(Above) A Chicago Loop Alliance “Sundays on State” event in 2023. Photo by Sean Su.

By Steven Dahlman

Jul. 29, 2025 – Led by rising office occupancy and more people attending art and cultural events, downtown Chicago caught a “significant rebound” in the second quarter of 2025, according to the organization working to attract people and investment to the Loop.

Chicago Loop Alliance says, April through June, there was “a strong recovery” in arts and cultural attendance and tourism. The 1.16 million visitors to cultural institutions in the Loop was an 18 percent increase from the same period in 2024 and had an economic impact of $315 million.

Office occupancy was 56 percent, among the highest rates in the United States, according to CLA’s “State of the Loop” report.

“The Loop is in a strong position to continue our success as a destination for corporate investment, leisure, and business tourism, and an attractive place to live,” said Michael Edwards (left), President/CEO of Chicago Loop Alliance.

“Office and hotel occupancy continued to increase in Q2, signaling that workers and visitors alike are back in the Loop. Exciting events and continued investment in business and residential development will keep the Loop vibrant as the summer continues,” said Edwards.

19.6 million people walked along State Street between Wacker Drive and Ida B. Wells Drive, averaging 96 percent of pre-pandemic levels. Pedestrian traffic on weekends, however, averaged 107 percent.

The most foot traffic on State Street during the second quarter was at the intersection of State & Washington.