A day at the office could look different in coming months in Chicago as the city offers remote workspaces at destinations such as Navy Pier in the latest effort by the city and others throughout the country to increase downtown crowds.
The city this week unveiled its “Work From Summertime Chi” initiative, with hundreds of office workers expected to set up Wednesday within the Navy Pier tourist attraction on Lake Michigan. Over the next three months, there will be free coworking days within other civic spaces, such as the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Chicago Cultural Center.
Chances to work in areas better known for tourism and the arts are the latest moves made by city officials to try to overcome persisting remote and hybrid work schedules, reducing the number of people in and around the Loop business district since the beginning of the pandemic in early 2020.
Previous initiatives in Chicago have included street closings for dining and special events. In 2022, owners of some of the city’s best-known skyscrapers offered live music, dancing, art, outdoor yoga and other activities during what was dubbed “Chicago Returns Week.”
Efforts in other cities include Washington, D.C.’s recent “Be Downtown Specials,” with many businesses offering free cups of coffee and food and drink discounts. Last year, flexible workspace giant IWG offered free access to spaces in seven U.S. markets during Bike to Work Week.
Chicago’s latest economic impact effort is led by P33, a civic-corporate partnership promoting the growth of the city’s technology sector; the Choose Chicago tourism department; and the World Business Chicago economic development agency.
More venues will be announced through the spring and summer, with the initiative running through August.
The Navy Pier event Wednesday included work areas set up within the Offshore Rooftop, Bar Sol and Windy City Ribs.
Tech incubator 1871 and coworking firm Workbox will offer free days as part of the campaign, while WeWork and healthcare incubator Matter will provide paid spaces connected to “Work from Summertime Chi” special events and promotions.
Downtown Chicago has almost 149 million square feet of space combined, according to real estate brokerage CBRE. Only New York’s Manhattan, which has well over 400 million square feet, has more downtown office space among U.S. markets.