Chicago’s popular wndr museum, located on West Monroe Street, is set to grow its footprint in the West Loop neighborhood. Originating as a beloved Instagram-friendly pop-up two years ago, the museum is now adapting and expanding its physical space to better serve visitors and create new experiences in a post-pandemic world.
Museum officials announced plans at a recent virtual community meeting to extend the wndr museum, currently situated at 1130 W. Monroe St., into the adjacent building at 1144 W. Monroe. This expansion aims to create a more comprehensive “campus for curious and creative Chicagoans,” according to Nora Daley of the wndr museum. The proposed combined space will introduce additional art galleries, dedicated studios for virtual content production, enhanced visitor amenities including new restrooms, a catering kitchen, and a publicly accessible cafe. The cafe is envisioned to feature food and beverages sourced from local restaurants and small businesses, further embedding the museum within the West Loop community.
The expansion project also outlines the development of hands-on labs and maker spaces, alongside a 300-seat theater. This theater is intended to function as a lecture venue in partnership with Chicago Ideas, adding an educational dimension to the wndr museum experience. However, Daley noted that these improvements, particularly the theater and hands-on spaces, are temporarily paused as the wndr museum, like other cultural institutions, navigates the ongoing uncertainties of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Due to the pandemic, everything is going to be in a virtual space for the near future,” Daley explained. “The wndr museum is an immersive experience with a lot of touch and interactivity. So we have remained closed since March as we try to reimagine what the wndr museum experience will be when we reopen.” This reimagining and expansion is partly a response to the need to adapt the museum experience for a changed world.
Rendering of the expanded Wndr Museum at 1130 and 1144 W. Monroe St Chicago, showing cross-section of combined buildings.
The wndr museum is collaborating with Chicago-based architecture firm Harley Ellis Devereaux to renovate the interiors of both buildings. While designs are not yet finalized, Daley confirmed that the museum will maintain its timed ticket entry system, limiting guest capacity to 50 per hour, in accordance with current city and state guidelines. The existing height and density of the buildings on Monroe Street will be preserved. However, the museum is seeking a zoning change to waive on-site parking requirements, which under current zoning would necessitate 51 parking spaces.
Zoning attorney Mara Georges addressed neighborhood concerns that the requested zoning change could pave the way for larger future developments. Georges clarified at the meeting that the museum is seeking a “Type 1 rezoning,” which would legally restrict development to the exact plans submitted with the ordinance, ensuring no further expansion beyond the current proposal.
Despite these assurances, some local residents voiced concerns. Parking was a primary issue, with residents also recalling past challenges related to traffic congestion from visitor drop-offs and pick-ups, and sidewalk crowding around the wndr museum. Tim and Eileen Richardson, Monroe Street residents, expressed apprehension about the expanded space potentially being used for large private events like weddings, fearing it could disrupt the residential quality of life in the area.
Daley stated that the museum team had anticipated parking concerns and has engaged a valet operator and partnered with SpotHero to provide parking solutions. In response to event concerns, some residents suggested a plan of operation agreement with the city. This agreement could establish specific operational parameters, such as hours and delivery schedules, with potential permit revocation as an enforcement mechanism.
Carla Agostinelli, executive director of the West Loop Community Organization, acknowledged the community’s feedback and stated that her organization plans to review the proposal in detail. The West Loop Community Organization co-hosted the meeting with the 25th Ward Zoning Advisory Board.
Wndr museum leadership indicated they will continue community engagement. Residents of the 25th Ward can also submit feedback to Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez and the 25th Ward Zoning Advisory Board through an online feedback form. The wndr museum team did not provide a definitive timeline for city approval, construction commencement, or the public unveiling of the expanded wndr museum West Monroe Street Chicago location, citing the ongoing impact of COVID-19 as a factor creating uncertainty. “Everything is up in the air right now because of COVID,” Daley reiterated.
The wndr museum initially opened in fall 2018 as a temporary exhibit, notably featuring Yayoi Kusama’s “infinity room.” Due to its popularity, in spring 2019, the West Loop attraction announced its transition to a permanent institution, becoming an “ongoing fixture” within Chicago’s vibrant cultural landscape.
