1 S LEAVITT ST., CHICAGO, IL

This ultra-urban, former warehouse district is one of Chicago's hip, up-and-coming neighborhoods, just steps away from Loop. The West Loop shares corner space with fine galleries and some of the city's trendiest lofts and condominiumsgreat for those who like being next to downtown, but enjoy a little breathing room. Even though it had its start as an industrial storage center, the West Loop is making up for lost time by infusing the area with as much active life and entertainment options as space will allow. Beginning with a couple public parks, the community is not for want of open expanses of green or recreation opportunities these days. In fact, West Loop's Union Park is more than a playground, it doubles as a annual outdoor festival venue for the popular Pitchfork Music Festival each year. Fashionable foodie fanfare also helps distance the neighborhood from its uninhabitable days with every taste from fusion sushi to a cluster of Athenian-inspired establishments known by Chicagoan