Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Whole Foods coming to 51st and Lake Park, will anchor 'Village Center' by 2014

From an Antheus Capital press release, May 4, 2011:
 

Antheus Capital is delighted to announce that Whole Foods has signed a lease to serve as the anchor tenant in our redevelopment of the shopping center in the south west corner of 51st and Lake Park in the Hyde Park community. This lease represents a powerful endorsement of Hyde Park by the world’s leading natural and organic foods supermarket.

Much work remains to bring this project to fruition but we are gratified by this milestone and appreciative of the significant time and effort invested by former Alderman Preckwinkle and her successors, Alderman Newsome and Alderman Burns, in making this possible. We also acknowledge and appreciate Alderman Leslie Hairston's leadership in improving Hyde Park


The mixed-use project is designed by Jeanne Gang and Studio Gang Architects and includes 179 residential units, 110,000 square feet of retail and office space and two levels of underground parking. Chicago City Council approved the Planned Development in the fall of 2010. The stores and residences are expected to open in 2014.

Also coming to the neighborhood, the Chicago chain of diners, Clarke's. This will be Hyde Park's first 24-hour dining spot. 53rd Street has hit a tipping point. Here's the U of C press release of May 2:

The University of Chicago is bringing Clarke’s restaurant, a 24-hour Chicago-area diner, to 53rd Street in Hyde Park.
The all-night eatery is the latest business to declare its intentions for Hyde Park’s commercial corridor, following announcements this spring of plans for a hotel, a movie theater and another restaurant. Together with the mixed-use development at Harper Court, the new businesses reflect the initiative of the community, the City and the University to promote new vitality along the corridor.
The project, which is slated for completion in 2013, will include 150,000 square feet of office space leased to the University of Chicago, 440 parking spaces and approximately 80,000 square feet of retail space in addition to the hotel.
Scheduled to open later this year, Clarke’s will offer a wide variety of menu choices, including specialty salads, stir-fry dishes, sandwiches and a host of additional breakfast, lunch and dinner items. The restaurant addresses a longstanding interest among students and other community members for more late-night options.
Established in 1986, Clarke’s has existing locations in Lincoln Park, Evanston, Lakeview and Bucktown as well as a new restaurant to soon open in River North.
“We look forward to serving the Hyde Park area as always with quality food and quality customer service,” said Steve Dion, owner of Clarke’s restaurants. “We are also excited about the future plans of development in Hyde Park, and we are eager to be part of it.”
Clarke’s will occupy 4,000 square feet within the 1451 E. 53rd St. building, which the University purchased earlier this month. T-Mobile occupies the remaining space.
University officials announced earlier that later this year, Five Guys restaurant would become the inaugural tenant in the office and theater buildings at 53rd Street and Harper Avenue. The buildings, which the University owns and is currently renovating, also will house The New 400 Theaters, a local movie operator that will showcase art, children’s and wide-release films when it opens in 2012.
“We are continuing to work closely with the community and the City to bring the right mix of restaurants and retail businesses along with entertainment venues to Hyde Park that residents and students have been asking for to help improve the quality of life,” said James Hennessy, Director of Commercial Real Estate Operations for the University.
The University is also partnering with the City and civic leaders to build a mixed-use complex as part of an ambitious redevelopment of the Harper Court property. Last December, Vermilion Development signed an agreement with Smart Hotels to develop a Hyatt Place 130-room hotel in Harper Court, which is slated to become the centerpiece of the complex. Smart Hotels signed the franchise agreement with Hyatt Place.
Officials said additional retail and entertainment announcements are expected within the next few months.
Whoo hoo!


32 comments:

babafats said...

What is going to happen to Village Foods? As of now, though their quality may not be the best, it's more or less the only low-cost grocery option in Hyde Park.

David Farley said...

I want a Wegmans.

Delnai said...

It seems strange to put a Whole Foods on top of the already fairly upscale Treasure Island. I'd prefer if a Jewel or Dominick's were moving in. My Raisin Bran costs much less there!

I am, on the other hand, excited for Clarke's. I've never been impressed with them, but just having a 24 hour diner will be so great.

Elizabeth Fama said...

Heck, maybe the prices at TI will go down if Whole Foods is in the neighborhood. Problem solved. Congratulations to Antheus, and to the U of C on snagging Clarke's. College students, rejoice, there will be a 24-hour eatery!

David Farley said...

I'm hoping TI disappears and gets replaced with a grocery store that doesn't secretly seem to be channeling the old HP Co-op. What kind of grocery store constantly runs out of baskets? This used to happen all the time at the Co-op, but I never thought it would become a tradition at TI. I've even walked in, seen no baskets, and said to the manager, "If you don't have any baskets, I'm not going to buy anything" and walked out. He just looked at me.

Lilithcat said...

I want a Trader Joe's!

Andrew Cone said...

Presumably Village Foods will go away. I won't miss it.

I'm guessing the Whole Foods will mean trouble for Bonne Sante. Treasure Island might also be in trouble, as it is worse but also high-end grocery store.

The Clarke's is great news. The current lack of 24-hour establishments is one of my biggest gripes with Hyde Park.

My only worry with all this new development is that the neighborhood will get so awesome that us poorer folk will be priced out. I realize that is not really an argument against improvement, but personally, I'm not sure I want to pay another, say, $200/month in rent to live in Hyde Park thus improved.

David Farley said...

There is also a Food 4 Less in the works. Although the HP Herald says west of Washington Park, others have told me it's in the redevelopment of the Village Foods site. Food 4 Less is owned by Kroger.

tayiah said...

The master plan of hp is to make this nabe the gold coast of the south side. Yes apart of that plan is to get rid of the poor and lower middle class. I have no problem with this plan and welcome it. There is too much riff raff in this nabe. People will just have to live where they can afford. I welcome all the wonderful improvements.

David:
I hope there isn't a food 4less in this nabe.

Kirsten said...

There's tons of food here already. Now, if only they'd get some clothing stores. So tired of having to drive all over to buy my kid some decent threds!

kip keston said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Matthew said...

+1 for Kirsten and Kip's comments.

Anonymous said...

A 24 hour diner? I'm very concerned that college students, intoxicated by overindulging in pancakes at 3am, will disturb the peace and keep the neighbors up. Also, viewsheds.

Unknown said...

"This will be Hyde Park's first 24-hour dining spot."

Where's the love for Dunkin' Donuts?

chicago pop said...

Exactly where it should be.

David Farley said...

I love Dunkin' Donuts, but I'm sure the one on 53rd St. could be replaced with some chi-chi frou-frou chain where Hyde Parkers will line up to pay $7 for a donut.

Tom said...

If Clarke's puts in free WiFi, they're going to do bang-up business among the late night student crowd. What a great addition to the neighborhood!

David Farley said...

Is this new shopping mausoleum on 53rd St. really going to have large letters spelling R-E-T-A-I-L down the side of it?

Chason said...

It will be interesting to see what effect WF's presence will have on TI's prices. Though economic competition doesn't seem to work in Hyde Park (three Thai restaurants on one block, 8th incarnation of Orly's, etc.), it would be nice if TI felt pressure to lower their prices (and the thought of TI as the cheaper Hyde Park grocery store is just too funny).

The big shame, though, is that all this great new development does just as much to underscore ongoing deficiencies in the neighborhood as address them. The call for clothing has already been sounded in the comments, as the need for better restaurants and watering holes. Then there is the fact that the 5th Ward isn't seeing any of this development. Great initiatives, but these are just the first steps, I feel.

Otto said...

Looking at the Clarke's menu and pricing, I'm having a hard time seeing it. Bear in mind that the Valois opens at 5 a.m. and there is no longer a bar nearby (which I suspect could make this proposition more attractive). Upcharging by 2 bucks to substitute Kraft macaroni & cheese for potatoes is cute, though--right about the usual markup for wine.

rdb said...

This is a sea change in retail in Hyde Park, and perhaps more generally on the South Side. I for one will celebrate, even if I don't shop at Whole Paycheck very often.

Steven Lucy said...

Speaking of late night food options, Open Produce is now open until 2am every night of the week. Take that, Whole Foods!

My prediction is that Whole Foods will put TI out of business in 5-10 years, the University will then beg Dominick's or Jewel to come fill the space, and despite all of this people will continue to complain about the "Hyde Park Food Desert".

Chason said...

... which is hilarious because Hyde Park itself is definitely not a food desert.

It will be interesting to see how TI and Whole Foods interact. A number of their stores, namely the ones in Lakeview, the Gold Coast, and Lincoln Park, are within a mile or less of each other. There are plenty of other factors, I know, but they might actually be able to coexist... or not.

John said...

Let's hope the recent summer crime will not scare anyone away at the last minute.

Having a major chain like Whole Foods is huge for Hyde Park. They seem to know how to cater to the each neighborhood and clientele. Taking the Roosevelt/Canal WF as an example (near where I live recently), people of all backgrounds seem to genuinely be pleased to go there instead of the generic Dominick's. While often more pricey , the quality and service is better. And I see it as a shared community luxury/experience, in a positive way.

Treasure Island never impressed me. Let the professionals move in.

Nikki said...

Trader Joe's, where are you?! Given the low/moderate-income communities surrounding Hyde Park, I think Trader Joe's, with its blend of natural/organic low-cost foods, would be a more welcomed addition to the community. Whole Foods -AKA "Whole Pay Check"- will be yet another overpriced food source. Plus, TJ's has a loyal cult-like following (myself included) that will likely attract and retain customers.

There's always Open Produce on 55th street though...

Paddy said...

BTW, Trader Joe's is going in very soon at the old Binny's location at Roosevelt and Wabash, FYI! This will be great and close to HP.

Paddy said...

Btw, Where are you all...There is a brand new Trader Joe's going in the old location of Binny's on Rossevelt and Wabash. This will be great and not too far from HP and Kenwood. 10 mins on Lake Shore Dr. with their own parking....Great!

jhardis said...

Hyde Park's "first" 24-hour dining spot? Harrumph! Let us not forget the 24-hour Coffee Shop in the lobby of the Del Prado (53rd and S. Hyde Park Blvd). In the wee hours, one might casually run into Harold Washington, who lived in the building.

jw said...

What on earth is wrong with a community that has Hyde Park Produce and Open Produce and still wants a Whole Foods? Why can't Hyde Parkers support the good local businesses we have instead of crying for the overpriced national chains we don't?

And what does a person have to do to get an Indian restaurant? Or even a single clothing retailer?

Cindy said...

We are getting a clothing retailer -Akira is opening in the old Border's. Also, isn't Rajun Cajun an Indian restaurant on 53rd? What I need to know is when was Clark's hiring and when will these other places be hiring??

Sunshine said...

Rajun Cajun is not authentic. Never had Indian Curry lamb that was sweet. Uggggh. I do support local growers and businesses. However, tired of having to make 3to 4 stops to get the best of everything. WF has it all. BTW Clarkes does have free wi fi.

Annie Opp's Blog Center said...

Village Foods Closed its doors forever after 30years Whole Foods and LA Fitness will be taking its place.. is Hyde Park trying to push out its lower class citizens? Watch the news segment here

http://youtu.be/mKBke2Uqhms