The West Loop is one of the fastest-growing neighborhoods in Chicago. From Grand Avenue in the north to Eisenhower Expressway in the south, and Ashland Avenue in the west towards the Chicago River and Wells Street, the West Loop’s dynamic, vibrant style has made it into a truly valuable destination.

With so much happening in and around the area, it’s not surprising that many newcomers are concerned about their ability to reach places like residential loft conversions, award-winning restaurants, high-class boutiques, and outstanding art galleries. However, the truth is that transportation to and through the West Loop is much easier than you might expect.

A Brief History

Beginning in the 1980s, developers began to convert a number of industrial buildings into open loft space. This neighborhood’s proximity to the central part of the Loop made it particularly interesting to developers, and the selection of the West Loop by Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Studios kicked things into high gear.

Numerous warehouses started to see conversions into business spaces and residential lofts, while the Fulton Randolph wholesale market – a major local provider – gave other businesses direct access to fresh local produce. The years have been kind to the West Loop, and it’s now a hotspot that mixes business and fun together in one upscale area.

Transportation Around The West Loop

The West Loop area is bordered by major expressways that allow for easy access to the entire area. Route 290 – the Eisenhower Expressway – borders the bottom of the West Loop and offers multiple exits for drivers coming in. Meanwhile, Route 90 runs north and south to provide even more access, and the many bridges across the Chicago River mean that drivers won’t find themselves stuck on just one side.

In addition to the expressway access, the West Loop has an abundance of public transportation, and the upscale nature of the neighborhood means that the transportation providers take great care to run things well. As if that weren’t enough, the West Loop is considered both bikeable and walkable – in short, people can choose how to move through the Loop without being shoehorned into a type of transportation they don’t enjoy.

The railroad hubs of Union Station and Ogilvie Transportation Center serve the West Loop area, as do the major vehicle facilities of Standard Parking and Central Parking.

What Does This Mean For Employees?

How employees get to work can have a major effect on their productivity throughout the day. The West Loop is set up for quick and easy access, which means that employees will be able to spend less time moving around and more time on their assignments – or with their families. Morale is huge in business, and there’s something to be said for ensuring that people won’t be on the road too long.

However, the numerous forms of transportation also mean that additional options are available when surprises appear. For example, an employee might start the day by driving to one of the parking garages, onto to hop onto a local bus for a sudden lunchtime meeting with a valued client. Later in the day, they might take the train to go visit another company’s office, then take the bus back across the river.

All right, most employees wouldn’t be doing all of that on a single day – what matters is that they could, and many of these options are still practical for workers who stay late at night or want to come in before everyone else. The abundance of transportation options in and around the Loop means that employees aren’t locked into the one method of transportation that’s most convenient – they’re free to seek housing in an area that’s more comfortable for them, knowing they’ll be able to find a way into the district that fits their schedule and personal preferences.

The degree of freedom this offers can also help a business attract better talent – being accessible is valuable in its own right, and gives any business a much larger pool of potential employees that it can choose from.

Final Thoughts

As an option for residents and businesspeople looking for upscale downtown space with what occupants describe as an energetic “indie vibe”, the West Loop has become one of the hottest neighborhoods in Chicago for business and pleasure alike. It’s already demonstrated an incredible ability to support the arts with its collection of music venues, boutiques, designer offices, dance companies, and thought-provoking galleries.

New properties and listings are eagerly anticipated by property hunters, which is a sure sign that the neighborhood’s evolution is far from complete, and the district’s planners are working hard to ensure that transportation remains easy and affordable as the district continues to grow. If you’re planning to move in, don’t stress about the transportation – the West Loop has you covered.