Loop/South Loop
Chicago's Loop is the official downtown area, and the second largest downtown business district in the United States. The Loop is named for the CTA's elevated tracks that loop the area and provide transportation to the rest of the city and its suburbs. Having been a hotbed of architectural experimentation for more than a century, the Loop is known for its historic buildings and skyscrapers. In fact, in 1900, the Loop had the world's largest concentration of skyscrapers. Architects such as Louis H. Sullivan, William Le Baron Jenny, Daniel H. Burham and many others were designing modern high rises around this time.
The Loop is home to the famed Sears Tower, the Daley Center (formerly the Chicago Civic Center), City Hall, the Federal Reserve of Chicago, and the Chicago Stock Exchange. Many large companies and major corporations either have offices or are headquartered here. The Loop also encompasses the Art Institute of Chicago as well as the Theater District. You can find a number of outdoor sculptures in the downtown area, including works by Marc Chagall, Joan Miro and Alexander Calder. In the last few years, its residential opportunities have grown tremendously as city dwellers seek to live, work, and play in close proximity.
While the Loop is primarily a business district, there is much to explore here in terms of residential options. This area is perfect if you like the convenience of downtown--not to mention the shopping, museums, theaters...and of course, dazzling lake and city views.