17-Oct-22 – More workers are back in the office in the Loop, according to a new report on downtown activity by Chicago Loop Alliance. The membership organization, tasked with attracting people to the Loop and accelerating its economic recovery, says during the week of September 26, office occupancy was the highest it’s been since July 2020.

After a strong summer, hotel occupancy dipped in September, according to the report, as did number of pedestrians, as summer tourism wound down.

“The summer’s end is always bittersweet, but we look forward to the change in both season and energy in Chicago,” said Michael Edwards (left), President/CEO of Chicago Loop Alliance. “While business travel, which is typically a large driver for hotels and pedestrian activity in the fall, continues to make a slower return, the Loop is shifting towards other aspects of a dynamic area.”

“The new theater season, alluring exhibitions at local arts institutions like The Art Institute of Chicago, growth in the residential landscape, and a moderate introduction of new retail is shaping a downtown experience that will be more resilient,” said Edwards.

CLA says it expects pedestrian activity in the next few months to “ebb and flow” – and says hotel occupancy could “stagnate” – but pick up over the holidays.

Despite the dip in September, hotel occupancy in the Loop has improved 48 percent since last year at this time, according to CLA.