Reviews for the Skyline Loft, a venue at Chicago’s Bridgeport Art Center, often mention the elevator. The city’s largest loft space, Skyline is aptly named. The circa-1911 building provides sweeping views of the “Windy City” and the south branch of the Chicago River. With capacity for 500-plus people, the 18,000-ft2 space boasts timber loft construction, exposed brick, high ceilings and skylights. There’s a lot to take in — especially at a wedding — but the freight elevator ranks among guests as one of the venue’s most memorable features.
Original to the building, the large elevator — complete with a tiered chandelier — can transport 35 people and objects weighing up to 8000 lb to the event space. A brochure from the venue notes that a car can be lifted. Skyline employs an attendant to operate the elevator during events.
Your author was unable to find a photo of a car inside the freight elevator, but newly married couples often use it to make a grand entrance into their reception. It’s also a prime location for the venue’s unique penny-top bar. Guests arriving at a celebration can grab a drink while they are transported to the loft level.
Wedding planning blog Woman Getting Married estimates that the average base cost of a Skyline Loft wedding is US$32,000 — not including transportation, entertainment, decoration or photography. Beyond scoring an invitation to a Skyline soiree, it may be possible to experience the elevator through Chicago Detour. While it’s unclear if the neighborhood is part of current tour offerings, the boutique experimental travel company has offered a historic Bridgeport tour — which included a chance to ride the freight elevator — in the past.
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