The Loop

As the original heart and soul of Chicago, the Loop continues to bring commuters, homeowners, and tourists together on a daily basis. The Loop combines that big-city buzz with the natural beauty of Chicago’s lakefront, creating an urban-yet-idyllic atmosphere. This neighborhood’s architectural legacy includes the likes of Willis Tower, Chicago Board of Trade, Civic Opera House, and the Chicago Cultural Center. Fitting seamlessly into the skyline, the Loop’s residential buildings offer vertical living at its best.

The Loop’s commercial business district ranks second to New York city in terms of size, making that morning commute a dream for most. Reverse commuters have direct access to Metra rail stations, every CTA train line, Lake Shore Drive, and all of Chicago’s major interstates. This level of convenience comes in handy on the weekends because every nook and cranny of Chicago is just a ride away.

Tucked into an enclave just west of Lake Shore Drive and south of the Chicago river sits Lakeshore East — a community of residential high rises and townhomes anchored around a six-acre botanical park. The open green space, coupled with its proximity to Loop landmarks like DuSable Harbor and Millennium Park, attracts homebuyers to the gem sub-neighborhood.

No matter the day of the week or month of the year, there is something to do in the Loop. When winter hits, residents can retreat indoors at the Art Institute, Shedd Aquarium, and Field Museum or they can bundle up and go for a skate at one of two outdoor rinks. When the warmer months roll around, locals flock to the Millennium Park Campus, which houses “The Bean,” Crown Fountain, Lurie Garden, and the Jay Pritzker Pavilion — the site for the Chicago Jazz Festival and a series of concerts and film screenings. And, of course, us Chicagoans anxiously await for Lollapalooza to take over Grant Park every August.

A newer addition to the Loop is the ever-entertaining Chicago Riverwalk, which stretches from Lake Michigan all the way down to Lake Street. This 1.25-mile pedestrian-friendly pathway alongside the Chicago River contains outdoor art displays, restaurants, cafes, small parks, kayak rentals, a museum inside the McCormick Bridge, and much more. There is no better view than Chicago’s iconic skyscrapers towering over a riverbank.

Where you’ll find me:

Seeing a broadway musical at Cadillac Palace Theatre
At Maggie Daley Park, either mini-golfing with family or walking through the scenic pathways
Dining with friends at III Forks in Lakeshore East
Watching the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Catching up with friends by Buckingham Fountain
Celebrating a birthday at Chicago Cut Steakhouse
Watching the boats dock from the Chicago Yacht Club