The South Loop Continues to be Chicago’s Neighborhood to Watch

The recovering economy has brought a resurgence of demand for the neighborhood’s urbanized lifestyle. Construction began last month on Prairie Court Townhomes, a luxury development at 18th and Prairie Ave. that consists of nine buildings offering 55 four-story townhomes for interested buyers. Those looking to rent in the South Loop should keep their eye on some of the high-profile towers coming to the area, including an all-glass, multi-tube designed rental apartment tower and retail center proposed for 1326 S. Michigan Ave.
Commercial and medical spaces are popping up as well. Rush University Medical Center announced it will bring an outpatient center to a new development replacing the former National Letter Carriers Association building at 1411 S. Michigan Ave. The building itself – a mixed-used residential development – will break ground this year, and the medical facility will open in 2018. Additionally, the Essex Inn expansion and the Riverline mega-development will bring more business to the South Loop.
There are plenty more proposals in the works that could drastically change the area, including a 62-acre site of former railroad land southwest of Clark Street and Roosevelt Road that could become its own neighborhood. Tenant Advisory Group continues to predict the South Loop is the future River North.