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Welcome to Lightology

We are the experts in lighting, assisting with everything from inspiration to lumination.

Our mission is to be the foremost lighting retailer, offering the widest variety of vendors, artful designs and cutting-edge technology, educating our customers along the way.

Passion Brought to Light

Always evolving, never static, we keep our finger on the pulse of art and design, collaborating with the biggest names in the industry and selling a robust variety of vendors, from European imports to boutique originals and everything in-between. We strive to be the leading voice in lighting design and technology, with a team of certified experts, educational content and industry events. As experts ourselves, we understand all of the steps involved in projects large and small, giving each of our customers the tools and customer assistance they need to make their next project shine.

Lightology Showroom

Step inside an award-winning space, brimming with rare fixtures, and gallery-worthy artworks.

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Lightology Events

Located in Chicago’s design-centric River North neighborhood, Lightology is one of the world’s premier lighting showrooms, with three stories of awe-inspired designs and artwork from around the globe. The ever-evolving showroom is designed from the ground up to serve the specialty needs of architects, designers, contractors, trade professionals and homeowners alike. The 20,000 square foot glass-enclosed space flows around a central atrium, featuring catwalks filled with high-end fixtures and interactive features. Whether you’re looking for a mid-century modern chandelier, a Moroccan pendant or an industrial desk lamp, you’ll find it here.

215 W. Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60654

(312) 944-1000

MON:

9 am - 5.30 pm

TUE:

9 am - 5.30 pm

WED:

9 am - 5.30 pm

THU:

9 am - 5.30 pm

FRI:

9 am - 5.30 pm

SAT:

10 am - 5 pm

SUN:

Closed

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The Founder

A Detroit native, Gregory Kay had an interest in lighting from an early age, completing his training as a master electrician in the 1970s. Inspired by the art and culture of the time, Kay’s passion and creativity spawned from his days as a roller disco lighting specialist, igniting an entrepreneurial drive that has since lead to numerous award-winning lighting brands, cutting-edge designs and the crown jewel Lightology showroom in downtown Chicago.

Shop Kay's Collection

1983
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2010
2016
2017
2018
2019

Greg Kay founds Tech Lighting as a 1,500 sq ft showroom in downtown Chicago.
Greg Kay founds Lightology and opens the award-winning three-story showroom in Chicago’s River North district.
Greg Kay launches Lightology’s eCommerce platform , one of the first of its kind.
Lightology opens their garden rooftop in the heart of River North.
Lightology creates a learning center on their 3rd floor, offering CEUs and industry workshops.
River North Awards elects Lightology as Best Retailer and Design Resource.
Residential Lighting Magazine elects Lightology as Showroom of the Year.
Lightology opens the Morpheus Room on the 2nd floor of the showroom - an interactive and futuristic space highlighting the most cutting edge LED technology and lighting controls.

Lightology unveils Dutch designer and world-renowned artist Maarten Baas's Self Portrait Clock in the showroom atrium, a grandfather clock that portrays the artist changing the minute hand in real time
To combat the cold Chicago winters, Lightology opens an indoor "outdoor" gallery on the 1st floor of the showroom.
Lightology unveils Letters of Passion - an LED lit poem, plastered into the wall of the stairway.
Lightology installs the Infinity Mirror, an Instagram-worthy space complete with color-changing lights, LED-lit phrases and an endless reflection.

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As seen in

Awards

2025ARTS Awards Showroom of the Year
2024ASID Design Excellence Awards
2024ARTS Awards Showroom of the Year
2018ARTS Awards Showroom of the Year
2017Residential Lighting Showroom of the Year Award
2017Inc 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies
2017Showroom of the Year from Lighting & Decor Magazine
2016Residential Lighting Showroom of the Year Award
2014Best of Houzz Service Award
2010Residential Lighting Showroom of the Year Award for Merchandising
2008ASID-Illinois Design Excellence Award for "Stratus" Wall Grazer
1997ESNA International Illumination Design Award of Merit
1994Chicago Lighting Institute Award of Merit for Lighting Excellence
1992Chicago Athenaeum Good Design Award for Johnny and Wishbone KableLite fixtures
1989Edwin F. Guth Award of Excellence in Lighting Design