South Loop

South Loop is a Chicago neighborhood south of the Loop. The South Branch of the Chicago River flows through it. Chinatown is adjacent to the southwest, and Museum Campus is to its east. University Village and Pilsen are to the west. South Loop is part of the Near South Side community area of Chicago.^[1]

The 78 is an undeveloped plot of land in South Loop

Location

The exact boundaries of South Loop are not precisely defined, and its southern boundary can be considered Cermak Road (22nd Street) or as far south as 26th Street, abutting Bronzeville.

The Greater South Loop Association, a not-for-profit neighborhood association, promotes the interests of residents and businesses of a larger area bounded by Ida B. Wells Drive on the North, the Stevenson Expressway on the South, Lake Michigan including Northerly Island on the east, and the Dan Ryan Expressway on the west.^[2]

Development

South Loop includes former railyards that have been redeveloped as microneighborhoods, such as Dearborn Park and Central Station. Former warehouses and factory lofts have been converted to residential buildings, while new townhouses and highrises have been developed on vacant or underused land. Dearborn Station at the south end of South Loop Printing House District has been converted to retail and office space, and is the oldest train station still standing in Chicago. Columbia College Chicago is a major real estate holder in the South Loop, owning 17 buildings.

The Chicago Fire Football Club is planning to build a $650 million soccer stadium in the South Loop on vacant land known as The 78.^[3][4][5] The 22,000-seat open-air stadium is expected to begin construction in early 2026, and is intended to be completed before the 2028 Major League Soccer season.^[6][7] Chicago Fire FC chose Pepper Construction, GMA Construction Group and ALL Construction Group to build the new stadium.^[8]

Education

South Loop is zoned to South Loop School and Phillips Academy High School. Jones College Prep High School, which is a selective enrollment prep school drawing students from the entire city, is also located in the South Loop.

History

The South Loop was historically home to Chicago's vice districts, including the brothels, bars, burlesque theaters, and arcades. Inexpensive residential hotels on Van Buren and State Street made it one of the city's Skid Rows until the 1970s. The oldest homeless shelter in the city, Pacific Garden Mission, was located at State and Balbo from 1923 to 2007, and is currently located at 1458 S. Canal St. on the other side of the river.^[9]