At first glance, the four-acre greenhouse nestled in Chicago’s historic Pullman neighborhood may look like any other industrial facility. But step inside, and you’ll discover a model for the future of agriculture—a place where climate-smart technology, hydroponic systems, and urban farming principles converge to grow millions of heads of lettuce and herbs with a fraction of the resources used in traditional agriculture.
Operated by Gotham Greens, this urban greenhouse is part of a broader movement in the U.S. toward controlled environment agriculture (CEA). According to data from the USDA and the International Society for Horticultural Science, the CEA market is growing rapidly, with lettuce being a leading crop due to its short cycle, high perishability, and food safety concerns.
Why Controlled Environment Agriculture Is Gaining Ground
CEA refers to growing food in highly controlled environments like greenhouses, vertical farms, and plant factories, where variables such as temperature, humidity, light, and nutrients are precisely managed. Gotham Greens uses hydroponics, a soil-free growing technique where plants are cultivated in a nutrient-rich water solution. This method allows them to:
- Use 90% less water than conventional farming (a major advantage in urban and drought-prone areas);
- Reduce land use by 97%, making it possible to grow more food in compact spaces;
- Eliminate chemical pesticides and reduce disease outbreaks;
- Slash food miles, since the produce is grown within or near the city where it’s sold.
These methods are becoming more crucial as climate change and urbanization put pressure on traditional farming. According to the UN FAO, agriculture currently accounts for 70% of global freshwater use, and innovations like hydroponics could help significantly cut that number.
Safety, Quality, and Local Demand
Beyond sustainability, CEA also provides critical food safety advantages. In recent years, the U.S. has seen several large recalls of field-grown leafy greens due to E. coli and Salmonella outbreaks. Greenhouses like Gotham Greens’ facilities reduce exposure to such contaminants, thanks to a sealed, controlled environment and strict hygiene protocols.
As Jenn Frymark, Gotham Greens’ Chief Greenhouse Officer, explains:
“Lettuce is really becoming a big greenhouse crop in the U.S., driven by the demand for local food, sustainability, and food safety from retailers.”
This model is proving successful. Since opening its first Chicago greenhouse on top of the Method Products plant in 2015, Gotham Greens has expanded significantly, including a second site on a former industrial lot and a 55,000-square-foot expansion in 2024. Their products are now available at major U.S. retailers like Whole Foods and Jewel, demonstrating the market viability of urban-grown produce.
A Model for Urban Agriculture Worldwide
Urban greenhouses like Gotham Greens are showing the world that it’s possible to produce fresh, safe, and sustainable food inside city limits. They’re not only reducing transportation emissions but also creating local jobs, revitalizing underutilized industrial areas, and bringing consumers closer to the source of their food.
As global food systems face increasing pressure from environmental, economic, and population challenges, these types of innovative models offer a glimpse into a more resilient and sustainable future.
From a rooftop greenhouse to a citywide lettuce supplier, Gotham Greens is turning heads—and turning leafy greens into a powerful story of innovation, food safety, and sustainability. For farmers, agronomists, and agri-engineers, this Chicago operation highlights how controlled environment agriculture can be scaled successfully in urban settings and meet the growing consumer demand for local, clean, and climate-friendly produce.
