Five Guys Burgers and FriesFive Guys has signed on as the inaugural tenant at the soon-to-be renovated office and theater buildings at 53rd and Harper Avenue. The news comes fast on the heels of the University’s announcement that it is renovating these key buildings.“We’re delighted to introduce this crowd favorite to our community,” said James Hennessy, Director of Commercial Real Estate Operations for the University. “The University is committed to working with the community to revitalize the 53rd Street corridor, and the arrival of Five Guys is good news for those efforts.”
With 725 locations around the country, Five Guys is just one of a number of big-name retailers the University is talking with about setting up shop in new spaces along 53rd Street, here and at the nearby Harper Court redevelopment, to blend with local businesses.
The new Five Guys in Hyde Park will occupy 2,200 square feet and could also make use of outdoor seating with a plan for attractive awnings. Officials said they expect the restaurant to open around the end of this year.
It's been a long wait. Once that corner gets turned around, I have a feeling it will be hard to remember what it was like before.
8 comments:
The four guys and one gal in my family can't wait for this place to open. Finally!
This is phenomenal. Five Guys has my favorite "fast-food" burger and fries. It will be a great draw for University students and the neighborhood as a whole. I think it will be particularly good to get University students to check out other business north of 55th street and west of Kimbark. I can't wait to hear what else is in store for this area.
Even if the 5th Ward can't get any development, at least we have the 4th Ward!
Those Five Guys don't splurge on interior decorating, I see. I also know from an inside source that there has been a sort of kerfuffle between Five Guys and the U of C over whether their exterior signage is hideous or hip.
While visiting relatives in Vancouver, Washington, we learned that the Five Guys restaurants are real favorites in the city. Good catch, U of C.
Kudos to James Hennessy at the UofC. I think he deserves a lot of credit for pulling this together.
Can't wait to try my first burger there. Bring it on (quick)!
I hope they have thought about parking. With the brokedown places along that strip parking was tough.
Wow, I'll be able to get a pricey fast food style chain burger? And fries? Or even a kosher-style hot dog? I can barely contain my excitement! I wonder if they had to call in Hank Webber for some behind-the-scenes magic!
Realization of the occasionally rumored That's-A-Burger expansion site would be one thing, but this is just sad.
Anybody see this article? This is thinking outside the box.
http://www.chicagomaroon.com/2011/1/21/hyde-park-laws-cork-barcade-proposal
Of course, local business leaders encourage them to take their business idea elsewhere. The quotes are priceless: "People don't drink here."(???)
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