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Often called just "the West Loop," West Loop Gate makes up the north central area of the Near West Side, west of Chicago's Loop. It is bordered by the Kennedy Expressway to the east, Grand Avenue on the north, the Eisenhower Expressway to the south, and Ashland to the west. The neighborhood also extends to the Chicago River south of Madison Street.

A former manufacturing corridor turned art-edgy neighborhood, the area is made up primarily of warehouses that are still in use or have been converted to loft condominiums, "loftominiums," restaurants, night clubs, a growing number of art galleries and some retail. It's also the home of Harpo Studios, owned by well known talk show host Oprah Winfrey, and the production site of her syndicated show.

Chicago Union Station, the city's only remaining intercity rail terminal, is a well known West Loop landmark.