MCA Warehouse

I went recently for the Gilt City Warehouse. This is probably the perfect place to whole such a large event because it’s huge! So big that if I didn’t receive directions I might of gotten lost. Another positive is we were able to find free parking. I think at event spaces that is a major bonus.

Went last night for the Chicago Fire’s annual White Party fundraiser, and I have to say that it is a nice space! Interesting and different, and could be changed into whatever theme you are looking for.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from the MCA Warehouse… my first impression was about the easy parking (yay!)! One note, though, I’m guessing cabs are not plentiful at night here based upon the 6 people negotiating one of them when I was there. If you were going to have an event, you may have to have some cabs set up.
I’ve been to a few warehouse events at other spots, and I have to say that the MCA Warehouse is one of the coolest. I loved the exposed brick and interesting internal architecture. I realize that ‘warehouse architecture’ isn’t necessarily a type of architecture, but some of these old buildings are just fantastic!
The space is good for a party, very open and with interesting lighting. I like the space, and the different rooms, so this spot can definitely hold varied group sizes.
The one thing I didn’t like was the bathroom… it felt like I was at a Cubs game! For a fancier event, that would have annoyed me more, but it was workable for the one I was attending.
A good spot, unique and interesting.

Here for the Gilt sale.

I have spent a good deal of time on the West Side, particularly in this west-​of-​the-​west-​loop-​south-​of-​ukie-​village-​what-​is-​this-​neighborhood? neighborhood. I like it. There are good eats (Uncle Mike’s), cool spots (Salvage One) and new finds (this). Like others, I ‘discovered’ this locale during the Chicago Food Film Fest. I was impressed.
My favorite aspect about the space is all the nooks and crannies to discover. As folks have undoubtedly realized, I am a big fan of event spaces that require the guest to engage the space and find out what it’s all about. An art storage gallery that doubles as a film fest locale, certainly fits that bill. Not for nothing, it could also easily double as the locale for a horror film. It has that desolate, sorta spooky, why-​are-​you-​in-​that-​building-​at-​night? feel that is common before someone gets hacked up. So, yeah. Great event space.
I’m serious.
It doesn’t have the bells and whistles of some similar spots, but it shouldn’t. It’s storage. It’s a completely blank canvas that takes on the life and look of its host… I realize that I just sort of described a parasite. This review is not going well, is it? Hmm. Okay. Got it. High ceilings, hidden treasure art, batcave appeal (score, Michael W!!), exposed beams, lots of brick, rooms with echos, cool views outside of the windows, great location, and insider appeal — these are all pluses of the MCA Warehouse.
Better, right?

Like Michael W. below, I came here for the first annual Chicago Food Film Festival (a great festival, btw!), and agree it should be used for the next Unilocal event!
First of all, who among us in Chicago can say we don’t love lofty old buildings? NONE OF US! (Or at least I assume, since we all pay rent in old neighborhoods with old homes…)
It’s a great space, with separation of rooms (I think four in the upstairs area?) which is great for event planning. Also, there’s a nice view eastward of the Chicago skyline, an added plus!
Also, I never new this was how artwork was stored. VERY cool, and nice that we were able to catch a small glimpse into previously showcased artwork :)

Never even heard of this spot before the recent inaugral Chicago Food & Film Festival last month.
Wow. This has to be the setting for the next Unilocal!Winter «Whatever.»
It’s like a winding cave where you’d expect to be greeted by Bruce Wayne to get a glimpse of his private art collection. Instead, way behind the glass are archived works from the Museum of Contemporary Art.
Oh yeah, it’s a heck of a place to have a party too.
The two-​day Chicago Food & Film Festival was awesome with great beer & wine samples, along with top notch docs on hamburgers, micro-​brewing and small scale farming in America.
I could definitely see coming back here for a wilder party or an upscale soirée. This is a hidden gem in a city seemingly full of them.

You ever wonder where all the artwork is stored for the MCA after an exhibit? This building doubles as a performance place you can rent for a party and a storing house for art work. The warehouse is designed just as well as the museum itself! I was there for a Tanqueray event and man, they did it up reallllllllllllllll nice in there, it was like a maze to get to the room and there is a long hallway on your way with a slit of glass so you can see all the careful storage and process of shipping and properly storing artwork. The space is open, and is basically a blank canvas if you have a massive event in mind. It is definately a pretty hip place to be as I felt like I was at some secret party at some hipsters massive well designed loft.
I saw Tony Sinclair there… he is hella short.