Welcome to Loft on Lake
Loft-Style Event Space + Photo Studio
Corporate Events · Corporate Parties · Birthday Parties · Private Events · Mitzvahs · Quinceañeras · Dinner Parties · Prom Send-Offs · Fundraisers · Rehearsal Dinners · Weddings · Wedding Receptions · Photo Shoot & Film Productions · Pop-Ups · Brand Experiences · Product Launches · Panel Discussions · And More!
““Amazing place, staff and accomodations… Jill is amazing and the best!!””
Loft on Lake is an independent, original event venue in Chicago’s Fulton Market District. Located on Lake Street in the heart of the West Loop, we’re surrounded by one of the city’s most vibrant and ever-evolving neighborhoods.
Our quintessential loft setting gives you the freedom to make the space your own. Bring your vision to life with our architectural details and included amenities, or keep things simple and let the character of the space speak for itself. With more than 18 years of experience hosting weddings, celebrations, corporate events, and creative productions, we know what it takes to make an event feel effortless from start to finish.
Warm peach-toned brick walls, 20-foot oak timber ceilings with exposed bow trusses, industrial ductwork, gloss-finished concrete floors, and a dramatic 65-foot skylight give Loft on Lake its distinctive character. Natural light pours through the skylight throughout the day, while the open layout provides a versatile backdrop for everything from intimate gatherings to large-scale celebrations.
A blank canvas with soul, Loft on Lake gives you the architecture, atmosphere, and flexibility to create an event that feels entirely your own!
““The venue is the perfect blank slate to decorate how you want without needing to do much. Its laid out perfectly for caterers and vendors to get in and set up.” ”
““We were looking for a cool space with a city vibe and Loft on Lake delivered just that!””
Unique Features
Loft on Lake retains the character of a true Chicago loft, with original architectural details throughout the space. Exposed brick, vintage oak timber beams, warm-toned concrete floors, 12–20-foot ceilings, and an impressive bow-truss roof create an authentic industrial backdrop.
The space is anchored by our most distinctive feature: a 65-foot-long skylight running the length of the main loft, filling the room with beautiful natural light. Exposed metal ductwork, vents, and conduits add to the unmistakable urban character.
While we don’t have an outdoor event space, the skylight brings the feeling of being outdoors in—giving you plenty of natural light and an airy, open atmosphere without ever leaving the loft.
A well-equipped prep kitchen is an essential part of a seamless event, giving your caterer the space to prepare, plate, and serve fresh food on site.
Our full-sized kitchen features beautiful granite countertops, a large granite island, two ovens with stovetops, a commercial refrigerator, and the modern amenities your catering team needs to work comfortably and efficiently.
The kitchen is also designed with flexibility in mind. Keep it open and visible during your event for an interactive experience—perfect for cooking demonstrations—or close it off when you’d prefer to keep the behind-the-scenes work out of sight.
Planning to add a bar to the main space? Our dedicated wet bar gives your bartending team the tools and workspace they need to keep service running smoothly throughout your event.
Tucked behind French doors, our approximately 300-square-foot private suite provides a comfortable space to step away from the action. The room features lounge furniture, a full-length mirror, a sink for makeup touch-ups, and plenty of storage for personal belongings.
The suite is especially popular with wedding parties as a place to get ready, freshen up, and keep personal items tucked away. It can also be used as a fashion show dressing room, private office, storage area, or backstage green room for productions and performances.
Located near the entrance and separate from the main loft, our cocktail lounge gives you an additional space to create a distinct experience within your event.
It’s a natural fit for wedding cocktail hours, a second bar, photo booth, dessert display, or VIP area for fundraisers. For corporate events, it can also serve as a breakout space for smaller meetings or conversations.
The lounge is also home to our coat check, conveniently located near the entrance so guests can easily drop off and retrieve their belongings throughout the event.
““Loft on Lake was the perfect venue for our wedding. The setting was gorgeous and because of its natural urban beauty, required very little additional decoration.” ”
Photo by LoftyWeddings
Loft on Lake is proud to welcome couples of every kind and celebrate love in all its forms.
Our family has a personal connection to the movement for marriage equality. In 2012, the Garrett family participated in the creation of Stand Up for Equality, an initiative that brought professionals together to show their support for marriage equality through open dialogue, positive perspectives, and viral video projects designed to raise awareness.
The campaign was recognized nationally for its bold approach and received two Davey Awards, honoring creative work from smaller agencies.
Illinois took an important step forward in 2013 when marriage equality was signed into law, with marriages beginning in June 2014. Today, we’re proud to celebrate the freedom to marry—and to host weddings where every couple can feel completely at home.
Photo by Emma Petersen Photography
Sustainability is part of how we operate at Loft on Lake—from the materials that give our space its character to the choices we make behind the scenes.
Our building features natural, enduring materials including oak timber ceilings, exposed brick walls, and concrete floors. We use bamboo paper products in our bathrooms, choose environmentally conscious cleaning products whenever possible, and recycle paper, plastic, and metal from every event.
We also offer composting through The Urban Canopy, available to all of our vendors, making it easier to divert food and other compostable materials from the waste stream.
Our expansive 65-foot skylight fills the loft with natural light, reducing the need for electric lighting during daylight hours when the space is not hosting events.
We’ve also been a member of the Sustainable Events Collective (formerly the Chicago Green Wedding Alliance) since 2012, connecting us with a community of event professionals committed to more sustainable practices.
Getting equipment, décor, rentals, and other event essentials in and out of Loft on Lake is easy. Our street-level rear entrance opens to 8 feet wide, providing convenient access for deliveries and event setup.
Schedule your delivery in advance, and when you arrive, simply ring the doorbell at either the front or rear entrance and our team will assist you.
The venue is ADA accessible, making it easy for guests, vendors, and event teams to navigate the space.
Paid street parking is available throughout the neighborhood surrounding Loft on Lake. Many of our guests also choose to arrive by Uber or Lyft.
For guests who prefer to drive, there is a public parking garage at 328 N. Ada Street, approximately a three-minute walk from our front door.
Another nearby option is the garage at 1341 W. Randolph Street, located in the Plumbers Union Building.
We can also provide valet parking recommendations if you'd like to offer valet service for your event.
““We loved the atmosphere and lighting. I think the value was exceptional compared to other similar spaces in the area. Everyone is very flexible and helpful!” ”
Looking for an urban auto showroom or warehouse-style setting? Loft on Lake can accommodate 1–3 vehicles indoors, making the space a distinctive backdrop for automotive events, product launches, focus groups and testing, media events, and auto show after-parties.
Our double-wide, street-level rear doors provide convenient vehicle access directly into the main space, while adjustable spot lighting allows you to highlight each vehicle exactly where you want it.
The combination of exposed brick, timber beams, concrete floors, and industrial details creates a uniquely Chicago backdrop for automotive brands looking for something beyond a traditional showroom.
Loft on Lake began as a photo studio, so we know firsthand what makes a great production space. Our expansive 65-foot skylight fills the loft with beautiful, consistent natural light, while the open floor plan and distinctive architectural details provide a versatile backdrop for photo and video productions.
Need additional production equipment? Grip and Pro gear is available to rent on-site, making it easy to get your production up and running.
Our full-sized kitchen, complete with appliances and prep space, is also well suited for food photography and culinary shoots.
And if you need an experienced studio assistant on set, let us know—we can help connect you with the support you need.
““The space is a loft with a huge beautiful skylight and big wood beams. There is brick and exposed duct work. You can truly transform the space into your vision.” ”
Want to keep things easy? Our in-house Lofty Weddings Photography & Video team knows Loft on Lake inside and out—and knows how to capture it beautifully.
When you book your wedding at Loft on Lake, you’ll have access to special pricing on Lofty Weddings photo and video packages. The team’s relaxed, easy-going approach makes it easy to feel comfortable in front of the camera, while their experience photographing weddings and events means they know how to capture the moments that matter.
From candid moments and personal details to the big celebration, Lofty Weddings is right here to help tell the story of your day.
"They were extremely considerate, flexible, professional and focused on making us happy. In the end, we came away with some beautiful photographs that capture how happy this day was for us and our families, and we are exceedingly grateful to Steve and his team for everything they did for us!" - Miranda
Need professional photography or video for your next event? The Garrett Photographic team brings decades of commercial experience and the technical expertise to handle productions of all sizes—whether your event is at Loft on Lake or somewhere else in Chicago.
From event documentation and professional headshots to branded content and time-lapse videos, the team can tailor the production to your needs. They work with everything from iPhone and DSLR photography to professional cinematic video equipment, allowing them to match the right approach to your project.
Stephen Garrett brings 30+ years of professional commercial photography experience.
Whether you need a single photographer or a full photo and video team, Garrett Photographic can help capture your event and tell your brand’s story.
““We felt that [Steve] had top notch gear and a good eye, and it showed through his photos.””
Loft on Lake gives you the freedom to make the space your own. With architectural character, abundant natural light, and an extensive collection of included lighting, the loft already provides a beautiful foundation for your event.
Add your own décor, florals, furniture, signage, artwork, or personal touches to create something that feels uniquely yours. Keep things simple and let the space speak for itself, or get creative and transform the loft into something entirely different.
No cookie-cutter packages. No required aesthetic. Just a space with character and the freedom to make it your own.
"My husband and I were married at Loft on Lake, and they were so easy to work with. I wanted a DIY wedding and the space allowed us to make it our own. The intimate atmosphere and soft lighting really set the perfect mood. The day couldn't have been more perfect." - Katie
We believe pets are family, too—which is why Loft on Lake has always been a pet-friendly venue.
Want your four-legged family member by your side on your wedding day? Bring them along! We’ve welcomed plenty of couples who have included their dogs in their ceremonies, photos, and celebrations.
We’ve even hosted a dog wedding of our own as a fundraiser for a local animal shelter. So yes, your pup is officially welcome to RSVP.
"Unlike all the other venues we had seen, Joel greeted us with his dog (yes, this venue is dog friendly) and he congratulated us on our engagement! He was so personable and helped us through booking the venue." - Shawna
Our blank canvas, your creative vision!
1366 W Lake St.
Loft on Lake is located on the west end of the Fulton Market District on Lake street near Ogden avenue in the West Loop. The nearest CTA trains are the Green/Pink Line stations between the Morgan stop and Ashland stop. The nearest CTA Bus route is Bus #9 at Ashland & Lake.
“We had so many guests comment on how beautiful and intimate the space was - if you are looking for the perfect loft space in Chicago, this is it!!”
Two parking spots are reserved in our private parking lot for clients. The caterer will have one reserved spot, as well as one spot for band/DJ.
Search PARKING NEAR 1366 W. LAKE ST TO VIEW PAY PARKING OPTIONS.
Street parking is available in the area, there’s also public parking located northeast of the venue at Ada & Fulton St., just a short 3 minute walk to the venue. A new Parking Garage is located at 1341 W Randolph in the Plumber’s Union. Pricing is listed at $4/hr.
If you’d like to provide valet for your guests, VIP Valet and 5 Star Valet are both great options.
Wheelchair accessible parking is located directly in the back of the venue in our private parking lot. Loft on Lake is a fully accessible venue from front door to back door.
Family Owned & Operated
Jill is your day-to-day contact, managing all events and client correspondence.
She is always on hand to help you before, during, and after booking with any questions you may have. She is available to attend vendor meetings as you plan your event and she can also provide day of coordination services to facilitate your event details.
Her event experience began over 15 years ago working events, large & small, in both city & suburbs. Fast forward through several event-related jobs, including hotel catering management, she’s found her permanent home at Loft on Lake.
Jill met her husband, Evan, while attending an event at Loft on Lake in 2013. Six years later they were married in roughly the same spot where they first met! See photos from their 2019 wedding in the LoftyWeddings Photo Gallery.
Jill looks forward to showing everyone what our magical space has to offer!
The building had a vision of its own and soon began to unfold as a welcoming space for so many to launch businesses, products and unions; life changing and transformative opportunities and events. Cher laid the strong foundation for Loft on Lake’s continued success with solid industry relationships, customer service and marketing expertise for our first 10 years.
She previously lead her successful design and branding firm, KGA and has had a strong entrepreneurial presence in the West Loop for 30+ years!
Steve has worked as a commercial photographer in the West Loop since 1990.
As our resident photographer, he leads the Lofty Weddings photography team, as well as his corporate and event photography team Garrett Photographic.
An avid wood-worker, Steve & Evan have built several pieces of furniture that you see in the space, including both of our custom bars!
““The value the staff at Loft on Lake added was far beyond what was anticipated. Their commitment to the success of our event was second to none. I would happily have future receptions or even corporate events in this space.””
Accolades Affiliates & Press
Loft on Lake has become one of Chicago’s premier destinations for any event since our start in 2008. We captured the coveted "Best New Chicago Venue Award" from the event industry forecaster BizBash a year after opening, and the Chicago Events industry so kindly embraced us. We have set the trend and led the way in standards and have offered consistent and exceptional services proven to be the tried and true answer for urbanites seeking the ultimate alternative experience. We've received countless accolades from third parties and stellar reviews on Loft on Lake listings across the web by past clientele.
awards
2022 The Knot “Best of Weddings”
2022 Luxury Wedding Wire Couple’s Choice Award
2020 "Best of 2020" Best Venue on The Wedding Spot
2019 Luxury Travel Guide Winner - Best Urban Event Venue
2019 LUX Life Magazine - Best Wedding & Events Venue
2018 LTG Wedding Awards Shortlisted
2011 - 2017 "People Love Us" on Yelp
2017 "Best Event Venues in the Country" The Salonnaire
2017 "Real Weddings" Feature on 100 Layer Cake
2016 "Best Event Rental Companies Chicago" Expertise
2016 "Best of 2016" Best Venue on The Wedding Spot
2015 Wedding Featured On Style Me Pretty
2014 "Real Weddings" Feature on 100 Layer Cake
2014 Wedding Featured On Style Me Pretty
2013 Wedding Featured On Style Me Pretty
2012 "Best Venue Manager" BizBash Finalist
2012 "Best of Chicago" Award Venue and Event Space
2011 "Best Venue Manager" BizBash Finalist
2009 "Chicago Event Style Awards" BizBash BEST NEW VENUE
