A Bird's Eye Look Into the West Loop

For ages, my mental map of Chicago has stood largely incomplete – the West Loop included. The gap of space between the Kennedy Expressway and Union Park (home of my beloved, Pitchfork) lay empty–a swirling blur of train stops, restaurant-lined streets, and the ever-present scent of chocolate from the factory seemingly always a block away. However, as I’ve begun to explore the West Loop through work this summer, I’ve begun to learn not only the structure of the neighborhood, but the cogs and gears that drive it and its unstoppable soul.

The West Loop is a neighborhood that thrives on its often unnoticed intricacies. Each tacked-on poster, stony crosswalk, and vivid mural lay testament to the heart that beats beneath the city streets, each story of its creation left to be told in another day. The West Loop is strong: strong feet, strong summer heat, and strong residents and workers that build its livelihood day and day again. You never know who’s making your coffee, conducting the Green Line, and pasting the posters that you promise you’ll peak at next time you come around. 

So, I advise you, next time you’re in the West Loop, take an extra look at the murals on Hubbard, Chicago, and Madison. Stop by the gym – or coffee shop – or boutique – the one that you’ve always had your eye on. If the traffic of the Kennedy is getting you down, follow the exit at Randolph and take a drive around. Remember the heartbeat of the neighborhood, explore the city streets, and if you dare, take in the detail and make a story of your own. 

Alex Holly / Summer 2023 Intern