In Chicago, the West Loop Leaves Its Gritty Past Behind

Photo by Kevin Miyazaki - The New York Times

By: Elaine Glusac | July 22, 2015 | The New York Times

Over the past two decades, the West Loop, an industrial area in Chicago just west of the downtown Loop, has gradually shifted from meatpacking operations, commercial storage and food distribution to loft residences and restaurants. Its low-rise brick warehouses with unobstructed views of the downtown skyline were seen as attractive and affordable for restaurants and residents willing to put up with truck traffic from wholesalers. But in the past year, the area has rapidly developed as not just a place to taxi in for a trendy meal, but to stay a while. Read More...