Chicago Venues are Booming and Blooming
If you’re planning to take a group to the Windy City, you’ll have plenty of exciting new venue options to choose from.
Chicago is already known as an eco-friendly city with its urban green spaces, hotels and rooftops. But one of its most ambitious projects is The Plant, an old abandoned meat packing facility that is being converted into an urban farm. It will incorporate aquaponics, underground farming, a brewery and outdoor growing spaces. Already, it is producing kale and argula. Located in the heart of the industrial landscape, The Plant is open for individual and group tours.
After 10 years of planning and construction, the University of Chicago is debuting the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts in Hyde Park. This unusual complex houses classrooms, performing arts spaces, theaters, rehearsal rooms, a courtyard and a penthouse for smaller events. The grand opening will be in the fall of 2012.
The Westin Michigan Avenue has just completed a $7 million renovation of its meeting spaces, including new lighting and audio systems, faster Internet connectivity and additional flexibility to its room configurations.
The Peninsula, located in the heart of the Magnificent Mile, has been awarded the Best Luxury Hotel designation by ChicagoHotels.org.
The Chicago Marriott Naperville is reopening with renovated meeting space and a full-service business center.