Bridgeport Art Center | Spotlight
Discover the Bridgeport Art Center, a dynamic artistic hub that fosters creativity across various art forms, making it an ideal choice for any style of private event. Housing two exquisite venues, one on the ground floor with a captivating sculpture garden and the other on the fifth floor offering panoramic skyline views, the Bridgeport Art Center is a unique canvas for your special day.
Photo Credit: This is Feeling
The Spaces
The Sculpture Garden
Immerse your guests in a blend of raw urban elegance and timeless charm. With its timber loft construction, exposed brick, and oversized windows, the 12,000 SF indoor and 4,500 SF outdoor Sculpture Garden provides a versatile setting. Hosting an outdoor ceremony is seamless in any weather with a covered awning and crystal and metal orb chandeliers, outdoor gas heaters, and beautiful topiary graced archways.
Couples have the option of an indoor or outdoor cocktail arrangements, and a spacious reception, it accommodates large live bands or a full DJ setup. The entryway projector and video-mapping walls are always a delight, but this space also features built-in uplighting around the reception hall.
Photo Credit: Frankie Isabel Photography
Skyline Loft
Elevate your celebration with sweeping skyline views in the 18,000 SF Skyline Loft. This space, divisible for various event sizes with a seating capacity of over 500, offers a memorable journey to the fifth floor on a vintage elevator. But don’t worry, this historic elevator comes with it’s own attendant so you don’t have to worry about how it works!!
Featuring wood floors, exposed beams, and enormous skylights, the Skyline Loft creates a unique ambiance as day transitions into night. The antique elevator doors open to a double-height ceiling, providing the perfect canvas for personalized touches like hanging chandeliers, crisscrossing greenery, clusters of disco balls, or event all of the above!
Photo Credit: J Brown Photography
Venue Features
Beautiful Building Amenities
The entire Bridgeport Art Center boasts solid hardwood floors, exposed brick walls, unique elevators, and original metal doors throughout. Soaring wood-beamed ceilings and exposed ductwork add character, while artistically designed bathrooms with custom artwork and floor-to-ceiling French doors contribute to the venue's aesthetic appeal. No matter which venue you select, you’ll have access to their in-house French country farm chairs and 66” round tables. They also have a collection of rectangular tables and farm tables for use!
In-House Drapery
Enhance your event with the venue's collection of taupe drapery, offering the flexibility to create distinct room sections for cocktail hour and the reception. Couples can also bring their own drapery to add layers and depth, allowing for creative lighting arrangements.
Photo Credit: This is Feeling
Free Parking
Enjoy the convenience of an enormous parking lot for guests and vendors, a rarity among Chicago event venues. VIP vehicles and buses also have easy access to both venue entrances from the street and parking lots.
Easy Vendor Load-in and Elevators
Streamline your event preparations with a central loading dock and elevator bank, ensuring a seamless experience for vendors. No stairs to navigate – even the jazz band can roll in effortlessly.
Photo Credit: This is Feeling
Catering Kitchen
Both floors feature a comprehensive catering kitchen with on-site recycling, providing a practical space for catering teams and dessert vendors to collaborate seamlessly. The catering team will also store and place all of your dining tables and chairs from the storage areas within the kitchen.
Bride & Groom Suites
Prepare for your big day in style with private suites adorned with custom artwork and unique furniture. These dedicated spaces offer a perfect retreat for the wedding party before and after the ceremony.
Coat Check
During cooler months, built-in coat check areas ensure your guests' comfort. Coordinate with your catering team to provide this service throughout the night or during specific intervals.
Photo Credit: J Brown Photography
Lounge Furniture
Both spaces offer certain lounge furniture options already in place! But the BAC has excellent partners with other vendors such as Chicago’s very own Art of Imagination that can supply beautiful installations to support your aesthetic needs! Let us know if you need more information.
Our Favorite Feature: Versatility
The Bridgeport Art Center spaces stand out for their versatility, offering a blank canvas for crafting truly original events. Each celebration designed in this space is a one-of-a-kind reflection of our couples and their unique preferences. Contact us to learn more and schedule a personal tour to witness the charm of the Bridgeport Art Center for yourself.
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Contact Information
Address: 1200 W 35th St, Chicago, IL 60609
Phone: 773.843.9000
Website: https://www.bridgeportart.com/
Email: events@bridgeportart.com
Capacity: Sculpture Garden 300+ & Skyline Loft 500+