Business Traveler, July/August 2020
b u s i n e s s t r a v e l e r u s a c o m J U LY A U G U S T 2 0 2 0 Art markets and gourmet goodies abound in this former industrial district 1 UNION STATION Chicagos central Loop is home to many of the citys best known sites and there is some buzzing nightlife to be found to its north But the West Loop a former industrial district that has spent the past decade building a trendy reputation offers some great restaurants and bars as well as small businesses and a community feel Begin at Union Station in the areas southeast corner The Beaux Arts structure was designed by Daniel Burnham the architect behind New Yorks Flatiron Building and opened in 1925 Its exterior is made from Indiana limestone but its the interior that is most impressive with dark oak benches sitting on an expansive marble floor surrounded by imposing classical style columns and statues all covered by a 220 foot long barrelvaulted skylight Owner Amtrak is spending tens of millions of dollars to refresh the building two thirds of which is not currently accessible to the public So far the work has included recarpeting the staircase that was featured in the 1987 movie The Untouchables and refurbishing former lounges Outside it is planning a new green public space and entrance on the western side Rail and architecture buffs can book a one hour tour 20 chicagounionstation com 2 KAVI GUPTA GALLERY Walk north up Jefferson Street past the imposing Presidential Towers and turn left on to Washington Boulevard Pop into the Kavi Gupta Gallery run by the eponymous gallerist who also has an outpost in Berlin Open Tuesday to Saturday it hosts a range of temporary exhibitions generally showcasing emerging or mid career artists as well as permanent galleries For now the galleries are closed due to the COVID 19 pandemic but continue to host online exhibitions virtual studio visits and other special virtual programming According to the gallery website Chicago born Gupta was one of the first to see opportunity in West Loop in the late 1990s when the neighborhood was known for struggling industry abandoned buildings and drug use He has another gallery in a refurbished warehouse on nearby Elizabeth Street which has shorter opening hours but can be visited by appointment kavigupta com Chicago West Loop 6 4 W O R D S J E N N I R E I D
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