1) Hoop Dreams - West Loop the site for 2020 NBA All Star Game in Chicago
It was a big weekend for Chicago and the West Loop neighborhood, home to the United Center. With Chicago hosting the NBA All Star game, the West Loop neighborhood was more vibrant and lively than usual. It’s been more than 30 years since Chicago last hosted the NBA All-Star Game, and this year’s star studded weekend included a sweet tribute to the late Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna “Gigi” Bryant with performances by Chicago’s very own Chance the Rapper and Jennifer Hudson. A number of celebrity fathers with their sons attended the games in Chicago including Spike Lee, John Stewart and Donnie Wahlberg, while Mark Cuban made it a family affair. Other celebrity sightings in the area included retired NBA player Dwyane Wade hosting a spades game at City Hall Event Space, 838 W. Kinzie St and Lebron James was spotted at Swift & Sons, 1000 W Fulton Market. Check out the roundup of celebrity sightings in town for the NBA All Star Game by Social Life Chicago.
NBA All Star Game West Loop Chicago
2) Three new development projects approved to move forward in Fulton Market
After a celebratory few days, activity in the West Loop continues. Real estate development in the West Loop presses on and there are new approved plans in the works along with new openings in the neighborhood. Just last week, the city’s Committee on Zoning gave the green light for three projects, including a 25-story apartment building (1400 W. Randolph St.), a 476 room, 20-story hotel by North Park Ventures and MF Development (800 W. Lake St.), and a 16-story office building (400 N. Aberdeen St.). There’s some resistance from the community, especially around the proposed hotel near Halsted St. and Lake St., which will not be including parking on-site. The lack of parking is viewed by some residents as problematic as the area is already compressed with construction, greater density, and limited parking as a result. The apartment building project by Marquette Development does plan to have parking on-site, 108 spaces to be exact, along with 225 bike stalls. Additionally, Trammell Crow ,the real estate developer responsible for the 16-story office building planned for N. Aberdeen Street, included in its proposal and agreement with the city to put a quarter of a million dollars toward railroad improvements.
Hotel Design Concept 800 W Lake St West Loop
3) Former Cook County Hospital building and anchor site of Harrison Square in the IMD to open late spring
Bustling and people traffic in the West Loop neighborhood will continue to rise as the area receives new hotels, restaurants and large scale real estate development projects, expanding the neighborhood’s housing inventory and attracting more business. Of those projects, the $1 billion multiphase restoration project at the former Cook County Hospital building, spearheaded by Civil Health Development Group, is nearing completion after breaking ground in June 2018. Come May, the historic Beaux-Arts classical-style building, will be a combination of a new hotel, the Hyatt House and Hyatt Place hotel, and office complex. Serving as the anchor to the Harrison Square site, a development project on the west end of the West Loop neighborhood that encompasses a 13-acre community within the Illinois Medical District, the building will also house a museum dedicated to the history of Cook County Hospital, as well as a medical center, day care and food hall.
Harrison Square Illinois Medical District Real Estate
4) West Loop Dining gets test kitchen and new opening date for Nobu Hotel + Restaurant
Roti Modern Mediterranean is trying its hand at a test kitchen in its West Loop Chicago location at 1012 W. Randolph St. Exploration Kitchen, as it is called, will explore new flavor pairings and future menu items before they’re shared company-wide across the fast casual restaurant’s 40 locations. Those dining at Roti’s West Loop restaurant will be able to sample experimental dishes like its roasted tahini cauliflower and grass-fed spicy steak, which have both been a hit since the test kitchen opened in October 2019. Both items are featured on its curated menu along with other flavor combinations and test menu options.
And for those who have anxiously awaited news about Nobu Restaurant, it is now listed among Eater Chicago’s most anticipated restaurant openings of this year. Nobu Restaurant (954 West Randolph St.), by chef Nobu Matsuhisa and actor Robert De Niro, is said to be finally opening its doors in the West Loop come spring, after years of delays. The restaurant opening accompanies the opening of the 115-room Nobu Hotel.
Robert De Niro Nobu Hotel West Loop
5) West Loop one of Chicago’s Best Neighborhoods for Weekend Stays According to Thrillist
As if the West Loop wasn’t already a hotspot for real estate, dining and nightlife, Thrillist has listed the West Loop as one of the best neighborhoods to spend a weekend in Chicago. Among the recommendations are stays at Publishing House B&B (108 N May St) with its collection of 11 private, cozy and unique rooms and the industrial chic design of Hoxton Chicago (200 N Green St) in Fulton Market. Also listed is Hoxton Chicago hotel’s lower level bar, Lazy Bird, which has quickly become a hit in the area. The bar opened early last year and boasts 52 cocktails on its menu, emphasizing the history of each one, and offers live music Thursday through Saturday night. Other suggestions include meals at Aba (302 N Green St), Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio (1020 W Madison St) and Green Street Smoked Meats (112 N Green St), and enjoying drinks at Darling Chicago (905 W Randolph St). This condensed itinerary could serve out-of-town-guests or anyone looking to experience the neighborhood before making a home purchase.
Lazy Bird Hoxton West Loop
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