In nearly 20th century, Chicago was the meat-packing capital of the country.

They called it the hog butcher for the world, and in Upton St. Clair's book The Jungle,

which is all about these factories in Chicago, he wrote things that were quite unspeakable

went on there in the packing houses all the time, and were taken for granted by everybody.

Today, most of those meat-packing facilities have been shut down, and many of the old

buildings have been turned into condos and storage facilities, but on Chicago's south side,

there is one former meat-packing plant that is taken on a new purpose, even a redemption

of sorts.

I'm Dylan Thurus, and this is Atlas Obscura, a celebration of the world's strange, incredible,

and wondrous places.

Today, we're going to the plant, where people are working together to create a new kind

of industrial space, and Chicago's post-industrial remains.

More after this.

My name is John Adel, and I'm the founder and director of bubbly dynamics and the plant.

John Adel was born in Rogers Park on the north side of Chicago, and growing up, he was

really drawn to Chicago's rich industrial history.

I've always been fascinated by railroads and steelmaking and meat-packing these giant

heavy industries.

As a teenager, John's curiosity about the city led him on some pretty cool adventures

through Chicago.

I was able to explore industrial areas and along railroad tracks along the canals that

are here.

...