Written by our brokers Sarah Elpayaa and Laura Davis
When it comes to finding the perfect blend of urban energy and residential comfort, the West Loop in Chicago stands out as one of the city's most exciting neighborhoods. As a Realtor on the Olive Well Team at Compass and we find ourselves in the West Loop a lot - not just showing our listings but enjoying all the area has to offer. If you're considering real estate in Chicago, here's why we believe the West Loop should be on your radar. Don't worry we will highlight some of our current listings in this blog post as well - they are quite pretty and Pinterest worthy!
The Vibe & Community
The West Loop is a dynamic neighborhood that combines the best of urban living with a strong sense of community. Once an industrial hub, the neighborhood has transformed into a hotspot for innovation and creativity. The streets have a fascinating mix of old and new architecture giving the neighborhood its unique character. From farmers markets to street festivals, there's always an opportunity to connect with others. This community spirit is a big part of what makes the West Loop feel like home, even in the midst of a bustling city. What's really cool and unique is that many of the old warehouses in this area have been converted into homes. Our new rental listing at 1327 W Washington, unit 4F, is the perfect example of how a building converted to a live/work space. It has exposed brick and timber ceilings with exposed duct work that make it very industrial feeling. This is what we call a true timber loft.
This two bedroom 2 bathroom rental unit is listed for $4,250 and one of my favorite features is this insane wine bar. The previous owner was a sommelier and built this incredible bar which includes a 171 bottle wine fridge. Talk about fancy. If you don't feel like getting cocktails at one of my favorite cocktail bars in the area, Booze Box, then shake up your own concoction for your friends right here at home.
Another characteristic I find very unique are these arched doorways with wide openings - a lasting feature of its former use. Pay attention to the views too - you can see the city skyline from your living room and the bedrooms.
The Food Scene
One of the most distinctive features of the West Loop is its incredible food scene. The neighborhood is home to "Restaurant Row" on Randolph Street and Fulton Market, where you can find some of Chicago's finest dining experiences. From Michelin-starred restaurants to cozy cafes, the West Loop offers a diverse range of options to satisfy every palate. The food scene not only attracts visitors from across the city but also adds
to the overall allure for residents. Our 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom listing for sale at 1332 W Madison, unit 3E, is just a couple blocks away from one of our go-to spots, Monteverde. If you didn't feel like hitting up one of the many amazing restaurants in the area, you could cook at home in Madison's updated white kitchen.
We especially love the extra wide peninsula which is perfect for hosting and creating a big buffet. If I owned this home I could see myself ordering Italian from Viaggio for all my friends - their meatballs are to die for. This condo is currently on the market for $740,000 and comes with a fireplace, two private outdoor areas, washer/dryer in-unit, updated bathrooms, a parking space, and extra storage.
Not only is the kitchen open to the living room but it has a new wine fridge which is perfect for all the bottles you take home from City Winery. If you haven't been to City Winery, not only do they have great wine, but they also have a charming outdoor area and a large concert venue. The best part is it's only a few blocks away from this listing.
The last thing I wanted to highlight in this home is the spacious living room with a cozy corner fireplace. Right off this living space is one of the two private outdoor spaces. What's different about this home compared to the rental listing I highlighted above is this unit has concrete ceilings instead of the exposed timbers. We call this a "soft loft". This can cut down on noise transfer between the units and offers a bit of a different, more clean, look. When you host a get together don't worry about upsetting the neighbors with your noisy guests while they enjoy cocktails from your bar. The owners have perfectly styled the bar cart and now all I can think about is martinis. Heading to Trivoli Tavern to get a classic gin martini. BRB.
Proximity to Downtown
Another major advantage of living in the West Loop is its proximity to downtown Chicago. With easy access to public transportation and major highways, commuting to the city's business district is a breeze. This makes the West Loop an ideal choice for professionals who want to enjoy a vibrant neighborhood without sacrificing
convenience.
We couldn't help but notice the views from the bedroom in our rental listing at 1327 W Washington. Sure you could work from home in this 2 bedroom brick and timber loft, but you could also just drive to work in only 8 minutes. Work from home or work from Chicago's Loop? Either way you can always wind down your day on the rooftop with an epic city view.
Fulton Market
Fulton Market is a little pocket within the West Loop neighborhood on the area's North end. It's become quite the scene with an amazing array of restaurant offerings including several from Top Chef's winning chef Stephanie Izard. If you haven't been to Girl and the Goat, you really should. She has two other restaurants in Fulton Market, Cabra (Peruvian-inspired fare) and Duck Duck Goat (Chinese-American cuisine). Our completely redone loft-style listing at 312 N May, Unit 6L is perfectly situated right in the Fulton Market area. It's luxury at its finest! Our sellers renovated this home and turned a 2 bedroom into a large open 1 bedroom with 14-foot ceilings.Â
The sexy updated black kitchen is eye-catching and super unique. It's one to be noticed if you're looking for a highly sought-after area to experience the dynamic urban lifestyle of Chicago's West Loop!
Finally, I wanted to emphasize the spacious living area, perfect for unwinding in front of the TV or gathering with friends by the inviting fireplace. As you enjoy these comforts, you'll be treated to remarkable views of the West Loop.
These properties are proudly presented by our brokers Sarah Elpayaa and Laura Davis from the Olive Well Team at Compass.
Special thanks to our photographer Brent Borchardt for the photos.
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