Bridgeport Art Center Wedding

Bridgeport Art Center is a special event space in Chicago. It is located in a historic 100-year-old building, a former Spiegel catalog warehouse. Later on, the building went through a renovation, yet it maintained its characteristic raw urban elegance. 

Under the same building, you will find two different inspiring event venues. The Skyline Loft and the Sculpture Garden. 

While having the same vibe and characteristic charm, these two come with a different set of benefits. The Skyline Loft is the spacious venue on the top of the building, overlooking the city of Chicago. The Sculpture Garden is a picturesque space, a combination of the indoor and an outdoor venue on the ground floor.

Whichever you pick for your special occasion, you’re going to enjoy it. 

So, if you are a couple looking for a unique space, off the beaten path of cliche wedding venues, then Bridgeport Art Center might be for you.

However, Bridgeport Art Center found an even bigger purpose for the community. 

Because of its inspiration and influence on people, it is home to many local artists. This versatile space provides an opportunity for residents to creatively express. Here you will find curated art galleries, open studios, workspaces, and even a fashion design center. 

Bridgeport Art Center is located at 1200 W 35th St, Chicago, Il 60609. Being in the Bridgeport neighborhood, it is well connected with the rest of Chicago and is only 5 miles from the downtown. 

For out of town guests, Bridgeport Art Center is easily accessible from I-90/94 and Lake Shore Drive and is less than 10 minutes from the I-55 Stevenson Expressway.

Guaranteed Rates Field is on 5 minutes, and McCormick Place less than 10 minutes ride. 

In front of the building is a free parking lot with sufficient space for visitors

The decision between these two may be tough. The one has a beautiful panoramic view from the top floor. And the other comes in a package with the courtyard perfect for the wedding ceremony. 

Both of them are equally beautiful and at the end of the day, it’s just a matter of personal preference. Team skyline or team outdoor – which one is yours?

Skyline Loft 

Skyline loft is a big brother on the top floor of the Bridgeport Art Center. As soon as you check-in you will fall in love with the stunning skyline view. 

During the day you are going to enjoy the view. However, you will feel the real beauty during the sunset, followed by the night. Your guests will be hypnotized with a completely different view of Chicago. 

And the best thing – all these can be seen directly from the dining area. That’s what we call dining with the view. 

Skyline loft can accommodate from 100 to 600 sitting guests in 18,000 square feet surface area. For the cocktail parties, a number can go up to 900 people. 

Wooden flooring and exposed beams are offering a rustic and natural feel to this loft space. Because of the natural materials, the ambiance gets as warm as a cottage in a mountain. A hearty feeling of unity – that’s what you get in the package.

The all-season comfort is guaranteed due to the HVAC system.

The room is spacious enough to provide maximum comfort in addition to a big dance floor. 

Usually, we don’t speak about elevators, yet this one deserves a couple of words. Weight cap is so big you could fit a giraffe, rhinoceros or six grand, concert pianos. Although we doubt you’re going to take any of these (except maybe a piano), the elevator is big enough to carry a big part of your wedding guests at once. 

And the story doesn’t end there. While you’re on a way to the top floor, you can enjoy sipping a cocktail from a fully stocked bar. Yes, there is a bar in the elevator. And a chandelier as well. 

Regarding the other amenities, a comprehensive catering kitchen is available at the venue. Also, the coat check, recycling, and unique draping are none of your worries. Everything will be provided on-site. 

Sculpture Garden

Sculpture Garden represents a little charming sister. In the shadow of the Skyline Loft, yet pleasant and loveable. 

An attractive sculpture garden can fit up to 550 dinner guests or 900 for cocktail parties. The total surface area is 12,000 square feet inside and 6,000 square feet outside.

It is situated on the ground floor and comes in a package with indoor as well as the outdoor space. Although capacity is a bit smaller than Skyline Loft‘s, there are more combinations to get creative. The favorite one for most couples is to have a wedding ceremony outside and to continue with the reception inside. 

The courtyard’s charm lays in bricked walls and partially covered roof. Local artists‘ sculptures are enhancing the whole outdoor space. 

If you are willing to make any customization, there is a wide variety of possibilities. The courtyard can be modified in terms of furniture and fixtures to match your personal needs. 

The inside is in the same natural and cozy style. 12-foot wood-beamed ceilings are dominating throughout the room. Floor to ceiling French doors are opening up the way to the sculpture garden gallery. 

The good thing about the indoor space is that it requires minimal additional decor. The reception area is built in a way it doesn’t require extravagant improvements. It is beautiful as is. And when talking about wedding planning, it’s always good to save a couple of bucks wherever possible. 

Tables are organized evenly on either side of the room, and the middle is reserved for a dance floor and the band or a DJ.

The whole place is arranged in detail and built to perfection. Even the bathrooms are artistically designed. What else to say?

There are also the bride and groom suites for mandatory privacy in some cases and a place to put your personal belongings.

The same as for the Skyline Loft, a comprehensive catering kitchen is on-site. Also, it includes the taupe draping, on-site recycling, and coat check.

The downside of the sculpture garden is within the total size of the venue. If the guest count reaches the maximum capacity, the place may feel too crowded. Also, the dance floor may look a little awkward in that case. 

Couples may also be skeptical about the idea of having more than one wedding at the same place. However, this has been handled well by far. The Skyline Loft is on the top, and Sculpture Garden is on the ground floor, therefore they are well isolated. There will be no situation where you will feel the presence of another wedding.