The Salt Shed: History Behind The New Chicago Venue

Written by Vocalo Radio on March 10, 2022

^{Featured image courtesy of Blue Star Properties and 16 On Center, via WBEZ.}

Chicago has a rich history when it comes to music venues – The Chicago Theater, The Green Mill, Thalia Hall, to name a few. This summer, the Salt Shed will be added to the list. This new live music hotspot is situated in a surprising Chicago architectural icon: the Morton Salt building. Located on N Elston Avenue, most Chicagoans probably know this landmark from the gigantic “Morton Salt” sign on its metal roof, which can be seen from the 94.

^{Image via WBEZ. Paul Beaty / Associated Press}

The site is being converted into a multi-use development for concerts, office space and research and development. It’s a hotbed of Chicago history, and our friends over at Curious City have already gone in-depth on a February podcast episode about the company’s founder, Joy Morton, and how the building earned its legendary status.

The venue already has eight shows scheduled beginning Aug. 3 including Jorja Smith, Mt. Joy (no relation to Joy Morton), Lord Huron , Fleet Foxes, Andrew Bird and more. With so much care put into retaining the warehouse’s iconic features, it’s sure to be a sight to behold for concertgoers — even though shows will take place outdoors and not inside the actual building.

Listen to the Feb. 25 episode of Curious City about the Morton Salt building below.