Curbed Cup 1st round: (3) Uptown vs. (14) South Loop

The Curbed Cup, our annual award for the Chicago neighborhood of the year, is kicking off with 16 areas vying for the prestigious (fake) trophy. This week we'll have two matchups per day, and all the results and the full tournament bracket will be reviewed on Friday. Voting for each pairing ends 24 hours after it begins. Let the eliminations commence!

Uptown

Similar to the last few years, this anchor of Chicago’s Far North Side has continued to evolve and see new development in 2016. Notable projects include the reopening of art deco-era Lawrence House as a new apartment complex, the opening of the Argyle shared street, and the pending redevelopment of the old Cuneo Memorial Hospital/Maryville Academy campus. A number of developers have proposed new transit-oriented developments for the neighborhood, meanwhile discussion continues on a possible landmark district to help expedite the restoration of the Uptown Theatre.

Uptown has long been a formidable Curbed Cup challenger. The neighborhood took the big win back in 2010 and 2011—will 2016 be the year that Uptown reclaims the throne?

South Loop

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This downtown neighborhood is poised to become one of the architectural centers of Chicago. While the South Loop witnessed a slew of new construction during the condo boom of the 2000s, the neighborhood is currently on track to see more new construction of any other area in Chicago if all pending projects and plans for mega developments move forward. While construction work continued around McCormick Place, the South Loop witnessed a major groundbreaking on the 3,600-unit Riverline mega-development. Meanwhile, details continue to emerge regarding another South Loop mega-development and the area prepares for the construction starts on other high-profile high-rise projects. And lest we forget about the failed Lucas Museum of Narrative Art plan for the Museum Campus.

But now, the decision is in your hands: Which area should advance? Cast your vote below, and may the best neighborhood win.

• All Curbed Cup coverage [Curbed Chicago]