan Avenueacross the street from theArt Institute of Chicago.TheSchool of the Art Institute of Chicago,one of the nation's largest independent schools of art and design, is headquartered inGrant Park.

Harold Washington Collegeis aCity Colleges of Chicagocommunity college located in the Loop.Adler School of Professional Psychologyis a college located in the Loop.Argosy Universityhas its head offices on the thirteenth floor of 205 North Michigan Avenue inMichigan Plaza.[86][87]Harrington College of Designis located at 200 West Madison Street after relocating from the Merchandise Mart.[88]Trinity Christian Collegeoffers an accelerated teaching certification program at 1550 S. State Street in the South Loop.

Spertus Institute,a center for Jewish learning & culture, is located at 610 S. Michigan Ave. Graduate level courses (Master and Doctorate) are offered in Jewish Studies, Jewish Professional Studies and Non-profit Management. Located at 180 North Wabash Avenue isMeadville Lombard Theological Schoolwhich is affiliated with theUnitarian Universalist Association,a liberal, progressive seminary offering graduate-level theological and ministerial training. East-West University is located at 816 S Michigan Ave.

Primary and secondary schools[edit]

Chicago Public Schoolsserves residents of the Loop. Some residents are zoned to the South Loop School, while some are zoned to theOgden International Schoolfor grades K-8.[89]Some residents are zoned toPhillips Academy High School,while others are zoned toWells Community Academy High School.[90]Any graduate from Ogden's 8th grade program may automatically move on to the 9th grade at Ogden, but students who did not graduate from Ogden's middle school must apply to the high school.[91]

Jones College Prep High School,a publicselective enrollmentschool, is also located here.

Muchin College Prep,aNoble Network of Charter Schools,is also located here, in the heart of Chicago on State Street.

Private schools:

Parks and recreation[edit]

The Loop has several parks.

Chicago Riverwalk[edit]

Main article:Chicago Riverwalk

The Chicago Riverwalk spans the southern edge of the Chicago River.

Grant Park[edit]

Main article:Grant Park, Chicago

Grant Park is located on the shores of Lake Michigan. Set aside in the late 19th century, it was originally known as "Lake Park" but was renamed for Civil War general and U.S. PresidentUlysses Grant.Buckingham Fountainwas constructed in 1927 in Grant Park.

Maggie Daley Park[edit]

Main article:Maggie Daley Park

Maggie Daley Park is located to the east of Millennium Park.

Millennium Park[edit]

Main article:Millennium Park

Millennium Park is located northwest of Grant Park. Originally intended to celebrate the new millennium, it opened in 2004.

Printer's Row Park[edit]

Officially known as Park No. 543, this park is located in the Printer's Row neighborhood.[92]It contains a community garden and an ornamental fountain.[92]

Pritzker Park[edit]

Pritzker Park is located onState Street[93]nearHarold Washington Library.It occupies the site of the Rialto Hotel, which was demolished in 1990.[93]It is a green space developed by Ronald Jones and named forCindy Pritzker.[93]Originally constructed by the Chicago Department of Planning and Development, the Chicago Park District assumed control of it in 2008.[93]It has a short wall with quotes from famous writers and philosophers.[93]

Theodore Roosevelt Park[edit]

Theodore Roosevelt Park is located in the South Loop.[94]Named for U.S. PresidentTheodore Roosevelt,it was constructed beginning in 1980 as an adjunct to the Dearborn Park homes.[94]It contains open space and three tennis courts.[94]It is located on Roosevelt Road, also named for Roosevelt.[94]

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^It is standard practice in the United States, both withU. S. RoutesandInterstates,to number north-south roads with odd numbers and east-west roads with even numbers.

References[edit]

  1. ^ab"Chicago Loop".Geographic Names Information System.United States Geological Survey,United States Department of the Interior.January 15, 1980.
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Bibliography[edit]

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related toChicago Loop.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide forThe Loop.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide forLoop Art Tour.
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