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AMENITIES
Urban elegance meets industrial chic at The Zephyr, Chicago’s newly renovated loft venue on Motor Row. Housed inside a historical landmark building that was once home to Ford Motor Company, we made a point to leave all of the original timber loft charm intact while bringing the space up to snuff for 21st-century events. And then we oh-so-sophisticatedly layered in all the automation you could ask for in terms of efficiency and impact. Because at The Zephyr, turning moments into memories that will last a lifetime is our top priority.
Weddings Whether your vibe is farmhouse rustic or sleek and modern, The Zephyr can make your dream day a reality. And with more than $15K in amenities/rentals included and five hotels located around the corner, we can take the pressure out of the planning process.
Corporate From summit meetings and product launches to team-building breakouts, The Zephyr offers up to 6,500 sq. ft. of event space that can be customized for optimum performance. Ask us about our sustainable catering partnerships for fueling the creativity.
Social Birthday parties, birthday parties for your dog, gender reveals, baby showers, bar/bat-mitzvahs, milestone anniversaries, fashion shows, art shows, vendor markets, and more… the sky’s the limit at The Zephyr. Just leave the logistics (and the twinkles lights) to us.
Galas There’s nothing we love more than pulling off a spectacular event in support of a non-profit that gives back to our community. With myriad amenities included, we’re here to raise the bar on engagement and impact—and creating an experience your guests will never forget.
hardwood floors
15-foot ceilings
large skylights
BYOB friendly
open photobooth
MCM lounge scapes
coat check*
exposed brick walls
cafe string lights
passenger elevator
door person
catering prep space
programmable lights
unobstructed floorplan
(200) premium chairs
(25) "farm" square tables
(10) highboys
(10) black linens
(10) 6-ft tables
(10) 6-ft black linens
onsite couples lounge
parking lot available
Wifi options
flexible load in/out
PRICING
Saturday
$7000
* Off-Season $5000
Friday
$6000
*Off-Season $4000
Sun-Thurs
$500/hr*
* 5-Hour Minimum
We now offer Micro-Weddings
which can include Catering, BYOB or Beverage Package, Staffing, Day of Coordinator, Floral, Venue, and Rentals starting at $100pp.
Special Summer Discounts! Ask your salesperson.
Contact us for a virtual tour where we can answer your questions and give you a custom estimate.
GETTING HERE
TRANSPORTATION
The Zephyr is situated right on Michigan Avenue one block west of McCormick Place, less than two blocks east of the Cermak-McCormick Place Green Line or three blocks east of the Cermak-Chinatown Red Line. We are also just steps away from the #3 bus stop or two blocks north of the Steveson Expressway.
Check out this blog post on parking in the area. We also offer limited reserved parking or valet with notice.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Multiple 3 & 4-Star Hotels within walking distance.
Marriot Marquis
2121 S Prairie Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
Jannae Capozzoli
(847) 318-1180
Hampton Inn McCormick Place
123 E Cermak Rd Suite 100, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 528-0122
Hyatt Regency McCormick Place
2233 S Martin Luther King Dr, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 567-1234
Hilton Garden Inn McCormick Place
123 E Cermak Rd Suite 300, Chicago, IL 60616
Pierce Baron
312.363.1206
The Wheeler Mansion
2020 S Calumet Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 945-2020
Jaslin Hotel
261 W Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 566-4777
HISTORY
Chicago’s Motor Row was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 18, 2002. Now dubbed The Motor Row District, it’s comprised of 55 buildings that have been given official landmark status by the Commission on Chicago Landmarks. This hyper-historical grouping of commercial buildings on Chicago’s Near South Side is considered to be the largest, intact, early “automobile row” in the United States—and The Zephyr sits right at its center.
At the turn of the century, auto rows began popping up in numerous American cities as car companies sought to create districts where the sale and repair of cars could become an easy urban shopping experience—as efficient as buying a dress from Marshall Field’s or, say, a box of chocolates from Margie’s Candies. At its peak, as many as 116 different makes of automobiles were being sold on Chicago’s Motor Row. Some are familiar today, including Ford, Buick, Fiat and Cadillac, while others are better known by historians and old-car buffs, like the Hudson, Locomobile, Marmon and Pierce-Arrow.
One of the first American cars was sold from our venue by the Haynes-Apperson Company. But when the Depression hit Haynes-Apperson hard, Lincoln bought the building with funding from Ford Motor Company under the stewardship of Edsel Ford. It was in 1936 that Lincoln rolled out the Zephyr, a shining example of streamlined design from the mind of Eugene Turenne Gregorie. This monumental car inspired the conception of what is now The Zephyr, a premier industrial-chic event space located at the epicenter of history in Chicago’s South Loop.
Today, Motor Row is part of a rapidly growing retail and entertainment neighborhood within Chicago. And while some of its historic buildings have been replaced by high-rises, many of its older structures, including this building at 2229 S. Michigan Ave., have been restored to their former splendor.
