The Plant

We're excited to announce that we've received a Designing a Better Chicago Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Built Environment Grant from the Design Museum of Chicago for our energy visualization work with DePaul University's SPARK Center!

Our project transforms invisible waste heat into a tracked, managed resource at The Plant. Through deploying a sensor network, this project includes a real-time open-source "digital twin” of the building that visualizes real-time energy flows, while using this data to inform a heat pump system that will redistribute, consume, and store waste heat throughout the building.

The grant for this project will allow us to complete the public-facing component of the project, including an online model and an interactive lobby display that will allow anyone to see the digital twin's real-time temperature flows at The Plant. Our model is nearing completion, stay tuned for updates!

Been meaning to stop by The Plant? Make a day out of visiting this summer! We've extended the hours of the Packingtown Museum to include Sundays.

Come by to learn more about the industrial history and cultural heritage of Chicago’s Union Stock Yard and surrounding neighborhoods, providing thoughtful historical lessons that mirror modern issues.

The Vegan Museum is back in The Plant's lobby for a three-month residency. Stop by to learn about the history of veganism and vegetarianism!

Visit Whiskey Row Café, a popup coffee and sandwich shop on Sundays in the lobby of The Plant! The Packingtown Museum will also be open during café hours, stop by their grand opening this Sunday, make a day of it!

Welcome Little Press to The Plant! Little Press is a small-batch Chicago coffee roaster. The name Little Press is inspired by the owner Dylan's graphic design background and the small scale of the operation. Beans are roasted and delivered by bicycle by Dylan across Chicago, rain or shine!

Check out Bike a Bee in the news! After a massive number of bees swarmed a front yard in minutes, Jana came to the rescue to save the colony and educate residents on bee behavior, creating an unforgettable experience for the neighborhood. Click the link here to read the full story: https://bit.ly/3Qh4V2H

Join Farm Sanctuary for their 40th Anniversary Celebration on Sat. June 6. Enjoy a special discussion with Farm Sanctuary President and Co-Founder, Gene Baur. Eats and drinks will include vegan hot dogs from Upton’s Naturals (a nod to Farm Sanctuary’s early days selling meatless hot dogs at Grateful Dead concerts), along with a variety of delicious plant-based bites from Meet Stop by SteMartaen! Grab your tickets at this link: https://bit.ly/3PF2s1W

A public tour of The Plant will also be offered, visit insidetheplant.com for tickets.

In one week! Tour offering for The Plant, click the link below for tickets!
https://bit.ly/4dEYVK4

Major cleaning operations underway on our first floor! Exciting new tenants are moving in, stay tuned for updates!

Need space for your food business? South Side Cellars is a shared space with flexible lease terms at The Plant for your prep, storage, or other food production needs.

Interested? Email us at [email protected]

We're excited to share that Lindsey's Ice Cream has expanded into The Plant! The weather will be summer-like next week, so stop by and pick up a pint of Hong Kong Milk Tea or Peachy Lychee Sugar Cookie, available at the Turtle Stop!