South Loop

The South Loop is a neighborhood on Chicago's Near South Side, and as the name implies is just south of the Loop. Formerly quite rough, recently the neighborhood has begun to see new residents and construction. The South Loop lies within Chicago's 33rd Community Area, the Near South Side. The South Loop's boundaries are not official, and there are many different opinions on their exact location. However, the boundaries that seem 'right' to me are Roosevelt Road, Lake Michigan, 26th Street, Wentworth Avenue, and Clark Street. A strong sense of community is present here, with neighborhood cafés and shops acting as community anchors. Old buildings are being converted into lofts left and right, and McCormick Place is in the neighborhood. Some former housing projects have been converted into lofts as well, which has helped speed up gentrification, and has gradually pushed this neighborhood out of a "mixed income" makeup. Businesses range a lot, with some industry still present. Housing stock consists mainly of apartments, some of which are mixed use. The city's "Motor Row" is located here. The area is fairly bikeable, with a protected bikeway on State and a buffered bike lane on Wabash, with standard bike lanes on other streets, such as Roosevelt. Walkability is good in the neighborhood as well. For transit, the area is served by the Metra Electric District's 18th Street and McCormick Place Stations. The Museum Campus/11th Street and 27th Street Stations lie just outside of the neighborhood. The South Shore Line serves the Museum Campus/11th Street Station as well. The CTA Red, Green, and Orange Lines serve the neighborhood through the Roosevelt (Red, Orange, Green), Cermak-Chinatown (Red), and Cermak-McCormick Place (Green) Stations. CTA also serves the neighborhood through the 1 Bronzeville/Union Station, 3 King Drive, 4 & N4 Cottage Grove (24/7 Service), 12 Roosevelt, 18 United Center Express (Special Events Only), 21 Cermak, 24 Wentworth, 29 State, 62 & N62 Archer (24/7 Service), and 146 Inner Drive/Michigan Express buses, many of which are frequent, seven day a week routes.

Callowhill

Callowhill could best be described as a neighborhood of extremes. In many areas, Callowhill is mostly vacant lots and abandoned railroad tracks, with a few empty factories mixed in. In other areas, Callowhill is filled with bars, lofts, bike lanes, and street life. Callowhill's borders are Broad Street, Vine Street, Spring Garden Street, and 8th Street. The area's population is rapidly increasing, and new apartments are built left and right. Although the neighborhood was traditionally industrial, not much of this industry remains today. However, much of this vacant land is being occupied again, especially on Ridge by Noble. In fact, today Callowhill is often called the "Loft District". Notable features of the neighborhood include the almost total absence of the Philadelphia rowhouse, SEPTA's only abandoned rail station, Spring Garden on the Broad-Ridge Spur, and the Reading Viaduct, an abandoned elevated railway line. The area is fairly walkable, and bike lanes are present on 13th and Spring Garden. SEPTA Rail and SEPTA City Division serve the neighborhood through the Broad Street Subway's Spring Garden and Race-Vine stations, served by Local and Express trains, as well as the 23, 43, 47, 47M, and 61 buses.