FULTON MARKET THEN + NOW

Chicago’s Fulton Market District (also historically referred to as Fulton River District) is one of the city’s most flourishing neighborhoods for eaters and drinkers. It’s a pot of gold for Chicago’s prime time hospitality companies who are staking out ground for conceptual menus and slick interiors. After doing metal fab work for some of Chicago's best restaurants and bars including El Che Bar, Estereo, and Bad Hunter, we're always on the up and up for exciting moves in the hospitality industry.

The budding of Fulton Market derives from a history that began around 1850 when large quantities of livestock and produce were being imported into wholesale markets to supply the grocery and culinary industries of Chicago. The hub then developed into a packing industry for what is one of Chicago’s finest moments, meat.

THE RANDOLPH STREET MARKET HALL 1850

Following the industry boom were the famous open air markets that brought in civilian activity and contributed to the beginning of the presently flourishing restaurant industry. As the American manufacturing industry declined, more real estate opened up for investors and restaurant entrepreneurs to buy in and secure a spot in the neighborhood that now houses some of Chicago's finest.

In any progressive culinary city, food and design go hand in hand. The aesthetic experience serves as equal importance to the food and drink.

FULTON OPEN AIR MARKET 1941

How does design develop throughout history and incorporate its historical and geographical roots? How does the staple that is Chicago architecture and design affect the aesthetic experience of some of Chicago's best restaurants like Au Cheval and Momotaro? We've highlighted some of our favorite Fulton Market restaurants that we look to for cutting edge hospitality design in this historically rich melting pot.

AU CHEVAL

THE PUBLICAN

HONEY'S

MOMOTARO

SWIFT AND SONS

GREEN STREET MEATS

BAD HUNTER

1878 design for an unbuilt market hall improvement on W. Randolph St., F. M. Whitehouse, architect. Illustrated in: American Architect and Architecture, vol. III., January - June, 1878, no. 109. Boston : Houghton, Osgood & Co., 1878.

SITING: https://www.cityofchicago.org/content/dam/city/depts/zlup/Historic_Preservation/Publications/Fulton_Randolph_Market_District_Prelim_Sum.pdf

In any progressive culinary city, food and design go hand in hand. The aesthetic experience serves as equal importance to the food and drink.