A spin-off of “Chicago Fire,” “Chicago P.D.” is a police procedural drama that centers on the fictional District 21 of the Chicago Police Department. There are two separate divisions within the police department: the Intelligence Unit, which investigates organized crime, drug cartels, and similar issues, and the uniformed policemen who patrol the streets and deal with minor crimes.
Dick Wolf and Matt Olmstead created the series, which has drawn mixed reviews from critics who were unimpressed by the elements common to Wolf’s work in “Miami Vice” and “Law & Order.” On the other hand, most people have praised the representation of powerful female characters.
Some of you could identify different locations in Chicago and wonder if the city is where the film was shot. Here’s what we do know, though!
Filming Locations of Chicago P.D.
The reason you may recognize some of the city’s landmarks is that the movie was shot in various locations throughout Chicago. Let’s examine a few of the particular sites!
Chicago, Illinois
According to TheCinemaHolic, Typically, “Chicago P.D.” is shot at the 1.45 million square foot Cinespace Chicago Film Studios, which is situated at 2621 West 15th Place in Chicago. The studio is a suitable option for filmmaking because it has 32 soundproof stages and sophisticated storage, set creation, production offices, and parking amenities. The largest independent studio outside of Hollywood, L.A., is located on what was once the Ryerson Steel Company.
Months after production had been halted due to coronavirus, the crew began filming season 8 in the first week of October 2020. Prior to the cameras rolling again, all health and safety regulations were met. Additionally, scenes are shot at the Damen Silos, which the series refers to as Voight’s silos. 2700 South Damen Avenue is the address. Urban graffiti artists have revitalized these run-down buildings, which were formerly grain elevators.
The Pilsen district, particularly the area surrounding 18th Street, is frequently featured in the series. The University of Illinois Police Headquarters, located at 943 West Maxwell Street, is the location of the fictional District 21. The building is nearly half a mile from the firehouse that appears in “Chicago Fire,” and since it is a working police station, sequences are only shot from the outside.
Because of its striking architecture, the University of Illinois in Chicago frequently features on screen and throughout the series. The protagonists frequently visit a few neighborhood bars and eateries throughout the city, which are also used as filming locations.
These include Lou Mitchell’s, Bridgeport Restaurant, The Village Inn, the Original Ferrara Bakery, and White Palace Grill, located at 1159 South Canal Street. The series’ Molly’s Bar is actually Bucktown’s Lottie’s Pub, where filming is no longer done.
Which Famous Chicago Sites Have Been Spotted on Chicago P.d.?
“While the show has shot some beautiful Chicago landmarks — Tribune Tower, Union Station, Cloud Gate, Museum of Science and Industry, Lincoln Park— some of my favorite locations have been an abandoned L station, the ‘Capone’ tunnels under The Green Mill, the magnificent lobby at the abandoned Uptown Theatre, and various L train tunnels,” Van Horn stated to NBC Insider.
However, the cast of Chicago P.D. has previously shot in some of the city’s most famous spots. Van Horn is a huge thinker, and NBC Insider was eager to find out the direction they would take in upcoming episodes.
“A wishlist for our show would include places we probably could never get into,” Van Horn stated. “Like the water intake towers off the shore of Lake Michigan, the network of underground tunnels near the Chicago River, or the Marine Unit at Navy Pier.”
Where Does Chicago P.d. Molly’s Pub Film?
Molly’s was based on and first filmed at Lottie’s Pub, a real-life Bucktown hangout. However, the producers reproduced Lottie’s distinct charm at a stage set at Cinespace Studios after the One Chicago pub became a popular local tourist destination.
On the program, Chicago Firefighters Randall “Mouch” McHolland (Christian Stolte) and Christopher Herrmann (David Eigenberg) own and run Molly’s with the help of P.D.’s Trudy Platt (Amy Morton), who is McHolland’s wife. With its Midwest charm, string lights, and reasonably priced pints, the tavern pays homage to the numerous neighborhood eateries that dot the Windy City. Known for its lively playlists and open mic nights, Lottie’s is still a popular neighborhood hangout.
However, in order to ensure authenticity, several One Chicago scenes at Molly’s necessitate a visit to the local institution. Demetra Diamantopoulos, a producer for the Chicago Fire, told NBC Insider that production still occasionally stops by Lottie’s.
“While we have a stage set based on Lottie’s at our studio, we still film exteriors at the real Lottie’s from time to time…” According to Diamantopoulos. They were picked because of their classic Chicago appearance, both inside and out, back in the day. One of our favorite neighborhoods in Chicago is Bucktown.
Conclusion
The Tribune Tower, the Pilsen neighborhood, and Lottie’s Pub—which also serves as Molly’s Bar—are just a few of the famous sites used for filming Chicago P.D., which highlights the city’s core. Chicago plays a crucial role in the series since it captures the spirit of the city through a combination of actual and recreated locations.
Want to explore more behind-the-scenes details of your favorite TV shows? Visit our website for exclusive content!
