About Chicago
Chicago is the most populous city in Illinois with a population of more than 2.7 million people and the third most populated in the United States after New York and Los Angeles. Running along the coast of Lake Michigan, Chicago is a popular spot for water activities like fishing, swimming, and boating.
The city was incorporated in 1837 and is a major hub of business, recreation, and culture. In Chicago, you can find communities like Little Italy, Chinatown, and Little Vietnam as well as parks, museums, and other attractions. Chicago is a great place to live as well as visit and the perfect place to find warehouse space.
Interesting Fact: The City of Chicago was the place for the first open-heart surgery. This was done by Dr. Daniel H. Williams in 1893 at Provident Hospital.
Warehouse Space Options in Chicago
You will find many different Chicago warehouse spaces to choose from but once you find the right spot, then you will need to start on the real planning. You don’t just want an empty warehouse so you will need furniture rental, catering, and decorators to help you out.
- Furniture Rental
Whether you are having a corporate function or you need space for a concert or party, you will need furniture for seating and entertaining. From chairs and tables to silverware and linens, it takes a multitude of accents to create the best Chicago warehouse space for your needs.
- Catering Companies
Chicago has some of the top chefs in the world as well as 24 Michelin-starred restaurants that can cater your affair. You do not want to have to worry about food preparation and serving, so hire one of the local catering companies or restaurants to do all that for you so you can concentrate on something else.
- Decorators
Whatever your warehouse space in Chicago is for, you want it to be memorable. Get a decorator who is experienced in these things to make your space look exactly how you want it to look. Chicago has a plethora of decorators who can help you out.
Warehouse Space Companies in Chicago
When you are looking for warehouse space in Chicago, no matter what it is for, there are many things that need to be taken care of. In the windy city, many companies are available to provide food and drinks, décor, and furniture rental as well as transportation, photography, and whatever else you may need.
- Modern Event Rental
Whether you want a room full of chairs or some charging furniture to help keep your guests connected to wi-fi, Modern Event Rental has whatever you want. Since 2009, they have been providing tables, chairs, bars, and even AV equipment and dance floors to the people of Chicago and the surrounding area.
- Blue Plate Catering
Blue Plate Catering has more than 35 years of experience in catering events from small backyard barbecues to huge affairs for thousands of people. The owner, Jim Horan opened the company with $500 and a van in 1983 and has won many awards over the years. No occasion is too small or too large and they will even let you try a tasting beforehand.
- Kehoe Designs
Whatever you can imagine, Kehoe Designs can provide. Floral design, art creation, custom furniture and horticulture, and graphic design, nothing is out of the realm of their talents. One of their most famous events is the Lollapalooza Festival, which is the largest outdoor music festival in Chicago. But they can do small events too.
Pros and Cons of Warehouse Spaces in Chicago
Of course, you want to know everything you can about the place where you are planning an event. Even Chicago has some disadvantages. Here are a few of the pros and cons of choosing a warehouse space in Chicago.
Advantages
- Best food
With so many top chefs and Michelin-starred restaurants, you know there is excellent food in Chicago. From Chicago-style pizza to their famous hot dogs, you can get your fill of fantastic food there.
- Open all night
Whether you are looking for Chinese food at 7:00 AM or groceries at 3:00 AM, you can find it in Chicago. Many of their shops and eateries are open 24/7 so you don’t have to “wait until they open,” you can get it when you want it.
- Lake Michigan
If you enjoy any kind of water sports or just want to take a walk along the lake, there are miles of waterfront space in Chicago.
- Nature lovers
The city also boasts over 500 parks, which is more than almost any other place in the nation, so you can get your fill of nature there too.
Disadvantages
- High crime rate
The crime rate in Chicago is 40 per 1,000 people so your chances of being a victim are one in 25. In fact, 94% of the cities in Illinois are safer than Chicago. Just stick to safe neighborhoods like Edison Park, Forest Glen, and Lincoln Park.
- High cost of living
Everything is taxed in Chicago, even groceries. So, you are going to pay more for anything you buy in the windy city.
- Traffic jams
With only seven main highways for almost 8 million people, you are likely to find yourself stuck in traffic at least once while you are in town.
- The weather
Summers are hot with highs in the 90s and winters are cold with lows in the teens. And, yes, they have a lot of snow too, with an average of 36 inches a year.
Famous Locations in Chicago
- Lincoln Park
Lincoln Park is a huge area totaling over 1,188 acres and includes many different attractions. The Lincoln Park Conservatory, Chicago History Museum, and the North Pond Nature Sanctuary are just a few of the great places to visit. The Lincoln Park Zoo is the most popular with over 1,100 animals in 200 different species. Also, don’t miss the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum.
- Museum of Contemporary Art
Opened in 1967, this art museum boasts over 2,700 pieces of art and about 3,000 art books dating back to 1945. Some of their notable pieces include Jackie Frieze by Andy Warhol in 1964, Rabbit by Jeff Koons in 1986, and Study for a Portrait by Francis Bacon in 1949. Featuring postmodernism, conceptual art, minimalism, pop art, and surrealism, this is a modern art lover’s dream.
- Willis Tower
The Willis Tower is one of the tallest buildings in the world at 1,450 feet and you can see four different states from the Skydeck including Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, and of course Illinois. The Skydeck is a popular observation deck on the 103rd floor at 1,353 feet in the air. It has also been featured in many movies and TV shows like The Dark Knight, Transformers, and Divergent so make sure you stop by while you are in town.